Itinerary

1. Day 1: Cusco – Santa María

   • Start the tour from your hotel at 6:15 am. Travel from the small Pueblo in Santa Maria to the rolling hills and snow-capped peaks of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. Grab opportunities to take some pictures along the way as well. (There is also another option, and if the weather allows and the group agrees, you can ride for several hours by bicycle from the Abra de Malaga Pass)
   • Reach the destination and have some free time to rest or go rafting. (Rafting is optional; extra tour: 90 Soles)

   Have dinner and overnight. 

2. Day 2: Santa María – Santa Teresa

   • Begin hiking after having an energy-packed breakfast. (Trekking  23Km) 
   • Enter the outer jungle and witness the beauty of flora and fauna. Walk through the tropical forest, which provides many photo opportunities.
   • Visit a local Coca Plantation on the way.  
   • Arrive in Santa Teresa and soothe yourself in the naturally heated waters of the mineral enriched Hot Baths located there.  Relax there until it is time for dinner.

   Overnight in Santa Teresa

3. Day 3: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes

   • Wake up at 6:30 am and have breakfast. You might face an even more tropical climate as you come nearer to the ancient city.  
   • Walk for 5-6 hours by the truck road to Hydro-Electric Power Plant, where there is a sacred ceremonial site, Intihuatana, waiting to be explored. (Trekking 16Km)  
   • Proceed to Aguas Calientes and get a transfer to your hotel for the night.  Let your Machu Picchu guide brief you on the next day’s plans before going to sleep.

    (Optional – Zip Line canopy tour: 100 Soles)

   Overnight in Aguas Calientes 

4. Day 4: Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco

   • Get up early, at 4:00 am, and commence trekking up the mountain to Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise at the top. It will be approximately an hour and 45 minutes to reach the top. 
   • After arriving, the guide will give 2 hours guided tour, enlightening all of the rich histories of the ancient ruins around you. After the guided portion of the tour, you will have some free time to explore the ruins on your own.  

   (If you want to climb Huayna Picchu, booking in advance (two months before, with added $15) is recommended because they only allow 400 persons per day. The round trip walking to the peak of Huayna Picchu is about an hour and a half, and it is worth the stunning views from the top, but it should be noted that the portion at the top with the stairs is moderate challenging)

   • Return to Aguas Calientes to catch the return train to Cusco or Ollanta. 

   There is also the option of staying an extra night in Aguas Calientes, which would allow you more time in Machu Picchu.