Posts Tagged ‘Coffee tour Cusco’

Most people reach Machu Picchu by train from Ollantaytambo. This 3-day hike and coffee tour goes the long way: from the high Andes down into Cusco’s cloud forest, with a night at a coffee farmer’s home, a morning learning how coffee is grown and processed, and a hike along the old Inca path of Huacayupana toward Hidroeléctrica and Aguas Calientes. On the third day, you visit Machu Picchu with a guide. Coclatours has been building this coffee route to Machu Picchu with coffee-growing families since 2009.

On day one, you cross Abra Málaga at over 4,300 m, have lunch in Santa María, and hike for about two hours to the farmer’s house, where you have dinner and sleep. On day two, you spend the morning on the coffee farm, then hike for two to two and a half hours along the original Inca Trail to the road. A vehicle takes you through Santa Teresa to Hidroeléctrica, then you can walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes or take the train. On day three, you visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco.

The Huacayupana hike is part of the mountain route that the Inca Jungle tours use, but this is a different experience: there is no biking, rafting or zip-lining. Here the farm is not a short stop; it is the heart of the program. You share a night and a morning with a coffee-growing family, and the program is built for small groups. It suits travelers who enjoy walking, have no fear of heights, and want to meet a rural family rather than just see a landscape.

The Huacayupana hike and the old Inca path

On day two, you leave the farmer’s house and walk along the original Inca trail, deep in the mountains, with incredible views of the valley and the river. About 1 km of the path is stone steps of the Inca trail itself. The way also passes through coffee farms and native cloud-forest trees. The walk takes between two and two and a half hours and ends at the road.

Because of the narrow path and the steep slopes, this hike is not suitable for people who have vertigo.

In 1998, floods and landslides destroyed the town of Santa Teresa and left many farming families in the area cut off from the roads. Looking for other ways through the mountains, the local producers explored the slopes and found an old Inca path. They opened it up and have kept it in use since then, and today it lets travelers walk toward Machu Picchu through coffee plantations.

Want to go deeper into coffee? Read the history of coffee, or see our coffee and cacao experiences.

Prefer a longer version with more time on the coffee farm, or a walk to the Cocalmayo hot springs? See our Coffee Farm Trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days.

Highlights:

• Cross the Andes by private vehicle, with a stop for coffee at a specialty coffee shop at 4,300 m
• Leave flowers as an offering at the chapel of the Señor de Puerto Málaga
• Spend the night with a coffee-growing family and share dinner and breakfast with them
• Follow coffee from the plant to the cup on the farm
• Hike along the original Inca trail of Huacayupana, through coffee farms and cloud forest
• Hike along the railway to Aguas Calientes, or take the train
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu

Coclatours and the host families

Coclatours began as part of the COCLA cooperative network, with a clear goal: to involve member families in tourism. In that project, the families received training, financing, and promotion to welcome visitors in their own homes. Today Coclatours is a private company, but the work continues: we promote the families and their activities, and we bring in families from other areas. Read more about our story on our About Us page.

Please note: all times are approximate. This route calls for some flexibility: we adjust the schedule to the road conditions, the weather and your group’s pace, so we can reach the trail and the train on time. The road between Santa María, Santa Teresa and Hidroeléctrica is being improved, and travel times may change.

Day 1: Cusco – Abra Málaga – Santa María – The farmer’s house

We pick you up around 7:00 am from your hotel in Cusco, or around 8:30 am in the Sacred Valley (Calca, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo), and cross the Andes by private vehicle. The road climbs to Abra Málaga (over 4,300 m), then drops into the cloud forest. We go slowly: there is time for photos of the landscape, for llamas and alpacas along the road, and for flowers to leave as an offering at the chapel of the Señor de Puerto Málaga, asking for protection on the journey and honoring the Pachamama.

We also stop at the specialty coffee shop El Abra, at about 4,300 m. Its owner, Rosmel, is a young adventurer who one day decided to open a business at 4,300 meters above sea level, where there was nothing. It is a great place for a good cup of coffee with the mountains around you.

We reach Santa María around midday and have lunch (included) at a local restaurant. After lunch, we drive to the end of the road and hike for about 2 hours to the farmer’s house.

In the afternoon, the family welcomes you. After some rest, we share dinner with them and spend the evening at their table.

