Inca Jungle Trek 4 Days / 3 Nights to Machu Picchu
4 Days
Up to 8 travelers
4,316 m
Moderate
Inca Jungle Trek 4 days: bike, raft and hike to Machu Picchu
The Inca Jungle Trek is the most active way to reach Machu Picchu. In four days you go from the Abra Málaga pass, at 4,316 m (14,160 ft), down to the warm valleys of the high jungle, walk along the Urubamba river to Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu on the last morning. This Inca Jungle Trek 4 days combines a mountain-bike descent, rafting near Santa María, a hike on an Inca path to the Cocalmayo hot springs and an easy walk from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes.
There is no camping: you spend three nights in simple hostels or lodges in Santa María, Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes. Groups have up to 8 travelers per guide, and the zipline in Santa Teresa is an optional extra.
What is included in the Inca Jungle Trek
Included 14
- Hotel pick-up in Cusco (Sacred Valley with prior coordination)
- Professional bilingual guide (English / Spanish), up to 8 travelers per guide
- Pre-departure briefing at 6:00 p.m. the day before, at our office (Av. El Sol 900, Cusco)
- Tourist transport during the trek: Cusco – Abra Málaga – Santa María, Cocalmayo – Santa Teresa and Santa Teresa – Hidroeléctrica
- Mountain bike, helmet, gloves and safety gear, with a support vehicle during the descent
- Rafting on the Urubamba river near Santa María with a specialized company and its equipment (subject to river conditions)
- Entrance to the Cocalmayo hot springs
- 3 nights in simple hostels or lodges: Santa María, Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners (from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 4)
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu (about 2 hours)
- Round-trip bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen
Not Included 8
- Breakfast on day 1, and lunch and dinner on day 4
- Zipline in Santa Teresa (optional, paid locally; ask us for the current price)
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional: US$80 per person)
- Train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, if you prefer not to walk (optional, subject to availability)
- Trekking poles (available for rent: US$20 per person)
- Bottled water and drinks outside meals
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the guide
What Should You Bring? 12
- Original passport
- Small backpack (you carry it on the hiking days)
- Hiking shoes with good grip
- Light, quick-dry clothes and a change of clothes for after rafting
- Warm jacket for the start at Abra Málaga
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Swimsuit, sandals and a quick-dry towel
- Insect repellent
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Headlamp
- Cash in soles for extras and tips
Inca Jungle Trek 4 days itinerary
1
Day 1
Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Abra Málaga – Santa María
Early pick-up from your hotel in Cusco and drive through the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo up to the Abra Málaga pass (4,316 m / 14,160 ft). After a safety briefing and a check of the bikes and gear, you start the descent: about 50–60 km, mostly downhill on a paved road, from the high Andes into the warm valleys of the high jungle. The support vehicle follows the group and takes you the rest of the way to Santa María (about 1,200 m / 3,937 ft).
After lunch, rafting on the Urubamba river with a specialized rafting company: about 1–1.5 hours on the water, only when the river is safe. Dinner and overnight in a simple lodge or hostel in Santa María.
Biking: about 50–60 km · mostly downhill · about 3 hours
2
Day 2
Santa María – Inca path – Quellomayo – Cocalmayo – Santa Teresa
After breakfast, start walking past small farms with coffee, coca and tropical fruit. The path climbs into the hills and joins a stretch of Inca path cut into the mountainside, with views over the Urubamba valley; some sections are narrow, with steep drops to one side. Lunch in the small village of Quellomayo.
In the afternoon, continue along the valley to the Cocalmayo hot springs and relax in the pools. Short transfer to Santa Teresa (about 1,550 m / 5,085 ft) for dinner and the night in a hostel.
Hiking: about 12–15 km · uphill and downhill · 6–7 hours with stops
3
Day 3
Santa Teresa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
Free morning in Santa Teresa, or an optional zipline over the valley (not included, about 2 hours). Then transfer by road to Hidroeléctrica (about 1,800 m / 5,906 ft) for lunch.
In the afternoon, walk beside the railway and the Urubamba river, on an almost flat path through the forest, to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft). Walking on the tracks themselves is not allowed. Dinner and overnight in a hostel or simple hotel.
Hiking: about 10 km · almost flat, gently uphill · 2.5–3 hours
4
Day 4
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Early breakfast and bus up to Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft) for a guided tour of about 2 hours through its temples, terraces and viewpoints. Afterwards you have free time, or you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional, US$80, subject to availability).
