Machu Picchu and the Cocalmayo Hot Springs in 3 Days
This is the road route to Machu Picchu, taken at an easy pace. You drive over a 4,316 m pass into the cloud forest, walk beside the railway to Aguas Calientes, tour the citadel, and end the second day in the natural hot pools of Cocalmayo. It is the most affordable way to see Machu Picchu with a guide, and the third day means you never face a six-hour drive straight after the visit.
The trip at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days: 1 night in Aguas Calientes, 1 night in Santa Teresa |
| Route | Cusco, Abra Málaga (4,316 m), Santa Teresa, Hidroeléctrica, Aguas Calientes |
| Walking | 11 km each way on a flat path beside the railway, about 2.5–3 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate: long drives and two easy but long walks |
| Price | From US $220 per person, group of 2–16 |
Day 1: over the Andes and along the railway
Pickup is at about 6:30 am. The van crosses the Sacred Valley, with a short photo stop in Ollantaytambo, then climbs to Abra Málaga (4,316 m), a high pass with glacier views. From there the road drops for hours through the cloud forest to the warm valleys of Santa María and Santa Teresa, where you stop for lunch.
The road ends at Hidroeléctrica, a hydroelectric station. From there you walk about 11 km on a flat path beside the railway and the Urubamba River, which takes 2.5 to 3 hours, and reach Aguas Calientes at around 6:00 pm for dinner, a briefing for the next day and a night in a hotel.
Machu Picchu and Cocalmayo in 3 days
Road route, guided visit and a soak in the hot springs — from US $220 per person.
Day 2: Machu Picchu and the hot springs
An early bus takes you up to Machu Picchu (2,430 m) for a guided tour of three to four hours, starting at about 7:00 am, through its temples, plazas and terraces. Back in Aguas Calientes, you walk the same railway path back to Hidroeléctrica, where the van takes you to Santa Teresa.
The reward comes at the end of the day: the Cocalmayo hot springs, a set of natural thermal pools surrounded by forested mountains. After two days of travel and walking, an evening soak there is the highlight for many travellers. The night is spent in Santa Teresa.
Day 3: a slow morning and the drive back
After breakfast you have a free morning in Santa Teresa. The van leaves at around 2:00 pm for the drive of about six hours back over the Andes, reaching Cusco in the evening. This relaxed last day is the main difference from the 2-day version, which drives back to Cusco on the afternoon of the Machu Picchu visit.
What is included
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| All road transport | Cocalmayo hot springs entrance |
| Guide for your group | Huayna Picchu (optional, extra cost) |
| Machu Picchu entrance ticket | Meals not listed |
| Bus up to and down from Machu Picchu | Tips and personal expenses |
| Hotel night in Aguas Calientes | — |
| Lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast on days 2 and 3 | — |
Road or train: which suits you?
The road route costs much less than the train, and the scenery, from glaciers to jungle, is part of the adventure. The trade-off is time and effort: about 11 hours on a winding road over the trip and 22 km of walking. If you prefer comfort, the Machu Picchu day tour by train or the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 2 days are better choices. Our guide to Machu Picchu by car compares the 2-day and 3-day versions, and how to reach Machu Picchu compares every route.
Tips for the route
- Pack light: you carry your own bag on the railway walk, so bring a small backpack.
- Swimwear and a small towel for Cocalmayo, plus some soles in cash for the entrance.
- Insect repellent and sunscreen: the valleys around Santa Teresa are hot and humid.
- Motion-sickness tablets if you need them: the road over Abra Málaga has many bends.
- Book early in the dry season: Machu Picchu tickets sell out; check ticket availability.
Frequently asked questions
Near the town of Santa Teresa, on the road route to Machu Picchu. They are natural thermal pools surrounded by forested mountains.
No. The visit is part of the itinerary, but the entrance is paid locally, so bring some soles in cash.
About 11 km on a flat path beside the railway, which takes 2.5 to 3 hours. You walk it on day 1 and back on day 2.
The 3-day trip adds the hot springs and a night in Santa Teresa, so you do not drive six hours back to Cusco on the afternoon of your Machu Picchu visit.
From US $220 per person in a group of 2–16. Minors pay 5 % less and groups of 8 or more get an automatic discount.
