Visiting: Cusco · Ollantaytambo · Abra Málaga · Santa María · Santa Teresa · Cocalmayo · Aguas Calientes · Machu Picchu
Overview
The Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days is the most thrilling way to reach Machu Picchu — a multi-sport adventure that combines downhill mountain biking, white-water rafting, zip-lining and a jungle trek, finishing with a guided visit to the citadel. Along the way you pass Inca sites, coffee and coca plantations and tropical fruit orchards, and can relax in the Cocalmayo hot springs after a day of action.
It's designed to be accessible for most active travellers: the biking is mostly downhill on a paved mountain road, the rafting and zip-lining are fun and safe, and you're fully supported by certified guides, quality safety equipment and a support vehicle. The biking, rafting and zip-line are all included in the price. You spend two nights in comfortable lodges — one in Santa Teresa, one in Aguas Calientes — before your day at Machu Picchu.
📅 Good to know. Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, the Jungle route has no daily permit limit, so it can be booked at short notice and runs daily. You choose how to come home from Machu Picchu — by car (cheaper) or by train (faster and more comfortable). Machu Picchu uses timed-entry tickets that sell out in high season — book ahead.
Day by Day
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1
Cusco → Abra Málaga → downhill biking → Santa María rafting → Santa Teresa
Hotel pick-up is at 5:30–6:00 am, followed by a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas — panoramic views of Andean towns, the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota ranges and the village of Chinchero — with a short break in the ancient Inca town of Ollantaytambo after about 2 hours. At the Abra Málaga pass (4,350 m / 14,271 ft) you get a safety briefing and gear up for an exhilarating ~60 km downhill bike ride (about 3–4 hours) with views of the snow-capped Verónica mountain, stopping at the Huamanmarca archaeological site for lunch.
After lunch you head to Santa María for 1.5 hours of white-water rafting through thrilling rapids, then take a one-hour transfer to Santa Teresa to check in. If you're in the mood, visit the nearby Cocalmayo hot springs for a relaxing soak before returning to town for dinner and your overnight stay, ready for the next day.
Good to know: Expect warm, windy days and very warm nights on this side of the Andes — light, breathable layers and sunscreen make the long downhill ride far more comfortable.
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2
Santa Teresa → zip-line → Hidroeléctrica → hike to Aguas Calientes
After a 6:30 am wake-up and a hearty breakfast, you're picked up around 8:00 am for a 2-hour zip-line adventure: a safety briefing followed by four exciting ziplines and a suspension bridge crossing high above the canyon. Then a scenic one-hour drive to Hidroeléctrica, where you stop for a well-earned lunch before the afternoon's hike.
From Hidroeléctrica you set off on a beautiful ~11 km hike (about 3–3.5 hours) along the train tracks through lush tropical jungle to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Check in to your hotel and rest, then head out around 7:00 pm for dinner in town — get a good night's sleep before your unforgettable visit to the citadel.
Good to know: The weather here is warm and tropical with hot nights, and the railway hike is moderate but long — comfortable shoes and plenty of water make it much more enjoyable.
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3
Machu Picchu → return to Cusco (by car or train)
Your entry time is printed on your ticket, so you must reach the main gate exactly then. From Aguas Calientes you can walk up (~1.5 h: a 30-minute flat walk to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint, then ~1 hour climbing around 1,700 steps) or take the optional shuttle bus ($12 one way, running from 5:30 am). Once inside, meet your guide for a 2.5-hour guided tour of the citadel on your assigned circuit, with time for photos and the option to add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (~3 h round-trip) if booked in advance.
In the afternoon you return to Cusco the way you chose. By train, you go from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (1.5 h) and continue by vehicle (2 h), arriving around 7–8 pm. By car, you first hike ~3 hours to Hidroeléctrica to catch the 3:00 pm departure, then drive 5–6 hours, arriving around 10–10:30 pm, with drop-off at Plaza Regocijo.
Good to know: The car return via Hidroeléctrica only works if your Machu Picchu entry is between 6:00 and 9:00 am; with a later entry you can't reach the car in time and would need an extra night in Aguas Calientes.
Which Machu Picchu Circuit Will I Visit?
Machu Picchu is visited on fixed circuits, and tickets are sold only by the Peruvian government in limited daily numbers. Your tour includes the entrance ticket; we buy the best circuit available for your date, prioritising the classic routes:
- Circuit 2 (Classic) — our first choice: the classic postcard viewpoint plus a complete tour of the citadel, temples and terraces. Book ~4 months ahead in high season, as it sells out first.
- Circuit 1 (Panoramic) — the upper terraces and the classic viewpoint, with the best wide photos, but without entering the urban sector.
