Duration 4 days and 3 nights
Maximum altitude 4316 m a.s.l., at Abra Málaga (start of the 40 km downhill bike ride).
Distance 20 km on foot plus a 40 km downhill bike ride.
Difficulty not physically demanding, but knowing how to ride a bike is essential for the first day.
Best time to go between May and October; December, January, February and March are the least suitable months because of the rain.
The 4-day Inca Jungle tour is an incredible adventure in which you'll discover the secrets and beauty of the region. We'll enjoy activities packed with adrenaline and excitement from day one, immerse ourselves in the Andes and the warmth of the jungle, combine the route with the most interesting trekking and incredible views, and arrive at the Machu Picchu citadel on foot.
This tour combines adventure sports such as biking, trekking, zip-lining and rafting, along a trail surrounded by flora and fauna, where nature will be our refuge for several days.
Our tour starts with pickup from your hotel between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. for a journey of approximately 4 hours, passing beautiful and charming landscapes throughout the Sacred Valley. Our first stop will be the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo, where we'll have free time for breakfast (this meal is not included and is optional; you can bring your own breakfast).
We'll then continue to the Vilcanota mountain range, reaching our highest point, Abra Málaga (4316 m a.s.l.), where we'll begin a downhill bike ride of approximately 3 hours, passing through different ecosystems typical of the Andes and the jungle. This activity ends in the village of Huamanmarka, where we'll enjoy a buffet lunch.
The journey continues to Santa María, where you'll have the option of 2 hours of rafting on the Urubamba River, in an area very close to the province of La Convención (Quillabamba), at about 1200 m, in the valley known as Tunkimayo.
Finally, we'll transfer to the Cocalpampa area (approximately 30 minutes), from where we'll walk up for just half an hour to reach the community of Pispitayoc, home to our ecolodge (1530 m a.s.l.). A local family will be waiting to welcome us into their home tonight.
We'll start the day at 7:00 a.m. with a hearty breakfast prepared by the family. We'll begin the hike by climbing for half an hour to an altitude of 1720 meters. Today we can enjoy the wildlife and native plants of the area, such as coffee plantations and fruit trees including mango, orange, banana, avocado and papaya, among others. At the top, we'll see the entire Urubamba River valley; from there, we'll hike along an original section of the impressive Inca Trail.
Continuing the hike, we'll reach the village of Quellomayo, where we'll have lunch and a refreshing siesta. We'll keep walking to the relaxing Cocalmayo hot springs, where we'll enjoy a soak. Finally, we'll walk 30 more minutes to the town of Santa Teresa, where we'll have dinner and spend our second night in a lodge.
On the third day, our adventure begins at 6:30 a.m. with a typical breakfast in Santa Teresa, followed by zip-lining (an additional, optional activity). This day is known for its pleasant tropical climate. After the adventure activity, our transport will take us from Santa Teresa to the Hidroeléctrica power station, which also serves as a checkpoint.
Very close to this spot, a sacred Inca ceremonial site, or Intihuatana, awaits us. Finally, we'll complete the last stretch of the hike to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we'll head straight to our hotel. At sunset, we'll share a farewell dinner with the guide, who will brief you on the plans for the next day, the last and most important one: discovering Machu Picchu.
We'll set off very early, at 5:30 a.m., to begin the hike up to the Machu Picchu citadel and watch the sunrise from above. This stretch will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach the top. After enjoying this magical moment, our guide will give you a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, covering Inca history, especially that of Peru's most important archaeological site: Machu Picchu.
After the guided tour, you'll have free time to explore the citadel on your own, and if you wish, you can choose the Huayna Picchu viewpoint or Machu Picchu Mountain (both must be booked in advance and cost an extra 20 dollars). The round trip to Huayna Picchu is on foot and takes about an hour and a half; it's definitely worth it for the magnificent views from the top. You'll also have time to walk to the Sun Gate, the Inca Bridge and other important spots. The citadel closes at 5:30 p.m., when you must return to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then the bus to Cusco.
The highest point is Abra Málaga, at 4316 m a.s.l., where we begin our 40 km downhill bike ride.
Yes. The Inca Jungle isn't physically demanding, and the total hike is approximately 20 km. Knowing how to ride a bike is essential for the first day; otherwise, you'll ride down in our support van.
The best months are between May and October, to avoid the rainy season in Cusco, which runs from November to April. December, January, February and March are the least suitable months for this activity because of the heavy rainfall.
You'll spend every night in fully equipped accommodation with a bed, bathroom and hot water.
No. They're optional and cost extra: rafting USD 30 and zipline USD 30.
No. The bus ticket to Machu Picchu costs USD 24 and isn't included; the itinerary includes hiking up from Aguas Calientes (approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes).
Rescheduling or changes are allowed up to 15 days before the travel date and apply until December 31, 2027. Rescheduling the entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu citadel (INC) carries an administrative fee of USD 25.00 per passenger.
