Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu

We pick you up from your hotel at 6am. We drive for about three hours through the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas, admiring the scenery of the Peruvian Andes, till we get to the Abra Malaga Pass to an altitude of 4350m/14,357ft above sea level. Here you choose your bike, put on your riding gear. The guide will give a quick briefing to start the best biking donw hill by Inca Jungle and then we bike downhill through a cloud forest, passing small villages, abundant fields, rivers, bumpy hills and glacial topped peaks of the Vilcanota Mountain Range on the way to the small high jungle pueblo of Santa Maria (1,500m/4,950ft). The van tags along at the back for security and to make sure the group doesn’t get separated. The guide leads the way and you can marvel at and take in the astonishing mountain landscape around you. The memorable 3 hour bike ride is breathtaking and calming simultaneously. If you get tired you can just hop on the van. The road is paved all the way down so it’s easy riding though because of the smoothness of the road allows you to go pretty fast, which is fun! After a heart lunch we will get ready for our next adventure. In this Inca Jungle tour Machu Picchu you can enjoy rafting in the sacred Vilcanota River! (optional). During this excursion you will enjoy delightful scenery, rapids class 2 and 3, energetic and exhilarating!

Additional Service:

Rafting: U$ 40 per person

Water: You can purchase it at the local market during the biking.

In the morning, you'll wake up surrounded by the ethereal ambiance of the jungle. After a hearty breakfast, your day kicks off with a short yet challenging ascent on an original Inka Trail. As you wind around steep cliffs overlooking beautiful valleys, your guide will delve into the mysteries of the Incas, sharing insights about this ancient and captivating civilization. Along the way, we encounter native animals such as hummingbirds, parrots, eagles, and more. Additionally, we have the opportunity to see and taste wild fruits and medicinal plants like avocados, yucca, oranges, tangerines, pacay, mango, cacao, coca shrubs, etc.

The trail descends to Qellomayo, where we take a break and enjoy lunch. We then continue walking along the riverbank for about 2 hours, leading us to the rejuvenating hot springs of Colcamayu near the town of Santa Teresa. Here, you can indulge in a relaxing soak to soothe your muscles. Finally, we arrive in the town of Santa Teresa, where you can unwind and enjoy a well-deserved dinner.

Additional Cost:

Cocalmayo Hotpring: S/20 soles - U$ 8 dollars

You will wake up to have breakfast, not too early today. Then take private transport to Lucmabamba town, where we view a beautiful sunrise above charming scenery with Machu Picchu at its center. We descend down through bamboo groves and a cloud forest with increasingly thick plant life and high trees, where we have the chance to do some bird watching. Later in the afternoon we arrive to the Hydroelectric Station, from there we follow the path to Aguas Calientes Town. We spend the night in a comfortable hostel where we can get a hot shower!

Optional Tour: Zip-line in the morning in Santa Teresa for an extra USD 40.

Last day of the Inka Jungle Tour:

On the final day of the Inka Jungle Tour, you commence your ascent to Machu Picchu before sunrise. Climbing the Inca staircase takes 1 to 2 hours, leading you to the previously concealed sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Once at the entrance gate, you will proceed to explore Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu, which is included in the Inca Jungle Trek. With this ticket, you will have a guided tour of the entire citadel for approximately 2 hours. Additionally, for a better experience on the Machu Picchu Jungle Trek, we recommend booking in advance the visit to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (these are linked to Circuit 3 and Circuit 1 respectively). After visiting the Inca citadel, we return to Cusco in the afternoon, meeting the driver at Ollantaytambo, who will transfer you back to Cusco.

Additional Cost:

Huayna Picchu:
Make your Inca Jungle trek even more thrilling by adding Huayna Picchu. This adrenaline pumping trip offers a unique perspective of Machu Picchu. You can ascend and descend the mountain in approximately 3 hours, followed by exploration of Circuit 3 in Machu Picchu. The additional cost is U$ 80 per ticket.

Mount Machu Picchu:
Discover the most beautiful hike to Mount Machu Picchu, where you can overlook the citadel and the meandering Vilcanota River, resembling a snake. From the summit, appreciate the route of the Inca Jungle trek and the breathtaking landscapes. You can ascend and descend the mountain in about 3 hours, followed by exploration of the lower part of the Inca city. The additional cost is U$ 80 per ticket.

Advice

• Water: Please note that water is not included during the Machu Picchu visit. We recommend bringing a liter of water in a reusable container or water bottle, as plastic bottles are prohibited.

