OVERVIEW
The Inca Jungle Express was built for the traveler who has a tight schedule and absolutely no intention of missing Machu Picchu. In two days you cover the most iconic section of the entire Inca Jungle route, beginning with the legendary mountain bike descent from Abra Málaga Pass and finishing with a sunrise entrance to one of the most extraordinary places on earth. It is fast, it is intense, and every minute of it counts.
This is also one of the most popular options for travelers who are already in Cusco for a few days and want to add a genuine adventure to their itinerary without committing to a longer trek. You arrive back in Cusco on the afternoon of Day 2 with a story that most visitors to Peru never get to tell.
A minimum of 2 passengers is required to confirm a departure.
QUICK FACTS
- Duration: 2 dias / 1 noite
- Maximum altitude: 4,350 m / 14,270 ft (Abra Málaga Pass, Day 1)
- Minimum altitude on route: 1,500 m / 4,921 ft (Santa María, end of Day 1)
- Altitude of Machu Picchu: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Total distance cycled: approximately 65 km of mountain road (Day 1)
- Total hiking distance: approximately 8 km on the railway path to Aguas Calientes (Day 1 afternoon)
- Physical level: Easy to Moderate. Suitable for most travelers in general good health.
- Group size: Maximum 12 travelers per departure
- Minimum passengers to confirm: 2 passengers
- Minimum age: 12 years for standard departures
- Departure days: Daily year-round
- Starting point: Cusco city center, hotel pickup between 6:00 and 6:30 AM
- Type of service: Group
- Transportation: Private van, bus, train
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
- DAY 1 — The Descent and the Journey to Aguas Calientes
Departure from Cusco early in the morning. The group travels by private vehicle through the Sacred Valley, climbing steadily past high-altitude wetlands and open Andean grasslands before reaching Abra Málaga Pass at 4,350 meters above sea level. The drive takes approximately two hours. At the pass the air is cold, the views are vast, and the bikes are waiting.
The descent from Abra Málaga is one of the great mountain bike rides in South America. Over approximately 65 kilometers of paved and semi-paved road the route drops from the cold open heights of the Andes through the transition zone and into the full warmth and density of the cloud forest. The temperature climbs with every kilometer. The vegetation closes in around the road. The sound of the city and of altitude disappears completely, replaced by the smell of earth and tropical plants and the rushing of water somewhere in the forest below.
The riding is not technical. There is no off-road or single-track involved. Anyone who is comfortable on a bicycle and happy following the guide’s pace will enjoy every kilometer of it. The descent takes between three and four hours including stops for photographs and rest.
After the bike section, the group transfers to the start of the railway path and walks the final stretch into Aguas Calientes alongside the Urubamba River. This is a flat and easy walk of approximately 8 kilometers through the national park, with the forested walls of the canyon rising on both sides and the first views of the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu appearing as you approach the town.
Arrival in Aguas Calientes in the early evening. Check in to the hotel, freshen up, and enjoy dinner on your own. Your guide will recommend the best options in town. An early night is strongly recommended. Tomorrow starts before the sun does.
Altitude range: 4,350 m down to 2,040 m | Distance cycled: 65 km | Cycling time: 3 to 4 hours | Distance walked: 8 km | Walking time: approximately 2 hours | Meals: Dinner | Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- DAY 2 — Machu Picchu: The Arrival
The alarm goes early. The bus to Machu Picchu departs from Aguas Calientes beginning at 5:30 AM and there is a real advantage to being among the first through the gate. The 25-minute ride climbs the switchback road up the forested mountainside, and as the gate opens and the morning mist begins to lift, the citadel reveals itself in a way that no photograph adequately prepares you for.
The guided visit lasts approximately two hours and covers the main areas of the site: the agricultural terraces that cascade down the mountainside, the urban sector with its temples and royal residences, the Intihuatana stone that served as an astronomical calendar, the Temple of the Sun, and the iconic viewpoint over the classic panorama of the citadel. Your guide explains the architectural techniques the Inca used without mortar, the theories around the purpose and abandonment of Machu Picchu, and the details of daily life within its walls.
After the guided section you have free time to explore independently, revisit areas that interested you, or simply sit and take in the scale of what surrounds you. Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 meters, enclosed by forested mountains that drop sharply on three sides into river valleys far below. The silence that settles over the site between the groups of visitors is something that stays with most people long after the photographs fade.
Return by bus to Aguas Calientes and then by train back to Ollantaytambo and private transport to Cusco. Expected arrival between 7:00 and 9:00 PM depending on your train service.
Altitude: 2,430 m | Guided visit: 2 hours | Free time: 1 to 2 hours | Meals: Breakfast | Return: Train to Ollantaytambo then private van to Cusco
- WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket (circuit of your choice)
- Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu and back down
- Private guided tour of Machu Picchu with a licensed guide (approximately 2 hours)
- Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private van from Ollantaytambo back to your hotel in Cusco
- Mountain bike with front suspension, helmet, gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads for the Day 1 descent
- Professional bilingual guide for the entire 2 days, certified in trekking and mountain biking
- All private transportation from Cusco throughout the tour
- 1 night accommodation in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle
- WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket (optional, $75 USD, must be requested at the time of booking)
- Lunch on any day of the tour
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes on Day 2
- Vistadome Train upgrade on the return (optional, $67 USD)
- Walking poles (available for rent, $15 USD per pair)
- Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended for all adventure activities)
- Tips for the guide, support staff, and driver
- Any personal expenses not listed in the itinerary
- DISCOUNTS
- Ages 18 to 25: $30 USD discount. A valid student card is required showing the university name, student name, photo, and expiration date. A copy must be sent at the time of booking for government approval.
