luxury peru travel one or two days at machu picchu - a free guide

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One or Two Days at Machu Picchu?

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Contents

Is a Second Day at Machu Picchu Worth It? ....................................................... 3

Day 1 - Standard Machu Picchu Tour (2 – 3 Hours) ............................................ 4

Day 2 - Inti Punku (Sun Gate) (2 Hours round trip) ............................................. 5

Day 2 - Apu Machu Picchu (4 to 5 Hours Roundtrip) .......................................... 6

Day 2 - Inka Bridge (Bridge 1 Hour Round Trip) .................................................. 7

Day 2 - Huayna Picchu (3 - 4 Hours) ................................................................... 8

Day 2 - Mandor Waterfalls (5 Hours Round Trip) ............................................. 10

Day 2 - Putuksi Mountain (4 Hours) ................................................................. 11

About Us – The Luxury Peru Travel Company .................................................. 13





Is a Second Day at Machu Picchu Worth It?

The answer is a simple – YES

Machu Picchu is relatively compact, so it is possible to see the greatest hits of the Incas in a half a day but travelers who are willing to add an extra day to their itineraries by spending a night in Machu Picchu Pueblo, the charming tourist town that sits 2,000ft below the ruins, have enough time to explore some of the other wonders lurking in the hidden corners of the Lost City of the Incas. Machu Picchu Tours On the following pages are the most common Machu Picchu Tours. Most People do the Standard Tour on Day 1, which is normally 2 – 3 Hours. Then on Day 2 they choose one or two of the six additional choices listed below as Day 2 Tours. Most popular Day 2 Tours are Huayna Picchu, Apu Machu Picchu and the Sun Gate. One of these can be combined easily with a visit to the Inka Bridge or the Sun Gate for a fabulous second day at Machu Picchu. Mandor Waterfalls & Putukusi Mountain would normally only be done by people staying for 3 Days as these are outside of Machu Picchu itself.





Day 1 - Standard Machu Picchu Tour (2 – 3 Hours) Your tour to Machu Picchu will take you through the most important sites that comprise the citadel, where you can learn more about the incredible Inca civilization. Within Machu Picchu there are a number of specific treasures that you can explore at your own pace. There are over 150 different palaces, temples, dwellings, and other structures within the citadel. Take time to get lost in its 75 acres of wonder and climb some of the citadel’s 10,000 steps. Separated into three areas -- agricultural, urban, and religious -- the structures are arranged so that the function of the buildings matches the form of their surroundings. Famous Machu Picchu attractions include the Intihuatana stone, which points toward the sun at the winter solstice and may have acted as an astronomical calendar, and the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of Three Windows, both of which were devoted to the sun god Inti. The central buildings of Machu Picchu use the classical Inca architectural style of polished dry-stone walls. The Incas were masters of this technique, called ashlar, in which blocks of stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar. Many junctions in the central city are so perfect that it is said not even a blade of grass fits between the stones. Don´t miss the Funerary Rock Hut, where the Inca trail starts and where you will enjoy the most dramatic view of the whole citadel. From here you can trek back down the stairs and enter the Royal Tomb, where Inca kings were mummified.





Day 2 - Inti Punku (Sun Gate) (2 Hours round trip) Inti Punku the Sun Gate marks the entrance to Machu Picchu. It is a one hour uphill hike to the southeast of the Sanctuary, climbing more than 300 meters. The hike is on the original Inca trail and is paved with Inca stones. There is a spectacular view from the gate (pictured right).





Day 2 - Apu Machu Picchu (4 to 5 Hours Roundtrip) The hike to the summit of Apu Machu Picchu is 2 ½ hours and can be quite steep in places. This trail, accessed from Machu Picchu, joins parts of the Inca trail leading to the Sun Gate before climbing to the mountain's highest point. From there, enjoy the view of soaring eagles as well as Machu Picchu and other significant ruins in the area, such as Putukusi, Huayna Picchu, Salkantay mountain and the Vilcanota River view. This is a breathtaking hike, lot of orchids along the way, birds in the bushy areas, and with every stop the view is gets better and better. The climb is 600 meters uphill, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. *** Access to Apu Machu Picchu is controlled by special tickets which need to be purchased in advance by us. Access is 07:00 – 11:00. Please ask to have these tickets included in your tour if desired***





Day 2 - Inka Bridge (1 Hour Round Trip) This hike is to the south west of Machu Picchu, a nice original trail that overlooks the Aobamba valley and the Hydro-electric plant. This Inca Bridge is a part of a mountain trail that heads west from Machu Picchu. The trail is a stone path, part of which is cut into a cliff face. A twenty-foot gap was left in this section of the carved cliff face, over a 1,900 feet drop that could be bridged with two tree trunks. When the tree trunks were removed then the trail became impassable to outsiders. The path is narrow and paved with original Inca stones. The steep trail continues on and climbs the side of the mountain, leading adventurous travelers to a remote corner of this archaeological site. In addition to a magnificent bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu, the summit also offers a perfect vantage point to the canyon of the Vilcanota River, the mountain of Putukusi and the distant snow-capped Andean peaks.





Day 2 - Huayna Picchu (3 - 4 Hours) Huayna Picchu (Huayna Picchu or Young Peak) is the mountain you see behind Machu Picchu. Towering above the north end of Machu Picchu this steep mountain is often seen in the backdrop to the classic photos of the ruins. The mountain is steep, but stone steps are laid along most of the way and where the mountain is steeper you will find steel cables used as handrails. For fit people it is not a difficult climb. On wet days you have to be very careful as things can turn dangerous quickly. Very Limited Access! Only 400 people are allowed to hike Huayna Picchu each day. You have to sign in at the entrance gate. The first 200 numbers are released at 7:00am, and are often gone in less than an hour on busier days. The second 200 are available at 10:00am. ***You should buy these special tickets in advance with us to be sure you will have a space for this hike*** There are breath-taking views on the hike up and some ruins near the top which many like to visit.





The most important thing about Huayna Picchu is the bird’s eye view of the whole of Machu Picchu from the top. More on the level of difficulty: You will be glad to see that the path is almost two meters wide, but at the beginning only, later it becomes narrower, and one side there is a steep fall. There are some accidents and even deaths every year so be aware this can be a quite dangerous hike. After a while you will find the path becomes really narrow - only a couple of feet wide and here the slope is really steep. The rocks are uneven and sometimes slippery but you will find hand rails along those areas.





Day 2 - Mandor Waterfalls (5 Hours Round Trip) From Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes) we’ll walk out of town along the road, and then pick up the railroad tracks which follow the river from where the road ends. From here we can view the steep mountain cliffs all around, jutting straight into the sky far above. After about an hour along the river we’ll turn away from the river and head up a side stream toward the Mandor Waterfalls. Although we are hiking in the Machu Picchu sanctuary, there are some homesteads scattered throughout, and as we get away from the river, we pass through an orchard with fruit trees before transitioning into cloud forest. About 20 minutes we reach the waterfall, with a small pool nearby that allows a quick swim, Enjoy a picnic lunch here before we retrace our steps back to town, with a total hiking time of about five hours. This hike offers great opportunites for bird watchers with a chance to se the Peruvian National Bird the Cock of the Rock and many hummingbirds.





Day 2 - Putuksi Mountain (4 Hours) Putukusi, Quechua for Happy Brain, lies east of the Machu Picchu sanctuary. Once a lookout point for Inca sentinels, it is considered an ideal vantage point for photography of the surrounding area. At 2600 meters above sea level, it is reached by a rigorous hike from Aguas Calientes. In some places the steep climb is nearly vertical, but this guided trek provides unparalleled opportunities for observing exotic birds and lush cloud forest vegetation. At one point there is an extraordinairy ladder to ascend. (picture right) *The pathway is being renovated so please check with us the route is open before booking. On the next page is Machu Picchu pictured from the summit of Putukusi Mountain.





Machu Picchu pictured from the Summit of Putukusi Mountain





About Us – The Luxury Peru Travel Company

For over 16 Years, The Luxury Peru Travel Company is a First Class & Luxury Peru Vacation Operator based in Cusco, Peru. Luxury Peru Travel won “Best Tour Operator” 2012 by DIRCETUR the Peruvian National Tourist Authority for Cusco & Machu Picchu. Our mission is to provide unique, personalized Peru Vacation experiences for our clients, listening carefully to your needs, wants & desires and customizing a Machu Picchu Vacation itinerary that meets these perfectly, and at the right price.

Detailed Expert Local Knowledge Booking a major trip is exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. We understand. That's why we have live Peru Travel Experts here to take care of your every need, making your trip stress-free & amazing. Contact Us Call Toll Free: 1800 298 3158 e-Mail: [email protected] Skype: LuxuryPeruTravel Live Online Chat: https://secure.livechatinc.com/licence/2558521/open_chat.cgi?groups=0

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luxury peru travel one or two days at machu picchu - a free guide

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