CLASSIC INCA JUNGLE TREK TO MACHU PICCHU: 4 DAYS

Inca Jungle to Machu Picchu

Full Adventure: Mountain Biking, White Water Rafting, Hiking, Hot Springs, Ziplining, and Machu Picchu

The Inca Jungle Trek is promoted as the best alternative route to Machu Picchu, offering a variety of adventure activities along the way.

In addition, Inca Jungle Trail is one of the most affordable tours in Cusco and is suitable for all adrenaline seekers.

You will experience downhill biking, white water rafting, hiking, a visit to the hot springs of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa, a vertical zipline, and a guided tour of Machu Picchu!

TRIP DETAILS

DAY 1: CUSCO → SANTA MARIA → LA CHOSA

Activities: Mountain biking and Whitewater rafting (high quality equipment included), plus a small hike
Meals: Lunch and dinner (breakfast not included)
Inclusions: high quality safety equipment for mountain biking (including bikes and helmets) and white water rafting
Lodging: Stay with a local family in their home in La Choza

We will pick you up from your hotel 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m before leaving Cusco, heading towards the Sacred Valley. We will stop near Ollantaytambo for breakfast before continuing our journey to Abra Málaga, where our downhill mountain biking adventure begins. On our bikes, we will descend from 4,350 meters above sea level (14,272 feet) to 1,800 meters (5,906 feet). This thrilling descent covers an altitude difference of 2,550 meters (8,366 feet) over approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles).

We will dismount from our mountain bikes once we reach the archeological site of Huamanmarca (“Lands of the Falcon” in Quechua), an important complex that connected the Inca empire with the nations of the jungle.

After our visit, we will take our transport to the town of Santa María where we will have lunch. We will spend some time resting and digesting here, because our day of adventure isn’t over yet! Once we’re finished, we will head to the Vilcanota River for some white water rafting. Later, we will hike from Santa Rosa to Mirador La Choza where we will have dinner and spend the night.

DAY 2: MIRADOR LA CHOZA → COCALMAYO HOT SPRINGS → SANTA TERESA

Activities: Helping a local family with their tasks, a moderate hike, hot springs
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today's Tip: remember to bring your swimsuit and a quick-drying towel!

Waking up to the sounds of birds and an impressive panoramic view in La Choza is a magical experience. In the morning, we will help a local family with seasonal agricultural activities, such as coffee and coca harvesting. After breakfast with the family, we will begin today’s hike.

On foot, we will follow an Inca trail that was discovered just a few years ago. Our guide will provide historical insights about the route, giving you the context (and rest time!) you deserve in order to fully appreciate the journey. The hike is moderate, and offers breathtaking scenery.

We will arrive at our lunch stop in Quellomayo, and after eating, we will continue hiking until we reach Cocalmayo Hot Springs, where we will relax for a couple of hours. Finally, we will take transport to Santa Teresa for dinner and an overnight stay.

DAY 3: SANTA TERESA → AGUAS CALIENTES

Activities: Ziplining, unique lunch experience, scenic walk to Aguas Calientes
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today's Tip: Today is less physically demanding; we will take it easy so our bodies are ready to explore Machu Picchu tomorrow.

For the second day in a row, we will get to wake up in a beautiful village with stunning views, this time in Santa Teresa. After breakfast, we will take our included transport to Hidroelectrica. From there, we will go to the House of Ronald in San Gabriel for an exquisite lunch and a short break.

Afterward, we will follow the train tracks to Aguas Calientes (the town nestled below the site of Machu Picchu), where we will check into our hostel. In the evening, we will have dinner together at a local restaurant where we will debrief for tomorrow’s much-anticipated tour of Machu Picchu. We’ll sleep well in our cozy hostel tonight (though we can also help you upgrade to a hotel).

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES → MACHUPICCHU → OLLANTAYTAMBO → CUSCO

Activities: Hike from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu, 2.5 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, free time to explore Aguas Calientes in the afternoon
Meals: breakfast (lunch and dinner not included)

We have an early wakeup call this morning so we can take advantage of the fresh breeze, sunrise views, and absence of other tourists! We will have early breakfast at our hostel before starting our hike to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes at 4:30 a.m. This stone trail climbs through the jungle-like environment of Urubamba Valley up to the famous citadel, and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. We will summit around 6:00 a.m., allowing us to be among the first groups of the day to enter Machu Picchu!

Our guided tour of this UNESCO world heritage site will last approximately 2.5 hours, after which you will have free time to explore until 12:00 p.m. You can choose to return to Aguas Calientes by walking or taking a bus (optional — bus fee is $12USD).

In the afternoon, we will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Our departure time will be based on availability when confirming your reservation (options include 14:55, 15:20, 18:20, and more). From Ollantaytambo, we will take a bus back to the downtown area of Cusco. A private driver will then drop you off at your stay in Cusco, thereby completing your spectacular adventure.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and Cocalmayo Hot Springs: Entry tickets to Machu Picchu are required for all travelers, and are heavily regulated by the Peruvian government. They often sell out months in advance, especially in peak season (May - August). Your entrance ticket is included in the price of this excursion, and we book it for you.
Tickets, logistics, and equipment for all included mini-adventures offered in this Inca Jungle trek, including mountain biking and whitewater rafting on Day 1, community work and hot springs on Day 2, ziplining on Day 3, and Machu Picchu on Day 4.
Professional guide in English and Spanish: Our Peruvian-owned company hires local, educated, and experienced guides to facilitate our tours. We have a true passion for our job, our culture, and our history, and we are delighted to share it with you.
High quality service: Our Peruvian guides, drivers, and lodging hosts all have extensive experience in their occupations to ensure your health, safety, and comfort. It is extremely important for us that we have you, our guest, in good hands, and we are selective about who we partner with.
Briefing prior to our departure from Cusco: We will meet with you in person before this Inca jungle trek commences to confirm your preparedness and answer any last‐minute questions.
24/7 WhatsApp support for assistance during your trip
First Aid Equipment
Creative and Nutritious Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners are included in this adventure experience. Vegetarian food is available upon request with no extra charge. Other snacks and drinks are available for purchase from local shops throughout the journey.
Lodging for the first, second, and third night of this trek: On the fourth night, we will return to Cusco, and you are responsible for arranging your stay in Cusco.
Transportation:
Private pickup from your stay in Cusco (Day 1)
Transportation to the start of our mountain biking route (Day 1)
Transportation from Cocalmayo Hot Springs to Santa Teresa (Day 2)
Transportation from Santa Teresa to Hidroeléctrica (Day 3)
Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Day 4)
Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (Day 4)
Private drop-off to your stay in Cusco (Day 4)

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Sleeping bag: You can rent one from us for $20USD.
Walking sticks: You can rent from us for $20USD.
Machu Picchu Mountain hike inside the Park of Machu Picchu: Ask us about availability when booking; it has an extra cost of $65.00USD per person)
Lunch in Aguas Calientes (Day 4)
Dinner once we return to Cusco (Day 4)
Personal Hiking Clothing and Gear: See our packing list of what to bring!
Travel insurance: Highly recommended for all our travelers.
Optional train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (Day 3) in case you feel a little too tired to walk the scenic trail along the tracks.
Tips for Our Staff: Tipping is customary on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Typically, our small groups pool tips and then distribute them together near the end of our trek.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control, including unforeseen weather events, schedule changes due to personal safety, political instability, etc.

Official Passport (not a copy!): This is a requirement enforced by the Peruvian government. When you book with us, we will ask you to share your passport information with us so that we can purchase your entrance tickets and permits. Please bring the official passport that you shared with us (and not a different one) because your passport number will be printed on your entry ticket.
Valid Student Card (if booked as a student)
Cash: Bring enough money for tipping, lunch in Aguas Calientes, and bathrooms, drinks, and snacks along the route.
Personal Medication: You can bring personal medication and over-the-counter medicines, provided that they are in their original packaging, and that the medication is legal in Peru. It is a good idea to bring printed copies of prescriptions for medicines, eyeglasses/contacts, and other medical supplies.
First Aid Kit: We recommend that you assemble a small first aid kit that includes handy supplies like bandages, antibiotic ointment, and antiseptic wound cleaner.
Sunscreen: The sun is much stronger at high altitude, where the atmosphere is thin, and thus it is more likely to experience sun burns. SPF 50+ will offer you the most protection.
Insect Repellent: Machu Picchu is situated in a tropical mountain forest that is also home to insects. If bugs and mosquitoes love you, consider packing some anti-itch gel or cream in addition to insect repellent. We recommend lotion insect repellent over spray.
Hand Sanitizer and Extra Toilet Paper: While our trek is well-equipped and prioritizes your comfort, some sections of our route have fewer services. You will want to clean your hands and body with hand-sanitizer or wipes.
Personal Hygiene Products, like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
Good trekking backpack to carry your belongings (the smaller the better)
Large plastic bags: to help organize the items inside your pack
Comfortable Hiking Boots: A lightweight hiking shoe with good soles/tread will help keep your attention on beauty and history around you, rather than any pain in your feet.
Comfortable Hangout shoes: After hiking, you will want to change into a light-weight, comfortable pair of sandals or “hang-out” shoes.
2-3 sweat-wicking T-shirts
2-3 pairs of hiking pants
4 sets of underwear
4 sets of hiking socks
1 fresh outfit for exploring Machu Picchu
1 fleece jacket
1 rain jacket and a pair of rain pants, or durable poncho: Weather can be quite capricious in the Andes, and rain and high winds can occur at any time of the year. No matter the season, waterproof layers are a must.
1 warm coat or down jacket: We do recommend bringing another warm coat or down jacket — in addition to your fleece jacket and waterproof layer — because it can get quite cold in the nights and early mornings.
1 sun hat to protect yourself from any sunburns or sun poisoning
1 wool hat to protect your head and ears from the chilly high-altitude nights
Waterproof gloves so you can use your hands to take photos, retrieve snacks and supplies, aid other travelers, and give high-fives in any climate.
Quick dry towel to dry your hands/face after washing.
Bathing Suit for enjoying the Hot Springs in Cocalmayo