Adventure • History • Culture

Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days to Machu Picchu

Name: Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu
Uploaded: 2019-09-28T16:27:19-07:00
Duration: 1 min 10 s
Description: A short video of the Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu by Southern Peru Explorers.

3 Days / 2 Nights · Easy to Moderate ·

Duration

3 Days / 2 Nights

Max Elevation

4,300 m / 14,108 ft

Activity Type

Adventure • History • Culture

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Distance

10 km / 6 miles hiking, plus about 45 km by bike

The experience

This 3-day Inca Jungle Trail is the short version of our Inca Jungle Trek. It keeps the downhill bike ride, the rafting and the zipline, leaves out the hiking day of the 4-day tour and ends with a guided visit of Machu Picchu. It suits travelers with limited time or budget, and it needs no Inca Trail permit. On day 1 we drive from Cusco…

Inca Jungle Trail in 3 days

On day 1 we drive from Cusco up to Abra Málaga (4,300 m / 14,108 ft), ride about 45 km downhill by bike into the high jungle and go rafting before the night in Santa Teresa. On day 2 you cross the valley on a zipline and walk about 10 km along the railway from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes. On day 3 you visit Machu Picchu with your guide and return to Cusco by train and bus.

Both nights are in hotels, in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes. The Machu Picchu ticket, the guided tour, the rafting, the zipline and the return train are included. Southern Peru Explorers is a local operator based in Cusco, running tours since 2009.

Tour overview

Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Activities: downhill biking, rafting, zipline, hiking and a guided visit of Machu Picchu
Highest point: Abra Málaga, 4,300 m / 14,108 ft
Walking: about 10 km (6 miles), mostly flat
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Nights: hotels in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes
Price: USD 390 per person, students USD 360

Why choose this tour

The Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days packs the best of the Inca Jungle into a short trip: downhill biking, rafting and a zipline on the way to Machu Picchu, hotels both nights and no Inca Trail permit needed. Do you…

Why choose the Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days?

Adventure in a short trip: downhill biking, level III rafting and a zipline on the way to Machu Picchu, in only 3 days.
No Inca Trail permit: a good alternative when the Inca Trail permits for your dates are sold out.
Hotels, not tents: both nights are in hotels, in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes.
Easy to moderate: about 10 km of flat walking; most of the distance is covered by bike and vehicle.
Return train included: Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.

Do you have one more day? The Inca Jungle Trek 4 Days adds a full hiking day on an old Inca path between Santa María and Santa Teresa.

GET A QUOTE

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Daily trail breakdown, key milestones, altitudes, and campsites.

DAY 01

Day 1: Cusco – Abra Málaga – Santa Teresa: Downhill Biking and Rafting

We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at about 6:00 a.m. and drive through the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo up to Abra Málaga, the highest point of the tour at 4,300 m (14,108 ft), surrounded by snow-capped peaks. After a safety briefing, and with helmet, gloves and protective gear, we ride downhill for about 45 km, around 3 hours, from the cold Andes into the warm high jungle, passing small villages and fruit farms on the way to Santa María.

After lunch we go rafting on level III rapids for about 2 hours, with safety equipment; no previous experience is needed. A transfer of about one hour then takes us to our hotel in Santa Teresa.

Facts and figures

Bike ride: about 45 km, around 3 hours, downhill
Highest point: Abra Málaga, 4,300 m / 14,108 ft
Rafting: about 2 hours, level III
Night: hotel in Santa Teresa

DAY 02

Day 2: Santa Teresa – Zipline – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes

After breakfast we go to the zipline in Santa Teresa, where you cross the valley high above the forest and the river, with harness and helmet.

We then continue to Hidroeléctrica for lunch and walk about 10 km along the railway and the Urubamba river, through the forest, to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu (2,040 m / 6,693 ft). The path is flat. Dinner and the night are in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Facts and figures

Zipline: about 3 hours
Walk: about 10 km, around 4 hours with stops
Highest point: Aguas Calientes, 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Night: hotel in Aguas Calientes

DAY 03

Day 3: Guided Visit of Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco

We leave early to be at the entrance of Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft) at the time on your ticket. You can go up by bus (not included, tickets are sold in Aguas Calientes) or walk up the stone steps.

