Aguas Calientes
We start the day by picking you up from your hostel - Hotel at approx 6:40 – 7:00am We will drive for around 5.1/2 hours, crossing Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Santa Maria, Santa Teresa and ending up at Hydroelectric Power Station Through the windows of the minivan you can clearly see the white, snowcapped mountains trough out the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, the low vegetation extensive hills, red clay hills and authentic villages and communities of Quechua region. We will continue by spectacular scenery of high peaks and low valleys in a colorful and contrasting panorama filling every direction you turn your eyes! After the first one and half hour of driving, we will stop quickly in Ollantaytambo to take advantage of the toilet facilities, any shop, and an optional, short breakfast. We will then continue to the path towards the top of the mountains. After leaving the valley of Ollantaytambo to get a peak of snowy landscapes with almost no vegetation and fog around. On the way the Abra Malaga at 4320 m above sea level will be passed by, this area is often covered in a thick clouds, snow or rain.
Right after passing Abra Malaga we start with a winding road downhill driving to Santa Maria and later to Santa Teresa to finally reach Hydroelectric power station around 13:00Hrs approx. where you will get your lunch for about 01 hour.
Hydroelctric – Aguas Calientes was the same trail used by the North American professor Hiram Bingham who rediscovered Machu Picchu after centuries of it being lost to the outside world!
from this place we start a hike of 2 and ½ hours – 11km mostly flat walk beside the rail way and beside the beautiful Vilcanota river to arrive in Aguas Calientes, the town next to Machupicchu, from Hydroelectric also you have the option to take a train to arrive in Aguas Calientes in 25 minutes, this train has an extra cost of US$ 33.00 each way (98% of people go walking); You will spend the night there and you will have the rest of the day to chill out in the town or in the hot springs (not included) before visiting the Inca wonder.
Aguas Calientes town exist because of Machupicchu, a small village with no taxis, moto taxis or colectivos around, people move all around by foot, except the bus service that goes to Machupicchu which is from one point to another and that’s all.
The town counts with all facilities that may need a tourist: Restaurants, internet café, massage centers, public phones, cash machines, money exchange offices, etc,etc.
Once you arrive from Hydroelectric; go straight up to your hostel in Aguas Calientes, which will be easy to locate since you have your voucher hostel, name and hostel map on your hand already from Cusco.
Later 19:00 – 19:30Hrs in the same hostel reception area our professional tour guide will meet you to have a briefing about the next day where you get last details about your Machupicchu visiting.
Same tour guide after your briefing will show you the restaurant where you will have your dinner which is included in the program, afterwards have a good night in Aguas Calientes.