Embark on the Inca Jungle Trail 4 Days adventure tour to Machu Picchu.
The Inca Jungle Trail is the best adventure tour to Machu Picchu and combines many fun activities along the way before reaching the incredible Inca site, Machu Picchu. This tour includes mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and hiking through trails that were part of the Inca Trail, as well as the option to zipline through the Andes Mountains. During the 4-Day Inca Jungle Adventure, you'll be immersed in an experience with local people, where we will see a variety of wildlife, visit coffee farms, and explore avocado, banana, and coca plantations.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Packing List
- Faqs
- Pricing
- Inquire Now
If you are looking for an epic adventure in Cusco, then the Inca Jungle Trail is for you! It includes a variety of activities with stunning views along the way, which will start with mountain biking 42 kilometers down the high tropical jungle. You'll then raft down the Urubamba River on rapids adapted to your skill level, whether you're a beginner or have more experience. Next, you'll hike through the forest and enjoy exploring the flora and fauna of the region before ending the hike in relaxing hot springs of Cocalmayo. You'll experience the thrill of ziplining through the thick foliage with impressive views around you, and finally end this exhilarating trip by exploring the mystical Machu Picchu!
This 4-Day Inca Jungle Trail is perfect for sharing adventures with other travelers while you enjoy the fantastic views surrounded by green mountains and valleys, learn about Inca history, meet local people, and experience their culture in the high jungle of Peru.
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day01
Cusco - Malaga Pass - Santa Maria
Mountain bike 42 km/26 miles, and have fun whitewater rafting.
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Day02
Santa Maria - Hot Spring - Santa Teresa
Hike through the Inca Trail and enjoy the hot springs after the hike.
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Day03
Santa Teresa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes)
Feel the adrenaline of flying via zipline near to Machu Picchu.
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Day04
Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu - Cusco
Be amazed by the incredible Machu Picchu and enjoy the view during the train back ride.
Cusco – Abra Malaga - Santa Maria : Cycling (55 km-34 miles)
Shuttle to Abra Malaga:3.5 hour by bus from Cusco
Biking time: 2.5 to 3 hour approximately.
Maximum Altitude: 4,350masl. / 14,271 feet
Minimum Altitude:1275masl. / 4180 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Private room (Hostel)
Adventure: Absolutely¡ River rafting Class I-II-III
The Inca Jungle Trail adventure begins with the pick up from your hotel (which must be located in Cusco or Ollantaytambo) at 6:00 a.m. Then we’ll head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Ollantaytambo) there we have a short stop to enjoy a breakfast or buy something you will need along the tour.
Afterwards, we’ll continue in our private van to reach the highest point of this trip, the Malaga Pass (4,316 m/14,160 ft). Here you will have a stunning view of the Veronica mountain on the side of the road. This is where we begin our cycling tour down the mountain. Your guide will give a quick informational briefing and provide the bikes with the appropriate safety gear. Then, we’ll begin our mountain biking for about three hours (42 km; 26 miles), and you will enjoy the landscape as it changes from the misty mountains to the beginning of the lush jungle along the cycling route. You’ll pass through small streams and enjoy the warm climate while you descend from the mountains. After a few stops, you’ll reach Huamanmarca. From there, we continue our journey by bus to the town of Santa Maria 1200 m / 3937 ft. Where we have our first lunch and spend the first night in our lodge.
During the afternoon, you are joining the whitewater rafting on the Vilcanota river in categories I, II, III, and III+, with some rapids. you’ll be safe as we’ll provide you all the safety equipment (Helmet, windbreakers, and lifejacket) it takes about 2 hours in total. (Please note that this exciting activity is only available from April to December as the river rises during the wet season.)
Santa Maria - Santa Teresa : Trekking (9 miles, 15 km)
Walking Distance: 15 km./9.3miles
Starting Elevation: 1,220masl. / 4,002 feet
Campsite Elevation: 1,500masl. / 4,921 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation:Private room Hotel
Adventure: Absolutely, hot spring, cable car.
