After waking up in the middle of the lush Peruvian jungle and enjoying a delicious breakfast accompanied by a comforting cup of freshly brewed coffee, you will have the opportunity to explore the local coffee, coca leaf, banana and pineapple plantations. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the jungle while learning about the local crops and their importance to the community.

Then, you will begin your exciting trek through an impressive and lost stretch of the original Inca Trail, which used to connect Machu Picchu with Vilcabamba, the last Inca capital. Along the way, you will witness a variety of tropical crops, such as avocados, cassava, oranges, mangoes, cacao, coffee and coca bushes.

After approximately 4 hours of hiking, you will arrive at Quellomayu, where a comforting lunch awaits you at a local restaurant. Afterwards, you will continue your adventure with another 4-hour hike upstream along the Urubamba River to the soothing hot springs of Cocalmayu. These waters, rich in volcanic minerals, are believed to have medicinal properties that can benefit your bones, muscles and relieve stress and headaches.

After soaking and relaxing in the hot spring pools, you will take a bus to the town of Santa Teresa, where you will spend the night in a basic hotel that offers amenities such as hot showers and wifi, allowing you to rest comfortably after a day full of adventures in the jungle.

• Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation: Hotel in Santa Teresa

After enjoying a delicious breakfast in Santa Teresa, get ready to experience the most spectacular day of your trip. We will begin with a drive of approximately 1 hour to Lucmabamba, located at an altitude of 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Here, you will join an ancient original Inca trail, built in the 15th century and which remained lost until Machu Picchu was rediscovered a few years ago.

The hike from Lucmabamba to Llaqtapata will take about 3 hours. Llaqtapata is another important Inca site located right in front of Machu Picchu, from where you will have your first glimpse of this wonder. Enjoy exploring this unique site and marvel at the spectacular views of Machu Picchu and the towering Andes. Afterwards, you will follow a relatively easy hike downhill for about 2 hours until you reach the hydroelectric station, where a well-deserved and comforting lunch awaits you.

After replenishing your energy with lunch, you will begin the final hike to Aguas Calientes along the railroad track. This stretch of the trail is full of history, as you will have the opportunity to visit the Mandor Gardens, which were sighted by Hiram Bingham III during his expedition in 1911.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes around 5:00 pm, your guide will escort you to your hotel, where you will have time to rest and freshen up. In the evening, you will enjoy a final dinner with your guide, plan the next day and spend the night at the hotel, ready for the exciting visit to Machu Picchu.

• Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
• Duration: 9 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

On the most important day, get up very early to prepare for the highlights of your hike. After breakfast at the hotel, take the first buses to Machu Picchu, as the sky lights up with the first rays of the sun.

Take an additional hike first to the Intipunku or Inca bridge. Then, you will begin to explore the citadel, visiting the most important sites, palaces and temples.

Then you will have free time to discover by yourself or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (different and not included in the Machu Picchu citadel ticket). Once you finish with Machu Picchu, you must take the bus to Aguas Calientes, have lunch (not included) and take the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo, from Ollantaytambo our private transportation back to Cusco will drop you off at the door of your hotel around 7:30 pm.