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four angles of machu picchu trek - Full Itinerary
Do things others only dream about - visit the recently discovered ruins of Llactapata, climb the awe inspiring Putucusi mountain and visit Machu Picchu!
Day One: Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Santa Theresa
After being picked up from your hotel at 9am, we will proceed in a private car through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, through Ollantaytambo to the Abra de Malaga, a spectacular drive over a high mountain pass going over a spectacular zig zag road. After lunch at a restaurant en route, we will descend to the high jungle town of Santa Maria. From there, we will continue on a death defying road along the narrow canyon of the Vilcanota river to the town of Santa Theresa. In Santa Theresa you have the option of either staying in a basic hostal, or camping at the hot springs of Colcamayu. (entry fees not included)
Alternative option: Biking down the Abra de Malaga, as described in the Inca Jungle Trail tour!
Day 2: Santa Theresa -Lucumbamba - Llactapata - Aguas Calientes
We will take a car from Santa Theresa to Lucumbamba where we will start our 3 hour hike up to the ruins of Llacatapata. This is a steep climb, gaining about 900m in altitude. The Llactapacta ruins are interesting, but largely vegetation covered. Orginally discovered by Hiram Bingham at the same time that he discovered Machu Picchu, modern day explorers Vincent Lee and Gary Ziegler recently established that these ruins are much bigger and more important than previously thought. We descend from here to the Hydroelectric station (2 hours steep descent) and at 4.30pm take the local train from the Hydro to the town of Aguas Calientes. (You have the option to hike from the Hydroelectric alongside the railway tracks for about two-three hours, during which time we will be able to look upwards and admire the ruins of Machu Picchu, to arrive at Aguas Calientes)
** Today you also have the option of doing the challenging Cola de Mono zipline (not included in the price)
Accomodation: Hostal, Aguas Calientes.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu - Aguas Calientes
After breakfast we take the bus up to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, where we will first hike to the Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, (about one hour) for another look at this city. Later in the day we will climb the mysterious mountain of Huayna Picchu first by visiting the exiquistely constructed Temple of the Moon, and then climbing the spine of this mountain (quite breathtaking in many ways!) before reaching the ruins on the top. This is where you get an amazing view of the lost city. You have the option to walk down from Machu Picchu, or to take the bus.
Accomodation: Hostal, Aguas Calientes.
Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Putucusi Mountain - Cusco
After breakfast we will face the biggest challenge of our four day hike - Putu Cusi mountain. We climb 600 metres in alititude in about an hour and a half and also are faced with some vertical ladders of over 30 metres long. Definitely NOT for the faint hearted! You really should have a head for heights to climb this mountain. From the peak of the mountain, we have our final and possibly most impressive view of Machu Picchu. In the afternoon we will take a well deserved soak in the springs of Aguas Calientes before taking the train back to Cusco in the afternoon.
Itinerary notes - Four Angles of Machu Picchu, including PutuCusi mountain
- 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 route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
- This is an adventurous trip. You should be sure to bring an open mind, flexibility and a sense of humor. Most of all you should be prepared to go with the flow
Aguas Calientes upgrade package (optional)
$105 per person. This price doesn’t change depending on the number of people in the group. This package includes:
Practical Information
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.
- Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in private car
- Good quality mountain bike, and helmet for the first day of biking. (if you choose this option)
- Entry fee to Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu
- English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people).
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
- Porters. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7 kg/15lbs per person).
- First aid kit
- Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
- Train or equivalent luggage from Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes
- Lunch on the last day is included in this itinerary.
- 1 night in accomodation in Santa Theresa
- 2 nights accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a basic 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.
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 .
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
- Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. (this trip is warmer than many others in the Andes, so you do not need too many warm clothes, just a few in case of changing weather!)
- Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
- Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
- 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
- Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
- Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
- We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
- 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.
- Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
- Binoculars (if you have them)
optional extras
We can hire the following to you.
- Sleeping Bag suitable for – 10deg $4.00 per trip day
- Deluxe Sleeping Bag suitable for -15deg. $5.00 per trip day)
- Walking stick lightweight aluminum ($2.00 per day, per stick) Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
- Thermarest inflatable mattress - $4 per trip day
- Inflatable pillow - $2 per trip day
- Aguas Calientes Upgrade –comfortable 3star hotel, nicer restaurants and Vistadome train upgrade $95 per person
HIRE POLICY:
- When calculating costs for hire of walking stick, sleeping bag, calculate using the length of the tour. Even though you won’t use the equipment on the final day it will still be ‘on the road’ and ‘occupied.’
- If you hire equipment and break it – you are responsible for price of replacement /or repair. (please do the right thing!)
AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS (these discounts are not cumulative)
- 5% discount on treks only for members of South American Explorers Club (SAE)
- Students: US$ 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.