After a delicious breakfast, we take our private van to the trail head. The first 2 hours of our trek will be ascending, but there will be various stops in order to learn a bit more about the rich variety of flora and fauna that can be found in the region we are in. One of these stops will be a family house where we will rest for 20 minutes and supply ourselves with more water and some regional tropical fruit.
After resting for a bit, we will cross a section of the original Inca Trail that historically connected Machu Picchu with the city of Vilcabamba. Here, our guide will explain a bit more about the history of the Incas, as well as the system of communication that existed during that time. At this point, we will also see one of the most impressive views in all of the Huancarccasa Canyon. Afterwards, we will descend to the small town of Quellomayo, where we will stop to take our lunch and rest in the near-by hammocks. We then continue 2 more hours on foot to the hot springs of Cocalmayo, where you will have plenty of time to enjoy the naturally heated water of the baths. After bathing, we will continue on to the final destination of the day, Santa Teresa, by private van and spend our second night in our hostel.
Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes : Trekking (10 miles, 16 km)
Walking Distance: 11 km. / 6.miles
Starting Elevation: 1,500masl. / 4,921 feet
Campsite Elevation: 2,040masl / 6,692 feet (AguasCalientes hotel)
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Private room Hotel 3 stars
Adventure: Absolutely, Zip Line. (4 cables,)
This day our adventure will continue, after breakfast we will go to Zip Line, they will pick you up at the restaurant, then, we drive for a few minutes towards the base camp, here your instructor will provide you the safety equipment and instructions.
Then begins our adventure flying between mountains through the valley and thick forest, you’ll feel how the adrenaline takes over your body and enjoy the incredible views of the river and valley. You’ll available to fly in different positions.
Afterwards, we’ll take our van to Hydroelectric, where you'll enjoy our delicious lunch in the restaurant surrounded by trees beside of the train truck. Then we’ll heading to Aguas Calientes hiking along the train rail with stunning views of Machu Picchu and the Urubamba river, your guide will show you the location of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, also you’ll see a several times the train riding to Hydroelectic, after three hours of hike we’ll arrive to Aguas Calientes town where you guide will accommodate in your hotel to rest then explore the picturesque town.
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu - Cusco
Walking Distance: By Bus
Starting Elevation: 2,040masl. / 6,692 feet
Machu Picchu Elevation: 2,430masl. /7,974 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Breakfast
Highlight: Absolutely, Machu Picchu the new Seven Wonder
This is the most important day of the Inca Jungle Trail – the day that we arrive to one of the Seven World Wonders. Our last day of the tour begins very early in the morning in order to be able to watch the sun rise over the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu. We begin the ascent from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at 5:30 AM, by bus to reach the citadel.
Once inside the park, your guide will take you to the best spots to enjoy this magical Inca site. Then, he’ll provide you two hours of tour, afterwards you’ll have your time to explore by your own other places of Machu Picchu, maybe even hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (previous reservations are needed with two months of anticipation, plus a fee of $35. There are only 400 entrance tickets per day to climb these two mountains). You can climb these on your own time, you’ll need to return to Aguas Calientes by bus in order to board a returning train to Ollantaytambo and finally bus drive towards Cusco.
NOTE:
In order to receive detailed information about your trip, including when and where you will be picked up on the first day, you must visit the “Vidal Expeditions” office one day before embarking on your journey.
KEEP IN MIND:
Please bring your passport and the immigration slip you received upon your arrival to Peru. Cash is the only acceptable form of payment (Dollars or Soles). The type of change (Dollars or Soles) given for payments made in Soles will be determined by the Agency.At Vidal Expeditions we are transparent and provide specific details of what is included and excluded in the Inca Jungle Trail. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your jungle tour.
WE INCLUDE
Vidal Expeditions Team Provide
Pre-departure briefing
Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your adventure guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Inca Jungle Trail departure. During this briefing, you will receive important details about this adventure.
Professional Adventure Guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation for customer service. They have graduated with a tourism career from the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco, and they have also studied English in a private language institute. Through their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking, and pride in having been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the magical Machu Picchu.
Permit for Machu Picchu
Once we receive your details and the deposit for your tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek, and these permits will be for a specific date and will be in your name. Unfortunately, this information can’t be modified under any circumstance once confirmed; only your passport number can be updated; however, for this change, you must bring both your old and new passport.
Accommodations
At Vidal Expeditions, we included private accommodations for 3 nights along our 4-Day Inca Jungle Trail. These are safe and clean lodges located along the route. Each room of our lodges has a private bathroom with hot water and a clean towel. You will also have access to recharge your cameras, phones, etc. But remember, the electrical outlets are different than you are used to; they are mostly USA and South American standard outlets. If you want to spend an extra night in Aguas Calientes town or Machu Picchu town, please contact the Vidal Expeditions team.
River Rafting and Zipline
To make this adventure unforgettable, we included these activities full of adrenaline. White river rafting in the Urubamba River with a category of I, II, III, and III+ is great for beginners and experienced people, as is our zipline over a canyon with a unique view.
Hot Spring and Cable Car Tickets
We know the small details are important for you during your trip, and Vidal Expeditions makes everything possible to provide an excellent service where you don’t need to worry about these things.
Transportations
Private Transport
We included all the transportation during your tour. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the beginning of the biking, and the bus returning from Ollantaytambo to Cusco will drop you off at your hotel.
Train Ticket
On the Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu, we include the return train ticket after you have explored Machu Picchu on the last day. The train ticket will be for one of the available train schedules of 14:20 hrs., 14:55 hrs., or 16:20 hrs.
Bus Ticket
We include the bus round trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on day four to go explore the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
Equipment
Biking Equipment
Vidal Expeditions has been leading tours to Machu Picchu with suitable biking equipment to make your trip an experience of a lifetime. Our bikes and biking gear are very safe and professional for this kind of activity. We include suspension bikes, full-face helmets, body armor, knee pads, and gloves.
Rafting and Zipline Gears
We know very well about these activities and have professional instructors with the right equipment to make them 100% safe. They have been working for a long time on river rafting and ziplining, and they have years of experience to show you our wonderful landscape along the tour.
Medical First Aid Kit
All tour guides at Vidal Expeditions are very well trained in first aid. They received training courses every six months on how to assist someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained on how to supply balloon oxygen if someone requires it.
Meals
Meals
At Vidal Expeditions, we know food is such an important part of any vacation, and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial. We include 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. And of course, we cater to all dietary restrictions. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and others—just let us know. Our team is well-trained to prepare the best food you've ever had with local and organic ingredients.
Water
Vidal Expeditions will provide you with water the second and third days, a litter per day; however, you will be able to buy more water along the trail. There are some local shops, but remember to bring your container bottle or camel bag large enough for a few hours; 2 litters is what we recommend.
WE NOT INCLUDED
Walking Sticks
Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits. They protect your knees while you are hiking downhill, especially on the ancient Inca Trail, where there are many stairs up and down. Trekking poles also help you during the ascent with increased stability. If you don’t have a pair of trekking poles, you can rent them from our office.
First Breakfast
We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotels offer breakfast during your stay. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near Ollantaytambo where you will be able to purchase breakfast.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes
Lunch on the last day at Aguas Calientes is not included in this tour. However, you and the group can enjoy the last lunch together at a restaurant recommended by your tour guide.
Travel Insurance
We recommend buying travel insurance before leaving your country in case something happens during your visit to Peru.
Tips for our team
Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to Machu Picchu, and although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team's hard work.
Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a really famous hike that normally takes 45 minutes to hike up the narrow, steep steps to the top with a great view of Machu Picchu citadel. If you would like to hike Huayna Picchu after your tour to Machu Picchu, there is an extra cost of $75.00 US.Also, this booking must be done at least 3 months in advance due to its popularity.
INCA JUNGLE TRAIL INFO
At Vidal Expeditions, we focus on making your trip an unforgettable experience, and we want to provide all the details you need to know before leaving your country and starting your life experience in Peru.
What you need to pack? Important- Passport
- Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
- Trekking poles
FOR YOUR DAYPACK:
A daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25 liters will not be allowed in. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside the citadel gates. But don´t worry; they have a secure storage facility.
Water: We supply a bottle of water the second day and the same the third day; however, you will be able to buy more water along the route or at the restaurant. You are responsible for your first and last days.
- 3 wicking t-shirts
- 3 hiking pants
- 3 sets of undergarments.
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket: gets little cold at the morning in Machu Picchu
- 1 Rain jacket and pants
- 1 sun hat
- Bathers / swimsuit for the hot spring
- Small towel
- Flip flops
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
Exrtra Items:
- Sun hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (iPhone)
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs
- Some snacks (Chocolate, fruits, energy bars, etc.)
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Face moisturizer
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Small towel
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
INCA JUNGLE TRAIL FAQs
Here some frequently asked question about the Inca Jungle trail to Machu PicchuPREPARING FOR THE INCA JUNGLE TRAIL
At Vidal Expeditions, we like to make the booking process as easy as possible. Once you decide to do the Inca Jungle Trail, we will send you a booking form where you need to complete all the required details. We need these details to book your entrance tickets and train tickets; you will also need to pay a deposit of $200 USD per person. Once we receive your deposit, we immediately book a spot for the Inca Jungle Trail. Once we are done with it, we will send you your invoice and confirmation that all the booking processes have been set up satisfactorily.
The Inca Jungle Trail is the ultimate adventure tour to Machu Picchu, where you can combine it with different sport activities, such as mountain biking, whitewater rafting, hiking in the forest, the Inca Trail, hot springs, a zip line, and a visit to Machu Picchu on the final day. It is perfect for everyone who wants to experience different adventures on the way to this iconic ancient site.
This exclusive adventure tour to Machu Picchu is not very difficult; you just need a bit of positive attitude and definitely your will to complete it. Just have a little knowledge riding a bike; the rafting activity is for beginners and experienced people as well; hiking in the forest is not demanded; you can do it even with kids; the zipline is very fun for the entire family; and Machu Picchu tour at the end. Vidal Expeditions includes everything for your journey, making it an easier tour for everyone.
Yes! It is possible; we can book your train ticket back to Ollantaytambo a day later at no additional cost. The train departs at 14:30 or 14:55. If you need us to book your hotel or another visit to Machu Picchu, let us know, but this will be at an additional cost. If you do choose to spend one more night in Aguas Calientes, make sure you contact us at the Vidal Expeditions office at least one month in advance so we can purchase your train ticket for the right day.
Yes! Yes! On the Inca Jungle Trail, there will be places where you can charge your cellphone at our lodges and restaurants. Most lodges and restaurants in Peru now have the standard US outlet along with the South American outlet. There may also be Wi-Fi connections in some lodges and restaurants.
As long as you know how to ride a bicycle, you will be fine on the biking segment during the first day along the Inca jungle trail, the road is mostly 95% downhill in an asphalt . Our guides will give you a safety talk at the beginning of the bicycle ride; they will make sure that you are taken care of and will provide rest stops along the ride. Our car will stay behind the group the entire time to make sure everything goes well.
The extra activities along the Inca Jungle Trail are not difficult; we had a lot of experience taking people with a bit of experience. The water rafting is well recommended for beginners who want to try this activity for the first time. The river is not dangerous, and of course you will find some rapids. The zip line is very safe; you will get the proper gear and instructions to enjoy this activity. No worries! The instructors will do everything for you while you are there; you just need to enjoy as much as you can.
