Short itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Santa María – Santa Teresa (Biking)
- Pick up from your hotel between 6:30 and 7:00 AM and travel through the Sacred Valley to have breakfast.
- Continue by car to Abra Málaga, the highest point of the trip, to start the bike descent (approx. 3.5 hours) enjoying landscapes and local flora and fauna.
- Reach Huamanmarka, then continue by car to Santa María for lunch.
- Optional rafting activity on the Vilcanota River.
- Continue by car to Santa Teresa and enjoy the hot springs.
- Overnight stay in Santa Teresa.
Day 2: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes (Hiking)
- After breakfast, optional canopy / zipline activity (approx. 2 hours).
- Drive to Hidroeléctrica, then begin a 30-minute hike to the restaurant for lunch, enjoying views of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu.
- Continue hiking for about 2.5 hours to Aguas Calientes.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
- Depart at 4:00 AM for a 1.5-hour hike up to Machu Picchu to see the sunrise.
- Register at the control area around 6:00 AM and start a guided tour of about 2 hours to explore the most important areas of Machu Picchu.
- Free time to explore on your own.
- Return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo, then a tourist bus back to Cusco.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Santa María – Santa Teresa
We’ll pick you up from your hotel between 6:30 and 7:00 AM and head toward the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where we’ll stop for breakfast. We then continue to Abra Málaga, the highest point of our journey, from where we start an exhilarating descent by bike for about 3.5 hours. Along the way, you’ll enjoy breathtaking landscapes and diverse flora and fauna until we reach the village of Huamanmarka. From there, we continue by car to Santa María for lunch, with the option to do rafting on the sacred Vilcanota River. Later we head by car to Santa Teresa (approx. 1 hour) where we can visit the hot springs before spending the night.
Day 2: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes
After breakfast around 6:30 AM, you’ll have the opportunity to try canopy / zipline activities (approx. 2 hours). We then drive to Hidroeléctrica, from where we start a 30-minute walk to our lunch spot, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu. We continue hiking for about 2.5 hours until we reach Aguas Calientes, where we have dinner and spend the night at a comfortable hostel with private bathroom and hot water.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Early at around 4:00 AM we start our hike up to Machu Picchu (approx. 1.5 hours) to enjoy an unforgettable sunrise over the citadel. After registering at the control gate at 6:00 AM, we begin a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu’s most important sectors. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore before heading back to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo, where our tourist transport will be waiting to return you to Cusco, concluding this adventure through jungle, mountains, and the marvel of Machu Picchu.
Included
- Pick up from your hotel
- Transport Cusco – Abra Málaga – Santa María – Santa Teresa
- Bikes with front suspension, helmets, gloves
- 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 3 breakfasts
- Canopy / zipline activity (second day)
- 1 night basic lodging, 1 night hostel with private bathroom & hot water
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Bilingual professional guide (Spanish / English)
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Vegetarian meal option available
Not included
- First breakfast in Ollantaytambo
- Last lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu round trip (approx. $24)
- Entrance to Cocalmayo hot springs (approx. 5 soles)
- Transport from the hot springs to Santa Teresa (approx. 5 soles)
- Beverages (water, soda, beer, chocolates)
- Tips
Recommendations
- Bring light clothing for warm weather and layers for cooler evenings
- Wear comfortable trekking shoes and carry rain gear
- Use sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, and a hat
- Carry your valid passport or ID (mandatory for entry)
- Bring a small backpack with water, snacks, and personal items
- Follow your guide’s instructions and respect the environment to help preserve these beautiful sites