Your guide leads the visit of the citadel on the circuit of your ticket and explains the history of its temples, terraces and plazas. If you booked the optional Huayna Picchu ticket, you climb it after the tour. You then return to Aguas Calientes, take the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo and our bus to Cusco, where you arrive in the evening.

Facts and figures

Machu Picchu: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Return: Expedition train and bus to Cusco, included
Meals: breakfast

What's Included & What's Not

Complete transparency for all equipment, meals, transport, and admissions.

What's included in the Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days

Briefing the day before the tour, at our office in Cusco or at your hotel: itinerary, weather, packing and safety.
Professional guide in English and Spanish for the whole tour, including the guided visit of Machu Picchu.
Hotel pick-up in Cusco from 6:00 a.m.; pick-up in the Sacred Valley on request.
Mountain bike and protective gear: helmet, gloves and protection for the downhill ride.
Rafting and zipline with certified safety equipment (life jacket, harness and helmet).
Transport from Cusco to Abra Málaga and Santa María, and from Santa María to Santa Teresa (about 1 hour).
2 nights in hotels: one in Santa Teresa and one in Aguas Calientes.
Meals as listed in the itinerary; vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other diets on request.
Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
Return Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco (reference price USD 60; in high season any difference is paid by the traveler).
Free luggage storage at our office in Cusco, before and after the tour.
First aid: guides trained in first aid, with a medical kit and portable oxygen.

Not included

International and domestic flights
Travel insurance
Bus from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu and back
Drinks, snacks and personal expenses
Tips for guides and staff

Optional extras

Huayna Picchu ticket: USD 75 per person, subject to availability. The mountain behind Machu Picchu takes around 45 minutes to climb and has views over the citadel and the Urubamba valley. Tickets are limited, so book it with the tour.
Vistadome train: USD 70 per person, a panoramic train instead of the Expedition train for the return to Ollantaytambo.

Packing List (What to Bring)

Recommended gear and apparel checklist from our mountain guides.

Packing Recommendations: Inca Jungle Adventure (3 Days)

While mountain trails require a different set of clothing, for the Inca Jungle, which is in the tropics, you will require lightweight clothes that dry quickly.

Documents & Must Have Items (Mission Critical)

Passport for Machupicchu: Needed for access to the gates of Machupicchu and also for train ride.
Money in Soles: For snacks and water.

Clothing & Footwear for Outdoors

Shoes: With great grip.
Pack: Of size 25-30L.

Correct Dressing (Tropical Weather)

Fast Drying Dress (Dry-fit): At least 3 t-shirts. Avoid cotton clothing since it gets wet and stays wet for several days.
Light Dress or Shorts: Zip-off shorts for protecting you from mosquitoes when hiking.
Swimming Costumes: It is needed during the rafting section and also during the visit to Cocalmayo hot springs (optional).
Light Wind Jacket: For the initial bike ride from Abra Málaga where it is very cold.
Rain Jacket/Poncho: Due to the possibility that it may rain anytime in the jungle even in dry weather season.

Health and Personal Hygiene Items

Strong Mosquito Repellent: It is extremely important because there are many mosquitoes in the Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes regions.
Sunscreen Cream: The sun rays in the jungle burn very much even when there are clouds.
Microfiber Cloth: Fast-drying cloth to wipe out yourself after rafting and/or showering.
Personal Hygiene Items: Toothbrush, deodorant, biodegradable soap.

Extras and Electronics

Power Bank: For charging the battery of your cell phone or camera for taking pictures of Machu Picchu.

Remark: The safety equipment (helmet, knee pads, and life vest) will be provided in the bike ride and rafting. Only bring the proper clothes for getting wet and having fun.

Photo gallery

22 photos from this tour.

Before you travel

Group size: Maximum 12 travelers
Guide languages: English and Spanish (other languages on request)

Pickup

Pick-up starts at 6:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco.

Food & dietary requests

Your comfort matters to us. If you have special requirements related to diet or allergies (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free or other), please let us know beforehand. We will be glad to adjust meals during our tour for you.

Booking Process & Policies

Booking information for this tour.

How to book the Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days

For each traveler we need the details exactly as they appear in the passport: full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth and a copy of the passport. Machu Picchu tickets and train tickets are issued with these details, so any error can mean extra charges, schedule changes or being refused entry.