• Pre-trek briefing (Our guide will be visiting your hotel 2 or 1 day before the trek for your briefing);
• Transfer by private bus to Abra Malaga - the initial point of the trek;
• Accommodation: Basic hostel (2 nights) and a comfortable hostel (1 night);
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu circuit 1 or 2;
• Meals: 3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner ((If you are a vegetarian, please advise us in advance. A vegetarian meal option is for NO extra cost!);
• Professional bilingual Tour Guide;
• Mountain bicycles (brand Scott with a hydraulic brake) and full equipment, helmet and gloves
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo;
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco.

• Breakfast on the day 1 and lunch on the last day;
• Extra activities such as ZIP Line and Rafting in the area;
• Travel insurance (Optional, in case of any emergency, flight loss, or other unforeseen circumstances);
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu (U$80);
• A shuttle bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town ($12 - one way, $24 - a round trip);
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory);
• Other extras not mentioned.

Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this trek, you receive your own single room for all nights.

Local flights: No local flights are included in the trek´s price!

The optimal time for the Inca Jungle Trek is during the dry season, which runs from mid-April to October. Peak tourist season, when the destination is crowded, occurs from June to August. We recommend visiting during the quieter periods of April, May, September, and October when there are fewer tourists and the weather is dry.

The rainy season spans from December to May, with intense precipitation lasting two or three hours each afternoon. Light rains may persist for extended periods. During this time, trekking conditions become challenging, and water currents can become impassable. Ensure that your equipment and tent are waterproof.

In the low season (October to February), you can typically make reservations up to three weeks before the desired date. The maximum group size should not exceed 16 people.

For this trek, it is recommended to be able to walk for more than 6 continuous hours. Likewise, having experience in bicycle handling (downhill) is the minimum recommended. In case you do not have experience riding a bike, you can coordinate with the guide to avoid this activity and accompany the group on the bus that covers the first section. You can also request to cycle only the last part of the route (more secure).

Your packing list for the Inca Jungle Tour to Machu Picchu depends on the season. During the high season (April-November), there is significant heat during the day, so we recommend bringing lightweight clothes for some sections of the tour. Additionally, pack clothing to stay warm during the beginning and end of the tour in Cusco, as it tends to be cold in the mornings and at night due to its higher altitude. As you head towards the jungle, a warm climate prevails, and it is recommended to wear light clothes while covering most of your body to avoid insect bites. Waterproof clothes or a windbreaker are essential for the rainy season (December-March).

Good trekking shoes are crucial, providing comfort for many hours of continuous walking without damaging your feet and offering protection during wet and challenging stretches (consider shoes with Goretex).

Before your trip, familiarize yourself with the climate in the Cusco jungle. It has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity, with rains being common, especially during the summer season. We recommend traveling between May and September.

Additional Tips:

Comfortable Clothing:
Choose light clothes, preferably cotton and light-colored, to combat the intense heat of the jungle. Dark tones attract insects.

Vaccines:
Consider getting vaccinated against yellow fever if traveling to jungle areas below 2,300 meters above sea level. Aim to get vaccinated ten days before the trip at the International Vaccination Center in Lima.

Protection Against Moisture:
Store electronic equipment in hermetically sealed plastic bags to prevent damage from moisture. Camera lenses may fog up due to humidity.

Hydration:
Stay hydrated during jungle trips due to the tropical heat. Ensure the liquids consumed are prepared from drinking water. Carrying purifying pills is advisable.

Recommended Items:

• A pair of pants.
• Hiking boots, sneakers, and shoes.
• T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, and a jacket.
• Hat or cap.
• Raincoat and/or umbrella.
• Camera.
• Insect repellent.
• Medical or personal items.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a flashlight.
• Personal first aid kit.
• Original passport and ISIC card for students.
• Knife, swimsuit, snacks, and a towel.

Consider purchasing items in Peru or bringing clothes tailored to your taste or measurements. The best time for tourist activities in Cusco is from late March to the end of November, during the high tourism season with minimal rainfall. It is recommended to book approximately three months in advance.

Additional Articles:

Toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, wet wipes and/or liquid soap, sunblock (cream) and lip balm, sunglasses with sun protection, camera or video camera, and other items like a lantern with batteries, a spool of thread, rain cover for your backpack, inflatable small pillow, small penknife, small mirror, aspirin/paracetamol, ibuprofen, tablets for diarrhea and vomiting, patches for blisters, water purification tablets, antiseptic wipes, and cream against insect bites (in case repellent doesn't work).

Where is located the Sacred Valley, the thermal baths of Cocalmayo, and Machu Picchu?

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located 35 kilometers from Cusco, and about 600 meters below the level of Cusco. It covers the part of the basin of the Vilcanota river between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.