Cusco: Machu Picchu 4-Day Trek with Biking, Rafting & Zip-lining

Four Days of Biking, Rafting & Trekking to Machu Picchu from Cusco

You start with mountain biking down from 4,350 meters, move into four hours of jungle trekking past Inca ruins, soak in hot springs, zip-line and rock climb, then walk alongside waterfalls to reach Aguas Calientes. The final morning is a 90-minute climb to Machu Picchu with a two-hour guided tour before free time to explore. All transport, meals, bikes, zip-lining gear, three nights' accommodation and Machu Picchu entry are included. You just need to arrange your own return to Cusco after the train arrives at Ollantaytambo.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Cusco to Santa Maria and Rafting

• Pick up from lodging
• Group breakfast at meeting point
• Travel to Abra Malaga Mountain
• Descend 3 hours by mountain bike
• Stop at Huamanmarca for snacks
• Travel to Huyro town
• Lunch in Huyro
• Check in at eco-lodge
• Travel to Santa María for rafting
• Rafting safety briefing and trip
• Return to eco-lodge for dinner and rest

Day 2: Trek to Santa Teresa via Hot Springs

• Breakfast at lodging
• Transport to Inca Trail start
• Walk 4 hours through high forest
• Visit archaeological center Inca Carcel
• Lunch with local community
• Walk to Cocalmayo hot springs
• Relax and enjoy snacks at hot springs
• Transport to Santa Teresa lodging
• Dinner and rest

Day 3: Ziplining and Walk to Aguas Calientes

• Breakfast at lodging
• Zip lining, suspension bridge, rock climbing
• Bus to Hidroélectrica
• Lunch at Hidroélectrica
• Walk 3 hours to Aguas Calientes
• Arrive in Aguas Calientes
• Dinner and briefing about Machu Picchu
• Free time to explore Aguas Calientes

Day 4: Machu Picchu Tour and Return

• Wake up at 4:00am
• Climb 1.5 hours to Machu Picchu
• 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Free time at Machu Picchu
• Descend to Aguas Calientes
• Train to Ollantaytambo
• Transfer to Cusco
• End tour at San Francisco square

The experience

"So we're actually riding down a mountain on bikes?" That's the question most people ask when they first hear about this trip, and yeah, that's exactly what happens on day one. You get picked up from your Cusco hotel between 5 and 6 in the morning, meet the group over breakfast, then drive to Abra Malaga at 4,350 meters. From there it's a three-hour descent on full-suspension mountain bikes with safety gear, dropping through rural villages and past rivers before you hit Huyro for lunch. The bikes, helmets and gloves are all provided. After lunch you head to Santa María for your first rafting session, guides brief you on safety and positions, and by evening you're back at the eco-lodge in Huyro, eating dinner and recovering.

Day two is where the Inca Jungle Trek really shows its name. After breakfast, you walk for about four hours through high forest on the original Inca road, spotting orchids, birds and wildlife most people never see. Your guide takes you through Inca Carcel, an archaeological site where the Incas held people who broke the rules. The history lands differently when you're standing there. Lunch comes from a local community using native fruits and tubers, then you keep walking toward the hot springs at Cocalmayo, where you soak tired muscles before heading to your second night in Santa Teresa. No hot water or wifi at these eco-lodges, but that's part of why the groups stay small and the experience doesn't feel like a resort tour.

Day three brings zip-lining, a suspension bridge crossing, and some light rock climbing near Santa Teresa. After that, the bus takes you to Hidroélectrica for lunch, then it's a three-hour walk alongside the Urubamba river toward Aguas Calientes. You'll pass waterfalls and see more wildlife along the way. That evening there's a group dinner in town and a briefing about the final push to Machu Picchu. You're free to walk around Aguas Calientes after, though most people are thinking about the 4am wake-up call.

The last morning you start climbing at 4am for the 90-minute ascent to the citadel, arriving around 6am when your guide meets you at the entrance. You get a two-hour private guided tour of Machu Picchu itself, then the rest of the day is yours to wander. After that, you descend back to Aguas Calientes, catch the train to Ollantaytambo, and get driven back to Cusco: the trip ends at the San Francisco square. You need to be at the train station 30 minutes before departure, and bring your passport on the final day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Cusco between 5am–6am.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
• three nights' accommodation (two eco-lodge nights and one hotel night in Aguas Calientes).
• full-suspension mountain bikes with helmets and gloves.
• zip-lining gear and instruction.
• white-water rafting with safety briefing.
• entry to Machu Picchu citadel.
• two-hour private guided tour of Machu Picchu.
• professional tour guide throughout.
• bus transport to Abra Malaga and between towns.
• train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• return transfer to Cusco.
• meeting with your guide in the office before day one.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Call us to our staff [phone], so we let you know the exact picking up point”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Conde Travel

Is this one for you?This works best for travelers who want to reach Machu Picchu without flying in and out of Aguas Calientes, and who are comfortable with adventure activities and basic lodge conditions: the four-day approach trades comfort for a real trek through the jungle and a chance to see Inca ruins most tourists miss.

Traveler reviews

4.81★★★★★★★★★★

145 verified traveler reviews

5 ★129

4 ★10

3 ★3

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Under 12: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start.

What's the physical fitness level needed for this trek?

You need at least moderate fitness. The biking descent is three hours, the jungle walking is four hours on day two, and the final climb to Machu Picchu takes 90 minutes at altitude. The itinerary is designed to build over four days, not all at once.

Are meals included, and what about dietary restrictions?

All meals are included: breakfast each day, lunch at Huyro, Cocalmayo, and Hidroélectrica, plus dinners at the eco-lodges and in Aguas Calientes. The lunch on day two is prepared by a local community using native fruits and tubers. Mention any dietary needs when booking.

What happens if I'm not comfortable with the zip-lining or rafting?

Both activities are part of the itinerary on days one and three. Guides provide safety briefings and equipment, but these are core components of the tour, not optional add-ons.

Do the eco-lodges have hot water and wifi?

The first night in Huyro (Bella Victoria) has hot water and wifi. The second night in Santa Teresa (Monte Villa) does not have either. The third night in Aguas Calientes includes both.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup is between 5am and 6am on day one. The tour ends at San Francisco square in Cusco after you return from Aguas Calientes by train and road transfer: timing depends on your train departure, which is confirmed by your guide before the final day.

Is this tour available year-round?

The itinerary runs as described, but weather and water levels affect rafting and trekking conditions. Bring rain gear and warm layers regardless of season.

What should I bring?

Strong walking shoes, warm layers (sweater, thick jacket), hat, rain coat, long-sleeve shirts, insect repellent, sunblock (SPF 40+), sunglasses, a lightweight backpack, camera, and some cash. One water bottle is enough. You can refill along the way. A valid passport is required on the final day.

Do I need travel insurance?

Not mentioned in the tour details, but given the adventure activities and altitude, travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended.