Day 5 on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu - Visiting the Inca Citadel

Join us for our last day on the hike to Machu Picchu! After 4 days on the Salkantay Trek, we finally made it to the town of Aguas Calientes, a short bus drive from Machu Picchu mountain. We spent the day exploring and hiking Machu Picchu, one the world's greatest treasures.
Machu Picchu is a remarkably well-preserved 15th century Inca citadel with special sacred significance. Nestled high in the Andes Mountains above the Peruvian Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu is a rare citadel that dates all the way back to the 15th century. We were fortunate to have such an amazing local guide, Alvin, who shared a lot of knowledge about one of Peru's most fascinating attractions.
This tour was led by Alpaca Expeditions.
Salkantay Day 5: MACHU PICCHU - RETURN TO CUSCO
Today will be all about touring ancient Machu Picchu! To get the most out of the day, we encourage every group to have an early breakfast before catching one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu (starting at 5:30 a.m.). This allows you to get ahead of the crowds. You also have the option to hike up the steep, switchback stairs and trail from the town of Aguas Calientes to the entrance gates of Machu Picchu if you haven’t had enough hiking!
The hotel will hold your bags for you while in Machu Picchu. This way you’ll only need to take your backpack with all essentials up to Machu Picchu. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes approximately 30 minutes.
Once in Machu Picchu your guide will take you directly to the best place to watch the sunrise (weather permitting) and take photographs. Your local guide will then show you around the main sectors of the citadel for a total of 2.5 hours. During this guided tour you’ll learn more about the history and culture of the Inca Empire.
You may hike Huayna Picchu* (must be booked in advance, as it sells out and costs $75 per person) your guide will show you where to begin this hike. The hike will take no more than 2 hours round-trip.
For your return from Machu Picchu, we recommend heading back to Aguas Calientes no later than 2 hours before your train departure. The return train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo will take approximately 2 hours. In Ollantaytambo our Alpaca Expeditions’ staff will be waiting for you right by the station’s exit door. They’ll be ready to bring you back to Cusco by car. The car ride to Cusco will be approximately 2 hours and will have you dropped off at your hotel in Cusco that evening.
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