Definitely! It is always recommended to wear light hiking boots if possible. Ones with ankle support are extra helpful, especially for the inexperienced hiker. The trail will involve hiking up and down stairs created by the Incas, hiking on uneven surfaces, and crossing rivers that may be slippery. The extra ankle support of your hiking boots will help prevent twisting your ankles.
It is not necessary to use walking or hiking sticks since the hikes on the second and third days are not strenuous. However, if you are unexperienced hiking in the mountains, we recommend you use a walking stick to help you keep your balance, especially during the downhill sections.
No, this part of the jungle is far away from the Amazon and is considered rainforest or semitropical. There will be mosquitoes in the region, but these mosquitoes do not carry any diseases. We do recommend you bring insect repellent to keep the mosquitoes away.
We recommend packing as light as possible; a small backpack of 30 litters will be enough for these four days; extra clothes; trekking items (sunglesses, sunblock, insect repellent, caps); and a swim suit for water rafting and hot springs. For more detailed information, we recommend checking the Inca Jungle Packing List.
The most popular route to Machu Picchu through the Inca Jungle Trail adventure is the 4 Days Tour, however, if you are limited on time we also have the 3 Days tour which goes the same route and includes all the activities, you just skeep the hiking part on the second day.
The best time to do the Inca Jungle Trail and visit Machu Picchu is from May to October. These are great months with rare rains because this is the dry season in Cusco. You will have more chance to see the beautiful landscapes on the way and the sunrise in Machu Picchu.
We operate this tour with a minimum of two people and have daily departures. If you are a solo traveler, please contact our sales team to see if we have already confirmed a group on the date you prefer. We highly recommend booking your tour to Machu Picchu in advance due the availability of the tickets.
Definitely, if you come from the sea level, you definitely need a few days in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude. At the start of the biking, you will be at 4,350 meters, so you will probably feel the altitude. Even if this activity does not require demand, it is always recommended to have at least two days in Cusco before departing the tour.
Most hotels in Cusco provide free storage for your luggage if you have extra luggage that you do not need to bring on the trail. If you are planning to change hotels after your trek, we can store your luggage at the Vidal Expeditions office. Please get in touch with our team for more information.
The weather in Cusco and the surrounding areas of the Andes is unpredictable. Even if the weather forecast says it will be 100% sunny, it is possible that it may still rain. This is why this is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically, April through September is the dry season; November through February is the rainy season; and March and October are bridge months—a mixture of both. But unfortunately, the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. It is best to be prepared for both sun and rain, no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is more consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings. Once the sun is up, you will be comfortable hiking and touring Machu Picchu in short sleeves. Long pants (for yoga or hiking) are encouraged to protect against the mosquitoes, which can be a nuisance in Aguas Calientes.
From: USD 480.00 per person
USD 00.00: from 4 people to more
*Upgrade the returning train to Vistadome service( with larger windows and more confortable seats $60US per person
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Vidal Expeditions. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
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4 Days / 3 Nights
Inca Jungle Trail
What it's like
Inca Jungle Trail 4 Days / 3 Nights Map
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
At Vidal Expeditions we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.
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Small groups: Along our excursion group size is a capped at 8 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step of our excursion
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Hotel: During our excursion to Machu Picchu, we offer a 3 stars hotel stay for the last night. This ensures you are well rested and ready to explore Machu Picchu.
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Bus to Machu Picchu: To enjoy Machu Picchu, we provide a round trip ticket on the bus from Aguas Calientes to the main entrance of the archaeological site.
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Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.
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Best Camping Equipment: We have the state-of-the-art camping equipment for our excursion. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after every excursion.
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Best Trekking team: At Vidal Expeditions we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our team that consists of tour guides, cooks, porters, horse drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.
Activities Inca Jungle Trail
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