CUSCO - SANTA MARIA: BIKING & RAFTING - SANTA ROSA (34 MILES, 55 KM)
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Santa Maria
The tour begins at 6am. You’ll continue in our private van for 3 hours until you arrive at the Malaga Pass (4,316 metres above sea level).
This is where you’ll start the bike tour down the mountain. Your guide will give a quick, informational briefing and provide all riders with the appropriate safety gear, before the 3-hour mountain descent (about 34 miles or 55 km) to the town of Huamanmarca. From there, you’ll continue the journey by bus for approximately 30 minutes, until reaching the town of Santa Maria. Here, you can enjoy lunch, and spend the first night in a basic hostel.
During this part of the journey, you’ll experience the beauty of the snow-capped mountains and their fast-changing climate, from a dry cold to a humid heat. Upon arrival to Santa Maria, you’ll have the option to go rafting* (level III and IV, during April to November) in the Urubamba River, which crosses through part of the jungle. The rafting price (100 Soles) is not included in the tour.
Duration: 12 hours
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After this activity, we continue our journey by car for 20 minutes, and a hike of 1 hour and 15 minutes to La Choza Homestay, which is located near Santa Maria, to spend the night.
Duration: 6 hours
SANTA ROSA - SANTA TERESA: TREKKING (10 MILES, 17 KM)
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After this activity, we continue our journey by car for 20 minutes, and a hike of 1 hour and 15 minutes to La Choza Homestay, which is located near Santa Maria, to spend the night.
Duration: 2 hours
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Santa Teresa
The group wakes up at 7 am. Before breakfast, the coffee tour at La Choza takes place. After breakfast, the hike begins. Starting at 6am, you'll have a two-hour ascent with stops to learn about local flora and fauna, including a break at a family house for rest, water, and tasting tropical fruit. You'll traverse a section of the Inca Trail, learning about Inca history and the Huancarccasa Canyon's impressive views. After descending to Quellomayo for lunch and rest, the journey continues with a two-hour walk to the Cocalmayo thermal baths for relaxation. The day concludes with an arrival in Santa Teresa, where you'll spend the night in a basic hostel.
Duration: 10 hours
SANTA TERESA - AGUAS CALIENTES: ZIP-LINING & TREKKING (10 MILES, 16 KM)
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Aguas Calientes
Today, there’s the option of doing canopy zip-lining for 100 soles (not included). Otherwise, you’ll begin the trekking course to Aguas Calientes at approximately 7am. It’s a 3 hour walk through the Aobamba Valley, until you reach the Intihuatana area, where you’ll pass a government control post and continue the trek.
Lunch will be included along the way, and you’ll have the opportunity to see a series of waterfalls, and admire the splendour of the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Look out for the astronomical sundial used by the Incas, as well as the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.
You’ll walk for 2 to 3 more hours alongside train tracks, which will lead you to the town of Aguas Calientes where you’ll spend the night.
Duration: 12 hours
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
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Machu Picchu
This is the day that everybody has been waiting for – today you’ll see one of the 7 Wonders of the World! It’s a very early start, allowing time to arrive and watch the sun rise over the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
You’ll begin the ascent from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at 4.30am, with the option of hiking the 1,500 Incan steps or paying a $12 bus fare to reach the citadel. Once inside the site, your guide will provide a 2-hour tour of the ruins, as well as the most important temples within the ancient city. After, you’ll be free to explore Machu Picchu yourself, and maybe even hike Huayna Picchu** or Machu Picchu Mountain**.
In your own time, you’ll need to return to Aguas Calientes (via stairs or bus) in order to take a return train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
Duration: 6 hours