Bus back down to Aguas Calientes, lunch on your own and afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, where our transport takes you back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
Hiking: guided walk inside Machu Picchu · stairs and gentle slopes · about 2 hours
Inca Jungle Trek route and elevation profile (hiking sections)
- 23 kmhiking distance (14.3 mi)
- 2,040 mhighest point: Aguas Calientes (6,693 ft)
- +480 melevation gain from Santa María
- km 0 Santa María Start of the hike on day 2
- km 6 Quellomayo Lunch after the Inca path
- km 13 Cocalmayo hot springs End of day 2 · transfer to Santa Teresa
- km 13 Hidroeléctrica By van from Santa Teresa, then walk along the tracks
- km 23 Aguas Calientes End of the walk · bus to Machu Picchu on day 4
Good to know
Who is this trek for?
It suits active travelers who want variety rather than one long high-altitude hike. You do not need biking experience, but you must be comfortable riding downhill and braking with control. The hiking is moderate: about 12–15 km on day 2, with ups and downs on narrow paths, and about 10 km of gentle walking on day 3. Apart from the start of the bike ride, the route stays between about 1,200 m and 2,430 m (3,937–7,972 ft), so the altitude is easier than on the Salkantay Trek or the Inca Trail. The recommended minimum age is 10.
Best time to do the Inca Jungle Trek
The dry season, from April to October, has the most stable weather and the best conditions for biking and hiking. From November to March it rains more often: paths get muddy, landslides can affect the road and the rafting is cancelled when the river is too high, most often between January and March; when that happens, we replace it with another activity, such as the zipline. The jungle valleys are warm and humid all year, while Abra Málaga can be cold, foggy or rainy in any season.
The bike descent from Abra Málaga: what to expect
- The ride starts at Abra Málaga (4,316 m / 14,160 ft) and covers about 50–60 km in roughly 3 hours, mostly downhill on the paved Cusco–Quillabamba road.
- The road is open to traffic, including buses and trucks. Ride in single file on the right, keep your distance and follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
- You get a mountain bike, helmet, gloves and safety gear, and a support vehicle follows the group. You can get into the vehicle at any moment.
- The top section is often cold and wet. In heavy rain, fog or if there are landslides, the guide may shorten the ride.
- Use both brakes gently and ride at your own pace: there is no need to keep up with faster riders.
Inca Jungle Trek FAQs
How difficult is the Inca Jungle Trek?
It is moderate. Day 1 is a long bike descent, day 2 is the hardest hiking day (about 12–15 km with ups and downs) and day 3 is an easy walk of about 10 km. You need reasonable fitness, but you do not need to be an experienced hiker or cyclist.
Is the bike descent safe? Do I need experience?
You do not need mountain-biking experience, but you must be able to ride a bike and brake with control on a long downhill. The descent follows a paved road that is open to traffic, so you ride in single file behind the guide, with a helmet, gloves and safety gear. A support vehicle follows the group, and you can get into it at any time. In heavy rain, fog or landslides the guide may shorten the ride.
Is rafting included?
Yes, rafting on the Urubamba river near Santa María is included and is run by a specialized rafting company with its own equipment. It only goes ahead when the river is safe: when the water is too high, usually between January and March, it is cancelled and we replace it with another activity, such as the zipline. Ask us how this affects your booking if you travel in those months.
Is the zipline included?
No. The zipline in Santa Teresa on the morning of day 3 is optional and paid locally. Ask us for the current price. If you skip it, you have a free morning in Santa Teresa before the transfer to Hidroeléctrica.
Where do we sleep? Is there camping?
There is no camping. You spend three nights in simple hostels or lodges: one in Santa María, one in Santa Teresa and one in Aguas Calientes. You do not need a sleeping bag.
What is the highest point? Will I feel the altitude?
The highest point is Abra Málaga, at 4,316 m (14,160 ft), where the bike ride starts; you reach it by vehicle and spend little time there. The rest of the route is much lower: Santa María is at about 1,200 m (3,937 ft), Aguas Calientes at 2,040 m (6,693 ft) and Machu Picchu at 2,430 m (7,972 ft). We still recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before the trek.
What is the minimum age? Are there discounts?
We recommend this trek from 10 years old, because children must be able to control a bike on a long downhill and walk a full day on day 2. For discounts for children (2–11) and students (12–17), please contact us.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, as an optional extra for US$80 per person, subject to availability. Book it early, because tickets for both mountains are limited.
How do I pay?
You pay a deposit when you book and the balance up to 2 days before departure. You can pay the balance in cash (US dollars or soles) at our office on Av. El Sol 900, Cusco, or by card or PayPal with a 5% surcharge.
What should I carry on the hiking days?
You walk with your own small backpack, so pack light: water, rain jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent, swimsuit and towel for the hot springs, and your passport. You can leave the rest of your luggage at your hotel in Cusco.
