Back Door to Machu Picchu

A quick, off-the-beaten-path multi-activity tour in the Machu Picchu area filled with exciting and challenging adventures each day.

Trip Length: 5 Days
Destination: Machu Picchu, Peruvian Cloudforest, Andes
Lodging: Local hotels
Activities: Hiking, whitewater rafting, Inca ruins

WHY THIS TRIP

The Back Door to Machu Picchu trip allows you enjoy all sorts of fun activities available in the Machu Picchu area away from the crowds.

You’ll be hiking, rafting, and ziplining (optional) through the forested mountains outside Machu Picchu, passing a variety of Inca sites and rural Andean communities along the way. This trip is ideal for those who like to be active and get off the beaten path to see another side of a well-known destination.

TRIP DESCRIPTION

With the famous Inca Trail nearby, most travelers overlook that the Machu Picchu region is home to other world-class adventures like whitewater rafting and ziplining (optional). Most visitors also miss seeing other Inca ruins, thinking that Machu Picchu is the only set of fascinating ruins in Peru.

But on this trip, you can experience the fun adventures, Inca ruins, and hot springs that most other travelers overlook — all before exploring the awe-inspiring lost city of Machu Picchu.

Your adventure begins when you depart Cusco and cross over the Andean divide to begin a whitewater rafting trip among cloud-forested hills. This fun Class II – III river on Rio Urubamba passes through biodiverse forests where it’s possible to spot numerous tropical and Andean birds, along with Incan ruin sites.

The next day, you hike through the forest and embark on a ziplining adventure (optional). Swooping through the canopy, you gain a new appreciation for this unique ecosystem and the animals it shelters. After the hike and zipline excursions, you take the chance to soak in the natural Santa Teresa hot springs.

Finally, you have a full-day to explore Machu Picchu and, for the most intrepid travelers, hike to the summit of Huayna Picchu within the Machu Picchu complex.

Along the way, you will be led by an English-speaking adventure guide who will carefully explain the Incan history of the area, the traditions of the local people who live there now, and of course, the safe way to participate in all these activities.

At night, you’ll be sleeping in a somewhat-developed campsite where showers and toilets are provided for two nights; on the last night, you’ll overnight at a hotel in Aguas Calientes located just outside Machu Picchu (this is booked on your own or through Detour upon request).

Detour can also arrange the hotel stays you’ll need in Cusco before and after this adventure.

LOCAL OPERATOR: APUMAYO EXPEDICIONES

Apumayo Expediciones specializes in adventure travel and non-conventional tourism with a strong environmental and social agenda. It offers activities and tours for people with disabilities and supports Andean community projects, maximizing the positive effect of local tourism.

A Peruvian company based in the City of Cusco, Apumayo Expediciones combines culture, education and natural history into its adventure trips.

Itinerary

Click the Abbreviated Itinerary to see the Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary

ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrive in Cusco - Walking Tour (Cusco hotel)
DAY 2: Cloudforest Hiking - Urubamba River Rafting (Santa maría hotel)
DAY 3: Santa Teresa Coffee Plantation - Optional Zip Line - Hiking - Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes hotel)
DAY 4: Machu Picchu Ruins - Train to Cusco (Cusco hotel)
DAY 5: Free Morning & Depart Cusco

DAY 1: Arrive in Cusco – Walking Tour

Upon arrival to Cusco’s airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. At 2 p.m., you will be picked up from your hotel for a walking tour, which is perfect to acclimatize to the altitude: the walk will last two hours along ancient streets, visiting the most important places such as the Main Square, the traditional and artisan San Blas neighborhood. Return to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco

Meals Included: –

DAY 2: Cloudforest Hiking – Urubamba River Rafting

After an early breakfast, you will be met by your guide at the hotel lobby in order to take private transportation to the Malaga Pass. At 13,900 ft, the Malaga Pass offers stunning views of snowy Wakaywillca Peak and the Verónica Glacier.

You will start to descend into the lush temperate rainforest of the east side of the Andes and will have the option to hike some portions in order to watch for the crested quetzal, the sword-billed hummingbird, the scarlet-bellied tanagers, the Inca wren, and the impressive Andean condor, birds which are usually found in this area.

