Peru · Jungle Expedition

4-Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu with Biking and Zipline

4 Days Round trip from Urb Santa Maria Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Ride from Abra Malaga down into the rainforest on a 42 km cycling descent
  • 02 Hike a section of the ancient Inca Trail with incredible valley views
  • 03 Raft the Urubamba River on Class II-III-III+ rapids
  • 04 Fly across the valley on one of the longest ziplines in South America
  • 05 Explore Machu Picchu at sunrise before the crowds arrive

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush in Cusco, this Inca Jungle tour is for you, with a variety of activities and plenty of adventure. Ride a bike down the jungle road through diverse landscapes, raft the Urubamba River on rapids suitable for beginners yet still fun for experts, and hike through the rainforest. Fly on one of the longest ziplines in South America, then end this exhilarating trip by exploring the majestic Machu Picchu.

Fly on one of the longest ziplines in South America, then end this exhilarating trip by exploring the majestic Machu Picchu.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Cusco, Machu Picchu, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Cusco to Abra Malaga and Santa Maria by Bike

We'll begin our adventure to Machu Picchu with pickup from your hotel in Cusco or Ollantaytambo, then head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, we'll make a short stop to enjoy breakfast before continuing to Abra Malaga at 4,316 m / 14,160 ft. This is the spot where we begin our cycling adventure, and your guide will provide the biking gear and a safety briefing.

Then we descend around 42 km / 26 miles. Along the route, you'll enjoy seeing how the climate changes from the misty mountains to the rainforest area. After some stops during the descent, we'll arrive at Huamanmarca. From here, we continue our journey by bus to Santa Maria at 1,200 m / 3,937 ft, where we'll have lunch.

In the afternoon, you have the option to go white-water rafting, an exciting activity where you'll have fun on the river with Class II-III-III+ rapids. Then you'll return to town, where we have a lodge for the first night.

Meals included: Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation included: Lodge

2
Day 02

Santa Maria to Santa Teresa through the Rainforest

This is the most adventurous day because we'll be hiking through the rainforest area. After breakfast, we start the hike along a road until the beginning of the trail. Then we will enjoy the mystique of the jungle, seeing typical native flora and fauna, and visiting some local families to learn about their traditions. You'll be excited to hike on the ancient Inca Trail with incredible views of the valley, while your guide shares its history.

Then we descend to our restaurant to have lunch next to the Urubamba River, where you'll also be able to relax in our hammocks. Afterward, we continue walking to the hot springs to relax, and finally arrive in Santa Teresa at 1,500 m / 4,921 ft. Our lodge is near there, where we'll spend the second night.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation included: Lodge

3
Day 03

Santa Teresa to Machu Picchu Town via Zipline

Today you'll have fun on the zipline. After breakfast, we'll drive for a few minutes to the base camp of the zipline company, where they will provide all the gear and a safety briefing. Then your adventure will begin as you fly over the valley in different positions. After two hours, we will board the bus to Hidroelectrica, where we'll have lunch.

Afterward, we'll continue our hike following the train tracks for about 3 hours to Aguas Calientes town. Here, your guide will accommodate you in your hotel so you can rest and explore the town on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation included: Hotel

4
Day 04

Machu Picchu Sunrise Visit and Return to Cusco

This day you'll wake up early to visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. Your guide will take you by bus to this magical Inca site, directly to the viewpoint where you will enjoy the sunrise and arrive before the crowds. While taking in this spectacular view, your guide will show you the important Inca temples, and you'll also have time to explore on your own.

Once you are finished, you will go down by bus to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch. Then you'll board the train to Ollantaytambo, followed by the bus to Cusco.

Meals included: Breakfast

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Urb Santa Maria 4 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Pickup from your hotel

  • 3 breakfasts

  • 3 dinners

  • 3 lunches

  • Bikes and equipment

  • Accommodation included: 3 nights

  • Pre-departure briefing

  • Round-trip tourist bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu

  • Tourist train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo

  • Professional bilingual Peru trekking guide on the trek and Machu Picchu tour

  • Rafting trip and equipment

  • Zipline activity and gear

  • Entry / admission - Machu Picchu

  • Entry / admission - Banos Termales de Cocalmayo

What's Not Included

  • First breakfast and last lunch

  • Water bottle

  • Tips for the guide

  • Extra ticket to Waynapicchu ($30 USD)

What to bring

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 this 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: a water reservoir like a Camelback is encouraged, with enough capacity for at least 2-3 liters

  • Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

  • Trekking poles

FOR YOUR DUFFEL:

Your duffel bag will be transported by taxi to your next hotel. It should carry no more than 4 kg of your personal items; if you bring more than that, you will need to pay extra.

  • 3 wicking T-shirts

  • 3 hiking pants

  • 3 sets of undergarments

  • 1 fleece

  • 1 warm down jacket: it gets a little cold in the morning at 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 your things and keep them clean from dirt.

INSIDE YOUR DAY BACKPACK:

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25L will not be allowed. If yours 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 on the 2nd day and the same on the 3rd day. However, you will also be able to buy more water along the route or at the restaurant. You are responsible for your water on the first and last day.

  • Rain gear

  • Sun hat

  • Fleece

  • Camera

  • Music (iPhone)

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste

  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips

  • Earplugs

  • Snack (chocolate, dry fruits, energy bars, etc.)

TOILETRIES:

  • Sunscreen

  • Face moisturizer

  • Bug spray

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Wet wipes

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

  • Toilet paper

  • Personal medication

  • First aid kit: band-aids, moleskin, etc.

Know before you go

  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.

  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.

  • Not wheelchair accessible.

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers.

  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it's canceled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.

  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
VIDAL EXPEDITIONS PERU, Cusco, Perú
Tour start
Urb Santa Maria, Cusco 08006, Perú
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Urb Santa Maria.

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