Zipline, Downhill Bike, & Trek Your Way to Machu Picchu

The New Inca Jungle to Machu Picchu trek is a varied tour that combines hiking along original but little-trekked Inca trails, downhill mountain biking, and zip-lining across the Sacsara Valley. It takes you from the high puna through the cloud forest and into the jungle brow, allowing you to enjoy views of tropical rivers and orchards as well as of snowy Andean peaks….

The journey begins with a short bus trip to the the high pass of Abra Malaga, passing along the way the small towns of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

From Abra Malaga, situated 14,160ft above sea level, one can enjoy expansive views of the snowy peak of Huacay Willca, the Sacred Valley, and the beginning of the jungle. From this lofty height, you’ll begin a high-speed descent by mountain bike through the woods of the high puna and cloud forest. The tranquil roads take on an adrenaline-pumping air thanks to their twists and the bikes’ speed. You don’t need to be in exceptional shape to undertake this trip, but you should enjoy extreme sports and thrills.

There’ll be a short break at the Huaman Marq’a ruins for lunch and some information from the guide. You’ll probably find yourself wanting to change clothes and apply insect repellent at this point, as we will soon near the high-altitude jungle brow. At Santa Maria, we’ll have dinner and spend the night.

The following day will begin pleasantly, with locally grown coffee and a nice breakfast. From Santa Maria, there’s a short 10 minute drive to the town of Santa Rosa to begin an initially level but increasingly steep hike along an original Inca Trail (Qapacñan). Along the way, you’ll see parrots, hummingbirds, and other colorful tropical birds, as well as varied butterflies. Cassava, coca, and coffee plantations are interspersed with mango, banana, and orange orchards, and large rivers punctuate the lanscape.

At Pispitayuc, you can rest riverside in the hammocks with some refreshments. Then, the hike continues with a descent to the little town of Qellomayo, our lunch site. There’ll be the option of visiting the area’s natural hot springs for some relaxation, but not before another heart-pumping activity: the Cola del Mono Zipline, the highest in South America. Anchored between two mountains, it will take you speeding across the Sacsara Valley at 60km per hour. You’ll spend the night in a Santa Teresa eco-lodge.

On the third day there is a ride to Lucmabamba from where another hike along a quiet, often unfrequented original Inca Trail begins. We’ll stop at the Llactapata ruins for lunch, and at one point, snowy Mt Salkantay will enter into view, alongside our first sight of Machu Picchu. After lunch, you descend to the hydroelectric station to take the train to Aguas Calientes for the night. Again, there’ll be the option of visiting the local hot springs on your own account, if you desire.

On the final day of the excursion, you need to rise early enough to catch the 5:30am bus after breakfast. This is the first bus that goes to the ruins of Machu Picchu each day, allowing visitors to arrive before first light hits Machu Picchu. The trip includes a guided tour of the citadel, although you’ll also have plenty of free time to explore and photograph all you want before taking another bus to Aguas Calientes and the train back to Ollantaytambo.