This is the road route to Machu Picchu, at an easy pace. On day one we cross the Abra Málaga pass (4,316 m) and descend through the cloud forest to Santa Teresa for lunch; from Hidroeléctrica you walk about 11 km beside the railway (2.5–3 hours) to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night.
On day two you have a guided visit of Machu Picchu, walk back to Hidroeléctrica and end the day in the natural pools of the Cocalmayo hot springs, with a night in Santa Teresa. Day three is a relaxed morning and the drive of about six hours back to Cusco. It is the most affordable guided way to Machu Picchu — US $220 with transport, guide, entrance, buses, the hotel in Aguas Calientes and the listed meals (the Cocalmayo entrance is paid locally). Read our 3-day Cocalmayo guide.
3 Days
Duration
4,316 m
Max altitude
Moderate
Difficulty
Max 16
Group size
Tour Highlights
Over the Andes to the jungle
From the glaciers of Abra Málaga (4,316 m) down to the warm valleys of Santa Teresa.
The railway walk
About 11 km on a flat path beside the train tracks and the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu with a guide
A guided visit of the citadel, with the bus up and down included.
Cocalmayo hot springs
Natural thermal pools surrounded by forested mountains — the perfect end to day two.
No rushed drive back
The third day avoids six hours on the road straight after the Machu Picchu visit.
The budget choice
Far cheaper than the train, with the adventure of the road route.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Machu Picchu & Cocalmayo 3D/2N, with what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco – Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
A 6:30 AM pickup heads to Ollantaytambo, then climbs to Abra Málaga (4,316 m) before descending through cloud forest to Santa María and Santa Teresa for lunch. From the Hydroelectric plant, an 11 km / ~2.5 h hike along the railway reaches Aguas Calientes (~6:00 PM), with dinner and a briefing.
Drive
~5–6 h from Cusco
Hike
11 km · 2.5–3 h
Stay
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Meals
Lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 2
Machu Picchu – Hydroelectric – Santa Teresa – Cocalmayo
A 7:00 AM guided tour of Machu Picchu (3–4 hours), then return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and trek back to the Hydroelectric plant. Transport takes you to Santa Teresa and on to the Cocalmayo hot springs to relax, with an overnight stay nearby.
Altitude
Machu Picchu 2,430 m
Hike
~11 km
Stay
Santa Teresa
Meals
Breakfast
Difficulty
Moderate
Good to know: Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler’s passport details when you book.
DAY 3
Santa Teresa – Cusco
After breakfast, board transport at 2:00 PM for the scenic ~6-hour return to Cusco through valleys and mountain terrain, arriving in the evening for hotel drop-off — the close of an unforgettable journey.
Depart
2:30 PM from Santa Teresa
Travel
~6 h to Cusco
Meals
Breakfast
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Machu Picchu & Cocalmayo 3D/2N — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Private guide exclusively for your group
Full transportation
Round-trip bus Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu
Official Machu Picchu entrance ticket
Lunch included
Hotel night in Aguas Calientes
Cocalmayo hot springs visit
Not Included
Tips & gratuities
Huayna Picchu climb ($70)
Meals not specified & personal expenses
Cocalmayo entrance fee
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Machu Picchu & Cocalmayo 3D/2N as rewarding as possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this tour. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and take it easy. Our guides carry oxygen and a first-aid kit.
Bring your passport
Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's details when you book.
Best time to go
The dry season runs April to October with clearer skies, ideal for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. We operate year-round.
Sun & weather
Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat, sunglasses and layers. Mornings are cool, midday sun is strong, and a light rain jacket is wise.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 16 travelers
US $220 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $209 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $198 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
About 11 km each way between Hidroeléctrica and Aguas Calientes, on a flat path (2.5–3 hours), plus the visit of Machu Picchu.
No. The visit is part of the itinerary, but the entrance is paid locally; bring some soles in cash.
The 2-day trip drives back to Cusco on the afternoon of the Machu Picchu visit; the 3-day trip adds the hot springs and a night in Santa Teresa.
Yes, for active families: the walk is flat and the altitude low, but the road days are long and winding.
About 5–6 hours from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica and about 6 hours from Santa Teresa back to Cusco.
