group with the mountain bikes ready for the malaga pass
aerial view of the hot springs of cocalmayo
group rafting
boy jumping on a zip line
views of machu picchu on a sunny day
incla jungle trail
people doing rafting in santa maria
people eating at the camp
people crossing the bridge
lodge in hotel Santa Maria
Outside santa maria lodge
Sky lodge bedroom
hotel room in Aguas Calientes
buffet in aguas calientes
people walking alongside the train tracks on the inca jungle trek
passage of the hydroelectric train
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Inca Jungle Trek Machu Picchu

Bike, raft, hike, and zipline through the jungle on your way to Machu Picchu

(9 reviews)

🚨 Tickets to Machu Picchu sell out fast! 🚨 Book in advance.

Cusco
4 days
English and Spanish
Starts: From your accommodation in Cuzco at 6:00 a.m.
Ends: To the center of Cuzco at about 10:30 p.m.
Flexible cancellation policy

Briefing

The Inca Jungle Trek Machu Picchu is one of the most original routes you can do to get to Machu Picchu. Disconnect spending 4 days between mountains, valleys and rivers, combining hiking and downhill mountain biking. Unlike the others that reach the Inca city, at night you will stay in hostels located at lower altitudes instead of in campsites.

In addition, this wonderful 4-day trek to Machu Picchu combines cycling, hiking, rafting, zip-lining and glamping at Eco domes. It offers a unique and action-packed alternative to the classic Inca Trail.

Do you like this idea of hiking? 😊 Below we tell you all the details:

Tour details

Included

  • Entrance Machu Picchu
  • Spanish/English professional guide
  • 3 nights lodging
  • Dual suspension mountain bike, helmet and gloves
  • rafting + zip line (equipment included)
  • Meals (3 full days buffet style with vegetarian option)
  • First aid kit + 1 oxygen tank
  • Transportation (including touristic train)

Not included

  • Breakfast day 1
  • Lunch day 4
  • Access to Cocalmayo Hot Springs (10 soles)
  • Water to refill bottles

Important information

To guarantee the conservation of Machu Picchu, different itineraries have been designed within the citadel. When you make your reservation, you will be assigned the best itinerary and schedule available.

The availability of tickets to Machu Picchu is very limited and it is recommended to book as far in advance as possible.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel at least 72 hours in advance, we will refund the total amount minus 110 USD per person. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 72 hours in advance or for no-shows.

*Additional tickets included as extras are non-refundable.

Tour itinerary

PREVIOUS DAY

Briefing in Cusco

The day before departure,you will meet with the guide and the rest of your fellow adventurers to prepare for the tour. You will be given the indications you need and any questions will be answered so that you can enjoy the experience to the fullest.

Now, let's get started!

Location: agency office

DAY 1 Cusco Abra Málaga - Huamanmarca - Sta María

Distance: 34,18 miles (55km) - 3 hours downhill biking + 1 hour of rafting

Maximum altitude: 14,272 ft (4,350 m.)

Minimum altitude: 3,937 ft (1.200 m.)

07:00 A.M.

🚐 Pick up in Cuzco

At 7 am we will be picked up at our hotel in Cuzco to start the adventure by minibus and we will head the whole group to the Sacred Valley, crossing the villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.

🚲 Descent by bicycle to Abra Malaga pass

We will arrive at Abra Malaga, the starting point from where we will have the opportunity to appreciate the snowy Huacay Willca (Veronica). It is then time to put on our equipment and start the mountain bike route to the archaeological remains in Huaman Marq'a, where we will stop for lunch. A route of 34,18 miles (55km) in which during 3 hours we will feel the adrenaline to the maximum descending from 14,272 ft above sea level (4.350 m) to 3,937 ft above sea level (1.200 m.)

biking down to the malaga pass during the inca jungle trek

Huaman Marq'a 🚐 Santa María

After lunch, a minibus will be waiting for us to take us to Santa Maria. Once there, we will go rafting on the white river (The activity is included in your reservation). We can also take advantage of the afternoon to rest and discover the city, where we can buy some snacks or refreshments.

