Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu by Llactapata 4 Days

Day 1: Cusco – Abra Malaga – Santa Maria

We'll start our Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu by Llactapata by picking everyone up from their respective hotels early in the morning and leaving Cusco. We'll head out to Abra Malaga which is at 4350 meters. A little lower, we'll step onto our bikes and bike downhill for 3 to 4 hours. We'll pass by local coffee plantations and fruit trees as we go downhill.

Our destination for today along the Inca Jungle Trail is Santa Maria which is at 1250 meters. Here we'll have lunch and rest shortly before we go on our next adventure: rafting on the Vilcanota River! We'll take transportation to the river which is only about 10 minutes away. There we'll have a great time rafting down the river for about 1 ½ hours. We'll return to Santa Maria to end our first day along the Inca Jungle Trail by having dinner and staying overnight in a small local family lodging.

Day 2: Santa Maria – Qellomayo – Cocalmayo – Santa Teresa

On our second day of our Inca Jungle trek, we'll get up early for breakfast and start hiking! We'll leave Santa Maria and hike along the jungle, passing by coca leaf and coffee plantations as well as walking along an authentic Inca trail! After about 4 hours we'll reach a small local community of Qellomayo where we'll have lunch.

After lunch we'll hike along the river bank for about 3 hours to Cocalmayo which we should reach in the late afternoon. Cocalmayo is known for its hot springs, which we'll take advantage of after our long hike today! After soaking in the hot springs along out Inca Jungle trail for about 1 to 2 hours we'll take a local bus to Santa Teresa which is only about 20 minutes away. We'll have dinner at a local restaurant and stay at a local family lodging for the night.

Day 3: Santa Teresa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

Our third day along the Inca Jungle trail, we'll have breakfast early in the morning before taking the local transportation. After a ride for about an hour, we'll star our trek along an authentic part of an Inca trail! We'll hike from Lucmabamba which is at 2000 meters and hike uphill for about 8 KM to the highest point of our trek at 3000 meters.

After rounding the top for about 10 minutes, we'll get our first glimpse of Llactapata. We will reach this mysterious city around noon. We'll tour the area shortly which also gives us our first glimpse of Machu Picchu in the distance! Afterwards, we'll hike an additional 15 minutes to a local restaurant where we'll have lunch with a view of the surrounding area including Machu Picchu.

After lunch we'll hike down to the River Aobamba which will take about 1 ½ hours. We'll hike along the river for about 45 minutes before reaching Hidroelectrica. From Hidroelectrica we'll walk along the railroad tracks to Aguas Calientes which should take about 3 hours. We should reach Aguas Calientes around 6:00pm, giving us time to have dinner and take a hot shower after our long trek at our hotel! Overnight in hotel.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Today will be our final day of our Inca Jungle Trail since we'll be visiting Machu Picchu today! We'll wake up around 4:00am and have breakfast before heading out to hike up to Machu Picchu. The hike up will be long a zig zag path uphill and should take about an hour and a half.

Remember to bring your passport which matches your Machu Picchuentrance ticket as well as your ISIC (International Student Identification Card) if you booked with a student discount.

When we enter, our guide will give us a tour of the main areas of this ancient city which will take about 2 hours. Afterwards we'll have time to roam around Machu Picchu on our own to discover the enigmatic energy which comes from this Inca city.

When you've walked around, taken pictures and enjoyed the view of the surrounding valley and mountains as well, you can take a bus down toAguas Calientes. If you've given yourself enough time, you can have lunch or buy snacks for your trip back to Cusco.

You'll take the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo in the late afternoon and once there, we'll pick you up and drive you back to Cusco.

Note: The time table for the trains may change according to the train company's availability. There will also be changes to your itinerary and price if you decide to change your departure time, or upgrade to the Vistadome Train. If you booked later than most of your group for your Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, you may not be in the same train as the rest of your group.