Overnight: farmer’s house, simple rooms (some with private bathroom, some with shared bathroom; no hot water at the moment).

Day 2: Coffee Farm – Huacayupana – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes

We start with breakfast with the family. Until about 10:00 am, you follow coffee from the plant to the cup: the farmer’s story, a walk through the plantation, the harvest (depending on the season), and the process at home.

Harvest depends on the season. Most of the year there are ripe cherries to pick; if there are none, the rest of the experience runs as usual.

At 10:00 am, we leave the farmer’s house and start the Huacayupana hike, along the original Inca trail, deep in the mountains, with incredible views of the valley and the river. It takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, includes about 1 km of Inca stone steps, and passes through coffee farms and native cloud-forest trees until we reach the road, around 12:00 pm. (Not recommended if you are afraid of heights.)

A vehicle then takes us to Hidroeléctrica, passing through Santa Teresa, arriving between 1:00 and 1:30 pm. We have a buffet lunch there (included). From Hidroeléctrica, you choose how to reach Aguas Calientes:

• Hike along the railway (recommended): about 10 km, around 3 hours (approximate, depending on your pace), with your guide. It is a beautiful route. We recommend leaving Hidroeléctrica as soon as possible after lunch, and by 3:00 pm at the latest.
• Take the train (optional): the afternoon train leaves at 2:50 pm and takes about 1 hour (10 km). Available on request, at an additional cost. Tell us when you book.

In Aguas Calientes, your guide explains the plan for Machu Picchu, and you have the evening free, with the hot springs if you want them.

Overnight: hostel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom and hot water.

Day 3: Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

We take the bus up to Machu Picchu in the morning and tour the citadel with your guide. Then you have free time to explore and take photos on your own. Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain can be added if you book in advance, as spaces are limited.

After lunch outside the site (food is not allowed in the citadel), we take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, then the bimodal service: the train to Ollantaytambo and the bus from there to Cusco. On arrival, a transfer takes you from the bus station in Cusco to your hotel. You will know your exact train schedule as soon as we buy your tickets.

Includes

• Private transportation from Cusco or the Sacred Valley to the trailhead, and from the road to Hidroeléctrica (the driver does not stay overnight)
• Bilingual guide (Spanish – English)
• Lunch on day 1 at a local restaurant in Santa María
• 1 night at the farmer’s house with dinner and breakfast (2 rooms with private bathroom and 4 with shared bathroom; no hot water at the moment)
• Coffee experience with the family
• Buffet lunch at Hidroeléctrica on day 2
• 1 night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom and hot water + breakfast. The one we include is Terrazas del Inca Hostel or similar
• Round-trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu entrance ticket (circuit subject to availability at the time of booking)
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu (shared or private, depending on your request)
• Bimodal service from Aguas Calientes to Cusco: train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
• Transfer from the bus station in Cusco to your hotel

Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes: the program includes the hike (about 10 km, around 3 hours, along the railway). If you prefer the train, tell us when you book, and we will add the ticket at an additional cost.

Does not include

• Breakfast on day 1
• Lunch on day 3 and dinner on day 2 (in Aguas Calientes)
• Train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (optional)
• Additional costs caused by changes due to weather or road conditions
• Snacks, water, and personal expenses
• Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, upon request and subject to availability
• Tips
• Services not mentioned

How demanding is it?

This is a moderate trek for people who are comfortable walking for several hours. You do not need technical experience, but you do need a reasonable level of fitness:

• Day 1: about 2 hours of hiking from the end of the road to the farmer’s house.
• Day 2: 2 to 2.5 hours along the Inca Trail to the road, including about 1 km of stone steps, and around 3 more hours (10 km) along the railway if you choose to hike to Aguas Calientes.
• If you prefer, you can take the train for the last stretch to Aguas Calientes.
• This hike is not recommended if you are afraid of heights.

Altitude

Cusco is at about 3,400 m, and the road crosses Abra Málaga at over 4,300 m. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least one or two days before the trek, to adapt to the altitude. Drink plenty of water and take it easy on your first day. The farms are lower, in a warmer area with mosquitoes.

What to bring

• A small daypack
• Hiking shoes or boots with good grip
• Rain jacket or poncho (even in the dry season)
• Light layers for the walk and a warm layer for Abra Málaga and the evenings
• Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, to protect against mosquito bites
• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Insect repellent and an antihistamine: repellents do not always work, and bites can itch and swell
• Headlamp or flashlight (the walk along the railway can end near dusk)
• Reusable water bottle and some snacks
• Cash in soles for small purchases and tips
• Your passport (needed for Machu Picchu)
• Swimsuit, if you want to use the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
• Any personal medication you need

Best time to go

The dry season, from April to November, is the time we recommend for this route. We do not recommend it at other times of the year because of the mud and the risk of landslides on the road. Weather in the cloud forest can change quickly: even in the dry season, a heavy downpour can fall without warning, so we stay flexible and adjust the plan to the conditions of the day. Ripe coffee cherries are available most of the year, with fewer between December and March.

If the plan has to change

Weather and road conditions in the cloud forest can force changes to the plan. If this happens, we will let you know and look for the best option to meet the goals of the trip. Any additional costs caused by these changes are not assumed by Coclatours and must be covered by the traveler. See our Terms & Conditions for details.

When you book

• Book as early as you can: Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train seats are limited, especially in high season (about June to August).
• Send us each traveler’s full name and passport number exactly as in the passport, to issue the tickets.
• Tell us about any dietary needs or health conditions that may affect the walk.
• Times in this program are approximate: we confirm the plan with you before the trek and adjust it to the road and weather conditions.

Discover the heart of Peruvian coffee with the Pérez family – a journey from bean to cup in the Inca jungle of Cusco. On this single-day coffee farm tour, you will learn how local farmers grow, harvest, and produce coffee beans from harvest to cup, try local fruit, and prepare your coffee traditionally. You will also have time over a home-cooked lunch to sit and get to know the family and get all of your coffee-related questions answered!

To embark on this tour from Cusco, you must be ready to go early; it takes approximately four hours to drive to the farm. However, if you would like to start this tour from Ollantaytambo (the town where many tours to Machu Picchu start/end), we can arrange this for you, and it will cut off about 2 hours of travel time. Also, if you would like to combine this tour with Machu Picchu, check the add-on tab out.

Why Choose the Coffee Farm Experience: 1-Day Tour?

• Authentic and immersive: Take part in every stage of coffee production—from harvesting to tasting.
• A family experience: Connect with the Pérez family, five siblings passionate about coffee and committed to sustainability.
• Proven by travelers:
  “A truly incredible experience… very personalized and one I will remember for years!” – TripAdvisor
  “The journey was unforgettable… stunning views and alpacas along the way.”
• Cultural connection: Be part of our local traditions—we’ll buy flowers to offer to the Pachamama and a local church, admire alpacas in their natural environment along the route, and bring a small gift for the host family as part of our Andean customs.
• We’ll cross the Andes into the jungle: This geographical transition is one of the most appreciated parts of the tour. From breathtaking mountain landscapes and snow-capped peaks to the lush vegetation of the high jungle, we’ll pass through the cloud forest.
• Ethical tourism: Support local producers and their sustainable farming practices.
• Taste local food: Enjoy a traditional green plantain-based soup, a favorite among visitors. Meals include soup, a main dish, and local drinks.
  If you’d like to try cuy (guinea pig), the family can prepare it in the local style. This has an additional cost payable in soles directly. The full portion includes one whole cuy to share, four stuffed rocotos (spicy peppers), and potatoes or cassava.
  Price for the full portion: 90 soles or 30 USD.

Interested in extending this experience? Check out our Coffee and/or Cocoa Farm Tour 2D page. also possible to combine it with the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour. Check out our Sacred Valley and Coffee Experience Tour 2D

Who are we?

Cocla Tours is a responsible travel agency based in Cusco, Peru. We started as a social project from COCLA, a cooperative of coffee and cacao farmers. Today, we are a local company that connects travelers with authentic and immersive experiences in the Andes and the Amazon.

Our tours are led by local families and communities who protect their culture and the environment.

This tour takes you to a real coffee farm in the high jungle of Cusco. You will share an unforgettable day with a local family, learning about specialty coffee, how it’s grown, processed, and enjoyed.

Meet the Pérez Family

Don Hilario and his family, your hosts on this 1-day coffee tour

The Pérez family, five brothers and their father, have grown coffee for about 15 years. Before that, they grew tea, but due to low prices, they changed to coffee, which is now their principal source of income.

They are part of COCLA, a cooperative that helps small farmers get organic and Fair Trade certifications. Hilario, the father, is one of the founding members and still works with a big smile.

The family is always learning and improving their methods. You will learn about coffee, resilience, community, and tradition.

Their story is not about business; it’s about passion and learning. They keep improving their coffee every year. When you visit them, you share their daily life and discover the deep connection between land, family, and flavor. Visitors are welcomed as friends, not clients.

What makes coffee good? Is altitude the secret? Visit the Pérez family and find out.

Coffee Farm Experience: 1-Day Tour Itinerary.

You can start this tour from Cusco or the Sacred Valley (Urubamba or Ollantaytambo town). The location of these towns in the Sacred Valley is closer to the area of the Huayopata district, where this experience takes place.

**5:00 AM** – Pickup from Cusco

**6:30 AM** – Pickup from Urubamba or Ollantaytambo town.

Morning Journey:

• Scenic drive through the Andes Mountains. If we start in Cusco, we will pass the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• Stop to buy flowers to offer to god and the Pachamama
• A short stop to see alpacas and lamas in their natural environment along the way
• Coffee stop at Rosmel’s café (4,300m or 14000 feet) — a young barista with big dreams and nice stories.
• Cross the Andes into the cloud forest, and enjoy amazing views

Late Morning at the Farm:

• Warm welcome from the Pérez family
• Interactive visit to the coffee fields: learn about varieties, diseases, organic cultivation, and how climate change affects coffee cultivation
• Learn about other crops: banana, avocado, yucca, tea, coca, fruits, and native products.

Midday Activities:

• Help in the coffee process: pulping, fermenting, washing, drying
• Enjoy a traditional lunch with members of the family
• Roast and grind coffee in two different styles: old and new school. You will be in charge of preparing the coffee we will taste..
• Taste it, and learn how to identify a good cup. 

Afternoon:

• Say goodbye and sign the guestbook; very important for the family
• Buy coffee directly from the farm (please tell us in advance)
• Drive back to Cusco or the Sacred Valley with optional scenic stops

We will depart from the house around 3-4 pm., arriving at your destination 3- 4 hours later. It will depend on the traffic conditions.

What Travelers say regarding the Coffee Farm Experience: 1-Day tour on TripAdvisor:

Coffee Farm Experience Tour 1-Day tour price in USD

Prices are per person in US Dollars.

CAR SERVICE (XPander Mitsubishi model)

• 01 passenger: USD 382.00
• 02 passengers: USD 206.00
• 03 Passengers: USD 151.00

VAN SERVICE (H1 or Staria model)

• 01 passenger: USD 452.00
• 02 passengers: USD 242.00
• 03 Passengers: USD 167.00
• 04 Passengers: USD 136.00

If you prefer to travel in a group, unfortunately, this option is not easy to organize. We organized this experience in private service, but alternatively we could offer you travel by bus, not the best option, but possible.

Departing from Cusco at 6 am and returning around9 pm

Departing from Ollantaytambo at 6:30 am (requires you to go to a specific place to get the bus). Returning there at around 8 pm

PRICE PER PERSON IN USD: contact us at info@coclatours.com 

Included in the Coffee Farm Experience Tour 1-Day tour

• Round-trip transportation (tourism service authorized vehicle)
• Bilingual guide (English and Spanish; and other languages are possible at an extra cost
• Interactive coffee farm tour
• An interactive presentation about the traditional coffee roasting process.
• Time with a local family
• Lunch with a local family
• Local beverages
• Fruit in season

Does Not Include

• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Personal Expenses

Do you want to taste a guinea pig in local style? If you would like to try one of the most famous dishes in Peru, the guinea pig (cuy), in local style, you can ask for it during this tour. An additional rate will be required, which you can pay directly to the family. Price $25.00 or 90 soles, this will come with some Rocotos Rellenos (stuffed pepper) and potato served in a traditional style. 

