This tour through the Inca Jungle is a fantastic way to see Machu Picchu and its surrounds. This tour combines mountain biking, white water rafting and hiking for four days on non-stop adventure. This action-packed guided tour will take you into the Peruvian jungle, along a beautiful section of the original Inca Trail, and then ends in Machu Picchu – one of the most incredible locations on the planet.
On your tour, you will get to witness a variety of stunning landscapes including the Andean mountain range, the cloud forest, the Urubamba River and the Peruvian jungle. You will get the opportunity to explore local banana, coffee and avocado farms for a literal taste of Peru's agriculture and cuisine. With such a unique and varied itinerary, it’s not hard to see why this tour is one of the most popular routes to Machu Picchu.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Pispitayoc
You will begin your tour with a hotel pickup at approximately 6 am. From there, drive to Ollantaytambo, where you will eat breakfast at a local restaurant. Be sure to fuel up well, as your next activity will be a climb to Abra (4350 m / 14271 ft). Once at the peak, it's time to hop on your mountain bike. As you ride, you will be able to take in breathtaking views, pass rural villages and beautiful rivers, and look out for tropical orchids and native birds. You will also pass two archeological sites: Incatambo and Wamanmarca. You will stop at the latter for a well-earned lunch. After eating, it's time to take a private bus to Santa Maria – a stunning spot where you will enjoy two hours of whitewater rafting in the Urubamba River. Get freshened up for dinner, and then spend the night nearby in a rustic lodge.
DAY 2: Pispitayoc - Santa Teresa
Day two starts on a high note with an early morning wakeup in the heart of the Peruvian jungle. Rise to the sounds of tropical birds and other animals, enjoy a leisurely breakfast with a cup of fresh, homemade coffee, then spend some time exploring the coffee, cocoa, banana, and pineapple plantations in the area.
After a walking tour of Pispitayoc, you will begin your hike up the original Inca trail that connected Machu Picchu with Vilcabamba. Along the way, you will pass avocados, maniocs, oranges, mangos, cacao, coffee, and coca shrubs. You will hike for around 4 hours before reaching Quellomayu, where you will eat lunch.
Then, hike another 4 hours upstream along the Urubamba River to the hot springs of Cocalmayu and take a dip in the pure volcanic water. The water at Cocalmayu is believed to be medicinal, good for the bones and muscles, and helpful for relieving stress and headaches. After a relaxing soak in the hot pools, you will drive to Santa Teresa by bus. Once there, it's time for dinner and a good night's sleep/
DAY 3: Santa Teresa - Llaqtapata - Aguas Calientes
Day three is arguably the most beautiful day on the whole tour. You will wake up and enjoy a breakfast spread, then head to Lucmabamba (2,000m/6,600ft), where you will join an original Inca trail built in the 15th century. You will walk along part of the ancient Inca trail that was only rediscovered a few years ago. Then, it's time for an uphill hike of approximately 3 hours until you reach Llaqtapata, another extraordinary Inca ruin located right in front of Machu Picchu. You will get some time to explore Llaqtapata, learn about the history of the Incas and enjoy the beauty of the site.
It’s then a relatively easy 2 hour downhill trek to the hydroelectric station for lunch. After lunch you can take a train or hike (optional) to Aguas Calientes, arriving at around 5 pm. Once in Aguas Calientes, your tour guide will take you to your hotel where you will have some time to rest and freshen up. In the evening, you will eat one final dinner with your tour group and then spend one last night at the hotel.
DAY 4: Machu Picchu (Lost City of the Incas)
On the last day of your tour, you will get up very early to prepare for the highlight of the trip- Visiting Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas! An early start will mean being one of the first in line for the bus going up to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. You will arrive as the sun is coming up, then you will hike for an hour up to the Sun Gate, taking in spectacular views of the city along the way. If it's a clear day, you will be able to watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu, which is an unforgettable experience.
Your guide will lead you on a comprehensive tour of the city that lasts about 2 to 3 hours. They will educate you on the history of the area and answer any questions you may have. After your tour, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own. If you'd like, you can choose to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (additional fees apply; tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible). Your guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then take the train and bus back to Cusco. Once you hop off the train in Cusco, you will be reunited with your guide who will return you safely to your hotel.