Day 3 — Cuzco → Aguas Calientes
Breakfast, Enjoy a two-day visit of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes., the journey carries on across the Sacred Valley and along the riverbank of the Urubamba. The road to Machu Picchu – the most famous archaeological area in South America – offers a variety of quaint landscapes. The vestiges of the Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo tower above the valley at both ends. Stop off at, Rising at a stunning altitude of 3,800 m a.s.l., the town offers a grand view of the surrounding volcanoes. It boasts a fine colonial church and a massive Inca wall – the remain of an ancient Imperial palace. Chinchero, however, owes it fame to its thriving, traditional Sunday market – arguably the best in the area for buying woollen artefacts ., Enjoy a stunning view of the salt ponds of Maras. The ponds, dug by the Incas on the steep mountainside, have been in use since their times. During the rain season (December-March) the area is not accessible. In that case, you will visit an archaeological site – either in Moray itself or in a different area of the Sacred Valley., At the northern point of the valley is Ollantaytambo (2,795 m). Built by the Incas, it is overlooked by the majestic Temple Hill, rising on the steep mountain side. Past Ollantaytambo, the valley grows more and more narrow: it’s hardly large enough for the railroad leading to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, lunch at a restaurant, Your guide will accompany you to the station of Ollantaytambo. Travel by train amidst the terraced fields, with a short stop off 24 km into the journey at the beginning of the Inca Trail. After that, the journey carries on along the Urubamba river, across a valley more and more narrow, and mountains more and more steep. It takes 2 hours to cover the 44-km distance. You will travel in comfortable dome railcars, to relax and enjoy the view. Reach the end of the line in the village of Aguas Calients (2,040 m), where an operator will assist you during the transfer to the hotel (on foot). Once at the hotel, your Italian-speaking guide will contact you to give you all the information needed for the visit to Machu Pichu, that wil take place the following day., Dinner at leisure, free evening and night. Accommodation ***OBXHotel Parco Torre Chia. IMPORTANT:
leave your main baggage at the hotel in Aguas Calientes; bring along a carry-on baggage with any personal belonging you might need (including toiletries for the night) in Aguas Calientes, - maximum weight kg 5,