You will listen to the ghosts of the Incas whispering in the rainforest canopy as you marvel at abandoned villages and ancient ruins. You will arrive to Santa Maria village for lunch and then be ready for rafting the Urubamba River.

You will prepare with a thorough safety briefing before starting the two-hour river adventure through fun Class III rapids. You’ll be transported to the El Mangal Farm Lodge, your lodging for the night, where there will be time to rest before exploring the farm with a guided tour of its abundant cacao, coffee and fruit plantations.

Accommodation: El Mangal Farm Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Santa Teresa Coffee Plantation – Optional Zip Line – Hiking – Aguas Calientes

You’ll enjoy a farm-fresh breakfast before continuing your journey toward Santa Teresa. A two-hour drive will bring you to Cola de Mono, located near Santa Teresa village. You’ll have some time to relax and visit a coffee plantation.

You can also enjoy the optional zip-line, where six cables cruise you over the native forest canopy on one of the highest South America zip-lines. After lunch you will walk for almost two hours to a hydroelectric train station where you will board the train that will take you to Machu Picchu Town, where you will spend the night at a hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4: Machu Picchu Ruins – Train to Cusco

Very early, you will take the bus to the top of the hill where Machu Picchu citadel is situated. Your guide will take you around this spectacular Inca ruins, visiting the most important places (optional climbing to Huayna Picchu). In the late afternoon you return to Aguas Calientes, where you will take the train to come back to Cusco and be transferred to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 5: Free Morning & Depart Cusco

Free morning to explore Cusco. You are transferred to Cusco’s airport in time for your departing flight.

Accommodation: –

Meals Included: Breakfast

travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip:

This trip starts with pick up at the Cusco Airport on Day 1, and ends with drop off at the Cusco Airport on Day 5.

All international flights to Cusco must route through Lima. Most likely, you will need to overnight in Lima the night before you fly to Cusco. We can help you arrange a hotel and transfer services upon your request.

At the end of this trip, you will be transferred to the Cusco Airport in time for your departure. We can also help you add to your journey with trips to the Amazon, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or any other destination in South America.

We do not sell international or domestic Peru airfare but partner with a flight specialty company, Exito Travel, who can arrange all of your flights for you, simplifying the process of this part of your trip.

Trip Start: Trip starts upon your arrival at the Cusco Airport. All international flights route through Lima. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to overnight in Lima the night before your arrival in Cusco. A hotel in Lima can be added upon request.

Trip End: Trip ends at the Cusco Airport in time for you to catch your flights home, or continue on to the next part of your adventure.

Complete Your Trip

This trip is a complete package, starting and ending in the Cusco Airport. International and domestic Peru flights are not included, but can be booked through our travel partner Exito Travel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to overnight in Lima. We can help you arrange a hotel and transfer services if this is necessary.

We can also help you add to your journey with trips to the Amazon, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or any other destination in South America.

Prices & Dates

2023 PRICES:

Prices are per person, and based on double occupancy. Please Enquire.

2024 PRICES:

For pricing, please inquire using the “I am Interested” button above.

What's Included / Not Included

INCLUDED:

Day-to-Day
•   Private transportation as mentioned in Itinerary
•   Professional bilingual guide (English – Spanish), additional cost for other languages
•   Meals included as mentioned in itinerary
•   Train from Hydroelectric to Machu Picchu town
•   Bus up and down to Machupicchu
•   Vistadome train from Machu Picchu town to Cusco
•   Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
•   Hotels: double accommodation at selected hotel:
•   2 nights in Cusco
•   1 night at Mangal lodge
•   1 night in Aguas Calientes

Whitewater Rafting
•   Self-bailing rafts
•   Helmet
•   Life jackets
•   Paddles
•   Professional river guides

View Terms and Conditions:
http://detourdestinations.com/terms-and-conditions/apumayo-expediciones ‎

NOT INCLUDED:

•   International flight tickets and Peruvian domestic flights (Lima – Cusco – Lima)
•   Meal not described in the program
•   Extra services not mentioned in the itinerary
•   Zipline ($80.00 per person)
•   Tips and extra expenses
•   Entrance to Huayna Picchu (If the clients want to confirm this hike we suggest to book in advance because only there are 400 spaces per day, additional price $15/per person)