After pick-up from your hotel on the first day, travel by bus to the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. From here, a train will take you to the starting point of the trek, on the banks of the Urubamba River. The trail slowly ascends to meet the original Inca Trail. Along the way, pass through dense cloud forest with a rich variety of plants, flowers, and birds. If you are lucky you might see some of the local mammals, such as the rare spectacled bear. After a full day of trekking, arrive at the Sun Gate in the late afternoon for your first views of Machu Picchu. The lighting at this time makes for amazing pictures. Descending from the Sun Gate, continue along the beautiful paved stone path to Machu Picchu, to the famous look-out point above the main part of the citadel. From here, descend to the town of Aguas Calientes in the valley below. Check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner. You will rise very early on the second day to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu. Take a 2-hour guided tour of the site to see some of the most important locations, altars, and constructions. Learn about the history of this amazing place and the people who once lived here. After this, the rest of the day is yours to explore the citadel by yourself. If you have the additional permit to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, this will be the time. In the afternoon, your train will depart from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo. From here, drive by bus to Cusco, where you will be dropped off at your hotel.