Prices

Adult: USD 390 per person, group service
Student: USD 360 per person, with a valid university student card (see the requirements below)

Private service is available on request: tell us how many travelers you are and your dates.

Return to Cusco on day 3

By train (included): Expedition train from Aguas Calientes in the afternoon (around 2:30 to 3:20 p.m.) or at night (9:30 p.m.), about 1.5 hours to Ollantaytambo and about 2 hours by bus to Cusco. With an afternoon train you arrive around 6:30 p.m. Upgrade to Vistadome: USD 70.
By car via Hidroeléctrica: only with an early Machu Picchu entry (6:00 or 7:00 a.m.). You walk about 3 hours from Machu Picchu to Hidroeléctrica (start no later than 11:00 a.m.), the car leaves at 3:00 p.m. and the drive to Cusco takes 6 to 7 hours, arriving around 10:00 p.m. Ask us for the price of this option.

Both options end at Plaza Regocijo, in the historic center of Cusco. Your Machu Picchu entry time must match the return option you choose.

Student discount requirements

The student price uses the reduced Machu Picchu ticket for students. To get it you must:

be an undergraduate university student younger than 25 on the date of your visit;
carry your university ID: a physical plastic card with your name, photo, university and a valid expiry date (paper cards and digital copies are not accepted, and the ISIC card is not accepted for this discount);
show the card at the Machu Picchu entrance; without it you pay the difference to the adult ticket.

Tips

Book 2 to 3 months ahead for travel in the high season (May to September), when trains and Machu Picchu tickets sell out first.
Your passport must be valid on your travel dates.

Payment and confirmation

To confirm your Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days, pay through our secure link: Contact us to confirm availability and request a payment link. As soon as we receive the payment we book your Machu Picchu ticket, train, hotels and the rest of the services. Machu Picchu tickets and trains are limited and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

After the payment you receive an email with all the details of your tour, the schedule and the packing list. Our team in Cusco is available before, during and after the tour for any question.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answers to the most common questions regarding trail preparation and logistics.

How hard is the Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days?

It is easy to moderate. The walking is about 10 km on a flat path along the railway on day 2, and the hotels, showers and meals make it much easier than a camping trek like the Inca Trail. You need to be comfortable riding a bike downhill for about 45 km, and to acclimatize in Cusco first, because the bike ride starts at 4,300 m.

What is the difference between the 3-day and the 4-day Inca Jungle?

Both include the downhill bike ride from Abra Málaga, rafting, the zipline and the guided visit of Machu Picchu. The 4-day Inca Jungle Trek (USD 420) adds a full hiking day on an old Inca path between Santa María and Santa Teresa. The 3-day trail (USD 390) leaves out that day, so it is shorter and cheaper.

Do I need a permit for the Inca Jungle?

No. The Inca Jungle route is outside the permit-controlled Inca Trail, so you do not need an Inca Trail permit, only a Machu Picchu ticket, which is included. That makes it a good option when the Inca Trail permits for your dates are sold out. Bring your passport: it is checked at Machu Picchu and on the train.

Is the Inca Jungle safe?

Yes. You use helmets, gloves and protective gear on the bike, a life jacket and helmet for the rafting and a harness for the zipline, all checked before each activity. Your guide is with the group for the whole tour, is trained in first aid and carries a medical kit and portable oxygen.

What is the best time of year for the Inca Jungle?

The dry season, from May to October, is the most popular time, with better weather for the bike descent from Abra Málaga. In the rainy season heavy rain can cause changes to the route or the activities.

How many days should I acclimatize in Cusco first?

At least two days in Cusco. The route quickly drops into the jungle, but the bike ride starts at Abra Málaga, at 4,300 m. See our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco and the Inca Jungle map and altitude.

Where do we sleep on the Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days?

In hotels: the first night in Santa Teresa and the second in Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Phone signal and internet can be limited on some parts of the route.

How much extra money should I bring?

Bring some cash in soles for drinks, snacks, tips and the bus up to Machu Picchu if you do not want to walk. There are few cash machines in Santa María and Santa Teresa, so take out money in Cusco.

Can you adapt the tour to my diet or a medical condition?

Yes. We adapt the meals for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other diets or allergies if you tell us when you book. If you have a medical condition or take medication, tell us in advance and check with your doctor, as the tour crosses a 4,300 m pass.