Exploring the Thrilling Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu Adventure 4 Days

Day 1: Cusco to Santa Maria Adventure: 65km Biking Extravaganza & 1.5 Hours of Thrilling River Rafting

We’ll pick you up from your hotel around 6 AM and drive you through the awe-inspiring Sacred Valley of the Incas. Marvel at the breathtaking views of the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota mountain ranges, as well as the charming small towns that dot the Sacred Valley landscape.

After a 2-hour drive, we’ll stop in the ancient Inca town of Ollantaytambo, where you will have breadfast included and you can stretch your legs and use the facilities. From there, we’ll continue driving up to the Abra Malaga Pass, situated at an altitude of 4,350 meters (14,271 feet). This is where our exhilarating downhill biking adventure to Santa Maria town, located at 1,430 meters (4,691 feet), begins.

Upon arriving at Abra Malaga, you’ll receive all the necessary biking gear and participate in a training session to ensure a successful and enjoyable ride to Santa Maria. The biking journey begins high in the Andes, offering majestic views of the snow-capped Veronica peak. Our route takes us from Abra Malaga to the fascinating Inca site of Huamanmarca, where we’ll stop for lunch and explore the small yet remarkable ruins.

After our visit to Huamanmarca, we’ll hop back in the car and continue to Santa Maria, where an exciting white river rafting adventure awaits in the afternoon. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to appreciate the stunning landscape that surrounds us.

Once we arrive in Santa Maria, you can check into your accommodations, take a shower, and relax before dinner. In the evening, we’ll gather at a local restaurant in town for a delicious meal and a chance to share stories from our action-packed day.

Tour Details:

• Biking distance: 65 km, approximately 3 to 4 hours of downhill biking
• River Rafting Adventure: 1 to 1.5 Hours of Exhilarating Fun
• Difficulty: Moderate day (full of Adventure)
• Weather: Warm and windy during the day, with very warn nights
• Accommodations: Hotel nigh in Santa Maria
• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 2: Santa Maria to Santa Teresa: Scenic 22km Hiking Journey through Quellomayo

Begin your remarkable hiking day with a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant around 6:00 AM. Today’s journey is one of the most memorable parts of the entire adventure. We’ll start with a 45-minute hike along the car route before entering the original Inca trail, which historically connected Machu Picchu with Vilcabamba, the last Inca capital.

As we traverse this ancient path, we’ll marvel at the stunning plantations of bananas, coca, yucca, and coffee that line the route. Our 3-hour hike on the original Inca trail offers magnificent views of the Vilcanota Valley and panoramic vistas of the hills adorned with various jungle plantations.

We’ll stop at the charming village of Quellomayo for lunch at one of the local restaurants. Here, you can relax, recharge, and explore the surroundings before continuing our hike along the Vilcanota River. The 3.5-hour trek takes us to the rejuvenating Colcamayo hot springs, a natural and outdoor oasis perfect for soothing tired muscles. Enjoy a couple of hours at the hot springs before we continue our journey to Santa Teresa.

A 45-minute hike from the hot springs brings us to our final destination for the day, Santa Teresa. We’ll spend the night at a cozy hostel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, where you can share stories and reflect on the unforgettable experiences of the day.

Tour Details:

• Hiking distance: 22 km, approximately 7 to 8 hours of hiking
• Difficulty: Moderate day (full day hike)
• Weather: Warm and Tropical, with very warn nights
• Accommodations: Hotel nigh in Santa Teresa
• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Santa Teresa to Aguas Calientes: Exhilarating 2-Hour Zip-lining & Scenic 10km Hiking Adventure

Rise and shine at 6:30 am, fuel up with breakfast, and get ready for an action-packed day. Around 8:00 am, the zipline company will pick you up and transport you to the zipline base. After a brief orientation, embark on a thrilling 2-hour adventure across four different ziplines and a suspension bridge.

Once you’ve had your fill of ziplining excitement, take a 1-hour car ride to Hidroelectrica for a well-deserved lunch. Post-lunch, embark on a scenic 3-hour hike along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes town. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and recharge.

At 7:00 pm, indulge in a delicious dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep. Wake up early the following day, eager to explore the magnificent Machu Picchu.

