The 3-Day Short Inca Jungle Trek is the best option for adventure lovers who want to reach Machu Picchu in a unique and adrenaline-filled way. This tour combines mountain bike descent, level III and IV rafting, high jungle trekking, and zip line, considered one of the highest in Peru.
Unlike the Classic 4-Day Inca Jungle Trek, this version is designed for those with limited time in Cusco, without sacrificing any of the activities that make the Inca Jungle Trek an unforgettable experience. Although it has one day less, it keeps the essence of adventure, nature, and culture, allowing travelers to enjoy an alternative route full of excitement.
It was our founder Lorenzo Cahuana who created and popularized this alternative route with a sustainable approach. Unlike other treks, no porters or camps are used here, but we work directly with local families, using their accommodations and restaurants. This has allowed many communities along the route to significantly improve their economy over the last 15 years.
As a result, local inhabitants have contributed to the development of the route, discovering new paths and attractions to offer an increasingly enriching experience for travelers.
If you’re looking for an experience full of adventure, nature, and culture, the 3-Day Short Inca Jungle Trek is the best way to reach Machu Picchu. Dare to live this unforgettable experience!
This 3-day tour will take you through thrilling adventures and breathtaking landscapes. You’ll start with a challenging bike descent and rafting on the Vilcanota River, crossing diverse ecosystems from the Andes to the high jungle. On the second day, you’ll enjoy a zip-lining experience before starting a hike towards Aguas Calientes, visiting archaeological sites like Intihuatana and admiring the beauty of Machu Picchu from afar.
On the final day, you’ll explore the fascinating Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, with a guided tour that will immerse you in its history and mystery. Afterwards, you’ll have time to soak in its majesty before returning to Cusco with unforgettable memories. Below is the detailed itinerary.
Extreme adventure: Mountain biking descent and optional rafting on the Vilcanota River
Our journey begins with the departure from the Imperial City of Cusco towards the majestic Sacred Valley of the Incas, where we will enjoy an energizing breakfast before continuing towards the Abra Málaga (4,350 meters / 14,160 feet), the starting point of our first great adventure.
After an informative briefing with our expert guide, we will receive all the necessary equipment for our exciting mountain bike descent. For about 3 hours and 55 km, we will pedal through spectacular landscapes, crossing snow-capped mountains, tropical forests, and small streams while feeling the climate change, transitioning from the cold Andean environment to the warm atmosphere of the high jungle of Cusco. Along the way, we will make technical stops to check the equipment and enjoy the panoramic views. Finally, we will arrive at the town of Santa María (1,200 meters), where a delicious typical lunch awaits us.
In the afternoon, the more adventurous will have the option of doing rafting on the Vilcanota River (optional activity, additional cost of US$ 40). This river offers rapids of level III and III+, ideal for an adrenaline-filled experience. We will have high-quality safety equipment, such as helmets, category V life vests, and windbreakers. It is worth mentioning that this activity is only available between April and December, and the Peruvian government requires participants to know how to swim.
After this adventure-filled day, we will take private transportation to Santa Teresa, where we will rest at our cozy hotel and enjoy a comforting dinner.
Day Details:
Thrills at high altitudes and hiking towards Aguas Calientes
We start the day with a delicious breakfast in Santa Teresa, preparing for a day full of adventure and stunning landscapes. For the more daring, there is the option to do a zip line (zipline) in Santa Teresa, an adrenaline-packed experience with one of the most reliable operators in the area (optional activity, additional cost of $40). For about 2 hours, we will soar through the skies at high speed, enjoying panoramic views of the lush high jungle.
After this exciting activity, we will take transportation to Hidroeléctrica, where we will pass the entry control for the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. From this point, we will begin our 19 km hike to the town of Aguas Calientes. Along the way, we will pass through impressive landscapes and visit the Intihuatana sector, a small archaeological site where our guide will share fascinating details about its history and function within the Inca Empire.
We will continue our path to San Gabriel, where we will enjoy a delicious homemade lunch prepared by the Gonza family, who will give us a warm welcome. From this point, we will admire the imposing mountains surrounding Machu Picchu, including Huayna Picchu and other Inca constructions high up.
The hike will end in Aguas Calientes, the picturesque town located at the foot of Machu Picchu. Here we will settle into our hotel and enjoy a well-deserved dinner, preparing for the big day of our visit to the Wonder of the World.
Day Details:
Ascent to the world wonder and guided tour
The last day of our adventure takes us to the most awaited destination: Machu Picchu. At dawn, we will have two options to ascend from Aguas Calientes to the Inca citadel:
The decision will be made the night before during dinner, and the departure time will be coordinated with the guide. Both options will take us to the same access point to Machu Picchu, where the guide will be waiting for us at the agreed time.
Upon arrival, we will go through the entry controls, presenting our original passport and, if previously reserved, the ticket to Huayna Picchu (additional cost of $65 USD, with prior booking up to 6 months in advance). The scheduling of visit times and circuits will depend on availability at the time of booking, so it is recommended to book as early as possible.
We will begin our guided tour, which lasts approximately 2 hours, during which we will discover the history, architecture, and significance of Machu Picchu to Inca culture. We will explore its temples, terraces, and plazas, marveling at its advanced engineering and strategic location, which still amazes experts in archaeology and architecture.
At the end of the tour, we will have free time to take photographs or simply contemplate the majesty of this Wonder of the World. Afterward, we will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes to board the train back to Cusco, thus concluding an unforgettable experience.
Day Details:
US$379
US$420
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My fiancée and I did the 5-day trip that included Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. It was amazing!! Our tour guide, Wilbert, was so knowledgeable and took care of everything…
We did a five day tour with Lorenzo and had multiple amazing guides. Bryan took us on a day trip to Rainbow Mountain and it was amazing! His car was clean and comfortable and he was...
The trip was really very good. It was 4 days and 3 nights where I ate very well, we were in amazing places, we slept in nice places and we were tired ...
What an amazing experience, I would absolutely recommend it (and have already done so to friends). The tour guides deserve a special mention, Bryan and Wilbur who were just great at giving...
Lorenzo and his agency were very attentive on our trip. I would especially like to praise the guide Abel who took us to Laguna Humantay and Montan̈a 7 Colores...
Excellent travel agency, especially the work done by the guide Wilbert! He guided us for two days on an unforgettable trip from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, showing great care and attention in...
