Inca Jungle Trail  – Inca Jungle Trail Machu Picchu 4D/3N

The day begins with our hotel pickup around 6:00 a.m. We will be driven through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We can observe the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota mountain ranges and small villages along the valley. A stop in Ollantaytambo allows us to have breakfast and prepare for the adventure ahead.

From Ollantaytambo, we continue to Abra Málaga at 4,350 meters. We will receive cycling equipment and attend a short training session to ensure a safe descent. The route descends through Andean landscapes and includes a stop at the Huamanmarca ruins for lunch and exploration.

After Huamanmarca, the drive continues to Santa María. We can enjoy a rafting session on the white-water river in the afternoon. The surrounding valleys, rivers, and mountains provide clear views throughout the journey. Upon arrival, we check into our accommodation and rest before dinner at a local restaurant.

Statistics:

• Distance traveled: 65 km cycling + 1.5 hours rafting
• Highest altitude: 4,350 meters at Abra Málaga
• Lowest altitude: 1,430 meters in Santa María
• Route: Abra Málaga → Huamanmarca → Santa María
• Difficulty level: Moderate to high, with steep descents and high-altitude cycling

The day starts with a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant around 6:00 a.m. We begin with a 45-minute walk along the road before joining the original Inca Trail. This historic route once connected Machu Picchu with Vilcabamba, the last Inca capital.

Walking along the ancient trail, we can observe plantations of banana, coca, cassava, and coffee along the path. A 3-hour hike along the Inca Trail offers views of the Vilcanota valley and surrounding hills with lush plantations. The trail provides both natural beauty and cultural insight into traditional Andean agriculture.

A stop in the town of Quellomayo allows lunch at a local restaurant. We can rest, explore the village, and prepare for the next section along the Vilcanota River. A 3.5-hour walk leads to the Colcamayo hot springs, where participants can enjoy a couple of hours in natural thermal waters.

From the hot springs, a 45-minute walk brings us to Santa Teresa. We spend the night in a cozy hostel and dinner at a local restaurant. This provides time to relax and reflect on the experiences of the day.

Day 2 Statistics:

• Distance traveled: 22 km hiking
• Highest altitude: 2,800 meters
• Lowest altitude: 1,250 meters
• Route: Quellomayo → Vilcanota River → Colcamayo → Santa Teresa
• Difficulty level: Moderate, with mixed terrain and scenic ascents

The day starts at 6:30 a.m. with breakfast to prepare for a full day of activities. Around 8:00 a.m., the zipline company transports us to the base. After a brief orientation, we participate in a 2-hour adventure including four ziplines and a hanging bridge.

After the zipline activity, a one-hour drive takes us to Hidroeléctrica for lunch. Following lunch, we begin a 3-hour scenic hike along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. The trail offers views of the surrounding rivers, mountains, and vegetation.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we check into the hotel and rest. In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant allows time to recover and reflect on the day’s activities. Participants prepare for an early start the next day to explore Machu Picchu.

Day 3 Statistics:

• Distance traveled: 10 km hiking + 2 hours zipline
• Highest altitude: 2,050 meters
• Lowest altitude: 1,200 meters
• Route: Santa Teresa → Zipline → Hidroeléctrica → Train Tracks → Aguas Calientes
• Difficulty level: Moderate, with light hiking and adventure activities