Note:

• Those who speak Spanish and therefore do not require an English-speaking guide will receive a discount of $70.00 for the group
• If you prefer to have this experience in another language, please let us know; it will be possible at an extra cost.
• Pay in cash and get 5% off
• Price includes pickup from Hotels in Cusco and Ollantaytambo, and other locations like Pisac, Calca, and Urubamba. Please consider an additional payment per group: Car $15 and VAN $25
• If you are a low-budget traveler and are interested in doing this tour, please feel free to contact us to give you some options

How to Book the Coffee Farm Experience: 1-Day Coffee Tour with Cocla Tours

• Message us on WhatsApp: +51-984-394-583 or email us to info@coclatours.com

Payment Options:

• Credit card: We will send a payment link 
• Cash before the tour (we accept cards too in Soles)
• PayPal: Find out at info@coclatours.com

Booking Deposit:

• We will request payment in advance of a total of $50 if you are a group of 2 people

• Best travel season?
  • March to September: Coffee harvest and full experience
  • January to March:* Rainy season – fewer activities, but still possible
  • October to December: Coffee flowers – please ask us first
• Do I need experience? No, just a smile and an open mind
• Is it hard to walk? Only short and easy walks
• Can I buy coffee? Yes! Let us know before, so it’s ready. The family processes their production. If you are a coffee lover, we can get you some amazing, good-quality coffee from other producers (we can say kind of unique samples). We can find producers in the region or young people who are experimenting with the fermentation process. 
• What do you recommend bringing? Mosquito repellent, a cup, warm clothes for the trip, and a light for the farm experience. It can be pretty warm. Better if a long-sleeved shirt and long pants 

Machu Picchu +1D

We can arrange to extend the Coffee Farm Tour 1D for one more day, including a trip to Machu Picchu. If you choose this option, the extended itinerary will follow this schedule:

After lunch on day 1, we will bid farewell to the family and continue on our way to the train station in Ollantaytambo town, where we will travel to the town of Aguas Calientes and arrive at approximately 8:45 pm. You will have the night to spend at your leisure in your hostel (basic accommodation with hot water can be upgraded if requested). At your hotel, your guide will explain what the tour for the next day entails.

Machu Picchu

On the morning of day 2, we will take about a 30-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu. We will visit the citadel of Machu Picchu for a few hours with your guide, and then you will have some time to explore the magical complex on your own and take photos. You will also have time to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain at an additional cost. Either the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain entrance ticket is purchased at the same time as the Machu Picchu entrance, and we recommend purchasing these tickets in advance because there are limited spaces.

After lunch on your own, outside of Machu Picchu (food is not allowed in the citadel), you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for your return trip to Cusco. You will know your exact train schedule as soon as we buy your train ticket. You will arrive in Cusco by bus or private car around 8 -9 pm. This will depend on which train schedule service we buy. 

Coffee Tour and Machu Picchu 2d/1n Price

Please contact us to give you the updated price for 2024 at info@coclatours.com or by WhatsApp at +51-984394583

Machu Picchu Add-On Includes:

• 1 train ticket from Ollantaytambo town to Aguas Calientes Town (expedition service or similar)
• 1 night in a hostel with a private bathroom and hot water + breakfast (SWB or DWB)
• Bus ticket to Machu Picchu (round trip) from Aguas Calientes
• 1 Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• Professional tour guide at Machu Picchu
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes town to Ollantaytambo (Vistadome service or similar)
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco or from the train station in Cusco to your hotel.

Not Included:

• Snack, water, or personal expenses
• Entrance ticket to Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain ($20)
• Services not mentioned

We recommend bringing mosquito repellent, and hat, and also a rain poncho if rainy season.

Most people reach Machu Picchu by train from Ollantaytambo. This 3-day coffee and hike tour to Machu Picchu goes the long way: from the high Andes down into Cusco’s cloud forest, with a full afternoon on a family coffee farm, a night in a lodge by the river, and a morning hike along an old Inca path before continuing to Aguas Calientes. It is a coffee route to Machu Picchu that Coclatours has been building with coffee-growing families since 2009.

On day one you cross Abra Málaga at over 4,300 m and go straight to the coffee farm, where you have lunch with the family and spend the afternoon following coffee from the plant to the cup. On day two, you leave early for the Inca Trail, hike for about four hours, and continue by vehicle to Hidroeléctrica. From there you walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes, or take the train. On day three, you visit Machu Picchu with a guide and return to Cusco.

