Original Inca Amazon Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days/ 3 Nights
Duration
From
Overview
Since we operate the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu ourselves, we offer departures year-round. Indeed, if you prefer to join a group, here are our confirmed reservations for departure dates in 2026:
Permits to the Classic Inca Trail tend to sell out quickly, so to satisfy the great demand to trek to Machu Picchu year-round, we’ve had to discover less-travelled trails that the ancient Incas had constructed. This network of trails connected their sacred sanctuary, Machu Picchu, with the rest of the empire. The Inca Amazon Trail was one of the most important trails, built primarily to transport food and sacred coca leaves to the ‘chosen people’ who once inhabited the sanctuary.
This trail connects Machu Picchu to the Vilcabamba rainforest, the last capital of the Incas. It was once the most important commercial trade route between the Incas and the rainforest peoples. Imagine how the Incas walked this same path centuries ago!
It is not just an “alternative” Inca Trail trek. The Original Inca Amazon Trail is an exclusive route offered by Green Peru Adventures, which combines biking and trekking. It includes an 80 km (50 mi) downhill ride on brand new full suspension mountain bikes through the mountains from Abra Malaga (4316 m/ 14,160 ft above sea level) to the Green Valley below the cloud forest at the base of Santa Maria (1250 m/ 4101 ft). You will hike along recently discovered, authentic Inca paths. When you reach the lookout point of Llactapata, you will have the opportunity to visit archaeological sites and have a first glimpse of the sanctuary of Machu Picchu, which you will reach on the fourth day of your journey.
Full Itinerary
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel at 7:00 am. You will drive out of the city into the Sacred Valley of the Incas towards Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo (approx. 8:30 am), you will stop for a hearty breakfast before continuing to Abra Malaga, the starting point of your trek. When you reach Abra Malaga (4316m/ 14,160 ft), you will have some time to enjoy the breathtaking view of snow-capped Apu Veronica while your guide briefly explains the activities for the days to come. Furthermore, he will perform a safety check before you gear up (helmets, gloves, and protective pads), then head off on your mountain bikes. You will begin your exhilarating downhill ride from Andes Puna into the cloud forest, amidst changing scenery and gorgeous landscapes. From the mountainside, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the valley and river below.
Your guide will call for a stop at the Inca site of Humanmarca. Here, your guide will give you an informative tour of the site, which once housed an ancient temple and administration centre. After the tour, you will head to the nearby town of Humanmarca for a taste of local hospitality — a freshly prepared lunch and a tour of a tea plantation. You will then continue to the campsite in the cloud forest, where you will have the chance to rest before touring a nearby coca plantation. You’ll learn about the growing and harvesting methods used to cultivate this iconic leaf. Before darkness descends upon the valley, you’ll return to the campsite for dinner, and then retire for the night.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today, you will wake to the myriad sounds of the forest. You'll start the day off with a campsite breakfast including the finest indigenous coffee. As you trek farther into the cloud forest, your guide will highlight the flora and fauna along the trail. You'll pass a tropical forest and a coca plantation, and you'll also taste delicious exotic fruits straight from the trees. After a short while, you'll come across the intersection at which the ancient jungle tribes traded with the Incas. You will continue to ascend along the mountain until you reach The Monkey House, where you experience a fantastic view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. From there, the trail 'snakes' along the side of the valley, ascending and descending ancient stone steps and crossing short, flat sections until you reach the home of a local family. You'll learn about the lifestyle of local people while you enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the family. You'll have some time to rest before you continue your hike along a colonial trail. You'll cross a bridge over the Urubamba River, and, after a short while, you'll reach the cable car that will take you back across the river. Here, you'll have a unique perspective of the valley and river below. You will then hike to Colcamayo, arriving in the early afternoon. You will have the opportunity to freshen up and relax in the natural thermal baths before enjoying your dinner. Afterwards, you may retire to your tent or spend a little more time in the thermal baths.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
You’ll have another early start today, but the freshly brewed coffee and another dip in the thermal baths will make it much easier. After breakfast at the camp, you prepare for the next stage of your journey — an hour-long private transfer to Lucmabamba, where you intersect with the Inca Jungle Trail. Once you disembark from the vehicle, you will begin the day’s trekking, continuing along the same trail as the previous day. Recently discovered, this trail has been confirmed as the original path used by jungle tribes to transport supplies to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Your guide will explain the history and significance of this trail as you ascend the stone stairway to the top of the hill. Once you reach the peak of the mountain, you will see the ancient archaeological site of Lactapata as well, and you will take your first look at Machu Picchu, flanked by the peak of the snow-covered mountain Salkantay. Your guide will lead you on a tour of these ruins, explaining their purpose and highlighting their distinctive architectural features. After the tour, you will continue your hike along the trail, descending to the Aobamba River and passing a variety of crop plantations along the way. Once you reach the river, the trail continues for approximately two hours until you reach the train station in Hidroelectrica, where lunch will be served. After lunch and a short rest, you will take the three-hour walk following the route of the train tracks leading to the town of Aguas Calientes. On arrival in Aguas Calientes, your guide will escort you to a comfortable family room hostel with private bathrooms, where you can enjoy your dinner and rest ahead of your following day’s visit to Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes is a unique and fascinating place, famous not only as the entry point to Machu Picchu but also for the hot springs for which it is named, Aguas Calientes (hot springs). Apart from that, you can also spend some of your time exploring the small town and visiting the sights to be found here.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Margarita’s House
We will leave our hotel by bus after breakfast at about 5:30 am, continuing our journey to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. The reason for going this early is that the site will be less crowded, and the morning is a good time to appreciate the tranquillity and ancient spirit of the continent's best-known archaeological site. After we arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am, our guide will give us a detailed tour of Machu Picchu and the history and culture of the Incas.