- Circuit 3 (Royalty) — the lower part of the citadel and the royal sector; a good alternative when Circuits 1 and 2 are sold out.
- Optional add-ons — Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain can be added for a small supplement (separate ticket and circuit, subject to availability).
Circuits and entry times are set by the government and cannot be changed once issued. We always aim for Circuit 2 first and confirm your exact circuit before travel.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Activities | Downhill biking · rafting · zip-line · trek · hot springs |
| Highest point | Abra Málaga 4,350 m (the bike start) |
| Difficulty | Moderate — active, but no technical climbing |
| Accommodation | 2 nights in lodges (Santa Teresa + Aguas Calientes) |
| Machu Picchu | 2.5 h guided tour (usually Circuit 2) |
| Meals | 3 breakfasts · 2 lunches · 2 dinners |
| Group size | Max 16 travelers · daily departures |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
Prices — 2026 Season
An all-inclusive group service with guaranteed departures. The rate depends on your traveller category and on how you return to Cusco — by car or by the more comfortable train.
| Return option | Adult | Student (under 25) | Child (8–17) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return by car | $250 | $230 | $230 |
| Return by train | $320 | $300 | $300 |
Prices per person, group service. The student rate requires a valid physical university student ID (under 25, PVC card; ISIC not accepted). A $180 deposit per person confirms your booking and secures your Machu Picchu ticket. Group of 12–14 (max 16); your departure is guaranteed even with just 2–3 travellers.
Optional Add-ons
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (extra ticket)+$60
- Vistadome panoramic train (return upgrade)on request
- Bus up to Machu Picchu (each way)$12
- Cocalmayo hot springs entrance~10 soles
What to Pack
There's no luggage transfer, but you only need a small daypack (25–30 L) — backpacks are stored safely during the biking, rafting and zip-line, so you only carry them on the walks:
- Always with you: original passport (and physical student ID if you booked the student rate), cash in soles (for the bus, hot springs, snacks & tips), and your tickets.
- Clothing: quick-dry layers, swimwear (rafting & hot springs), a waterproof jacket or poncho, sturdy trainers or trekking shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses.
- Extras: high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, energy snacks, and a camera or phone.
How to Book
Book online or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). A $180 deposit per person secures your Machu Picchu ticket and place; the balance is due at least 24 h before the tour. Tickets sell out in high season, so book ahead.
- Check availability for your travel date.
- Choose your return (car or train), traveller categories and any extras.
- Fill in each traveller's details exactly as in their passport (tickets are nominative).
- Pay the $180 deposit or full amount — you receive confirmation and our team follows up by WhatsApp.
Deposit: a non-refundable $180 deposit per person is used to buy your Machu Picchu ticket immediately and secure your accommodation.
Ticket: issued by the Peruvian government for a fixed date, time and circuit — non-refundable and non-modifiable.
Balance: due at least 24 h before the tour, payable in cash (soles or USD) at our Cusco office, by card (+3.9%), or online (+2.9%).
Student rate: email a photo of both sides of your PVC university ID to info@machupicchuteam.com when booking; the discount is applied on arrival once verified.
Passport: must be valid 6+ months; update us if you renew before travel. Full terms are confirmed at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — the downhill mountain biking (day 1), the white-water rafting (day 1) and the zip-line (day 2) are all included in the price, with quality equipment and certified instructors. The only optional extra activity is the Cocalmayo hot springs, whose small entrance fee (about 10 soles) is paid on-site.
Returning by car is cheaper ($250 adult / $230 student): after Machu Picchu you hike ~3 hours back to Hidroeléctrica and drive to Cusco, arriving around 10 pm. Returning by train ($320 adult / $300 student) is faster and more comfortable — you take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and transfer, arriving around 7–8 pm, with no extra hike.
It's moderately challenging but suitable for most active people. The biking is mostly downhill, the rafting and zip-line are fun and safe, and the main effort is the ~11 km hike on day 2 and the climb to the citadel on day 3. No technical experience is needed — if you can bike or hike for a few hours, you'll be fine.
No — to keep the price low, the bus between Aguas Calientes and the citadel is not included. You can buy it locally for about $12 each way, or walk up (around 1.5 hours by stairs) and down for free.
You spend two nights in comfortable local lodges — one in Santa Teresa and one in Aguas Calientes — with private bathrooms and hot showers. Double, triple and matrimonial rooms are available; let us know your preference when you book.
We always request Circuit 2 (the classic route with the postcard viewpoint and a full tour of the citadel). If it's sold out for your date, we book the best available alternative. For Circuit 2 in high season, book around 4 months ahead.