Tour Details:

• Zipline Adventure: Experience 4 Unique Ziplines and 1 Thrilling Suspension Bridge
• Hiking distance: 11 km takes 3 to 3.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate day (full of Adventure)
• Weather: Warm and Tropical very warn nights
• Accommodations: Hotel nigh in Aguas Calientes
• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco

Arriving at Machu Picchu’s Main Gate from Aguas Calientes: To reach Machu Picchu’s main gate from Aguas Calientes, you have two options. You can either embark on a scenic 1.5-hour hike or take a convenient bus ride that costs $12. The choice is yours, and you can even decide on the same day you plan to visit Machu Picchu. Regardless of the option you choose, your day will begin bright and early at 4 am with a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

If you choose to WALK from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, your journey will begin at around 4:30 am. You’ll start by walking from your hotel in Aguas Calientes to Puente Ruinas, which takes approximately 30 minutes. Puente Ruinas serves as the first checkpoint, where you’ll need to present your Machu Picchu tickets and original passports to gain entry. Once you’ve passed the Puente Ruinas checkpoint, you’ll embark on an uphill hike to Machu Picchu, climbing approximately 1,700 steps.

This ascent typically takes between one hour to one hour and 20 minutes. Upon reaching the main gate of Machu Picchu, you’ll meet up with your group and guide to enter the site and begin your unforgettable exploration of this ancient Inca citadel.

If you opt to take the BUS from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, you’ll need to purchase a bus ticket in town, either the night before or on the same morning. Each one-way bus ticket costs $12. Once you have your ticket, join the queue to board the first buses, which depart from Aguas Calientes at 5:30 am.

The bus ride takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, you’ll meet up with your group and guide around 6 am to enter the site and begin exploring the remarkable ancient Inca city together.

MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOUR:

• Our program includes a Machu Picchu ticket, with the primary circuit options being either circuit 01 or 02. CHECH DETAILS: …..If there is no availability for the first choice, we will include circuit 03 or 04. Ticket availability depends on the time of booking, so if you prefer the primary circuit options, we recommend booking well in advance. For more information about the different circuits and ticket details, please visit our website or contact us directly. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, our experienced tour guide will lead you on a 2.5-hour guided exploration of the Inca city, following the circuit outlined in your ticket. The guide will share insights about the history and significance of Machu Picchu while allowing time for photographs and taking in the breathtaking views. You’ll visit the most iconic locations within the site during the tour.
• At the conclusion of the guided tour, you will have some leisure time to explore and relax on your own. If you have arranged to hike Huayna Picchu (which must be booked ahead of time, as it is a popular option that sells out quickly and costs $60 per person), your guide will direct you to the starting point. The hike will take no more than 2 hours to complete, with a round-trip time.
• Alternatively, you may choose to hike Machu Picchu Mountain instead of Huayna Picchu. This hike is more challenging and takes a minimum of three hours for the round-trip (at an additional cost of $60 per person).
• For those considering either of the mountain climbs, we recommend opting for the train return to Cusco to allow more time to explore the mountains. If you prefer to return by car, we suggest spending an additional night in Aguas Calientes and departing by car on the sixth day from the Hydroelectric station. This will give you ample time to fully experience the beauty of the mountains and make the most of your journey.

After immersing yourself in the wonders of Machu Picchu and exploring its surroundings, it’s time to make your way back to Cusco. We offer two convenient options for your return journey: by car or by train. Both options ensure a smooth and comfortable trip to Cusco.

• If you choose to return BY CAR, you will need to begin your walk from Machu Picchu to Hidroelectrica around 10:30 am. This trek typically takes 3 to 3.5 hours to complete. It is essential to reach Hidroelectrica by 2:00 pm in order to board the car, which is scheduled to depart at 2:30 pm. The car journey from Hidroelectrica to Cusco takes approximately 6 hours, and you can expect to arrive in Cusco around 9:30 pm. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off in the city center of Cusco.
• If you opt to return BY TRAIN to Cusco after visiting Machu Picchu, you have two options for getting to the town of Aguas Calientes. You can either walk down for 1.5 hours, or take a bus that takes just 30 minutes but costs 12 dollars. Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, you’ll have time to explore the town and have lunch before returning to your hotel to gather your belongings and head to the train station. The train to Ollantaytambo is available at either 2:30 pm or 2:55 pm, depending on availability, and the journey takes 1.5 hours, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, a transfer arranged by Leading Peru Tarvel or with your name on it will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, a 2-hour journey, arriving around 6:30 pm and dropping you off in the city center.