Later, we will have dinner in a restaurant in the city and spend the night in a family hostel.

rafting in santa maria during the inca jungle trek

DAY 2 Santa María - Quellomayo - Santa Teresa

Distance: 4,35 miles (7km) - 4 hours

Starting altitude: 3,937 ft (1.200 m.)

Final altitude: 6,562 ft (2.000 m.)

06:30 A.M.

Santa María 👣 Quellomayo

First thing in the morning we will have an energetic breakfast in the restaurant and then we will start the route to Quellomayo. A 1 hour trekking route, following a section of the Inca Trail: the Qhapaq Ñan.

Along the way we will see plantations of coffee, cocoa, yucca and different birds such as hummingbirds and parrots, since in those moments we will be totally surrounded by a more tropical ecosystem.

group resting on the way to santa rosa during the inca jungle trek

Quellomayo

Arriving in Quellomayo we will stop for lunch, and then continue the route to Santa Teresa. On the way we will have the opportunity to stop at the thermal baths of Cocalmayo. Undoubtedly, one of the best experiences of the day, enjoying a hot bath in the middle of nature.

Santa Teresa

Once we arrive in Santa Teresa, we will have free time to go zip lining or go for a walk and have a drink in one of its typical bars. Finally we will have dinner together in a local restaurant and spend the night in our exclusive Sky Lodge Domes.

tourists enjoying the hot springs of Cocalmayo in peru

DAY 3 Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric power plant - Aguas Calientes

Distance: 15,53 miles (25km) - 8 hours

Minimum altitude: 5,906 ft (1.800 m.)

Maximum altitude: 9,186 ft (2.800.)

07:00 A. M.

Santa Teresa 👣 Hidroelectrica

After breakfast we will start the trek to Hidroeléctrica (6233,6 ft or 1900m.) by an old Inca trail. After two hours we will arrive to some waterfalls coming from the glaciers, where we will have time to rest.

girl walking across a metal bridge on the road to hidroelectrica

Upon arrival at the Hidroelectrica we will have lunch with the whole group in one of the restaurants to regain strength before the last stage of the trek: a 5,59 miles route (9km) that runs along the tracks of the emblematic train that goes to Machu Picchu. The trail is located in an incredible valley where the vegetation has already been completely transformed into high jungle.

people walking along the railroad tracks linking hidroelectrica with aguas calientes

Aguas Calientes

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes we will leave our luggage in the lodges and we will have free time to visit the town, its market or just relax with a bath in its hot springs ($5.00). At the end of the afternoon we will meet again with the whole group to have dinner and plan with your guide the next day: the visit to Machu Picchu.

In the evening we will have dinner together at a local restaurant before heading to the lodge where we will spend the night.

train station in aguas calientes machu picchu town

DAY 4 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cuzco

Distance: 3,72 miles (6 km) - 1,5 hours

Minimum altitude: 6561 ft (2.000m)

Maximum altitude:7972 ft (2.400m)

We will have an early breakfast and start our last day climbing up to the entrance of the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.

Machu Picchu

We will access the citadel of Machu Picchu and enjoy the history of the Inca city. Later, we will have time to continue exploring on our own, and access the optional areas of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if we have added them to our reservation as an extra.

views of the inca city of machu picchu

Aguas Calientes

At the end of the visit to Machu Picchu, once again we can decide whether to go down to Aguas Calientes on foot or by bus (for 12 USD). Once there, we will take the opportunity to walk around the city and have lunch in one of its restaurants.

train aguas calientes peru

Aguas Calientes 🚆 Ollantaytambo 🚐 Cuzco

In Aguas Calientes, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo. At Ollantaytambo train station a transport will be waiting for us to take us back to the center of Cuzco. We will arrive approximately around 10:30 pm.

The exact train schedule and access to Machu Picchu are subject to availability and will be indicated with the confirmation of your reservation.

aerial view of the city of cuzco in peru

What to bring to Inca Jungle Trek Machu Picchu tour

  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Cap or hat
  • T-shirt and shorts for the hikes
  • Warm clothing
  • Comfortable footwear (waterproof hiking shoes if possible)
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Raincoat/waterproof poncho
  • Passport
  • Sandals or flip-flops
  • Bathing suit and towel (for the hot springs of Aguas Calientes)
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Flashlight
  • Medication to avoid altitude sickness (in case you consider it necessary).

