Private experience

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. 8 am, you will take the tour on Alejandro’s 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 11 am) 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 foot 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 of 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 to 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

Private experience

Your guide will pick you up from the hotel in Cusco or Valle and we will head to Pongobamba by car. Upon arrival, your hosts will greet you and show you to your accommodation.

The women will then demonstrate their natural techniques for cleaning alpaca wool, spinning thread, dyeing with native plants, and weaving traditional textiles. They will share how these complex patterns are not written down but passed from generation to generation through oral tradition and hands-on practice. These designs reflect the community’s rich culture and deep connection to nature—zigzags and triangles, for example, symbolize the Andes mountains. The natural dyes used also carry symbolic meaning, tied to the landscape around them.

At midday, enjoy a homemade lunch prepared with local, organic ingredients.
The afternoon is yours to relax or explore. You may choose to walk through the fields, rest at your own pace, or visit the nearby town of Chinchero and its ancient inka palace by car or on foot.

In the evening, gather with your hosts for a cozy get-together filled with stories, myths, and legends about Lake Piuray, accompanied by music, singing, and warm drinks. Don’t hesitate to ask your hosts to teach you a few words in Quechua!

Overnight stay with a local family in Pongobamba.

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise over the Andes, take a stroll through the fields, and absorb a moment of peace—a reflection of the “beautiful life” your hosts have shared with you.

After a delicious homemade breakfast, we say goodbye to our hosts and continue on to the Sacred Valley or Cusco.

If you wish to extend your experience (which we strongly recommend), you may opt for a guided walk to a scenic viewpoint accompanied by the community’s llamas, a coca leaf reading, a traditional pago a la tierra (offering to the Earth), or a workshop on local crops and medicinal herbs.

Sulpayki Kusi Kawsay!, Thank you, Kusi Kausay!