(According to the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, the timing will be defined due to the availability of the entrance fees.)
(due to the new regulation of Machu Picchu, the second day entrance fee is not included anymore)
Machu Picchu is the best-known of all the Inca Archaeological sites, as it is recognised worldwide as one of the New Seven Wonders, even though it's not mentioned in any handwritten chronicle by the Spanish Conquerors. Experts believe that Machu Picchu was constructed around the mid-15th century by Inca Pachacuteq and was rediscovered in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham.
The guided tour of this fascinating site will be an unforgettable experience, including visits to the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Sun Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (Intihuatana), and the Burial Grounds.
Optional: You can hike up Huayna Picchu (the mountain behind Machu Picchu), from where you will enjoy stunning views over the whole complex! However, only 400 entrance tickets are available per day, so please let us know in advance if you plan to hike so we can reserve your ticket for US$60.00.
Because Huayna Picchu is very quickly oversold, we offer Machu Picchu Mountain as a second option for climbing. The advantage of this hike is that it will be less crowded without sacrificing beauty! The cost for this hike is also US$60.00 per person.
La Gran Caverna is a ceremonial temple in Machu Picchu, with an entrance fee of US$60.00 per person.
You can visit the beautiful Inca Bridge (a 1-hour hike). This road will allow you to enjoy other views of Machu Picchu and take many breathtaking pictures. US$45.00 per person.
When leaving the site, a bus takes you down to Aguas Calientes for a late lunch.
(according to your time in Machu Picchu)
At 14:30, you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a tourist bus to Cusco. In case you finish early in Machu Picchu
Please let us know if you want to spend more time in Aguas Calientes, so we can book a later train at 4:12 pm or 7:00 pm (depending on the train service, there may be an extra cost).
Climate: Warm with mosquitoes
Hiking time: 02 hours total
Distance: 4 km
Included/Exclude
- Pre-departure orientation at our meeting place
- 24-hour support from the company owner
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Professional bilingual English-speaking tour guide
- Transport to – Abra Málaga – Hamanmarca – Santa Rosa, Cocalmayo – Lucmabamba NOTE: The vehicle will accompany the group. If someone gets tired, they can take the van to the first campsite. (The first transport is shared, to avoid the extra burning of gasoline, as we are a green-friendly travel agency.)
- Full-suspension MOSSO or KONNA mountain bikes
- Gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, and a helmet
- First-Aid-Kit
- 2 nights camping (tent and mattress pad)
- 1-night accommodation in a hostel in Aguas Calientes
- Entrance to the hot springs in Cocalmayo
- Local Private transport from the hot springs in Cocalmayo to Lucmabamba
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
- Bus tickets from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes
- Food: 3 breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners
- Vegetarian/special diet options available
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, and drop off at your hotel in Cusco.
- Free luggage storage.
- Breakfast on the first day
- Final lunch in Aguas Calientes on day 4
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu US$ 12.00
- Entrance ticket to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Insurance of any kind
Optional items to bring on the Inca Amazon trail
- Short pants, plaster, and bandages
- Walking poles (with rubber tips); these can also be rented from us
NOTE: Walking poles are not allowed in Machu Picchu!
- Original passport (for control of your train ticket and entrance fee
to Machu Picchu) - Student card if you book your tour as a student (You will be required to show your student card at the Machu Picchu control point)
- Small backpack
- Travel Insurance card
- Comfortable shoes and waterproof hiking boots are recommended (with ankle protectors)
- Rain pants, rain jacket or poncho (the weather is unpredictable)
- Sun hat and a change of clothes
- Comfortable hiking zip-off trousers
- Swimming suit
- Sun protection (sun cream, hat)
- Insect Repellent (of at least 45% DEET!)
- Water bottle
- Water purifying tablets (Micropur recommended)
- Basic toiletries
- Personal medication
- Camera with extra batteries
- Torch with spare batteries (flashlight)/ headlamp
- Extra money in Soles (to buy water or for any emergencies; prices in Aguas Calientes can be higher than anywhere else in Peru)
What we need when you make a reservation
- Full name, as written in your passport (please include a scanned copy of your passport)
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Tour departure date
- Send a deposit of 60% of the total price of your tour. (The remainder of your balance will be due upon your arrival in Cusco.) Payment can be made via Western Union, PayPal, or ABN AMRO Bank in Holland, or securely and directly through our website by selecting your desired tour and clicking the BOOK NOW button.
Prices
- Group Price: US$560.00 based on 4 people.
- Price for two people: US$660.00 per person.
- Price for three people: US$610.00 per person.
“With every tour you book with Green Peru Adventures, you can request a free walking tour of Cusco’s mysterious and historical city, accompanied by one of our professional guides, who speaks several languages.”
We are looking forward to creating an unforgettable experience for you.
