Inca Jungle Trail

Wake up to the sounds of tropical birds and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed local coffee at the lodge. After breakfast, you’ll visit nearby plantations of coffee, coca leaves, bananas, pineapples, and other tropical fruits before beginning the day’s hike.
The trail gently ascends a beautiful and less-visited section of the original Inca Trail (distinct from the Classic Inca Trail) that once connected Machu Picchu to Vilcabamba, the last Inca capital. As you hike, you’ll be surrounded by fields of avocado, yucca, oranges, mangoes, cacao, coffee, and coca bushes, with views of the Urubamba Valley. After about four hours of hiking, you’ll arrive in Quellomayo for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you’ll continue for approximately four more hours, following the river to reach the Cocalmayo hot springs, where you can relax in pools of volcanic water, ideal for soothing tired muscles and relieving stress. After the rest, a short bus ride will take you to the town of Santa Teresa, where you will spend the night in a basic hotel with hot showers and Wi-Fi.

After breakfast in Santa Teresa, we’ll travel for approximately one hour to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,600 ft), where you’ll join another original section of the Inca Trail. Built in the 15th century and lost for centuries along with Machu Picchu, this trail was recently rediscovered and offers a unique approach to the citadel.
A steady climb of about three hours will take you to Llactapata, an Inca archaeological site located opposite Machu Picchu. From here, you’ll enjoy your first panoramic views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains—one of the most special moments of the trek. After exploring the ruins and taking photos, you’ll continue with a gentle two-hour descent to the Hydroelectric Plant for a well-deserved lunch.
In the afternoon, you’ll follow the train tracks for about three hours through lush vegetation until you reach Aguas Calientes. This leg of the journey is steeped in history, as you’ll pass through the Mandor Gardens, visited by Hiram Bingham III during his 1911 expedition. Upon arrival, around 5:00 p.m., your guide will take you to your hotel so you can rest and freshen up before the group dinner and final talk about Machu Picchu.

Today is the most important day of your TreXperience. After an early breakfast at the hotel, you’ll take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, arriving as the sky begins to clear over the mountains.
Your guide will lead you on a 2- to 3-hour tour of the citadel, following Circuit 2 and visiting the most important plazas, temples, and viewpoints, while sharing the history, architecture, and legends of the Incas. After the tour, you’ll have free time to take more photos or, if you booked separately in advance, climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional, limited spaces available and not included in the standard ticket).
When you’re ready, you’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, have lunch (not included), and board the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transportation will take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving at approximately 7:30 p.m.