The Inka Jungle trail is a tour of four days that allows you to travel with travelers from other countries walk an ancient Inca circuit performing adventure sports and experiential tourism, and includes access to Machu Picchu including alternate mountains: “Old Mountain” or “Huaynapicchu” (according to availability).
The Inka Jungle Trail unlike other as the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trekking or Choquequirao Trek, is not so demanding and is geared to travelers of any age and phisiccal condition with a spirit of adventure.
The tour lasts for 4 days and 3 nights, although it can also be done in 3 days (for the same price) but in this case overrides the second day (walk) crossing of the original Inca trail. The Inka Jungle tour starts around 6:30 am (approximately) and therefore requires participants to ensure and confirm their presence in Cusco at least one day before. The return to Cusco is scheduled for the afternoon or evening, depending on the chosen package.
Highlights
Hike, bike, raft and zipline on your way to get to Machu Picchu.
Cross 3 ecological zones from the Highlands, to the Andes and finally to the beautiful high jungle.
Follow expert Cusquenian guides who will share their knowledge of the mountain and its Incas Culture.
Trek to the Lost City of the Incas deep in to the jungle with a local and English-speaking guide.
Enjoy four days of adventure and culture on the Inca Jungle Trail, located at the high jungle region of northern Cusco.
ITINERARY
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
PRICES
MAPS
FAQs
Day 1: Cusco – Abra Málaga – Huamanmarka – Santa María
We will begin our Inca Jungle trail at 6:30 am with a pick up from your hotel. On our way out, we will pass by the towns of Chinchero, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo, all belonging to the Sacred Valley. The adventure begins at Abra Málaga a 4,316m / 14,160 ft high pass, with its impressive view of the snowcapped Huacay Willca (Mt. Veronica). Here you will receive our biking equipment, bicycles and safety instructions.
Then we will begin our bike descent, crossing different ecological zones such as Puna and Cloud Forest, both having a huge range of flora and fauna. After 3 hours of biking downhill, we will finish our bike journey at the archaeological remains of Huaman Marq’a. Here we will take the van again and drive 25 minutes to the town of Santa Maria (approximately 1,200m / 3,937ft). then we will continue walking 25 minutes to Pispitatos village that is locate in the midle of the mountain and forest we will spend the night in the eco house, , dinner and breakfast the next day are provided.
High pass Malaga, beginig of the biking down
Day 2: Santa María – Qellomayo – Cocalmayo – Santa Teresa
After a delicious breakfast, we will begin hiking touring this ancestral part of the Inca Trail network known as the Qhapaq Ñan. Here we will see numerous birds, including parrots, hummingbirds, and eagles, and also plantations of coca (the Sacred Leaf of the Incas), coffee, yucca, and fruit trees (orange, mango, and banana).
We will restart the trek, taking in the beautiful and dramatic landscapes of the Vilcabamba mountain range. After this viewpoint, the trail descends to the small village of Qellomayo. We will have lunch here and then begin the last part of the trek, approximately 2 more hours. We end up at the Cocalmayo (optional) and afterwards reach the town of Santa Teresa. Overnight accommodation here; dinner and breakfast on the next day.
Huancarcasa view point
Day 3: Santa Teresa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
Continuing in the footsteps of our Inca ancestors, we will walk the first 3 hours from Santa Teresa, seeing more coffee and coca plantations along the way. We end up at the hydroelectric power station, Hidroeléctrica (1,900m / 6,270 ft), where we’ll have lunch and a break, then continue for 3 hours along the train track to reach the town of Aguas Calientes. We will have the afternoon free. Come night, we will gather for dinner, and plan the climb to Machu Picchu on the next day.
At 5:00am, after breakfast, we will start our last day, walking up to Machu Picchu for around an hour. At the entrance of this Inca citadel, you will show your ticket to start your 2 hour guided tour. After the guided visit, you will have free time to tour Machu Picchu at your leisure and to climb up Huayna Picchu Mountain (optional). You can also visit a number of other places, such as Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), and the Inca Bridge. At the end of our tour, we will return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo, where a bus awaits to return you to Cusco. This is the end of our service.
Machu Picchu
Optional visit at Machu Picchu
Visit to the special mountain of Huayna Picchu, which only 400 people a day are allowed to climb. If you want to ascend, you will have to add $20.00 USD to the Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Another special climb is up Machu Picchu Mountain, its entrance cost is $20.00 USD on top of the regular Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Please let us know in advance if you wish to climb either of these mountains so that we can make a reservation for you.
Optional activities
We have 2 new activities that we can do during our tour:
The first option is to rafting 2 hours down the Urubamba River. You will hit Class II and III rapids and witness the canyon’s beautiful landscapes. Cost: $30.00 USD per person. (First day). The second option is a zip-line consisting of 6 cables strung high among the mountains. The distance between the cables is 500 meters. Cost: $30.00 USD (Third day).
Included:
Pick up from your hotel
Transport from Cusco – Malaga High Pass – Santa María
Kona Bicycle.
Elbow and knee pads, gloves, goggles, helmet.
Rain jacket.
3 breakfasts / 3 lunches / 3 dinners
1 night accommodation in Santa Maria
1 night accommodation in Santa Teresa
1 night accommodation hostel in Aguas Calientes
Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Professional bilingual guide (English-Spanish)
First aid kit
Return bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Not included:
Entrance tickets to the Cocalmayo hot springs
Last lunch in Aguas Calientes
Tips
Optional
River Rafting
Zip Line (Canopi)
Group Size
Min 5 – Max 12
Locations Visited
High pass Malaga
Santa Maria
Santa Teresa
Hydroelectric
Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu
What to bring? (We recommended):
Walking shoes or boots.
