Description of Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu

This Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu combines mountain biking and hiking over the 4 days. During the excursion on the first day, we will climb to cold weather conditions, to the warmer sub-tropical climate of the high jungle region of Cusco. This route is famous for expansive vegetation, typical of the cloud forest, where visitors can become immersed in the natural world, cleverly mixed with adventure activities and natural attractions.

The different and the unique: On the first day of our itinerary, we will visit 2 incredible waterfalls; The Yanay and the Mandor cascades and we will spend the night in our private bungalows in Mandor. We are the only agency that offers this option on the first day.

Inca Jungle Tour Details

  • Type of Tour: Biking adventure, ecology, archaeology, stunning landscapes and cultural activities.
  • Starting Point: Cusco
  • Finishing Point: Cusco
  • Places Visited: Archaeological complex of Huaman Marka, Thermal Springs of Cocalmayo, Machu Picchu
  • Maximum Altitude: 4,316 m
  • Best time to visit: May– October
  • Grade of Difficulty: Easy - moderate
  • Guide: Bilingual (English/Spanish)
  • Minimum Group Size: 2 people
  • Departures: Daily
  • Security: Covid-19 Bio- protocols

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Downhill cycling – (cycling and rafting)

On the third day, our transfer will be waiting for you at the hotel entrance at 07:00, so that later our bus will take us to Abra de Málaga.

We will make a brief stop in Ollantaytambo, where you will take a short break to make some necessary purchases for the road, then we will continue the Inca Jungle trail until we reach Abra Málaga, where the guide will give you some tips and instructions to start the bike tour.

We will begin the descent until we reach the archaeological center of Wamanmarca, at this place the guide will give you information about the archaeological center, you will have time to take photographs.

During the trip we will make several stops to check our bicycles and equipment. We will arrive at the town of Santa María (1,200 meters above sea level), where we will have lunch and spend our first night in an Ecolodge called Bella Victoria.

In the afternoon we have the option of rafting on the Vilcanota River. This river offers category III and III+ rapids. For this activity we will provide you with category V helmets, windbreakers and life jackets. This activity is available between the months of April and December, and you must know how to swim to participate, in accordance with Peruvian legislation. 

Overnight: Ecolodge Bella Victoria.

Meals included: Lunch, dinner

Day 2: Santa Maria – Santa Teresa (trekking – Cocalmayo Hot Springs)

After a delicious breakfast, we will be ready to make the first day of hiking to Santa Teresa. 

In the first two hours of our tour we will climb the terrain. Along the way we will make several stops to learn a little more about the rich flora and fauna of the area in which we will find ourselves. We will also stop at the home of a local family, where we will learn about their customs and traditions. 

Later, we will cross a section of the Inca Trail that formerly connected the citadel of the Sacred City of Machu Picchu with the last Inca refuge, Vilcabamba. Here our guide will explain a little more about the history of the Incas and also about the Inca communication system (the Inca route).

At this point we will have the pleasure of enjoying some of the most impressive views of the Huancarccasa canyon, the majestic Salkantay.

Then we will descend to the town of Quellomayo, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch and a relaxing rest in the restaurant’s hammocks.

We will continue with the last two hours of our walk to reach the Cocalmayo thermal baths, where we will spend time enjoying this charming place. When the entire group is ready, our private transportation will take you to the city of Santa Teresa, where we will spend our second night.  

Overnight: Hotel in Santa Teresa. 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes (Hike)

After breakfast, we will head to the nearby zip line site. There we will try different zip line routes, cross a suspension bridge and do some light climbing. After this activity, we will take our transportation to go to Hidroeléctrica to have lunch and continue the walk for another 3 hours to Aguas Calientes.  

Overnight: hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Cusco – Aguas Calientes 4 Hour Trip) - 2h30m

In the morning, according to the scheduled time, our guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the bus station where you will ascend 400m along a winding path for 20 minutes to reach the incredible wonder of the world “The Historical Sanctuary of Machu”. Picchu”, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Upon arriving at the citadel of Machu Picchu with our guide, we will pass through the entrance and begin the tour of the entire citadel. For around 2h30m we will visit the main places of Machu Picchu.  

We return to the town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants (lunch not included). After lunch, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo (depending on the availability of the train departure time). The return will follow the same route as the departure. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, the train representative will be waiting to take you to the bus to your hotel in Cusco. 

Overnight: Hotel in Cusco

Meals included: Breakfast

What's Included

  • Briefing the night before the trip at your hotel, explaining all the details of the tour.
  • Transportation from Cusco to Ollantaytambo - Abra Málaga
  • Cycling, rafting and zip lining
  • Cocalmayo hot springs
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu
  • Professional bilingual guide specialized in the tour.
  • Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
  • 3 breakfasts 3 lunches 3 dinners with vegetarian option
  • 1 night at Ecolodge Bella Victoria
  • 1 night accommodation in a hostel in Santa Teresa
  • 1 night accommodation in a hostel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom and hot water
  • First aid box
  • Agency services

What's Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes US$ 30.00
  • Breakfast of the first day
  • Lunch and dinner on the last day.
  • Tips/gratuity for the guide.
  • First breakfast, last lunch and dinner.

Recommendations

  • Not recommended for pregnant women.
  • Not recommended for young child or older adults.
  • Not recommended for people with back problems.
  • Not recommended for people with heart problems or similar health issues.

Optional Services

  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain: USD 80.00 per person (must be booked in advance)
  • Return Train VISTADOME/360° with panoramic views, typical dance show (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo) - Upgrade service: USD 65,00 per person

What to Take

  • Original passport or DNI (the same document with which you made the reservation, taking into account the validity of the documents, being the passport with a minimum validity of 6 months or the DNI with an issue date of less than 10 years)
  • Sunscreen
  • Repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Clothing for hot and cold weather conditions
  • Warm jacket or coat
  • Wool cap
  • Cap or sun hat
  • Layer of rain
  • Long-sleeved t-shirts (there are many mosquitoes in Machu Picchu)
  • Light pants
  • Bermuda Islands
  • Trekking shoes
  • Personal medications (headache, anti-inflammatories)
  • Emergency money (preferably in Novo Sol)
  • A light backpack
  • mineral water bottle
  • Snacks, chocolates, cereal bars.
  • Personal hygiene products

Prices

Service Travelers Prices
Group  price per person US$
550.00

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