Itinerary

1. Day 1: Cusco – Santa Maria Biking (Rafting optional)

   • Pick up from your hotel at 7:00 a.m. for the bus ride of approximately 90 minutes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, passing Chinchero, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo, where we’ll take a 30-minute break before heading to the Malaga Pass (4350 meters above sea level). 

   • From the pass, travel by bike as far as Wamanmarca (3 hours / 55km). During the ride, experience the beauty of the mountains and cloud forest. The climate will quickly change from cold and dry to hot and humid. 

   • After the bike ride, we’ll take transport to the town of Santa Maria, where you’ll have the option of doing an extra rafting tour (not included) on the Vilcanota River.

   (Lunch, dinner, hostel included)

2. Day 2: Santa Maria – Santa Teresa Trekking

   • After a delicious breakfast at 6:30 in the morning, we’ll begin our first day’s hiking to the cloud forest. The first 1 hour is flat, then 2 hours of the trek will be uphill. We’ll see plantations of coca, coffee, cacao, and tropical fruits typical of the region during this time. 

   • Make several stops, one of which will be at the house of the Pispitayoq family, where we’ll rest for about 20 minutes. 

   • Later, cross the famous original Inca trail, with magnificent views of the valley we’re going to hike through. 

   • After passing the Inca trail, it will be straightforward going, and after around another 90 minutes, we will reach Qellomayu, where we’ll have lunch. 

   • After lunch, continue along the banks of the Vilcanota River for about another 3 hours before crossing the river via a monkey bridge. Finally, after approximately 7 or 8 hours of hiking, arrive at the Cocalmayo hot springs and later the town of Santa Teresa (1540 meters above sea level)

   (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, hostel included)

3. Day 3: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes – Trekking (zip-line optional)

   • Eat breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Before the hike, you will have the option of zip-lining (not included). 

   • Hike for about 3 hours on a dirt trail to a hydroelectric plant with your Machu Picchu tour guide, where you’ll have lunch.

   • After lunch, we’ll continue for another 3 hours along the railroad track, observing flora and fauna of the area along the way. The ruins of Machu Picchu can be seen in the distance. 

   • Arrive at Aguas Calientes at around 5:00 p.m., where we will spend the night in a hostel with private bathrooms and hot water.

   • Zip lining, we will hike 3 hours to Aguas Calientes.

   (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, hostel)

4. Day 4: Machu Picchu (2450 meters)

   • At 4:20 a.m., begin the 90-minute hike up to the citadel of Machu Picchu, where we’ll have the opportunity to see the sunrise over the ruins. 

   • Have a two-hour guided tour of the ruins, followed by some free time to explore the site or climb Huayna Picchu mountain. 

   *Please note: For climbing Huayna Picchu, there is a fee. 

   • After visiting Machu Picchu, catch the train back to Ollantaytambo, from where it is a 2-hour bus ride back to the city of Cusco.

   • Visit Machu Picchu for a longer time and have enough time if you are planning to do Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, which require a minimum of 3 hours approximately. 

   • After visiting the area of Machu Picchu for 7 to 8 hours, return to the town of Aguas Calientes to take a train at 18:20 to Ollantambo for 1.5 hours, then by car to Cusco for 2 hours more to arrive in Cusco around 10:30 pm.