LLAQTAPATA TREK TO MACHU PICCHU – 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

Starting Point of the 3-Day Llactapata Trek:
The 3-day Llactapata Trek begins at your hotel in Cusco at 6:30 am, where you will meet your guide and group. From there, transportation will take you on a scenic 5-hour drive to Santa Teresa, passing through a variety of stunning Andean ecosystems.
Upon arrival in Santa Teresa, around 1:00 pm, your guide will take you to a local restaurant for lunch. Afterward, you will take a 20-minute drive to the famous Cocalmayo Hot Springs in Santa Teresa. Here, you can relax for a couple of hours in the soothing thermal waters, surrounded by serene mountain views.
The day concludes with a 45-minute drive to the village of Lucmabamba, where you will spend the night in cozy Andean cabins in the jungle, under a blanket of stars, enjoying a truly magical and unique experience.

Llactapata Trek – Inca Trail Hike to Aguas Calientes.
The second day of the Llactapata Trek begins early, with a wake-up call at 5:30 am and breakfast served at 6:00 am. After breakfast, you will visit a local family to learn about the coffee production process. Lucmabamba is renowned for producing the best coffee in the Cusco region, and during the coffee tour (30 to 45 minutes) you will learn about cultivation, harvesting, and roasting, as well as enjoy a tasting of freshly brewed coffee.

After the coffee experience, you’ll begin your hike along the Llactapata Inca Trail, a 12-kilometer (7-mile) original Inca path that takes approximately 3 hours to ascend. Upon reaching the Inca ruins of Llactapata, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Machu Picchu from a unique perspective. Your guide will share the history and significance of this site as you explore the ruins.

After visiting Llactapata, the hike continues downhill towards Hidroeléctrica, a descent of approximately 2 hours. Once there, you will enjoy a delicious lunch to replenish your energy.

The tour continues with a mostly flat 3-hour walk along the train tracks from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, surrounded by lush vegetation and stunning Andean scenery. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, your guide will accompany you to your accommodation to rest.

Finally, around 7:00 pm, a group dinner will be organized at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy regional cuisine. After dinner, you will have time to relax and prepare for the exciting visit to Machu Picchu the following day.

 Final Day – Visit to Machu Picchu
The last day of your tour is dedicated to discovering the breathtaking Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Your entry time is based on the time shown on your ticket, so it’s important to arrive at the main gate at that exact time. To get from Aguas Calientes (the town where you spent the night) to the main entrance of Machu Picchu, you have two options:

 Hike (approx. 1.5 hours):
Begin with a flat 30-minute walk from your hotel to Puente Ruinas (first checkpoint), where you will need to show your passport and entrance ticket. From there, you ascend for approximately 1 hour, climbing about 1,700 steps.
➤ If your ticket is for 6:00 am, plan to start the hike at 4:30 am, after breakfast at your hotel.

 Bus ride up (30 minutes):
If you’d rather not walk, you can take a comfortable bus to the entrance. The ticket costs $12 USD each way and can be purchased the night before or in the morning.
Buses start operating at 5:30 am and depart every 5–10 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Whichever option you choose, the important thing is to be at the main gate at the time indicated on your ticket.

 Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Upon arrival, you will meet your group and your professional guide, who will take you on a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu. The tour follows the route assigned to your ticket. Your guide will explain the rich history, impressive architecture, and sacred significance of the site, as well as give you time to take photos and enjoy the views.

 Return to Cusco – Two options:
After completing your activities in Machu Picchu, it’s time to return to Cusco.

 Option 1: Return by train
• Return to Aguas Calientes on foot (1.5 hours) or by bus (30 minutes / $12 USD).
• Board the train to Ollantaytambo (1.5-hour journey).
• Upon arrival, continue by tourist vehicle to Cusco (2-hour journey).
• Trains typically depart between 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm, depending on availability.
• You will arrive in Cusco between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm

 Option 2: Return by car via Hidroeléctrica
• Hike from Machu Picchu to Hidroeléctrica (approx. 3 hours).
• You must arrive at Hidroeléctrica before 2:30 pm to catch the only available car at 3:00 pm.
• The trip to Cusco takes between 5 and 6 hours, with an estimated arrival between 10:00 pm and 10:30 pm.
• Important: This option is only possible if your entry to Machu Picchu is between 6:00 am and 9:00 am. If your ticket is for later, you will not arrive on time and will have to spend an additional night in Aguas Calientes to return the following day.
• Any additional expenses for lodging, food, or other services will be the traveler’s responsibility.