Top Cusco Hiking Tours - page 27

Our family of four, including 2 teens, enjoyed a beautiful day exploring Machu Picchu. We received all of our tickets (train, bus, and site entrance) the night before and downloaded them to our phones. Communication from the tour company regarding the itinerary and transportation transfers was detailed so we felt prepared. We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the train station (about a 25-minute shuttle van ride). We booked the Vistadome train and it was absolutely worth it! The large panoramic windows including glass panels in the ceiling allowed us to enjoy the scenic views throughout the ride. The train ride was about 3.5 hours which gave us plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery and the onboard entertainment of live music and dancing. Each passenger received a complimentary beverage (coffee, tea, or water) along with a snack box containing a granola bar, healthy chips, chocolate, and candy. Additional snacks and drinks were also available for purchase. Adult passengers each received a small bottle of pisco in a souvenir bag. When we arrived at the Aguas Calientes train station, we were greeted by a transfer guide holding a sign with our name on it. She escorted us to the bus which took about 25 min to reach the Machu Picchu entrance. At the sanctuary, we met our English-speaking guide, Hector, who was knowledgeable and personable. We ended up having a private tour which made the experience more enjoyable. Because we booked our tickets 3 months in advance, we were fortunate to secure Circuit 2 which includes the classic viewpoints and far more access to much of the citadel compared to Circuits 1 and 3. We were able to walk through the ancient ruins, which was an incredible experience. Hector shared fascinating stories about the history, architecture, and significance of Machu Picchu. He also took family photos for us and knew all the best locations for memorable pictures. Our guided tour with Hector lasted about 2 hours. Afterward, we had a couple of hours before our return train which gave us time to enjoy a meal and browse the souvenir shops in the marketplace near the train station. The return trip on the train was similar to the ride there with complimentary snacks and a souvenir. Instead of live music and dancing, the onboard entertainment featured a fun fashion show. By the end of the day, we were exhausted from a 15-hour day from start to finish, but it was absolutely worth it. Visiting one of the new Seven Wonders of the World was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Fantastic Sacred Valley tour with Vidal! We visited the Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo, and a local family who taught us about traditional alpaca wool production. Vidal was knowledgeable, friendly, and brought the history and culture of the region to life. One of the highlights of our trip to Peru—highly recommended!

This tour is well organized and hits all the major sacred valley highlights. It would be impossible to fit in any more. Despite packing so much in it didn’t feel rushed. The guide Arnold was very knowledgeable and friendly. The driver was great. My only criticism is I would cut the “silver workshop” at the end.