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Cusco: Machu Picchu 4-Day Bike, Raft & Zip-line Trek

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1/6

Duration4d

GroupUp to 30

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Four days of biking, rafting and zip-lining through the Andes to Machu Picchu at dawn

You bike down from 4,350 meters, raft Class III-IV rapids the same day, trek through cloud forest, zip-line over the canopy, and hike to Aguas Calientes. A professional bilingual guide leads the trek and Machu Picchu tour; all transport, meals, and accommodation are included except for the optional hot springs and Huayna Picchu peak. You return to Cusco by train and bus on day four evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Andes to Jungle Adventure

Depart Cusco early morning
Breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo
Drive to Malaga High Pass
Safety briefing at high pass
Mountain bike descent to Santa Maria
Whitewater rafting on Urubamba River
Settle into guesthouse in Santa Maria
Dinner included at guesthouse

Day 2 — Jungle Trek to Santa Teresa

Hearty breakfast
Trek through jungle mountains
Lunch break on trail
Arrive in Santa Teresa village
Check into guesthouse
Optional hot springs soak
Dinner at guesthouse

Day 3 — Zipline and Trek to Aguas Calientes

Zip-line canopy adventure
Trek along railway to Hydroelectric Station
Lunch at Hydroelectric Station
Trek or train to Aguas Calientes
Check into 3-star hotel
Explore Aguas Calientes town

Day 4 — Machu Picchu Sunrise and Return

Early bus to Machu Picchu
Two-hour guided Machu Picchu tour
Independent exploration or Huayna Picchu hike
Return bus to Aguas Calientes
Browse local market
Train to Ollantaytambo
Bus transfer to Cusco

The Experience

The van leaves Cusco at 6:30 AM on day one, climbing toward Malaga High Pass at 4,350 meters. After a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo, you're geared up for a 2.5-hour mountain bike descent that drops you through fruit plantations, past the Huamanmarca Archaeological site, and across jungle rivers into Santa Maria village by early afternoon. The same day continues with a 2.5-hour whitewater rafting section on the Urubamba River—Class III and IV rapids that keep your attention the whole way. You sleep in a rustic guesthouse in Santa Maria, meals included.

Day two is a jungle trek through Santa Teresa, starting with breakfast and moving into thick cloud forest with colorful flora and locals along the trail. Lunch comes at a scenic spot mid-hike, and you arrive in Santa Teresa village (1,680 meters elevation) by afternoon. There's an optional soak in natural hot springs nearby if you want to ease muscle soreness before dinner. Day three kicks off with the zip-line canopy adventure—you'll glide over 2,500 meters of cables strung through the treetops, with the longest single run stretching 400 meters and the highest point dangling 150 meters above the forest. After that rush, a three-hour trek follows the railway line to the Hydroelectric Station, then another three hours on foot to Aguas Calientes (or take the optional train if hiking feels like too much). You stay in a 3-star hotel here and have the evening to explore cafes and shops.

The final morning, a bus takes you up to Machu Picchu before the crowds arrive. A two-hour guided tour covers the temples, terraces, and plazas while your guide explains Inca engineering and spiritual sites. After that, you roam the ruins on your own—find your photo spot, sit quietly, or tackle Huayna Picchu Peak if you've booked it in advance. The return journey runs by bus back to Aguas Calientes, then by train to Ollantaytambo, then by bus to Cusco, arriving around 8:00 PM at Plaza San Francisco. You'll need moderate fitness for this one; the itinerary stacks hiking days with multi-sport activities, and some sections are genuinely steep. Bring your original passport (valid for at least six months past your travel date) and exact passport details when you book—no changes are allowed once confirmed.

What’s included

Van pickup from Cusco accommodation and return drop-off at Plaza San Francisco.
mountain biking equipment (bicycle, helmet, gloves).
whitewater rafting gear and two-hour Class III-IV rapids experience on the Urubamba River.
canopy zip-line adventure through 2,500 meters of cables.
professional bilingual guide for the trek and Machu Picchu tour.
two nights in basic guesthouses (Santa Maria and Santa Teresa).
one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
round-trip tourist bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
bus from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco.
three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks at local restaurants.
pre-departure safety briefing.
first aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Bamba Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to combine multiple sports and hiking into one trip without arranging guides, permits, transport, or meals separately—the four-day structure packs it all in, though it requires moderate fitness and comfort with back-to-back activity days.