After hotel pickup between 6:00 am and 6:30 am, you will head on a 1½-hour drive to Ollantaytambo. Here you can have a quick breakfast and buy snacks. Then, you will continue for 1½ more hours towards the Málaga High Pass (4,350 meters) where your adventure begins. After a safety briefing, you’ll enjoy an exciting 2.5-hour bike ride into the lush, humid jungle. You will see the Huamanmarka archaeological site along the way, before arriving at the town of Santa María around 1:30 pm. You will spend the night in a basic Eco Lodge.
Activity in Santa Maria: rafting. Go on a 2.5 hour rafting adventure and descend in class III & IV rapids on the Urubamba River (also known as the Vilcanota River). If you decide not to participate in the rafting activity, you can explore the city on your own.
Transfer to Abra Málaga: 3½ hours by bus from Cusco.
Cycling distance: 65 km. / 40 miles.
Cycling time: Approximately 3½ to 4 hours.
Weather: Cold at the beginning of the bike and very hot at night.
Accommodation: Lodge: Eco Terra Lodge.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum altitude: 4350 meters above sea level. / 14271 feet
Minimum altitude: 1250 meters above sea level. / 4691 feet
We walked along the banks of the river and began to climb. On our way we will see small coffee plantations, fruit trees, etc. In this area it is possible to see many types of plants, orchids and birds. We will observe the beauties of the high forest, which is a paradise of biodiversity on the Inca jungle route. After reaching the top of the mountain we will see the entire Urubamba valley. The group will descend to reach the town of Qellomayo. After the break we will take a 3-hour walk. Crossing farms, rivers, waterfalls until reaching the hot water springs in Santa Teresa. We will continue walking until we reach the town of Santa Teresa.
Cocalmayo offers several relaxing crystal clear hot springs, each with its own temperature. The sound of the river and the stars at night make it a perfect setting. After the hot springs (cocalmayo) the group will continue walking for about 40 minutes. (or take a bus of your choice) until you reach the city of Santa Teresa, where you will check into a nice and comfortable hotel. After dinner, everyone is invited to visit one of the bars to hang out with the other members of the group.
Walking distance: 22 km / 13.6 mile.
Walking time: approximately 6½ to 7 hours.
Climate: hot during the day and warm at night.
Accommodation: Hostel: Santa Teresa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum altitude: 1900 meters above sea level / 6233 feet.
Minimum altitude: 1430 meters above sea level / 4691 feet.
We continue exploring the roads less traveled and set off from the town of Santa Teresa. Passengers who booked in advance will enjoy the zip line, the rest of the group will continue until they reach the hydroelectric plant, where the entire group will meet. After a short rest, the trip will continue along the great Inca jungle, passing waterfalls, coca and coffee crops until reaching the town of Aguas Calientes. The group will be taken to the hostel around 4 pm. In the evening we all met at a restaurant to have a great dinner and have a briefing about the hike to Machu Picchu.
Walking distance: 19 km / 12.3 mile
Walking time: approximately 6 hours.
Climate: hot during the day and warm at night.
Accommodation: Hostel: Aguas Calientes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum altitude: 2050 meters above sea level / 6725 feet.
Minimum altitude: 1430 meters above sea level / 4691 feet.
Finally, on the last day of our Inca jungle tour we got up around 4:00 AM. After which we will prepare to head to Machu Picchu, our hike will follow an ascending path through the high forest, after checking in at the control entrance around 6:00 AM. We will have a private guide who will take us inside the Inca citadel for approximately 1½ hours.
Travelers who booked the excursion to HuaynaPicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will be able to begin this trip, the climb lasts around 45 minutes. For Huayna Picchu, the ascent is very steep in some points, but it is worth it because the view from the top is absolutely stunning.
For Machu Picchu Mountain, it will take you approximately 2 hours to climb, and it is not as steep as Huayna Picchu, and even higher! Please note that you must go before a certain time, so don’t forget to ask your guide what time it was issued.
You will have time until 5 pm to explore Machu Picchu on your own, because then the guards will ask you to leave. In the afternoon, according to the departure of the train ticket, you will walk down on your own to the town of Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where the group will be picked up and transferred to the city of Cusco.
Distance traveled: 8 km / 4.9 mile
Walking time: approximately 2 hours.
Optional: Transfer to Machu Picchu: 25 minutes from Aguas Calientes.
Guided tour of Machu Picchu: 2½ hours.
Climate: warm tropical.
Transfer to Cusco: 3 hours by train and bus from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast.
Maximum altitude: 2429 meters above sea level / 7972 feet.
Minimum altitude: 2040 meters above sea level / 6692 feet.
Original passport
– For students: Original Student card
– Insurance card/certificate
– Walking stick (highly recommended)
– Mountain boots
– Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
– Warm jacket
– Hat and gloves
– 2-4 t-shirts
– 2 pairs of pants (1 for hiking, 1 for camping)
– Long underwear for sleeping
– Hand sanitizer
– Comfortable pants
– Hat or sun cap
– Sunscreen
– Insect repellent
– Water
– Toiletries/Toilet paper
– Personal medication
– Camera
– Flashlight or headlamp
– Extra money for tips/snacks/beer.
After the tour you can take a walk through the Plaza de Armas and its surroundings, where you can appreciate the work of Cusco artisans in the craft stores. You can also taste the famous and unmatched Peruvian cuisine in the nearby restaurants or you can simply take a break on one of the benches in the Plaza de Armas and appreciate the panorama and take the classic photo to remember in a warm atmosphere despite the cold of the Cusco nights. And if you like the night around the square you will find many clubs and bars full of tourists and locals waiting to have fun.
