4-Day Jungle Adventure to Machu Picchu: Biking, Ziplining, Rafting and Hiking

Day 1 Cuzco to Malaga High Pass, Mountain Biking to Santa Maria Village (1,400m), Rafting Activity

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   Urubamba River

   17 hours

   Today we leave Cuzco early to journey by road in a van making our first stop after 1.5 hours in Ollantaytambo where we can have a quick breakfast and buy some snacks.
   Then we continue driving for another 1.5 hours up to the Malaga High Pass (4,350 meters) where our guide will provide us with a safety briefing before we begin our adventurous 2.5 hour bike ride down into the lush and humid jungle. We will see Huamanmarca Archaeological site along the way, cruise through fruit plantations and over rivers, before arriving to Santa Maria village (1,400 meters) at around 2:00-2:30pm. Here we will depart on a scenic 2.5 hour rafting adventure that takes us down class III & IV rapids on the Urubamba River (also known as Vilcanota River).
   Enjoy your night at a basic, rustic guesthouse in Santa Maria. (If you choose not to participate in the rafting adventure you can walk around the town on your own this afternoon.)
   (*Note: Accommodation options are very limited along the trekking route for the first 2 nights in Santa Maria & Santa Teresa villages. Most places have very basic, rustic facilities. Rooms often share a bathroom and sometimes do not have hot water. However, we always choose the best available option.)

Day 2 Trek to Santa Teresa Village (1,680m)

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   24 hours

   After an early morning breakfast, we will begin our day of hiking through the jungle mountains to observe beautiful pristine landscapes, abundant flora and fauna and friendly local people. Have lunch halfway during the trek and relax breathing fresh mountain air. In the afternoon we will arrive to Santa Teresa village (1,680 meters) where we will stay overnight in a guesthouse. (Optional hot springs at an extra cost).
   Inclusions: 1N Basic Guesthouse. (17km, 8hrs)

Day 3 Zip-line Activity and Trek to Aguas Calientes

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   Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes)

   24 hours

   Fly through the treetops on a 2-hour morning canopy excursion on South America's highest and Peru's first canopy zip-line. Traverse over 2,500 meters of cables with the longest ride covering 400 meters and the highest at 150 meters. Take an easy 3-hour hike along the train tracks from Santa Teresa to Hydroelectric Station where you will stop for lunch. Continue 3 more hours on foot to reach Aguas Calientes town (most people hike this portion of the trek but there is an optional train ride from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes if you're feeling tired). There are internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax there. Overnight in a hotel tonight for a well-deserved shower and good night's sleep.
   Inclusions: Zip-Line Activity, 1N Aguas Calientes 3* Hotel, (18km, 6hrs)

Day 4 Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cuzco

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   8 hours Admission ticket included

   We will catch one of the first buses (05:30 am) to Machu Picchu (25-minute ride) in order to appreciate the magnificent city in the early morning light as the mist dissipates. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city on your own. If you still have energy you can also climb the Huayna Picchu Peak (to be booked in advance at an extra cost). Return to Aguas Calientes by bus. If time allows, visit the local marketplace next to the train station and shop until the train whistle blows, signaling your return to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus back to Cuzco arriving around 08:00pm. You will be dropped off at the Plaza San Francisco. Please make your own way to the accommodation of your choice.
   DESCRIPTION OF MACHU PICCHU GUIDED SITE VISIT: The one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place. Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure.
   Take an OPTIONAL hike up the steep peak named Huayna Picchu, which is located inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site. This sometimes muddy peak takes about 45 - 60 minutes to hike up and awards you with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective. Keep in mind that if you want to take this optional hike, you must now purchase your ticket at least 2 weeks in advance for an additional cost in order to get one of the 400 passes (200 people are allowed up at 7:00am and 200 more at 10:00am). Please send us an email directly to request this extra ticket.
   Inclusions: Round trip Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu, Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo, Bus Ollantaytambo - Cuzco, 2-Hour Machu Picchu Guided Visit, Meal 1B.