Where does the tour Inca Jungle Trek Machu Picchu start

🚌 Pick up:

The tour starts with pick up from your accommodation in Cuzco. Remember to tell us the name of your accommodation when booking or inform us before the trip.

📍How to get to El Calafate?

If your starting point to get to Cuzco is Lima, check out our complete guide and discover all the routes and transport options to get to this incredible destination.

If you are arriving from Arequipa, the bus journey takes ten hours. You can also choose to make the journey by plane, in this case the only airline that offers direct flights is LATAM Airlines.

If you arrive from Puno the best option is to do it by bus, a journey of six and a half hours. We also offer the possibility of doing this journey in a tourist bus that makes stops at the most important places along the way. Departure is at 7:00 in the morning and arrival in Cuzco is at 17:30.

Finally, LATAM Airlines operates a direct route Iquitos - Cuzco. This route is not available on a daily basis, so we recommend you check the dates on which it is available to plan your trip.

Questions & Answers

  • Is it open all year round?

    It is available year-round, but there may be route changes during the months of January, February and March due to the rainy season.

  • What is the best time to do the Inca Jungle Trek Machu Picchu?

    The best time to hike is during the dry season, from April to October, when the weather is more stable and the trails are less muddy.

  • Is there an age restriction?

    The trail is of moderate difficulty and the average age of the travelers who live the Inka Jungle Trail experience is between 20 and 40 years old. However, since it is not a tour of high difficulty, children up to 8 years of age and adults up to 65 years of age can do it. In addition, it is not allowed for pregnant women.

  • What is the difference between Inca jungle and Inca Trail?

    In the Inca jungle we do the circuit by different means of transportation such as bicycle or rafting. The Inca Trail you move on foot or by car/bus.

  • How long is the rafting trip?

    The approximate duration of this activity is two hours.

  • Is it necessary to have a high knowledge of cycling or rafting for this tour?

    No experience is necessary for biking or rafting, as the guides provide safety instructions and equipment. However, you should be comfortable with outdoor activities and have an adventurous spirit.

  • What type of bicycles are used for downhill riding?

    For downhill biking from Abra Malaga we use top quality Kona bicycles with double suspension (front and rear). Prepared and specialized for long mountain tours.

  • Will we have bikes and helmets there?

    Yes, there in the office they will give you everything you need for the tour.

  • Do we stay in hotels or campsites along the trail?

    The trail includes exclusive Sky Lodge domes for overnight glamping and simple accommodations such as lodges in the jungle and in the town of Aguas Calientes.

  • What is the highest point of the course?

    The highest point is the Abra Malaga Pass, located at 4,350 meters (14,271 feet) above sea level. This is where the descent by bicycle begins.

  • Do I have to bring water and snacks from Cusco?

    Throughout the trek and the different activities of the Inca Jungle tour we will visit different villages, in which their inhabitants sell bottled water, fresh fruit, etc.. So it is not necessary to transport water and snacks from the city of Cusco.

  • Is there a discount if I already have a machu picchu ticket?

    Yes, there is a discount of 45 USD per person. To get this discount simply make a reservation and leave a note or contact us.

  • What is the difference between Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain?

    Both are two mountains belonging to Machu Picchu. The difference is that Huayna Picchu is an extra hike of approximately 1 hour and a half and quite steep. On the other hand, Machu Picchu Mountain is an extra excursion of approximately 3 hours and the trail is less steep.

  • Do you recommend choosing the additional area Machu Picchu Mountain?

    From Howlanders we want to inform you that visiting this additional area can take up to 4 hours and will slightly reduce the time you will have to visit Machu Picchu on your own, but in no case will it reduce the time of the guided tour, which is two hours. The departure time of the return train will be later to avoid you having to rush through the visit.

  • Will I be able to take the typical photo in Machu Picchu?

    At Howlanders we understand how important it is to capture those memorable moments during your visit to Machu Picchu, that's why we will do our best to confirm your reservation with the best available circuit and take the classic picture with the majestic citadel in the background.

Inca Jungle Trek Machu Picchu tour reviews with Howlanders

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