Álvaro Mella
1 year ago
The 4-day, 3-night Inka Jungle Premium is Cusco’s exclusive multi-adventure loop to Machu Picchu 🏛️ (2,430 m / 7,972 ft). Engineered for those seeking comfort and adrenaline, it combines 55 km / 34 miles of downhill mountain biking 🚴♂️ from Abra Malaga pass (4,316 m / 14,160 ft), white-water rafting on the Vilcanota River, extreme ziplining in Santa Teresa, and guaranteed stays in curated 3-star hotels. 🏔️🦙
This premium expedition is meticulously structured to link the Andes Mountains with the high jungle of Cusco, offering a safe transition across diverse ecological zones without sacrificing overnight comfort. The itinerary integrates guided extreme sports, cultural hikes through local coffee farms, and the thermal pools of Cocalmayo, concluding with superior lodging in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes. It stands as the ultimate choice for high-value independent travelers demanding a flawless balance between peak physical thrills and restorative rest in premium hotels before exploring the Citadel.
We start around 6:00 a.m., traveling to the spectacular Abra Malaga pass (4,316 m / 14,160 ft), the starting point for a thrilling downhill mountain biking tour down winding mountain roads into the lush high jungle, ending in Huamanmarca. From there, we take a local bus to Santa Maria to enjoy a high-quality local lunch.
In the afternoon, we embark on Level III river rafting on the Vilcanota River (+$30), a refreshing adventure available during the dry season. We close the day resting in our exclusive premium hotel surrounded by the high jungle canopy.
Following an energizing breakfast, we start an active hike along a well-preserved original section of the royal Inca Trail (Qhapaq Ñan), an ancient stone-paved path that connects local farming communities. The trail traverses the rich biodiversity of the Vilcanota canyon, leading us past waterfalls, hanging bridges, and plantations of organic coffee, cacao, and coca leaves.
In the afternoon, we arrive at the natural volcanic Cocalmayo Hot Springs, renowned as the finest thermal pools in Cusco, with temperatures ranging from 38°C to 44°C. Afterward, we transfer to our curated 3-star hotel in Santa Teresa (1,550 m / 5,085 ft) for a group dinner and high-quality rest.
We begin the morning with the option to soar through the valleys on the Santa Teresa Zipline circuit, one of the highest and fastest multi-adventure canopy courses in South America. Afterward, we transfer to the Hidroelectrica station for a fresh outdoor lunch.
From there, we embark on a scenic 3-hour hike along the railway flanking the Urubamba River, walking under the towering peaks of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Surrounded by native orchids and wild fauna, we reach Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) to check into our selected 3-star premium hotel.
The big day is here! We take the Consettur eco-bus (25 min) to ascend to the sacred Machu Picchu Citadel (2,430 m / 7,972 ft) in the early morning. We enter during the first shift to witness the sunrise over the stone sanctuary.
For 2.5 hours, we enjoy an elite guided tour exploring the Main Temples, the Sacred Plaza, and the Intihuatana, learning about Inca astronomy and engineering. Those with permits for Huayna Picchu (2,720 m / 8,923 ft) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,061 m / 10,042 ft) can climb for panoramic views. In the afternoon, we take the classic train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport waits to return you to your hotel in Cusco.
Here are the details and characteristics of our premium Inka Jungle tour:
Cusco
6:00 am
