Inca Jungle Trail Plus Llactapata To Machu Picchu 4 Days

Visit places

Enjoy a tasty breakfast to recharge your energies, and then walk for 45 minutes uphill. Along this section, we’ll stop a few times to learn about the unique wildlife and plants before visiting the house of a local family. In their home, you’ll get to know more about the typical customs and traditions in this part of Cusco.

Later on, we’ll make our way over a part of the original Inca Trail that connected Machu Picchu to Vilcabamba, the last refuge of the Incas. While you’re in this section, your guide will teach you all about the Inca’s history, and you’ll understand how their communication system on the trails worked. You’ll also get to take in some astounding views of the Huancarccasa canyon and observe the majestic Salkantay Mountain in the distance.

Afterward, we’ll head downhill to Huacayupana before we continue in our transport to Santa Teresa for a delicious lunch in a local home. We’ll have another thrilling activity waiting for you there as you zipline through the luscious jungle valley. You’ll feel as though you’re a bird soaring through the thick canopy.

Next, there’s another treat in store as we make our way to the Cocalmayo hot springs, 20-minutes away. These medicinal, thermal waters are in the most picturesque setting you can imagine, and you’ll be able to spend plenty of time here unwinding in the baths and resting your tired muscles. When the whole group is ready, we’ll catch our transport to Lucmabamba, where our camp is located. You’ll have a tasty dinner before heading to rest in our Jungle Domes for the night and doze off to the wonderful natural sounds of local wildlife.

Visit places

As with every other morning, we’ll serve you a hot cup of coca tea in your bed to help wake you up. You’ll have some time to get ready for the day and enjoy your last breakfast prepared by our chefs. We’ll set out early this morning for you to enjoy a short section of the world-famous Inca Trail.

After, you’ll have some time to explore the tropical jungle and then visit a local coffee farm. This is a great visit, especially for those who love coffee, as the wonderful smell fills the air, and you’ll also be able to taste a freshly prepared cup of coffee by the locals. This produce is their main form of farming, and many who work in the plantations are passionate about what they do. You’ll learn the whole process from start to finish.

Later on, we’ll ascend for around 3 hours, with stunning views of the Santa Teresa valley accompanying us all the way. We’ll soon arrive at the Llactapata Inca site, which is across from Machu Picchu. From here, you’ll get your first sight of the Inca fortress in the distance and also spot Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. You’ll have some time to enjoy this beautiful site and learn more about the history and roots of the place. Your guide will let you in on their knowledge of the Incas, and you’ll have plenty of time to capture some great shots to show friends and family back home.

Next, we’ll keep walking for another one and a half hours to get to Aobamba, where we’ll have a delicious lunch. Once we’re full and rested, it’ll be time to continue on to Hidroelectrica. From here, you have two options. You can either catch a train to Aguas Calientes for an extra cost if you’re worn out, or hike for another 3 hours along a flat trail beside the railway.

On the walk, you’ll stop at the Intihuatana, which was a very important rock to the Incas and used for ceremonial purposes. Scholars believe that it worked together with the larger Intihuatana at Machu Picchu. Along the whole route, we’ll be accompanied by the Urubamba River, lush jungle, and singing birds. You might catch a glimpse of parrots, toucans, and the cock of the rock, the national bird of Peru.

Once we get to Aguas Calientes, it’ll be time to check into your hotel and have a shower. You can take some time to relax or spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the small town before we go to a nice restaurant for dinner. You’ll have a small briefing about how tomorrow will work and then head to bed early. You need to be up before the sun tomorrow.

Note: During the rainy season, the hike up the Llactapata Trail isn’t 100% guaranteed due to safety concerns. When there are a lot of heavy rains, this trail becomes very dangerous.

Visit places

The long-awaited day is finally here as you’ll finally be visiting one of the New Seven Wonders and World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. We’ll need to wake up before sunrise after a good night’s rest to reach the archaeological site before the big crowds and enjoy the peacefulness of this ancient site as the rising sun shines its early morning light on the huge rocks.

The entrance to Machu Picchu opens at 6:00 am, and we want to make sure we’re one of the first to enter. From Aguas Calientes, we’ll take the bus to the Lost City. Once inside, your guide will give you a 2-hour tour of the most important parts of Machu Picchu, which includes temples, terraces, palaces, priest’s houses, the Intihuatana, the industrial sector, and the farming fields.

Afterward, you’ll have 5 more hours to explore by yourself or hike up Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu, but only if you have pre-booked tickets. If you don’t have tickets, there are two other fantastic options: The Sun Gate or Inca Bridge. From all of these places, you get a fabulous view over Machu Picchu.

A little after midday, it’ll be time to make your way back down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have time to grab a bite to eat before you catch your train to Ollantaytambo. We try to book tickets between 14:55 pm and 16:22 pm, depending on availability. Once in Ollantaytambo, you’ll be transported back to your accommodation in Cusco by our private transport.

Now it’s time to kick back and relax in your hotel. We’re sure your heart will be soaring in the Andes for a long time to come yet!