Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu – 4 Days

Your Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu will start with an early pickup from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 6:00 a.m. The route will take you from the highlands through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and over Abra Málaga before descending into the warmer landscapes of Santa María. Along the way, you will enjoy an included breakfast, a scenic downhill biking experience, lunch in Santa María, and an afternoon of whitewater rafting on the Vilcanota River.

From Cusco to the Sacred Valley

After pickup, you will leave Cusco and travel through the Sacred Valley, surrounded by mountain scenery, Andean villages, and agricultural landscapes.

The route will pass through Ollantaytambo, where you will stop for breakfast before continuing toward the mountain pass. From here, the journey will gradually move away from the high Andes toward the greener environments of the eastern slopes.

Breakfast in Ollantaytambo

Breakfast will be served in Ollantaytambo, giving you time to eat, stretch your legs, and get ready for the first active part of the day.

After breakfast, you will continue by vehicle toward Abra Málaga, where the biking equipment and safety briefing will be prepared before the descent.

Abra Málaga – 4,316 m / 14,160 ft

At Abra Málaga, located at approximately 4,316 m / 14,160 ft, you will receive the equipment required for the downhill ride.

Your guide will explain the route and the key safety recommendations before you set off. The descent will then take you from the high mountain environment toward the warmer cloud-forest region below.

Downhill Biking to Santa María

As you lose altitude, the scenery will change noticeably, with high mountain landscapes giving way to cloud forest, waterfalls, green valleys, and tropical vegetation. A support vehicle will travel with the group throughout the route, providing assistance when required.

This section is one of the defining experiences of the Inca Jungle Trek, combining physical activity with a spectacular change in landscape between the Andes and the jungle.

Lunch in Santa María – 1,200 m / 3,937 ft

The cycling route will finish in Santa María, at approximately 1,200 m / 3,937 ft above sea level.

After the ride, you will enjoy lunch in Santa María and have time to rest before the afternoon’s activity. The warmer climate and tropical surroundings will be a clear contrast to the conditions at Abra Málaga.

Whitewater Rafting on the Vilcanota River

In the afternoon, you will head to the Vilcanota River for a whitewater rafting experience lasting approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.

The route will include Class II and III+ rapids. Before entering the river, professional guides will provide the safety briefing and the necessary equipment, including helmets, windbreakers, and Category V life jackets.

The activity will combine the excitement of the rapids with views of the river, mountains, and surrounding tropical vegetation.

Overnight in Santa María | Eco Lodge

After rafting, you will return to Santa María and check into your eco lodge.

You will have time to shower, relax, and recover after the day’s activities before enjoying dinner. The night in Santa María will prepare you for the next stage of the journey toward Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Tour Details

• Departure: Cusco, approximately 6:00 a.m.
• Breakfast: Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley
• Highest point: Abra Málaga – 4,316 m / 14,160 ft
• Main adventure: Downhill mountain biking
• Biking duration: Approximately 3 hours
• Lunch: Santa María
• Rafting: Vilcanota River, Class II & III+ rapids
• Rafting duration: Approximately 1–1.5 hours
• Accommodation: Eco lodge in Santa María
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After breakfast in Santa María, the second day will take you deeper into the tropical valleys on foot. The route will combine scenic hiking, an original Inca trail section, local agricultural areas, mountain views, and a relaxing stop at the famous Cocalmayo Hot Springs, before reaching Santa Teresa for the night.

Breakfast in Santa María | Early Morning

You will begin the morning with breakfast in Santa María before setting out toward Santa Teresa.

From the start, the route will leave the main roads behind and follow quieter paths through the warm, green landscapes of the valley.

Hiking on an Original Inca Trail

One of the most interesting sections of the day will take place on an original Inca trail, where part of the route preserves the character of the ancient paths used to connect settlements in this region.

Your guide will provide context about the trail, the surrounding landscape, and the role these routes played in the movement of people and goods between the Andes and the lower valleys.

Jungle Landscapes, Farms & Valley Views

As the hike continues, you will pass through areas of coffee, cacao, avocado, banana, and other tropical crops, giving you a closer look at the agricultural landscape around Santa María and Santa Teresa.

