2-Day Machu Picchu & Abra Malaga Tour: An Expert Review

Dreaming of visiting Machu Picchu? Maybe you are looking for a trip that provides a blend of striking scenery and ancient history. Very often, the “2-Day Machu Picchu & Abra Malaga” tour is offered, giving travelers a taste of both in a relatively short amount of time. This breakdown provides a seriously in-depth review to really help you decide if this type of offering is a fantastic match for your specific trip goals.

What’s the Big Deal With Abra Malaga?

Alright, before you picture that classic Machu Picchu view, lets consider Abra Malaga. Basically, it’s a mountain pass sitting at a really lofty 15,000 feet above sea level. Too, it is very much known for some fantastic biking opportunities. Most of these tours kick off with a super fun downhill bike ride, meaning that you coast through landscapes that are totally beautiful, before heading to the Sacred Valley.

Is that ride safe, you wonder? Typically, yes! The tour people, alright, they’re usually going to kit you out with the right gear, and they give you all of the needed safety information. The road itself is mostly gravel, that being said you might want to consider having a moderate fitness level for this one. Is it more about the views and less about hardcore biking for you? No stress, it is often quite possible to hop into a support vehicle if you get even a tiny bit tired.

Day 1: Biking Bliss and Valley Views

The first day, that starts pretty early. Be prepared to possibly be up before the sun to make your way up to Abra Malaga. In fact, the bus ride itself winds through some scenic spots, so have that camera set! Then, after the biking part, you normally scoot off to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.

Ollantaytambo, as it happens, is a really cool spot all on its own. It has an incredible Inca site, with terraces and stonework which showcase some exceptional ancient engineering. Some tour plans let you explore a bit of this town before catching an afternoon train to Aguas Calientes, often known as Machu Picchu Town.

Once in Aguas Calientes, it’s mostly all about getting settled into your accommodations and maybe taking a wander around the town. The town itself can get quite packed with visitors. It’s surrounded by big hills, creating this very distinctive feel. That being said, it is pretty well-geared towards tourists, offering different places to get food and shop.

Day 2: Machu Picchu Magic

So, this is the day everyone anticipates. Just very quickly after waking up, you will take one of those buses which will carry you up to Machu Picchu. It is actually worth trying to get on one of the first buses. Doing that seriously gives you an edge, and can get you in before many visitors get there, meaning possibly more peaceful pictures and a less jammed feel.

Experiencing Machu Picchu is something very special. Those old stones, the mountains all over you, that history which seems to just be in the air– is there much else like it? Oftentimes, the tour includes some kind of guidance that explains to you more about what you see – a fact that adds lots to the experience.

And what happens after you finish seeing Machu Picchu? You normally head back down to Aguas Calientes to hop on the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, it is probably another bus ride back to Cusco. That second day could very well be lengthy, so ready yourself for plenty of travel.

What’s Included, and What’s Not?

It really differs. Typically, such packages provide transport. That transport usually is made up of the bus to Abra Malaga, bike and safety equipment, the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (and back), a bus up to Machu Picchu, as well as a tour guide once you are there. Now, these packages do not usually provide meals. Plus, the Machu Picchu entry pass is sometimes not included. Accommodations could or could not be included. Consequently, read those fine print descriptions really carefully, right?

The things you probably will have to pay for include a few meals, entry to Machu Picchu (if it’s not already provided), possibly lodging, and some kind of tips you may wish to give your guide and other helpers. Always double-check exactly what is included so that you do not find yourself needing to make unexpected payments.

Making the Most of Your Machu Picchu Visit

• Prepare for Altitude: Both Abra Malaga and Machu Picchu are high up! Take it a little slower than you normally would, and drink lots of aqua. Those altitude sickness meds could definitely assist you too.
• Dress in layers: That climate could go all over the place very swiftly. Is it hot as you cycle? Maybe! Is it quite cold at the summit? Perhaps! So you’ll really want to come ready for all variations in temperature.
• Carry Snacks and Water: You will need energy all tour. A small backpack that features several light items can totally save your mood when the hunger feelings get overwhelming.
• Charge Everything Up: Really bring a power bank to charge those gadgets, such as your phone and cameras. Taking fantastic images seriously drains that battery charge rather fast!
• Purchase your entrance to Machu Picchu Ahead: The regulations, in fact, make it quite essential. So, waiting, like, until the last second is really not an option anymore.

Is This Tour For You?

It seems that it does depend! Is seeing Machu Picchu really something you have to do? Then you may wish to think about taking the tour just on this factor alone. Does the cycling part grab your attention? This tour could be seriously great! It seems really well designed for visitors who want the key features without spending a whole ton of time.

On the flip side, is seeing Machu Picchu going to be super stressful for you physically? Does that biking component appear really frightening to you? It may make you wish to examine alternative ways which might give you a more chilled experience. Things like private tours, and trekking options that spread things out a bit more, and allow for some acclimation, might assist you there.

What Other Visitors Say

A lot of people are quite happy. It would appear that a recurring note is, “That trip delivered seriously unbelievable landscape pictures.” Then again, some may warn, “Those travel periods may become rather tedious.” Very often, people talk about their specific guides really giving a big amount of good detail, yet they seem to mostly differ as concerns group pace. Consider looking up current feedback for any of the tour companies you are checking out. Those past customer experiences can often illuminate the possible path before you.

Book in Advance!

One very last little piece of advice to provide might be simply – always, please, remember to book this particular experience pretty far out into the future! Due to the popularity, that can truly, completely make all of the change concerning maybe missing such an excellent opportunity!

Basically, so get on top of that!

What else? Let’s have a look…

Some Quick Advice Concerning Permits.

You may want to just make super certain about that topic! It happens sometimes that you need one ahead! Thus, so that is something you have to confirm.

Machu Picchu is still seriously striking, too. Yet, it’s basically more pleasurable any time that it doesn’t happen during the tourist high-tide. It really may get overwhelmingly congested during that time, possibly lowering how magical everything is for you.

Common Questions about this Excursion: FAQs

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