This tour follows part of the mountain route that the Inca Jungle tours use, but it is a different experience: there is no biking, rafting, or zip-lining. Here the coffee farm is the heart of the program, with more time on the farm than in our hike-first version. It suits travelers who enjoy walking, have no fear of heights, and want to meet a rural family rather than just see a landscape.

The old Inca path and its story

In 1998, floods and landslides destroyed the town of Santa Teresa and left many farming families in the area cut off from the roads. Looking for other ways through the mountains, the local producers explored the slopes and found an old Inca path. They opened it up and have kept it in use since then, and today it lets travelers walk toward Machu Picchu through coffee plantations.

The path is narrow in places, runs along steep slopes, and includes about 1 km of original Inca stone steps, so this tour is not suitable for people who have vertigo.

Want to go deeper into coffee? Read the history of coffee, or see our coffee and cacao experiences.

Prefer to include Cusco and the Sacred Valley? See our Coffee Route and Machu Picchu 5 Days program. Looking for a longer walk to the Cocalmayo hot springs? Write to us, and we will plan it with you.

Highlights:

• Cross the Andes by private vehicle, with a stop for coffee at a specialty coffee shop at 4,300 m
• Leave flowers as an offering at the chapel of the Señor de Puerto Málaga
• A full afternoon on a family coffee farm, with lunch included
• Pick coffee and follow it from the plant to the cup
• Sleep in a local lodge by the river, with a private room and hot water
• Hike along an old Inca path through coffee farms and cloud forest
• Hike along the railway to Aguas Calientes, or take the train
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu

Coclatours and the host families

Coclatours began as part of the COCLA cooperative network, with a clear goal: to involve member families in tourism. In that project, the families received training, financing, and promotion to welcome visitors in their own homes. Today Coclatours is a private company, but the work continues: we promote the families and their activities, and we bring in families from other areas. Read more about our story on our About Us page.

Please note: all times are approximate. This route calls for some flexibility: we adjust the schedule to the road conditions, the weather, and your group’s pace, so we can reach the trail and the train on time. The road between Santa María, Santa Teresa and Hidroeléctrica is being improved, and travel times may change.

Day 1: Cusco – Abra Málaga – Coffee Farm

We pick you up around 7:30 am from your hotel in Cusco, or around 9:00 am in the Sacred Valley (Calca, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo), and cross the Andes by private vehicle. The road climbs to Abra Málaga (over 4,300 m), then drops into the cloud forest. We go slowly: there is time for photos of the landscape, for llamas and alpacas along the road, and for flowers to leave as an offering at the chapel of the Señor de Puerto Málaga, asking for protection on the journey and honoring the Pachamama.

We also stop at the specialty coffee shop El Abra, at about 4,300 m. Its owner, Rosmel, is a young adventurer who one day decided to open a business at 4,300 meters above sea level, where there was nothing. It is a great place for a good cup of coffee with the mountains around you.

We reach the coffee farm in time for lunch with the family (included). In the afternoon, you follow coffee from the plant to the cup: the farmer’s story, a walk through the plantation, the harvest (depending on the season), the process at home, and a tasting.

Harvest depends on the season. Most of the year there are ripe cherries to pick; if there are none, the rest of the experience runs as usual.

We share dinner with the family, and then a short drive takes us to the lodge by the river.

Overnight: local lodge by the river, private room with hot water.

Day 2: Inca Path – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes

After breakfast at the lodge, we leave around 7:30 am and drive about 25 to 30 minutes to the start of the trail. We hike for about four hours along an old Inca path, going up and down through coffee farms and native cloud-forest trees, with views of the valley and the river, and about 1 km of original Inca stone steps. It is a bit more demanding than the hike-first version. (Not recommended if you are afraid of heights.)

When we reach the road, a vehicle takes us to Hidroeléctrica, passing through Santa Teresa. We have a buffet lunch there (included). From Hidroeléctrica, you choose how to reach Aguas Calientes:

• Hike along the railway (recommended): about 10 km, around 3 hours (approximate, depending on your pace), with your guide. It is a beautiful route. We recommend leaving Hidroeléctrica as soon as possible after lunch, and by 3:00 pm at the latest.
• Take the train (optional): the afternoon train leaves at 2:50 pm and takes about 1 hour (10 km). Available on request, at an additional cost. Tell us when you book.