Some sections will involve gradual climbs, with rewarding views across the Vilcanota Valley and surrounding mountains. The scenery will change constantly as the trail moves between cultivated areas, forested sections, and open viewpoints.

Lunch in Quellomayo

Around midday, you will stop in Quellomayo for lunch at a local restaurant.

This break will provide time to rest and enjoy the surroundings before continuing the hike toward Santa Teresa. Quellomayo also offers a good opportunity to experience a quieter side of the valley away from the main tourist routes.

Trail Along the Vilcanota River

After lunch, the route will continue through the warm valley with sections running close to the Vilcanota River.

You will walk through lush vegetation, small local settlements, and tropical landscapes while gradually making your way toward the Santa Teresa area. This part of the journey is less about speed and more about enjoying the natural surroundings along the way.

Cocalmayo Hot Springs

Before finishing the day, you will have the opportunity to relax at the renowned Cocalmayo Hot Springs.

Set among mountains and lush vegetation, the warm thermal pools are an ideal place to unwind after several hours on the trail. You will have time to enjoy the pools and recover before continuing to Santa Teresa.

Entrance to Cocalmayo Hot Springs is paid directly at the ticket office.

Arrival, Dinner & Overnight in Santa Teresa

After the hot springs, you will continue to Santa Teresa, located at approximately 1,550 m / 5,085 ft.

Once at your accommodation, you will have time to shower and rest before enjoying dinner in Santa Teresa. You will spend the night here, ready for the next stage of your journey toward Machu Picchu.

Day 2: Tour Details

• Route: Santa María – Original Inca Trail section – Quellomayo – Cocalmayo – Santa Teresa
• Main activities: Hiking, Inca trail, local farms & hot springs
• Breakfast: Santa María
• Lunch: Quellomayo
• Hot springs: Cocalmayo
• Hot springs entrance: Included in the tour (no additional payment required)
• Arrival in Santa Teresa: Approximately 1,550 m / 5,085 ft
• Dinner: Santa Teresa
• Accommodation: Hotel in Santa Teresa
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After breakfast in Santa Teresa, the third day will combine an exciting ziplining experience, a transfer to Hydroelectric Station, and a scenic 14 km trek to Aguas Calientes. The route will take you through the tropical valley alongside the Urubamba River, bringing you closer to the foot of Machu Picchu before your final day at the citadel.

Breakfast in Santa Teresa

The day will begin with breakfast at your accommodation in Santa Teresa before heading to the zipline site, located a short distance from town.

After breakfast, you will prepare for the morning adventure and continue toward the activity base with your guides.

Ziplining & Hanging Bridge in Santa Teresa

The ziplining experience will give you a different perspective of the Santa Teresa valley, with views across the surrounding mountains, jungle, and river.

Before starting, professional staff will provide the necessary safety instructions and equipment. The activity will include three ziplines and one hanging bridge, with approximately 3 km of combined sections:

• First zipline: 450 m
• Second zipline: 600 m
• Hanging bridge: 120 m
• Final zipline: 950 m

The combination of different lines and the hanging bridge makes this one of the most active experiences of the Inca Jungle route, while the scenery provides a memorable view of the landscape from above.

Transfer to Hydroelectric Station & Lunch

After the morning activity, you will travel by vehicle to Hydroelectric Station, one of the main access points on the final approach to Aguas Calientes.

Here, you will have lunch at a local restaurant before beginning the final walking section of the day.

Hike from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes

After lunch, you will begin a scenic approximately 3-hour walk to Aguas Calientes.

The route follows the railway and sections alongside the Urubamba River, surrounded by dense subtropical vegetation and steep mountain landscapes. Unlike the more demanding hiking sections of the previous days, this stretch is generally more relaxed, giving you time to enjoy the natural environment as you make your way toward the town at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Along the trail, you will have opportunities to appreciate the river, native vegetation, and the impressive mountain scenery surrounding the valley.

Arrival in Aguas Calientes

Upon reaching Aguas Calientes, you will check into your accommodation and have time to shower, rest, and relax after the day’s activities.

Spending the night in town will allow you to be conveniently positioned for the following day’s visit to Machu Picchu.

