Machu Picchu (Part 2): Sample Itinerary #1

Here is a sample itinerary for the trip mentioned in Part 1.  This would take 5 days/4 nights.

Day 1.

15:00   Bus departs from Lima to Cusco (22 hours)
Overnight on bus

Day 2.

13:00  Bus arrives at Cusco.  Eat lunch.
14:30  Take a colectivo to Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours)
16:00  Colectivo arrives in Ollantaytambo
19:00  Train (Peru Rail) departs for Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes) (1.5 - 2 hours)
21:00  Train arrives in Machu Picchu Pueblo.  Check in to lodging.  Eat dinner.
Overnight in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Day 3

7:00 Eat breakfast
8:00  Take bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu.
Spend day sightseeing.  Pack a picnic lunch.
15:00  Take the bus back down to Machu Picchu Pueblo.  Relax the rest of the evening.  Eat dinner.
Overnight in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Day 4

7:30   Eat breakfast.
9:00   Train departs for Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours)
10:30 Train arrives in Ollantaytambo. Take colectivo back to Cusco. (1.5 hours)
12:00 Colectivo arrives in Cusco. Eat lunch.
17:00 Bus departs for Lima (22 hours)
Overnight on bus.

Day 5

15:00 Bus arrives in Lima

Obviously, one can tweak the itinerary to spend more time in Cusco, Ollantaytamo, Machu Picchu, and other Peruvian cities.  The costs of staying extra days is not significant. You could also cut costs further by returning to Cusco the same day you go up the mountain, and cut the trip down to 4 days/3 nights.  But in my experience, it is well worth resting after a hard day of sightseeing and climbing.

More details in Part 3.