In Aguas Calientes, your guide explains the plan for Machu Picchu, and you have the evening free, with the hot springs if you want them.

Overnight: hostel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom and hot water.

Day 3: Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

We take the bus up to Machu Picchu in the morning and tour the citadel with your guide. Then you have free time to explore and take photos on your own. Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain can be added if you book in advance, as spaces are limited.

After lunch outside the site (food is not allowed in the citadel), we take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, then the bimodal service: the train to Ollantaytambo and the bus from there to Cusco. On arrival, a transfer takes you from the bus station in Cusco to your hotel. You will know your exact train schedule as soon as we buy your tickets.

Includes

• Private transportation from Cusco or the Sacred Valley to the coffee farm, the trailhead, and Hidroeléctrica (the driver does not stay overnight)
• Bilingual guide (Spanish – English)
• Lunch on day 1 with the host family, and dinner
• 1 night in a local lodge by the river with a private room and hot water, plus breakfast
• Coffee experience with the family
• Buffet lunch at Hidroeléctrica on day 2
• 1 night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes with a private bathroom and hot water + breakfast. The one we include is Terrazas del Inca Hostel or similar
• Round-trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu entrance ticket (circuit subject to availability at the time of booking)
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu (shared or private, depending on your request)
• Bimodal service from Aguas Calientes to Cusco: train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
• Transfer from the bus station in Cusco to your hotel

Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes: the program includes the hike (about 10 km, around 3 hours, along the railway). If you prefer the train, tell us when you book, and we will add the ticket at an additional cost.

Does not include

• Breakfast on day 1
• Lunch on day 3 and dinner on day 2 (in Aguas Calientes)
• Train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (optional)
• Additional costs caused by changes due to weather or road conditions
• Snacks, water, and personal expenses
• Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, upon request and subject to availability
• Tips
• Services not mentioned

How demanding is it?

This is a moderate trek for people who are comfortable walking for several hours. You do not need technical experience, but you do need a reasonable level of fitness:

• Day 1: no hiking, only the drive and the time on the farm.
• Day 2: about 4 hours on the Inca path, going up and down, including about 1 km of stone steps, and around 3 more hours (10 km) along the railway if you choose to hike to Aguas Calientes.
• If you prefer, you can take the train for the last stretch to Aguas Calientes.
• This tour is not recommended if you are afraid of heights.

Altitude

Cusco is at about 3,400 m, and the road crosses Abra Málaga at over 4,300 m. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least one or two days before the trek to adapt to the altitude. Drink plenty of water and take it easy on your first day. The farms are lower, in a warmer area with mosquitoes.

What to bring

• A small daypack
• Hiking shoes or boots with good grip
• Rain jacket or poncho (even in the dry season)
• Light layers for the walk and a warm layer for Abra Málaga and the evenings
• Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, to protect against mosquito bites
• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Insect repellent and an antihistamine: repellents do not always work, and bites can itch and swell
• Headlamp or flashlight (the walk along the railway can end near dusk)
• Reusable water bottle and some snacks
• Cash in soles for small purchases and tips
• Your passport (needed for Machu Picchu)
• Swimsuit, if you want to use the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
• Any personal medication you need

Best time to go

The dry season, from April to November, is the time we recommend for this route. We do not recommend it at other times of the year because of the mud and the risk of landslides on the road. Weather in the cloud forest can change quickly: even in the dry season, a heavy downpour can fall without warning, so we stay flexible and adjust the plan to the conditions of the day. Ripe coffee cherries are available most of the year, with fewer between December and March.

If the plan has to change

Weather and road conditions in the cloud forest can force changes to the plan. If this happens, we will let you know and look for the best option to meet the goals of the trip. Any additional costs caused by these changes are not assumed by Coclatours and must be covered by the traveler. See our Terms & Conditions for details.

When you book

• Book as early as you can: Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train seats are limited, especially in high season (about June to August).
• Send us each traveler’s full name and passport number exactly as in the passport, to issue the tickets.
• Tell us about any dietary needs or health conditions that may affect the walk.
• Times in this program are approximate: we confirm the plan with you before the trek and adjust it to the road and weather conditions.