Enjoy the essence of the high forest (1200 meters above sea level), full of nature, flavors and colors near Cusco.
There are many ways to get to the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu but through the “Coffee Jungle Tour” you will have the opportunity to visit this iconic destination combining beautiful panoramic views, hiking, canoeing and a picturesque experience in a coffee plantation. It also includes a full day to discover the most spectacular attractions near Cusco as we move towards Machu Picchu. You can enjoy all this in only 4 days!
Our Coffee Jungle Tour is similar to our Inka Jungle Tour, with some key differences. First of all, instead of a bicycle and zip line tour, we offer you a 4 hour coffee tour, during which you will learn everything about the coffee production process and even have the opportunity to make your own coffee.
This tour is ideal for families or groups of friends and those looking for travel alternatives. It is an accessible route that includes some easy walks during the day (around 6 hours in total)
Note: The tour includes lodging at the coffee plantation (1 night), which gives you the opportunity to experience what life is like in the high jungle of Cusco. We must mention also that the conditions of these lodgings are basic, although sufficiently comfortable for a good rest.
This day we can enjoy an unforgettable adventure, full of a wide range of activities that will make you feel alive! In the morning we will explore the Inca archaeological site and textile workshop in Chinchero, the amazing salt mines in Maras and the agricultural laboratory of Moray. You will definitely be surprised by the amount of activities we will do in just one day!
Chinchero
We will start the tour at 6:30 a.m. in Cusco. It will take about 1 hour by private car to reach our first destination, Chinchero, where we will visit the Inca ruins and participate in a local textile workshop.
Moray
After Chinchero, we continue our trip to explore the archaeological site of Moray, which contains unusual Inca ruins, which consists of several huge depressions, terraced and circular.
Maras
From Moray, we will continue to our next destination, Maras. Here we will learn about the production of the popular Andean drink, chicha de jora, and we will take some time to walk through the ancient streets of this Andean settlement.
Salineras de Maras
After Maras, we continue the journey to the incredible salt pools (salt mines), which have been in use since the pre-Inca era. We will walk to that place following an easy and relaxing one hour trail during which we will have spectacular views of the Urubamba Mountain Range. In the salt mines you will have the opportunity to walk through more than 3000 ponds, learn about salt production and see how Inca practices and traditions are still used today.
Ollantaytambo
We will arrive at Ollantaytambo at approximately 3:00 p.m. Here we will explore the last Inca stone village. The ruins of Ollantaytambo, built in the shape of a llama, are some of the most impressive in the region. The beautiful aspect of the sites we will visit on this day is that they all differ a lot, providing us with a great description of the different styles of ancient Inca architecture. After a short walk through the ruins and a walk through the city, from around 5:00 pm you will have free time to discover the nightlife of Ollantaytambo.
Altitude maximum: 12420 ft (3785 m) above sea level
We will spend the night in Ollantaytambo
The tour starts with a breakfast around 6:00 a.m. Then we will enjoy the tour in the coffee plantation for about 3 hours. This is an incredible opportunity to obtain information about the secrets of small-scale coffee production in the Peruvian jungle, where only high quality arabica coffee beans are used.
On the way to the coffee plantation we will stop at the highest point of the day, at 14173 feet (4320 m) above sea level, at the pass or Abra de Málaga. During this day we will have the opportunity to experience two completely different climates: the warm and humid high forest and the cold and dry Andes.
After lunch at the coffee plantation, we will have the time to enjoy the nearby towns and learn about the local way of life or do some shopping. There is also the possibility of visiting the town of Santa María where we can spend a few hours of adventure rafting on the Urubamba River. Rafting is optional and must be booked in advance as it is not included in the price of the tour (+$30 USD).
Walking time: 2 -3 hours
Altitude maximum: 14173 ft (4320 m) above sea level
Spend the night at the coffee plantation (family lodging)
We will begin the day with a breakfast around 7:30 a.m. and later we will be driven approx. 45 minutes to start the walk. The first part will take us along an old Inca trail, and it will take approx. 3 – 3.5 hours. After this initial walk we will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the thermal baths of Cocalmayo near the town of Santa Teresa. The second part will start at a place called Hydroelectric and will lead us to the town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu! This will take 2.5 to 3 hours of walking. In Aguas Calientes you will have the afternoon/evening free to explore the city and rest.
Walking time: 5-6 hours
Altitude maximum: 16561 feet (2000 m) above sea level
We will spend the night in Aguas Calientes
The fourth day is dedicated to exploring the Inca city of Machu Picchu, Peru’s most famous attraction. Within the ruins there are many options available to us. We can choose and walk through one of the two optional mountains, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain and we can even walk to the Puerta del Sol (Inti Punku) and/or the Inca bridge.
We will start the trip to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, walking for about 1.5 hours uphill, although a second option is also possible, take the bus (transport) for around 30 minutes until the entrance of the attraction (this option requires a additional cost of $ 24 round-trip bus ticket).
Once inside the archaeological complex we will have a guided tour of 2 hours, which will give us a general view of the history and culture of the Inca Empire, as well as the spiritual, political and educational importance of Machu Picchu. After the tour, we will have time to explore the site on your own until approximately 5:00 p.m. (You can finish earlier if you wish).
After visiting the ruins, we will have to descend for about 1.5 hours on the way back or take the return bus (in the case of having bought it), where we will take the train to Ollantaytambo for about 2 hours. In Ollantaytambo, our bus will be waiting for you to take you back to Cusco, where you will arrive at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Altitude maximum: 11154 feet (3400 m) above sea level
This “Coffee Jungle Tour to Machu Picchu” will end this day in Cusco in Plaza San Francisco.
More details about the Coffee Jungle Tour:
Cusco
6:30 am
