Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu in 5 Days

Day 1: Cusco – Abra Malaga – Santa Maria

Our first day of our Inca Jungle Trail we'll begin our day by picking everyone up from their respective hotels before driving to Abra Malaga which is at 4350 meters.
The drive will take about 2 ½ hours, giving you time to rest before we start our adventure or eat some snacks if you missed your breakfast.

A little lower than Abra Malaga, we'll organize our bikes and ride downhill for 3 to 4 hours, passing by changing scenery, plantations, and maybe a few parrots! We'll end this part of our Inca Jungle Trail in Santa Maria where we'll have lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch we'll continue our Inca Jungle Trail by going on a short drive to the Vilcanota Riverwhere we'll go rafting! This part is a lower level rafting experience so everyone will be able to do this, but definitely one of the most exciting parts of our Inca Jungle Trail! We'll return later in the afternoon for dinner at a local restaurant and stay overnight in a small local family lodging.

Day 2: Santa Maria – Qellomayo – Cocalmayo – Santa Teresa

On our second day of our Inca Jungle Trail we'll have breakfast around 7:00am and start our hike. We'll hike most of the day, so today may be considered the toughest of the trip! We'll leave Santa Maria and hike to the small community of Qellomayo which will be 4 to 4 ½ hours away. We'll pass by plantations of coffee, mangos, oranges, fields of coca as well as hiking up an original part of the Inca Trail!

When we reach Qellomayo we'll have lunch together in a local restaurant. After having lunch we'll continue hiking for another 2 ½ to 3 hours until we reach the hot springs of Cocalmayo. Here we'll take 1 to 2 hours to relax, soaking in the thermal baths which are along our Inca Jungle Trail. From Cocalmayo, we'll take a vehicle on a 20 minute drive to Santa Teresa. Here we'll have dinner and stay the night at a local family lodging.

Day 3: Santa Teresa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

Our third day of our Inca Jungle Trail, we'll start with breakfast and then take a car or bus to the zip line camp of "Cola de Mono" which is only about 20 minutes away. We'll have a great time sliding down the zip lineswhich are strung across the valley, passing through the valley, part of our Inca Jungle Trail! We'll be able to enjoy this adventure for about 2 hours before we take another vehicle to Hidroelectrica where we'll have a lunch made from foods from the area.

After we've finished lunch and rested a little, we'll start walking to Aguas Calientes along the railroad tracks from Hidroelectrica. This 3 to 4 hour hike is relatively easy since it is flat. In Aguas Calientes we'll have dinner and stay in a hotel overnight. If we have time, we have the option of visiting the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes (entrance fees are about 10 Peruvian Soles)!

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

We'll wake up very early today and have breakfast close to 4:00am before we start hiking uphill to Machu Picchu. Make sure to bring your passport and ISIC (International Student Identification Card) if you booked with a student discount.

We'll enter with our guide and have a guided tour for about 2 hours explaining the main areas of Machu Picchu. Afterwards we'll have time to walk and climb the rest of Machu Picchu on our own. You'll have time to roam the grounds and take pictures. When you're ready, you can take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you'll have the rest of the day free to do as you please. Overnight in hotel.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

Today we'll end our Inca Jungle Trail by having breakfast and according to your train schedule, we'll take the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo a car/bus will be waiting to take you back to Cusco.

Note: The time table for the trains may change according to the train company's availability. There will also be changes to your itinerary and price if you decide to change your departure time, or upgrade to the Vistadome Train. If you booked later than most of your group for your Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu, you may not be in the same train as the rest of your group.