The Inca Jungle trip is an unforgettable adventure that packs the essence of nature into just three exhilarating days! Imagine hurtling down the rugged trails of the Andes on a mountain bike, feeling the adrenaline surge as you descend from majestic peaks to lush forests. Feel the thrill of river rafting in warm, inviting waters, surrounded by stunning landscapes. Cap off your journey with a guided hike to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, immersing yourself in the rich history and breathtaking beauty of this ancient wonder. This is your chance to experience the wild heart of nature in the most exciting way possible!
Season: All year.
Embark on a thrilling 2000-meter mountain biking adventure, racing downhill through breathtaking landscapes to the vibrant outskirts of the jungle.
Experience the exhilaration of river rafting in warm weather, navigating the rapids while soaking in the stunning natural beauty and tropical surroundings.
Discover the ancient wonders of Machu Picchu on a guided tour, uncovering its rich history, mystical allure, and breathtaking Inca architecture.
Conquer the heights of Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu with a challenging hike, rewarded by awe-inspiring panoramic views and a sense of triumph.
Imagine a multi-active tour where you are actually immersed in the authentic Machu Picchu wilderness. On our superb adventure tour, we bicycle from the Andean Mountains down to the rainforest, raft exhilarating whitewater in the Urubamba River, a world class 400 meter zipline and hike among cross valleys and ridges until the amazing complex of Machu Picchu and, if you wish, climb Huayna Picchu the highest peak behind Machu Picchu.
The Inca jungle trip starts when our private vehicle will pick you up from your hotel at 6 AM. The 3-hour drive follows one of the most breathtaking scenic hillsides found along Cusco’s and Machu Picchu’s wilderness, including the highest pass Malaga (14,500 ft or 4,350 meters above sea level). Overlooks include charming Andean towns, the beautiful Sacred Valley with its ancient ruins, winding rivers, rough peak mountains, and magnificent dense forest. You will never see a place like this anywhere else. At Carrizales, it’s time to start moving. After an orientation about the bikes and safety equipment, you will test your bikes and skills, and then it’s time to roll out the bikes. While this isn’t a route for the meek, we ensure that you are safe the entire time. The route follows a hilly paved road that connects the Andes to the Amazon jungle. The setting is unparalleled with colorful, lush wall forest in contrast to snowcapped mountains elevated nearly 6,000 meters – 19,685.04 feet above.
*If you wish to stop biking or feel tired, alternatively, you can join our support vehicle for a scenic drive until Santa Maria at the end of the biking tour.
If you need more action, our Inca Jungle offers a rafting option where you can enjoy the exciting whitewater rapids of the Urubamba jungle River, Cusco’s best rafting section for day tours. The Urubamba River is a fabulous stretch of great rapids, impressive scenery and warm weather. This river offers sections suitable for families, beginners, intermediate, and advanced boaters.
After the rafting tour ends, we shuttle to Santa Teresa, one of the highlights for everyone who takes our tours. Resting on a raised hilltop, the lodge is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the views or have a little hike to the Colcamayo hot springs located a few minutes from the lodge.
Meals Included: 1 lunch – 1 dinner.
Highest pass: 14,500 ft – 4,350 meters above sea level
Time mountain biking: 3 to 4 hours.
Time river rafting: 2 hours.
Today, we take a local bus for about 30 minutes to Lucmabamba, the beginning of the jungle trek. The scenery changes as you walk down a very well-preserved Inca trail road. After about 3 hours walking uphill, we arrive at the complex of Llactapata (known also as Patallacta), which means “Town of the Hillside,” originally discovered around the same time as Machu Picchu.
There are many other tours that will take you to see Machu Picchu, but you can only see this spectacular place from a different angle by taking the Inca jungle trip. At this location, your guide will give you a little tour around this place. This is another one of the highlights of the tour and not a trek many people get to take: consider yourself among the lucky!
It will take two more hours downhill until we reach Machu Picchu Hydroelectric, and after lunch we will walk for 2.5 hours until we arrive at Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu). There is an option to take the train from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes, it takes 20 to 30 minutes, but the train ticket is not included in the trip price. (You can purchase a train ticket from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes for about $22 USD). At Aguas Calientes, we will check in to a lovely hostel for a nice warm shower and good rest.
Meals Included: 1 breakfast and 1 lunch.
Highest altitude: 5085 ft – 1550 m. above sea level
Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours.
This is the most important (and memorable) day of the trip because we will finally see Machu Picchu. We recommend starting our trekking early in the morning. The idea is to arrive at Machu Picchu early so you can have the chance to climb Huayna Picchu or Montaña. It is also truly remarkable to experience it before all the tourists arrive.
*Note that the Inca Jungle tour doesn’t include the hike to Montaña mountain or Huayna Picchu peak. Both hikes are optional, and they are subject to availability – book early with River Explorers!
Walking from Aguas Calientes takes 2 hours 30 minutes (more or less) to get to Machu Picchu. Our guide will take you around the area for a two-hour guided tour of the wonders of this impressive complex. Machu Picchu citadel is located only about 80 kilometers (50 miles away) from Cusco but was never found by the Spanish conquistadors and consequently not devastated as was the case of other Inca cities. Over the centuries, the jungle grew over much of the site, and only a few knew of its existence. However, on July 24, 1911, Machu Picchu was discovered by Hiram Bingham.
After the guided tour, there will be plenty of time to take pictures, walk around the places that we like the most and then meet up with the rest of the group at Aguas Calientes to catch the train to Ollantaytambo. Transfer from Ollantaytambo by our private bus to your hotels in Cusco, and say good bye to 3 fantastic day of adventure.
Meals Included: 1 breakfast.
Highest altitude: 7972 ft – 2430 m. above sea level
Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours.
First breakfast, last lunch and dinner in Aguas Calientes (day 3), bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and entrance fees to hot springs in Santa Teresa or Aguas Calientes, entrance fees to Huayna Picchu peak or Montaña mountain, train ticket from Hidroelectric station to Aguas Calientes.