Dinner & Machu Picchu Briefing

In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

After dinner, your guide will provide the important briefing for your Machu Picchu visit, including the meeting arrangements and key details for the following morning. This will give you everything you need to be prepared for the final and most anticipated stage of the journey.

Day 3: Tour Details

• Route: Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric Station – Aguas Calientes
• Main activities: Optional ziplining and trekking
• Ziplining: 3 ziplines + 1 hanging bridge
• Trekking duration: Approximately 3 hours
• Lunch: Hydroelectric Station
• Dinner: Aguas Calientes
• Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The final day of your 4-Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu will be dedicated entirely to the highlight of the journey: Machu Picchu. You will make your way from Aguas Calientes to the archaeological site, enter with your included ticket, and enjoy a professional guided tour through the legendary Inca citadel. After the visit, you will begin your return journey to Cusco according to the transportation option selected for your trip.

Getting to Machu Picchu

From Aguas Calientes, you will make your way to the main entrance of Machu Picchu either by the official shuttle bus or on foot.

The shuttle bus will take approximately 25 to 30 minutes to reach the entrance and is the most convenient option for travelers who prefer a comfortable ascent.

If you prefer to walk, the uphill route from Aguas Calientes will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace. The trail includes a demanding ascent with numerous stone steps, so a good level of fitness is recommended.

Whichever option you choose, you will need to arrive at the entrance according to the admission time assigned to your ticket.

Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket Included

Your Machu Picchu entrance ticket is included in the Conde Travel program.

Whenever available, we will prioritize Circuit 1 or Circuit 2, allowing you to experience some of the most important areas and viewpoints of the citadel. If these circuits are not available at the time of booking, the best available circuit will be selected according to official availability and current regulations.

Guided Tour of Machu Picchu | Approximately 2.5 Hours

Once inside the archaeological site, your professional guide will lead you through a guided experience of approximately 2.5 hours.

During the tour, you will discover the history, architecture, and significance of Machu Picchu, visiting important sectors such as its temples, terraces, ceremonial areas, and other remarkable structures along the route assigned to your ticket.

Your guide will also explain the relationship between the citadel and the surrounding mountains, helping you understand the role Machu Picchu played within the Inca civilization.

Throughout the visit, you will have opportunities to appreciate the scenery and take photographs in accordance with the official visiting regulations.

After Your Machu Picchu Visit

Once the guided tour is complete, you will leave the archaeological site and return to Aguas Calientes according to your chosen transportation arrangement.

Depending on your schedule, you may have time in town to enjoy lunch, collect your belongings, and prepare for the journey back to Cusco.

Return to Cusco by Train

For travelers returning by train, you will travel from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.

The train journey takes approximately 1.5 hours and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, a private road transfer will continue to Cusco, with an approximate travel time of 2 hours.

Estimated arrival in Cusco will be around 6:30 p.m., depending on the train and transfer schedule.

Return to Cusco via Hydroelectric Station

For the car return option, you will first make your way from Machu Picchu toward Hydroelectric Station.

The walk takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, following the route through the surrounding tropical landscape. You will then continue by vehicle from Hydroelectric Station to Cusco, a journey of approximately 6 hours.

Estimated arrival in Cusco will be around 9:30 p.m., with drop-off in the city center.

End of the Inca Jungle Trail

With your return to Cusco, your 4-Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu will come to an end.

After combining downhill biking, rafting, hiking, ziplining, tropical landscapes, local culture, and Inca history, the journey will conclude with a guided visit to one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological destinations: Machu Picchu.

Day 4: Tour Details

• Main experience: Guided visit to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu entrance: Included
• Preferred circuits: Circuit 1 or Circuit 2, subject to availability
• Guided visit: Approximately 2.5 hours
• Access to Machu Picchu by bus: Approximately 25–30 minutes
• Access to Machu Picchu on foot: Approximately 1.5–2 hours
• Return options: Train via Ollantaytambo or car via Hydroelectric Station
• Estimated arrival in Cusco by train: Around 6:30 p.m.
• Estimated arrival in Cusco by car: Around 9:30 p.m.