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Back Door to Machu Picchu - Full Itinerary

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DAY ONE - CUSCO TO COLCAMAYU

You will be collected from your hotel in Cusco in private transport, and transported to the Abra de Malaga (or below, depending on the group). (approx 3 hrs drive) Here we will start an interesting and sometimes slightly hair-raising downhill ride. (depending on previous experience) This is suitable for people of moderate fitness, who like a bit of a challenge. approx cycling time is about 4-5 hours but you will be accompanied by a support car at all times, so if you want to retire, you can get into the car. For the hardy, we will cycle all the way to Santa Maria. Other groups prefer to end earlier. We will have lunch en route, visit some Inca ruins, and in the afternoon drive to Santa Theresa. You will spend the night in a basic hostal in Santa Theresa or nearby.

Previous itinerary (prior to january 2010 flooding. If camping facilities at Colcamayu are revitalised, we will revert to this itinerary. Please ask for exact details at time of booking) You are transferred to the Colcamayu Hot Springs. These are lovely, clean hot springs and we will camp here the night so you can spend a good amount of time in the pools. (if you do not want to camp then you can stay in a basic Hostal in Santa Theresa but the disadvantage is that you spend less time in the charming pools)

DAY TWO -SANTA THERESA TO MACHU PICCHU:

Early in the morning our private car will take us to the Cola de Mono zipline. For those who do not want to take on the challenge of the zip line you have the option of staying at Colcamayu or taking a forest walk at Cola de Mono. After lunch in Santa Theresa, we will drive to the Hydroelectric Station. Here you have the chance to see a small but interesting Inca ruin while waiting for the train. The train departs at 7.30pm and takes about one hour to arrive at Aguas Calientes. En route you can look up and see Machu Picchu above you. We spend the night at basic a Hostel in Aguas Calientes. NOTE: As Cola de Mono is an optional activity, the price is EXTRA to what is in the itinerary.

DAY THREE - MACHU PICCHU:

After breakfast we take an early bus up to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, where we have a guided visit of approximately two and a half hours. After this you are free to explore this famous site, and if you feel energetic we recommend you to climb Huayna Picchu (Permits required, please advise at booking). This hike takes about 1 hour to climb, and less to descend and offers awesome views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding terrain. We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the backpacker train (leaves either at 2.30pm or 6pm) and are met by a driver at Ollantaytambo who will transfer you directly back to your hotel. You will arrive approximately 4 hours after your train's departure from Aguas Calientes.

Itinerary notes - Back door to Machu Picchu 3 days

• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred oute and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• The program is subject to change, due to weather and other unexpected circumstances

Aguas Calientes upgrade package (optional) $130 per person on twin share basis for groups 3 or less. Price $110 for groups 4+. This package includes.

• Night in a 3 star hotel, like Killa Inn or La Cabaña or other depending on availability.  These are a nice hotels, well decorated, and clean.

• Dinner at one of Aguas Calientes “best” restaurants, like Indio Feliz or Tree House restaurant and includes one beverage!
• Buffet lunch at Tinkuy Restaurant, located in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.
• With limited eating choices at Machu Picchu hunger tends to send clients to Aguas Calientes; by including the buffet lunch we find that clients can visit Machu Picchu early, then go to the buffet to try lots of different Peruvian (and Western) dishes, and then rest and go back for a second look at Machu Picchu.

• Return in Vistadome train rather than Expedition train, which gives you the opportunity for a more varied timetable and to return in a nicer train, with big windows in the roof.

WHAT’S INCLUDED? For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!

• Pre Trek Briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
• Private Transport from Cusco to the Abra de Malaga
• All other transport as described in itinerary.
• English/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people).
• Mountain bike, helmet and gloves on day one
• Entry fees: Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu

• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). We do not take cooks on this trip and eat meals prepared in local restaurants.
• Budget for our staff's transport, accomodation and meals.
• First aid kit
• Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo.
• 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in one star hotel. This will be a nice, clean and safe hostel with
breakfast included and private bathroom. If you wish to upgrade from this hotel, please check out the options listed on our Aguas Calientes accommodation page.
• Train from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes

• Bus up and down to Machu Picchu

• Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes village
• Box lunch final day in Machu Picchu

What is not included?

• Breakfast on the first morning.
• Dinner on the last night.
• Entrance to the thermal springs
• Sleeping bags - If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Extra activities (ie Cola de Mono zipline)

You should bring:

• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco .
• Reasonably strong footwear,
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
• Small towel or sarong
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs )
• Cash - sufficient for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
• Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
• Binoculars (if you have them)

AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS (these discounts are not cumulative)

• 5% discount on treks only for members of South American Explorers Club (SAE)
• Students: US$ 30.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please beware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid)
• Teenagers: US$ 20.00 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
• Children: US$ 45.00 (up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)

TO MAKE A BOOKING

Please visit our Make a Booking page.

You will need to email us to check availability, receive booking forms and then make your deposit. For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our Make a Booking page. * For organisational reasons, we require one week to organise your booking, prior to departure.