Cocalmayo (Hot Springs) to Machu Picchu Travel – 2 Days

Cocalmayo (Hot Springs) to Machu Picchu Travel – 2 Days Cocalmayo (Hot Springs) to Machu Picchu Travel: On this short tour, you’ll cross an incredible topographical divide; from the drier, Pacific..

Grade

Moderate

Cocalmayo (Hot Springs) to Machu Picchu Travel – 2 Days

Cocalmayo (Hot Springs) to Machu Picchu Travel: On this short tour, you’ll cross an incredible topographical divide; from the drier, Pacific side of the Andes to its greener western slope and the outer edges of the Amazon Basin. Passing over the icy Abra Malaga (4300masl) you’ll then begin to descend into the rainforest, known as the ceja de selva (eyebrow of the jungle).

Our destination for the first day is Santa Teresa, located at an elevation of 1550masl. Santa Teresa is home to the Hot Springs of Cocalmayo, a set of natural mountain baño termales. It’s a great place to soak and relax after the journey over the Andes.

On Day 2, you’ll take a short trek through a gorge to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) to explore the Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu. Following your exploration of Machu Picchu, there will be more than enough time to enjoy the evening in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, returning by train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.

Highlights

  • Traverse different topographies from the Andes to Rainforest on the edge of the Amazon Basin.
  • Wash away the dust of the Andes in relaxing hot spring near Santa Teresa.
  • Hike around the ruins of Machu Picchu, ancient citadel of the Incas and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
  • Take a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley, back to Cusco.

Short Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

If you are interested in doing more trekking to Machu Picchu, check out our Short Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

This two-day tour has one full day of trekking and the following day is spent exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu. On day 1, you’ll take a train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 and hike until the sun begins to set, through the sun gate. Where you’ll reach Machu Picchu Pueblo and take an evenings rest in readiness for the second day. On day 2, you’ll awake early to explore the Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu. Following your exploration of Machu Picchu, there will be more than enough time to enjoy the evening in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, returning by train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.

Highlights

  • Enjoy great views of Machu Picchu at both sunrise and sunset
  • Trek the last day of the Classic Inca Trail
  • Enter Machu Picchu through the original Sun Gate used by Inca nobles
  • Catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu at sunset
  • Have a full day to explore the Machu Picchu ruins the next day
Fast facts
Maximum altitude 2732 m / 8964 ft
Minimum altitude 2088 m / 6850 ft
Distance travelled 11 km / 7 m (to Inti Punku)
Hiking time 7 hours

 

Day 1
Cusco - Santa Teresa
After a 4-5hr ride from Cusco to Santa Teresa, passing the Abra Malaga, you'll arrive at the Cocalmayo hot springs. There are 3 different pools with differing heats and cooling showers to wash down in. This afternoon you can relax in the springs and enjoy a great picnic lunch.You'll overnight at the springs, by camping too, so you have all afternoon and evening to enjoy the day.
  • Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Santa Teresa - Explore Machu Picchu - Cusco
In the morning you'll hike along some train tracks through a gorge, for around 2hrs. Stopping at Aguas Calientes. You'll take a 25-minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu ruins. (a 25-minutes ride) up to Machu Picchu (2400 m) for sunrise and to enjoy the ruins at a quieter time of day before the crowds arrive. Your guide will lead you in our exploration and discovery of the many corners within the enigmatic citadel. Guided tours last on average, around 2-3 hours. After the tour, you'll still have some time to visit other parts of the ruins that you didn't get to see with your guide. For example, heading west from the centre of Machu Picchu, the Inca bridge is a 30-minute (2 km) walk along a narrow path. If you feel like an uphill challenge, you have the option to climb the infamous mountain of Huayna Picchu. To climb this mountain, you'll need to buy a separate permit in advance. At the end of your visit to Machu Picchu, we'll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco, depending on where you'll be spending the night. On arriving at the final train station, we'll have a private transport waiting to bring you to your hotel. (Please note: if you're taking the train to Cusco, it's still an hours drive from the train station to the city of Cusco.)
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
 
  • Machu Picchu Travel

Tour Info

whats included

Lunch x 2, Dinner x 1
Private Transport – collection & drop-off
Professional bilingual guide
Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket
Round-trip bus tickets
Return Train to Cusco & transfer to hotel

whats not included

Hotels before & after (can be organised as part of trip)
Tips for crew
Domestic flights (can be organised as part of trip)
Any additional extras

Joining arrangements

There will be a pre-trek briefing held usually the evening before departure, at your hotel, to go over the details of the trek and any specific requirements not already captured

Food & Water

Prior to setting off we recommend you steer clear of street food and only eat in good restaurants, to avoid any stomach complaints. Peruvian food can be spicy, it can be strong and rich for many European diets. Likewise with tap water, it is largely untreated, so please avoid at all costs on arrival and stick to bottled water only or sterilised water if you have the right equipment.

Special Diets

We’ll ensure that we cater for all of your dietary needs, at the point of booking we’ll collect this information from you. We can secure special menu requests also for your trek party.

Trekking Crew

We are able to customise our treks to suit you, but usually our treks are guided by a professional bilingual guide, arriero (horseman) and mules to carry all equipment (passenger horses also available on request), and a mountain cook. They become a large part of your trekking expedition and it’s a great experience working together.

Acclimatisation

This is a really important part of your trip planning process, please find a link below which explains a little more about preparing for altitude.
Altitude Preparation

Preparation

Attached below are a couple of links which will explain how to prepare for your trip & trek in advance of your arrival. We recommend being prepared in advance to save time & stress whilst you’re in Peru.
Trip Planning
Trek Planning

Available Discounts

From June through to the end of September, we’re offering one person free on all of our treks for group sizes of 3+. If you are a group of 2 you can add one person for free, or if you’re a group of 3 the third person joins free and so on.

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Cocalmayo (Hot Springs) to Machu Picchu Travel – 2 Days”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Included
  • Domestic Flights - Lima - Cusco - Lima
  • All Hotels as indicated in the plan
  • All meals as indicated in the plan
  • Private bilingual guide for all activities
  • Private transport for all location transfers
  • Camping equipment, food, mules & crew for the
  • Salkantay trek
  • All entrance tickets required for Machu Picchu
 
Not Included
  • International Flights
  • Any additional meals required
Inquire about tour

    Related Tours