Departure time: 7:00 AM
Departure location: Pick up at the hotel

Trip Style: Biking, Archaeological, Cultural, Landscape, Ecological, Homestay
Activities: Biking, optional rafting, free time at the archaeological site of Huamanmarca, homestay.

Transfer time to Abra Malaga: 3.5 hours by bus from Cusco.
Maximum altitude: 4350 meters ASL / 14271 feet ASL
Minimum altitude: 1575 meters ASL / 5167 feet ASL
Difficulty: easy

Itinerary:

Trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas with beautiful views of the region.

Arrive in Abra Malaga around noon and start the biking adventure into the high jungle for about 5 hours.
Pass through small villages, rivers, fields and streams, ending at the archaeological site of Huamanmarca for free time

Continue by bike or travel by van to Santa Maria to stay with a local family.
Optional: Rafting excursion in Santa Maria for US$ 30

Meals: Lunch and dinner

Lodging: Overnight stay with a host family in Santa Maria
Adventure level: Absolutely! You will be in the middle of the Andes and the rainforest.

Physical Level

1, Easy

This day we will wake up early, at 6 am, to have breakfast before continuing our hike along a river. On the hike you will need to carry your own luggage. We will ascend a mountain for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, until we reach the highest point, where we will be able to contemplate the impressive views of the Sacred Valley and the canyon. This hike will also take us along the original Inca trail to the village of Quellomayo. We will stop for lunch around noon, followed by a short rest before continuing our hike along the old road to Santa Teresa.

The distance covered will be approximately 12 km, with a starting elevation of 1575 meters ASL / 5167 feet ASL, and a camp elevation of 2400 meters ASL / 7874 feet ASL. The hike is rated as easy. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided, with comfortable camping facilities available for accommodation. Get ready for a great adventure in the middle of the rainforest that you have always dreamed of.

Departure time: Around 6:00 AM
Travel Style: Hiking, Adventure, Scenery
Activities: Hiking, Sightseeing
Distance covered: 12 km
Starting altitude: 1575 meters ASL / 5167 feet ASL
Camp altitude: 2400 meters ASL / 7874 feet ASL
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Lodging: Comfortable camping facilities.

Physical Level

1, Easy

We will have breakfast again at 7:00 AM and then continue our journey, exploring the routes followed by the first explorers who discovered Machu Picchu and other important archaeological sites. In Santa Teresa, the group will split again, some will opt for the zip line activity and the rest will walk for approximately 3 hours through the valley until reaching the hydroelectric plant. The zip line group will spend about two hours sliding down the valley before being transferred by bus to the hydroelectric plant to meet up with the rest of the group and have lunch.

After a break, we will continue walking along the railway, passing beautiful waterfalls, coca and coffee plantations, and much more, until we arrive in Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo) around 4:00 PM. Here we will spend the third and last night in a hostel with hot water and Wi-Fi.

In the evening, we will all meet together for dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a briefing about the fourth day and Machu Picchu. You will also have time to explore the town on your own. Aguas Calientes has more hot springs, so if you wish to relax in the hot water, you will have the opportunity to visit them.

OPTIONAL ZIP LINE EXCURSION IN SANTA TERESA, US$30

Walking Distance – 18 km / 11.2 miles
Starting elevation – 2450 meters ASL / 8038 feet ASL
Camp elevation – 2000 meters ASL / 6561 feet ASL (Aguas Calientes lodge)
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon snack)
Lodging: Comfortable lodge
Adventure: Moderate-High! Traveling back in time to visit the Inca people is definitely an adventure!

Physical Level

1, Easy

Today marks the long-awaited culmination of our trek, as we finally arrive at Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To avoid the crowds, we will rise early from our comfortable lodge accommodations and head to the Machu Picchu entrance checkpoint, which is open from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. Here, we will embark on a 2.5-hour guided tour of this incredible ancient city, visiting temples, terraces, palaces, priests’ houses, the sundial, the industrial sector and agricultural fields. Be amazed by the ingenuity of the Incas, ahead of their time and still a mystery today, who built this city without modern tools, steel or iron.

After the visit, you will have the option to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (tickets must be reserved in advance) or hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge. If you decide to stay longer, you can explore the city at your leisure and have lunch (not included), visit the city’s hot springs, go to a museum or shop at the handicraft market. We will take a train at 4:22 PM (subject to availability) to Ollantaytambo, where a private bus will take us back to our hotel in Cusco around 8:00 PM.

Today’s highlights: We will hike through the forest early in the morning to reach Machu Picchu before most other tourists, including Inca Trail trekkers. You will have plenty of time to explore this magnificent Wonder of the World while enjoying the beautiful sunrise from this unique viewpoint. During a two-hour guided tour of the ruins, you will learn about this mystical place. After the tour, you can choose to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (if tickets have been pre-booked) or hike to the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge (no additional entrance fees).

Please note that there is an additional cost of $25 for Huayna Picchu depending on availability, and Machu Picchu Mountain also costs $25. Students with a valid student card from their university receive a $20 discount.

Physical Level

1, Easy