- Under 18 years old: $30 USD discount. A copy of the passport must be sent at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: $40 USD discount. A copy of the passport must be sent at the time of booking.
- Groups of 5 or more: $30 USD discount per person. All passengers must book together at the same time.
- EXTRAS
- Walking poles: $15 USD per pair (professional extendable poles)
- Additional night in Aguas Calientes: From $60 USD depending on availability
- Vistadome Train upgrade: $67 USD per person for the return to Cusco at 14:55 or 15:20
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $75 USD per person. Must be requested at the time of booking. This is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel done independently after the guided tour of the citadel. A guided ascent is available at an additional cost upon request.
- Single supplement: $40 USD for solo travelers requiring a private room
- PRICES
-
Per person $250 USD
A minimum of 2 passengers is required to confirm the departure.
- HOW TO BOOK
To confirm your spot on the Inca Jungle Express, complete the booking form on our website and make your deposit through our secure WeTravel payment platform. We require a deposit of $200 USD per person at the time of booking to purchase your Machu Picchu entrance ticket and secure all reservations.
The balance can be paid online through WeTravel using a credit or debit card, or in cash at our Cusco office in US dollars or Peruvian soles upon arrival. Online payments through WeTravel carry a small processing fee.
To complete your booking we need the following information for each participant exactly as it appears on their passport: full name, gender, passport number, date of birth, and nationality. We cannot purchase Machu Picchu entrance tickets without this information.
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Briefing
The night before your departure, your guide will meet the group for a briefing at our Cusco office. This is where you receive final instructions, check your equipment, ask any last questions, and confirm your pickup time for the following morning. Details of the location will be sent with your booking confirmation.
Luggage Storage
During the tour your main luggage can be stored securely at our Cusco office or at your hotel. You only need to carry a daypack.
Your Passport
Your original passport is required throughout the entire tour. The passport number must match exactly what was provided at the time of booking. Rangers check passports at the entrance to Machu Picchu and the train company verifies your identity before boarding. If you are renewing your passport or changing your name after booking, contact us immediately. A change fee of $25 USD per person applies and copies of both old and new passports are required.
Can I Change My Departure Date?
Once Machu Picchu entrance tickets have been purchased, the government does not allow date changes. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Please contact our team as early as possible if your plans change. The deposit is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made more than 30 days before departure receive a full refund minus the deposit and any booking fees. Cancellations between 15 and 30 days before departure receive a 50 percent refund of the land cost. Cancellations within 14 days of departure are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation.
Weather and What to Expect
Day 1 begins in cold Andean air at over 4,300 meters and ends in the warmth of Aguas Calientes at 2,040 meters. Layered clothing is essential. A windproof jacket for the bike descent and a lighter layer for the afternoon walk are the right combination. Rain is possible at any time of year and a compact rain jacket fits easily in a daypack.
Drop-off After the Tour
On the final day you will be taken directly to your hotel in Cusco. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, or Urubamba, we will drop you there as well.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory but is genuinely appreciated by the guides and support staff who make your experience possible. It is a meaningful part of the local tourism economy and a direct way to recognize excellent service. The amount is entirely at your discretion.
Sustainability
Inca Jungle is committed to responsible tourism. We work with local communities along the route, support fair wages for all staff, minimize waste on the trail, and train our guides to respect and protect the natural and cultural heritage of the landscapes we travel through.
- PACKING LIST
What to Carry in Your Daypack
- Original passport (same number used for booking)
- Valid student ID if a student discount was applied
- Reusable water bottle or hydration system (2 to 3 liters capacity, no disposable plastic bottles)
- Comfortable hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes with ankle support
- Sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Wool or fleece hat and windproof jacket for the bike descent
- Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
- Gloves for the bike descent
- Snacks such as energy bars, nuts, or dried fruit
- Camera or phone in a waterproof case
- Extra cash in Peruvian soles for Aguas Calientes
- Hand sanitizer and toilet paper
Personal medications
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the Express suitable for first-time trekkers? Yes. The Express is the most accessible of all the Inca Jungle options. The bike descent requires only basic cycling confidence and the afternoon walk into Aguas Calientes is flat and straightforward. Day 2 at Machu Picchu involves walking on uneven stone paths but nothing that requires any special fitness or experience.
Do I need experience to ride the mountain bike on Day 1? No. The descent follows a paved and semi-paved road rather than a technical off-road trail. Anyone who is comfortable on a bicycle and happy following the guide’s pace will enjoy every kilometer of it. It is always possible to slow down or stop.
Can I add the rafting to the Express tour? The rafting section is part of the Classic and Extended tours and is not included in the Express itinerary due to the shorter timeframe. If you want to combine the bike descent with rafting and Machu Picchu, we recommend upgrading to the Classic 4-day tour.
What is the altitude situation on this tour? The highest point of the tour is Abra Málaga at 4,350 meters at the start of Day 1. The route descends from there and the rest of the tour stays between 2,040 and 2,430 meters, which is significantly lower than Cusco. Travelers who have spent at least one night in Cusco before the tour will find the altitude fully manageable.
Can I do the Express during the rainy season? Yes. The tour runs year-round. During the wet season between November and March a good rain jacket and waterproof boots are strongly recommended. The bike descent operates in all weather and the walk into Aguas Calientes follows a clearly marked path regardless of conditions.
Are meals adapted for dietary requirements? Yes. Please inform us of any dietary requirements or allergies at the time of booking. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other requirements are accommodated without additional cost.
Will I be dropped at my hotel after the tour? Yes. On the final day you will be taken directly to your hotel in Cusco. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, or Urubamba, we will drop you there as well.
