Machu Picchu by Road & the Hot Springs, 3 Days
The Sacred Valley, Cocalmayo, the railway walk and the citadel
- 3 days
- 4,316 m max
- Moderate
- Cusco to Cusco
A full Sacred Valley day, a night in Ollantaytambo, then the overland route to Hidroeléctrica with a long soak at the Cocalmayo hot springs, the flat riverside walk into Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu with a guide before the train home.
The overland route to Machu Picchu — over Abra Málaga, down to Hidroeléctrica, then along the railway on foot — is normally sold as the budget option, and normally involves thirteen hours in a vehicle across two days.
This is the same road treated as a journey rather than a saving. Day one is the full Sacred Valley, finishing in Ollantaytambo so that day two starts calmly. Day two crosses the mountains, stops long enough at the Cocalmayo hot springs to actually use them, and walks the flat eleven kilometres into Aguas Calientes. Day three is the citadel, and then the train home rather than six hours back over the pass.
It costs more than the two-day version and it is worth the difference to most people. What you avoid is the second crossing of that road.
What you'll see
The overland route without the punishment
Our two-day overland trip drives out and back in the same forty-eight hours. This one spreads the road across three days, adds the whole Sacred Valley, and puts the hot springs in the middle of it.
Cocalmayo
Thermal pools in a jungle valley at about 1,800 m, with enough time actually to use them rather than a rushed half hour.
The full Sacred Valley
A camelid centre, the Taray viewpoint, the Pisac ruins and market, a buffet lunch in Urubamba, Moray and the Maras salt pans, ending in Ollantaytambo.
An easy walk, not a trek
Eleven kilometres from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, flat, beside the river and the railway, in about three hours.
The bus up is included
Unlike most overland itineraries, the return bus at the citadel is in the price, so day three does not start with an hour of stairs.
Home by train
The Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo and a private transfer to Cusco, rather than six hours of road at the end.
Machu Picchu by Road & the Hot Springs, 3 Days: day by day
Times are what we actually aim for, not a best case. Traffic into Cusco and the train timetable move them by a little.
Day 1
Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo
Collection about 07:00 for a full valley day — a camelid centre, the Taray viewpoint, the Pisac ruins and market, a buffet lunch in Urubamba, the Moray terraces and the Maras salt pans — arriving in Ollantaytambo in the late afternoon with time to walk the Inca town.
- Meals
- Buffet lunch
- Night
- Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Day 2
Over the mountains to the hot springs, then the railway walk
After breakfast, the drive into greener country and down to the Cocalmayo hot springs, with time to use them properly. Then lunch and the flat eleven-kilometre walk from Hidroeléctrica along the river into Aguas Calientes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Night
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 3
Machu Picchu, then the train home
The early bus up for a guided visit of two to three hours, with an optional peak if you booked one. Back down to Aguas Calientes, the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo, and a private transfer to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Night
- Not included — you are back in Cusco
What the price covers
The Sacred Valley day
- Collection from your hotel in Cusco
- Transport and a bilingual guide for the Sacred Valley
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba
- One night in a hotel in Ollantaytambo, with breakfast
The overland day
- Transport from Ollantaytambo to Hidroeléctrica
- Entry to the Cocalmayo hot springs
- Lunch on the way, and dinner in Aguas Calientes
- One night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, with breakfast
- The briefing for the citadel
Machu Picchu and home
- Machu Picchu entrance, the best circuit and entry time available when you book
- A professional guide inside the citadel
- Return bus between Aguas Calientes and the citadel
- Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Support and coordination at any hour
Not included
- Dinner on day one in Ollantaytambo
- Lunch on day three, after the citadel
- Extra snacks and drinks
- Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain
- Travel insurance
- Tips, which are genuinely optional
Machu Picchu by Road & the Hot Springs, 3 Days: prices and options
Add-ons
- +£60
Huayna Picchu
About two hours there and back on day three. Book well ahead.
- +£60
Machu Picchu Mountain
About three hours there and back, on a broader path.
- +£45
Vistadome train, one leg
Panoramic glass roof on the return instead of the standard carriage.
What to bring
Papers and money
- Your original passport — they check it at the citadel gate
- Cash in soles for the Pisac market, drinks and tips
- Your medication and any personal first aid
On your back
- A daypack you can carry for three hours on day two
- A refillable water bottle
- A camera and a power bank
- An overnight bag for two nights
Clothes
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip, already worn in
- Layers — the valley is cold in the morning and the jungle is hot by day two
- A swimming costume and a quick-dry towel for Cocalmayo
- A rain poncho
Sun and skin
- High-factor sun cream
- Sunglasses with UV protection and a sun hat
- Insect repellent, which below 2,000 m is not optional
- Lip balm
Questions we get asked
How is this different from your two-day overland trip?
The two-day version drives from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica and back inside forty-eight hours, walks the railway in both directions, and costs a great deal less. This one spreads the same journey across three days, adds a full Sacred Valley day at the front, puts the Cocalmayo hot springs in the middle, includes the bus up to the citadel and comes home by train instead of by road. It is the comfortable version of a route that is usually sold on price alone.
How hard is the walking?
The only real walk is eleven kilometres from Hidroeléctrica into Aguas Calientes on day two, which is flat, beside the river, and takes about three hours. Day one is site visits and day three is the citadel. Graded moderate because of that one stretch rather than anything technical.
How high does the road go?
The route between Ollantaytambo and Hidroeléctrica crosses the Andes at Abra Málaga, above 4,300 m, before dropping to about 1,800 m at the hot springs. You are in a vehicle the whole way, but the road is long and full of bends, so bring something for travel sickness if you are prone to it.
Is the bus up to the citadel really included?
Yes, both directions, which is unusual on overland itineraries. Most of them leave you to walk the stone staircase at half past four in the morning or buy a ticket on the day.
Which circuit will I get?
The best circuit and entry time available when you book. Give us your dates early — the allocation is the Ministry of Culture's and it caps every circuit daily.
What is Cocalmayo like?
Several thermal pools in a valley near Santa Teresa, at around 1,800 m, hot and clean and surrounded by jungle. Entry is included here, which it is not on most itineraries that pass it. Bring a swimming costume and a towel.
Is this a good option in the wet season?
It is more weather-dependent than the train routes, because it relies on a mountain road that can close after heavy rain between December and March. We would still run it, but tell us if your dates are inflexible and we will talk about the alternatives.
Where do I sleep?
A hotel in Ollantaytambo on night one and a hotel in Aguas Calientes on night two, both with breakfast. Neither is luxurious and neither pretends to be; they are comfortable places to sleep between long days.
Ask us about Machu Picchu by Road & the Hot Springs, 3 Days
Tell us your dates and we'll come back with availability, the circuit we'd recommend, and a firm price. No deposit to ask, and we answer within one working day.