Heart of the Incas

High in the Andes, more than 3000 metres above sea level, lies Belmond Hotel Monasterio in the heart of the historic city of Cusco, famous for its unique blend of Spanish and Inca cultures. Built as a monastery in 1592, Belmond Hotel Monasterio retains the charm and ambience that has existed for centuries whilst boasting a reputation as one of the world's finest hotels. The ideal base from which to discover the delights of Cusco and the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Belmond Hotel Monasterio offers fine service in beautiful and impeccable surroundings.

A full day excursion to the Chincheros and Pisac Ruins and the Ollantaytambo Fortress in the heart of the Sacred Valley. With an early start, you drive through the fertile countryside of the Urubamba Valley to the colonial village of Chincheros. This traditional Andean town is known as 'the birthplace of the rainbow', and it has the full complement of photogenic attractions: Inca ruins, Andean village houses, an elaborate colonial church built on Inca foundations, and of course the lively weekly market. Please note: The main market day is Sunday. Other days the market is open but much smaller in scale. Then continue down the valley to visit colonial village of Pisac. Please note: The main market days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Other days the market is open but much smaller in scale. You then visit Pisac Ruins which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley. It features an irrigation system, an astronomical observatory, and a solar clock and calendar (Intiwatana). Continuing down the valley and ever so slightly lower in altitude you head to the impressive archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is a massive citadel located 50 kilometers from Machu Picchu. The citadel served as both a temple and a fortress and the only battle at which the Incas held off the Spanish. You will then be transferred to your hotel.

This hotel is part of the Starwood Hotels Luxury Collection and is 15 kilometers away from Cusco. It is the most luxurious and largest hotel in the magical Sacred Valley and it overlooks the banks of the lovely Vilcanota River. The luxury spa offers pampering massages and therapeutic treatments using ancient Incan ingredients. The professional staff go to every length to ensure an indelible stay, offering refined dining, a therapeutic spa, and premier fitness center, along with an emerald lagoon and blooming riverside gardens.

Today you pass through unspoiled and picturesque Andean communities on our way to the Incan agricultural experimental center of Moray, famous for its sunken amphitheatre, made up of four circular terraces, which appear to fade away into the earth like an artificial crater. The site was apparently an Inca agricultural research station filled with fertile earth and watered by a complex irrigation system, designed for experimenting with crops at various altitudes.

Continue onto the impressive Maras salt pools formed by water emerging from a lake inside the mountain in the Urubamba Valley. An amazing view is offered of the evaporating ponds used for the extraction of salt. Learn about ancestral techniques, which are still used, in agricultural, irrigation and salt-recollection tasks, as well as in Andean festivals and rites.

If you are looking for an adventure on your way to Machu Picchu at an unbeatable price, on a train with all the onboard comforts you could ask for, the Expedition train has just what you need.

The train cars of the Expedition train is steeped in the designs of Incan culture, making them the perfect way to start your trip to the Machu Picchu citadel. The Expedition gives you the chance to take in the unbelievable scenery and take incredible panoramic pictures of a journey unlike any other.

You will be waited on by a highly-trained staff member for the duration of your trip. Additionally, you will be able to enjoy a Food and Beverage service for sale, where you will find a wide variety of top quality products.

Departures are scheduled daily, with a variety of times throughout the day.

Free WiFi is available for the use of passengers at Poroy, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu Station.

Entrances to Machu Picchu are now regulated and allow entrance ON THE HOUR. Entrance times are:

6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 1PM and 2PM.

When booking you must request the hour of entrance you require or allow your destination expert to suggest a time based on your itinerary and available train times.
NOTE: You can arrive any time after your booked hour but cannot stay any longer than 4 hours from your pre-booked hour. You are not allowed in earlier than your pre-booked time.

Colored stamps are used on the ticket to determine and monitor your entry and exit time. Tickets can be checked at any time when in the ruins.

The ruins close at 5:30PM so any entrance so any entrance after 2:00PM will only allow a stay of no more than 3 and half hours!

You will be met by your guide you upon disembarking from your train, at the Aguas Calientes train station. If you are already in Aguas Calientes, your guide will meet you at your hotel reception at approximately 12 midday. He/she will then escort you to the nearby bus stop where buses transport travelers from the town of Aguas Calientes to the ruins of Machu Picchu (it's about a 20-min bus ride up to the idyllic mountain top location). On arrival at the ruins, you will begin your guided tour. You must exit the ruins by 5:00PM.

After the tour, you will exit with your guide. If you have chosen to stay at the Sanctuary Lodge, located right at the entrance of Machu Picchu, your guide will assist with your check in.

