1. Private pickup

   Your guide and driver meet you at your hotel in Cusco in the morning and drive up to the high plateau above the valley.

2. Chinchero and the weavers

   You walk the Inca terraces and visit the colonial church, then sit with a cooperative of women weavers who show how they wash, dye and spin alpaca fiber with plants and minerals.

3. Moray and the Maras salt pans

   At Moray your guide explains the circular terraces and what the Incas may have used them for. A short drive away, thousands of salt pools cover a hillside at Maras.

4. Chef prepared picnic

   Lunch is set outdoors in the valley, with fresh local produce and no hurry. For many travelers this is the best moment of the day.

5. Ollantaytambo

   A living Inca town with stone streets and running water channels. You climb the terraces of the temple before going to the station.

6. Train, hotel and dinner

   The train follows the Urubamba river to Aguas Calientes. Our team helps you check in, and dinner is included.

Places

Chinchero, weaving cooperative, Moray, Maras salt pans and Ollantaytambo

Highest point

3,762 m (12,343 ft) at Chinchero

Meals

Picnic lunch and dinner

Transport

Private vehicle and train

Difficulty

Easy, with short walks at the sites

1. Breakfast and bus

   After breakfast at the hotel your guide walks with you to the bus. The ride up takes about 30 minutes. Have your original passport ready at the gate.

2. Private guided visit

   Two to three hours through terraces, temples, royal enclosures and water channels, at your own pace and with time for every photo.

3. Optional mountain

   If you reserved Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain in advance, you climb it after the guided visit.

4. Lunch beside the citadel

   Lunch is served near the entrance before you take the bus back down.

5. Vistadome Observatory

   The afternoon train to Ollantaytambo is part of the experience, with wide windows, an open air observation car, music and dance on board.

6. Private transfer to Cusco

   Your driver is waiting at the station and takes you straight to your hotel.

Main visit

Machu Picchu, 2 to 3 hours with your guide

Altitude

2,430 m (7,972 ft)

Meals

Breakfast and lunch

Transport

Bus, train and private vehicle

Difficulty

Easy to moderate, with uneven stone steps

We request Circuit 2 because it is the most complete classic visit. If it is sold out for your date, we secure the best official alternative, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.