Coffee Route to Machu Picchu

Upon arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima (154m|505ft), you’ll be warmly welcomed and help you to take a domestic flight from Lima to Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco

Explore Cusco’s surrounding archaeological sites, starting with the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, followed by visits to Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and Q’enko. Back in the city, enter the Cathedral of Cusco, a masterpiece of colonial art, and finish at the Qoricancha, the once-glorious Inca Temple of the Sun, later transformed into a Dominican convent.
Overnight in Cusco

Today you head to the village of Chinchero, which has a colonial church built on the former palace of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. The most remarkable is the weaver women of Chinchero, whose weaves keeps the history alive through organic designs that tell the past with colours produced with natural ingredients. In every design, they express a clear understanding of cattle’s reproductive cycle, agriculture, and nature; they express their vision and love. Throughout the village, there are several open workshops to show the process of production. Visits are free of charge, but a purchase is expected and gratuities are accepted.

Your next stop is at the impressive salt mines of Maras, actively in use to the present day. We will see how the villagers removed the salt with a technique inherited from generation to generation since pre -Inca times. Then, we will go to Moray, an ancient agricultural laboratory located 7 km. from Maras. On natural giant crevices called “Dolinas”, the Incas and their predecessors built a series of concentric terraces with their respective irrigation canals; what is striking is the difference in the average annual temperature between the top and the bottom of the terraces. Find out about the amazing advances in agriculture that allowed the expansion of the Inca state.
Overnight in Cusco

This morning, starting at 6am, you will meet your guide and take a private transport from Ollantaytambo to the striking Abra Malaga Pass, situated at 4300 meters above sea level. Our journey continues towards Julia’s house, situated at 1.500 meters above sea level, offering a captivating transition through diverse ecosystems and climates. From the lofty plains and glaciers to the verdant upper jungle teeming with banana trees, the scenery is truly mesmerizing – photo stops are always possible!

Upon reaching Julia’s house, you will be greeted by either Julia or one of her family members for a leisurely stroll through the lush plantations. Here, you’ll encounter a diverse array of coffee, fruit, and the star of the tour – cocoa. Get hands-on by crafting your own chocolate and indulge in a delightful tasting experience.

After an (early) lunch you continue by transportation to the a trailhead which leads to Alejandro’s house. You can choose (as a group) the most beautiful hike (2 to 2,5 hours with some steep parts) or a shorter hike of about 1 hour and 15 minutes (if you’re afraid of heights) to Alejandro’s house.

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon around Alejandro’s farm and a delicious dinner.

Overnight stay at Alejandro’s nice accommodation. Some rooms share a bathroom with a hot shower; other rooms have this ensuite.

After breakfast, at approx. 8am, you will take the tour on Alejandro’ss coffee farm and learn all about the coffee making process from one of Peru’s best specialists: from harvesting the beans to your own cup of coffee.

After this activitiy (around 11am) it is time to say goodbye to your new friends. It is a short (aprox. 40 minutes) but beautiful walk to the main road from where you will take transportation to the Hidroelectrica train station.

After a lunch break (not included), you continue on food from the Hidroelectrica train station to Aguas Calientes (approx. 2,5 to 3,5 hours) – a really nice walk, mostly flat which also provides a first glimpse on Machu Picchu from below.

In Aguas Calientes you could do a little walk around town and have dinner in one of the many restaurants. Since an early start awaits you the next day for your visit to Machu Picchu, you’ll likely want to get a good night’s rest.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes

From Aguas Calientes you will take the bus to Machu Picchu, early in the morning (you can decide the time in advance with your guide). Often referred to as “The Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu is one of the most famous and spectacular sets of ruins in the world. It is located 2,430 meters above the Urubamba river. The Incas started building it around AD 1430 as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, strategically located between deep canyons and impressive mountains called Apus (Gods for the Incas), so it was a well hidden and well protected fortress.

In the morning you will have a tour in Machu Picchu (duration: 2.5 hours).

Our tip for active people is to climb the Machu Picchu Mountain after the tour: not the over-visited Huayna Picchu. The Machu Picchu mountain is a little higher (climbing one and a half hours) but offers a nice panoramic view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu mountain and the underlying Urubamba river. In addition, the path and the nature on the way are beautiful, and because of its limited number of visitors, it feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of Machu Picchu.
The same afternoon, after your visit, you will take the train back to the Sacred Valley and then private transportation back to your hotel. You will arrive back there between 17.00 and 19.00 pm.
Overnight in Cusco

Today you’ll take your domestic flight from Cusco to Lima in time to connect with your international departure. We hope this journey has brought you closer to the heart of Peru.