If you are returning to Cusco, at the shuttle bus terminal in Aguas Calientes, your guide will be waiting to assist with boarding your train for your return to Cusco (departures range from approx. 4:00PM to 5:30PM- schedules vary and subject to change without notice).
NOTE: You need to be at the Aguas Calientes train station 30 minutes before your trains departure time.

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu is the only hotel located adjacent to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu and the best hotel by which to explore the beautiful surrounding area. Offering luxury accommodation, simply composed Peruvian cuisine with delightful little touches, Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu is the perfect place to relax and unwind in the shadow of the Lost City.

Entrances to Machu Picchu are now regulated and allow entrance ON THE HOUR. Entrance times are:

6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 1PM and 2PM.

When booking you must request the hour of entrance you require or allow your destination expert to suggest a time based on your itinerary and available train times.
NOTE: You can arrive any time after your booked hour but cannot stay any longer than 4 hours from your pre-booked hour. You are not allowed in earlier than your pre-booked time.

Colored stamps are used on the ticket to determine and monitor your entry and exit time. Tickets can be checked at any time when in the ruins.

The ruins close at 5:30PM so any entrance so any entrance after 2:00PM will only allow a stay of no more than 3 and half hours!

Today you will visit Machu Picchu (entrance and round-trip shuttle bus ticket included). As this visit is NOT GUIDED, you will be required to present your first visit ticket. (Guides are available for a extra cost. Please enquire)

Please make your way to the shuttle bus station at the south end of town near the bridge that crosses the river Vilcanota. Buses begin running from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at 5:30AM. The ruins open at 6:00AM. No reservation for the bus is required. A guide will assist with boarding your bus in Aguas Calientes and if you're departing this day, will advise you of the time you must be back in Aguas Calientes to board your train back to Cusco.
NOTE: You need to be at the Aguas Calientes train station 30 minutes before your trains departure time.

After ascending the multi-switch-back dirt road, you will be dropped off at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Enjoy Machu Picchu at your pace or partake in one of the following walks below.

Climb Huayna Picchu (the famed peak in the ruins). This must be pre-booked at the time of your Machu Picchu reservation with Goway Travel. Time spent climbing the peak would be considered part of your allowed time in the ruins.

Climb Machu Picchu Mountain. This must be pre-booked at the time of your Machu Picchu reservation with Goway Travel. Time spent climbing the peak would be considered part of your morning entrance ticket.

Walk to the Incan bridge - no costs. Approx. time 90 minute round trip. Not allowing for time at the bridge. Time spent trekking to and from would be considered part of your morning entrance ticket.

Walk to the Sun gate - no cost. Approx. time 2.5 hours round trip. Not allowing for time spent at the Sun Gate. Time spent trekking to and from would be considered part of your morning entrance ticket.

After your time in the ruins, you will exit and board the first available bus down the hill to the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you are overnighting, you will continue to your chosen accommodation. If you are returning to Cusco, at the shuttle bus terminal in Aguas Calientes, your guide will be waiting to assist with boarding your train for your return to Cusco (departs approx. 4 pm - schedules vary and subject to change without notice).

Please note that unless a SUPPLEMENT has been included you will be touring the ruins on your own today.

If you are catching a train to Cusco or Ollantaytambo, check out of your hotel or collect your bags from your hotel if you have not already.

If you are looking for an adventure on your way to Machu Picchu at an unbeatable price, on a train with all the onboard comforts you could ask for, the Expedition train has just what you need.

The train cars of the Expedition train is steeped in the designs of Incan culture, making them the perfect way to start your trip to the Machu Picchu citadel. The Expedition gives you the chance to take in the unbelievable scenery and take incredible panoramic pictures of a journey unlike any other.

You will be waited on by a highly-trained staff member for the duration of your trip. Additionally, you will be able to enjoy a Food and Beverage service for sale, where you will find a wide variety of top quality products.

Departures are scheduled daily, with a variety of times throughout the day.

Free WiFi is available for the use of passengers at Poroy, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu Station.

High in the Andes, more than 3000 metres above sea level, lies Belmond Hotel Monasterio in the heart of the historic city of Cusco, famous for its unique blend of Spanish and Inca cultures. Built as a monastery in 1592, Belmond Hotel Monasterio retains the charm and ambience that has existed for centuries whilst boasting a reputation as one of the world's finest hotels. The ideal base from which to discover the delights of Cusco and the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Belmond Hotel Monasterio offers fine service in beautiful and impeccable surroundings.