Light clothes
Water bottle
Rain jacket, hat, sunblock, sunglasses
Chocolates, candies or another snacks
Camera
Extra money in Nuevos Soles (Peruvian national currency)
Group Service
U$D. 339.00 per person
Private Service
2 – 3 pax
4 – 5 pax
6 – 7 pax
8 – + pax
U$D. 409.00 p/p
U$D. 389.00 p/p
U$D. 369.00 p/p
U$D. 339.00 p/p
Can I book Inca Jungle without a passport?
Sudamerica travelers can book with their ID and must present when entering Machu Picchu. Tourists from other countries will have to book and present their passport to tourist attractions. It is noteworthy that must present the same document with which they made their reservation.
What is the best time of year to do the tour?
The best time for any tourism in Cusco is from late March to late November. This is the peak tourist season (no rain) and therefore recommend booking on average three (3) months in advance.
What is the average age of the participants?
Most participants are young people from different parts of the world and on average 25 years. But there are also travelers of all ages who do the tour without problems, from the very young (15 years) to adults between 40 and 60 years.
Does inka jungle tour is done throughout the year?
It is open 7 days a week, every day of the month, including holidays; but between January and March (rainy season) the Inca Jungle tour may be altered route, sudden drastic cancellations and schedule changes and mode of transport. All this because the safety of participants is a priority.
What should I bring on the tour?
It depends on the season. For high season (April to November) there is very hot during the day, so we recommend bringing light clothing for some sections of the tour. Also bring some clothes to keep warm during the beginning and end of the route (Cusco) as Cusco is located at a higher altitude and cold in the mornings and evenings. Instead, after the first hours and toward the jungle, you can feel a warm climate and light clothing is recommended but covering most of the body to prevent insect bites. Waterproof rainy season (December to March) or windbreaker clothing are essential.
Good hiking shoes that allow walking many hours continuously without damaging the feet and protect your feet wet and difficult for some sections (Goretex).
Recommended items:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Toilet paper
Moist towelettes and / or liquid soap
Sunscreen (cream) and lip balm
Sunglasses with sunscreen
Insect repellent
Camera or video
Additional elements:
Lantern
Set batteries or batteries
1 spool of thread
Rain Cover for your backpack
Small inflatable pillow
Small Knife
Small mirror
Towel
Do you need good physical condition for the tour?
It is recommended to be suitable for hiking for more than 6 continuous hours, also have practice in handling bike (downhill) is the minimum recommended. In case you do not have experience handling bike you can coordinate with the guide to avoid this sport and can accompany the group from the bus accompanying the first tranche. You can also request bicycling only the last part of the route (safer).
Can I buy food and water during the journey?
Yes, in some sections of the road you can buy bottled water, snacks and seasonal fruits, but of course at a somewhat higher price than is in the city of Cusco.
What kind of food will have on the tour?
Food based on typical dishes of Peruvian cuisine. Fruits like apples, oranges, peaches, tangerines, avocados, bananas. It also offers alternatives for vegetarians and coeliacs (to coordinate the prior with tour guide at the beginning).
How and where are the bathrooms along the tour?
Usually lunch and dinner hours we will be lodging with conventional bathrooms. If you feel the need to go to the bathroom being in full walk, then you should go for a moment off the way, look for a suitable and safe place (away from cliffs and streams), make a hole to deposit feces, then cover with soil and / or stones and collect the paper used in a bag and then deposit it in the trash.
What kind of pack need to pair this tour?
For this trip it is recommended to carry a backpack of 25-60 liter clothing required only for 4 days tour. Other luggage must be left in your hotel / hostel in Cusco otherwise may be left in our office. It is important to take only what is necessary for the 4-day trip as during the trek (2nd and 3rd day) have to carry our backpacks.
We use accommodation or camp?
Our package includes 3 nights accommodation.
The 1st night we will stay in bedrooms for maximum 4 people per room. It includes a private bathroom and cold shower.
The 2nd night we will have bedrooms for 4 persons per room includes a private bathroom and hot shower.
The 3rd night we will have double and triple rooms includes a private bathroom, hot shower and Wi-Fi.
Note: private rooms required for the first or second night you can apply at our office before starting the tour.
Do I need to have enough experience to biking?
On this tour we have a total of 3 hours in 95% downhill bike on a paved road which makes this tour uncomplicated. That is only need a intermediate experience.
How I can access the mountain Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu?
To climb some of these mountains reserve a ticket in advance is required. Huaynapicchu has an extra cost of USD $ 15 per person and reservations are recommended 3 or 4 months in advance. Machu Picchu mountain has an extra cost of USD $ 10 per person and reservations are recommended with 1 or 2 months in advance. Want to book one of the 2 mountains contact our reservations area.
How is the weather during the tour?
The first two hours (bike ride) will be cold as we will be at a high altitude, after this small section and for the rest of our tour the weather will be hot and humid (even overnight) the temperature in the morning it goes 18 to 25 degrees (up to 30 ° in the months of June, July and August) at night the temperature is 10 ° min and Max 18º, so it is recommended to wear light clothing.
What payment methods can I use?
You can make a deposit on website to confirm reservation (it is important to confirm space available before making the deposit). The balance will be paid in our office in the city of Cusco, this payment can be made in soles or dollars (no credit cards accepted).
Beware: on certain occasions will not be necessary to make the deposit, the agency will communicate if the deposit is necessary or not at the time of booking.
How I can return to Cusco at the end of the tour?
Train: to return by train there are two options from Machu Picchu Pueblo to Cusco (average 04 hours), and the other option of Machu Picchu Pueblo to Ollantaytambo (average 02 hours). Here we arrange minivan to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco (average 02 hours). Price of train tickets varies according to its schedule.
All our adventure packages to Machu Picchu as Lares Trek, Salkantay Trek, Inca trail includes train tickets.
