Machu Picchu Jungle Biking Trek

Inca Jungle Trail Trekking and Biking to Machu Picchu

Experience an incredible jungle adventure as an alternative to the Inca Trail Trek. This amazing journey provides the opportunity for high-altitude mountain biking and trekking to reach Machu Picchu, with the added option of participating in rafting and zip-lining activities.

You can also go on an exhilarating rafting trip on class III and IV rapids and/or zip line through the jungle canopy at an extra cost. Throughout your trip, pass by local villages to see the way of life in mountain communities such as Santa Teresa and Santa Maria. The ultimate ending to this excellent trip is a visit to the one and only Machu Picchu archaeological site!

Itinerary

Trek Briefings: All travelers are required to visit the Cuzco office for a mandatory briefing on your trek one day prior to departure. At this meeting, you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up for the morning of the trek, and be able to ask questions.

Please note: You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers, you will not be accompanied by a guide.

Day 1: Cuzco-Santa Maria, Peru

Embark on an exciting journey from Cuzco to Malaga High Pass, where the adventure begins with a thrilling 2.5-hour mountain biking descent into the picturesque Santa Maria Village. Departing Cuzco around 6:20 – 6:30 am, your day includes a brief stop in Ollantaytambo for breakfast and snacks. As you reach the Malaga High Pass at 4,350 meters, our guide will provide a safety briefing before you commence the exhilarating bike ride. Along the way, catch glimpses of the Huamanmarca Archaeological site, pass through lush fruit plantations, and cross rivers before arriving at Santa Maria village (1,400 meters) around 2:00-2:30 pm. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, with optional rafting or independent exploration. Relax for the night at a basic rustic guesthouse.

Day 2: Santa Maria-Santa Teresa Village, Peru

Embark on a day of hiking through the jungle mountains, discovering pristine landscapes, rich flora and fauna, and interacting with local communities. Midway through the trek, pause for lunch and immerse yourself in the fresh mountain air. In the afternoon, reach Santa Teresa village (1,680 meters), where you’ll spend the night in a basic rustic guesthouse.

Day 3: Santa Teresa Village-Aguas Calientes, Peru

Embark on a leisurely 3-hour hike along the train tracks from Santa Teresa to the Hydroelectric Station, where lunch awaits. Continue the 3-hour journey on foot to reach Aguas Calientes town, offering various amenities such as internet cafes, board game cafes, shops, and relaxation spots. (Alternatively, opt for an optional train ride from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes if needed). Enjoy an overnight stay in a hotel, providing a well-deserved shower and a restful night’s sleep.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Cuzco, Peru

Catch one of the early buses (05:30 am) to Machu Picchu, allowing you to witness the ancient city in the early morning light. Follow a guided walking tour (approximately 2 hours), and then explore Machu Picchu at your own pace. For those with extra energy, consider climbing Huayna Picchu Peak (advance booking required at an additional cost). Return to Aguas Calientes by bus, and if time permits, explore the local marketplace near the train station. Board the train from Ollantaytambo to Cuzco, arriving around 08:00 pm. Conclude your adventure at Plaza San Francisco, from where you can independently reach your chosen accommodation.

Machu Picchu Guided Site Visit:
The one and only, this is the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America. Your guide will take you on a two-hour tour of Machu Picchu, walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place. Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure.

Take an OPTIONAL hike up the steep peak named Huayna Picchu, which is located inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site. This sometimes muddy peak takes about 45 – 60 minutes to hike up and awards you with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective. Keep in mind that if you want to take this optional hike, you must now purchase your ticket at least two weeks in advance for an additional cost in order to get one of the 400 passes (200 people are allowed up at 7:00 am and 200 more at 10:00 am). Please send us an email directly to request this extra ticket. If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.

Brief History of Machu Picchu & Advice:
Machu Picchu was (relatively recently) “discovered” by American historian, Hiram Bingham, in 1911 while searching for the legendary “lost city of the Incas.” Hiram Bingham and his local guides stumbled across the site, which was then covered in thick vegetation, which was later cleared, revealing the magical mountain-top archaeological site and opening up the possibility for archaeologists to conduct research on the site by 1915.

Whether arriving via Inca Trail or entering from Aguas Calientes, don’t miss the excellent photo opportunities from the following spots: Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock (a restored building with a thatched roof), and Sacred Plaza with views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba in the distance and Rio Urubamba below. Take a short walk out to the Inca Drawbridge (30 minutes) and Inti Punku (45 – 60 minutes) for great views of the site as dawn breaks and the clouds lift over Machu Picchu.

Additional Information

• Physical Requirements: This is a moderately difficult hike, with a few long hiking days combined with multi-sport activities such as mountain biking, river rafting, and/or zip lining. We recommend you to be physically fit for the trip.
• Suggested Packing List – Bring or Rent in Cuzco: Hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sunblock, sunglasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, and Gatorade, which doubles or triples in price along the trail. Bathing suit for hot springs in Santa Teresa Village (this activity is available at an additional price).
• Essentials to Bring: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications. Travelers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry the old passport they used to make the booking or a photocopy with them on the trip.
• Accommodation: Single travelers will share a room with another traveler, and couples will have a private room.

-Included-

-Activities: 3

*Active, multi-sport adventures

*Mountain biking

*Trekking

*Explore Machu Picchu

-Transport: 6

*Train, van, bus

*Cuzco accommodation pick-up

*Van Cuzco-Malaga High Pass

*Round trip tourist bus Aguas Calientes-Machu Pichu

*Tourist train Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo

*Bus Ollantaytambo-Cuzco

-Accommodation: 3

*Hotel & basic guesthouse

*2 nights basic guesthouse accommodation (Santa Maria & Santa Teresa)

*1 night 3-star hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes

-Meals: 9

*3B / 3L / 3D

-Guides

Bilingual guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour

-Extras: 4

*Snacks

*Machu Picchu entrance fee

*Mountain biking equipment (bicycles, helmet and gloves)

*First aid kit & emergency oxygen bottle

-Not Included-

*Day 1 breakfast, day 4 lunch & dinner

*Bottled water

*Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)

*Optional rafting trip & canopy zip-line

*Hot springs Santa Teresa (20 soles)

*Optional train transfer from hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes (30 usd)

*Optional Huayna Picchu trek (200 soles) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance

*Optional Machu Picchu mountain hike (200 soles) must be booked at least 1 week in advance

*Cuzco accommodation drop-off

*Accommodation in Cuzco