Inca Jungle trail to Machu Picchu 4 days and 3 days

GENERAL INFORMATION

TRAVEL STYLE: Trek

MINIMUM GROUP: 02 persons

DEPARTURES: Subject to availability

Description:

The Inka Jungle trail is a tour of four days that allows you to explore Peru with fellow travelers from around the world. Together, we will walk an ancient Inca circuit while enjoying adventure sports and experiential tourism. This tour includes access to Machu Picchu and alternate mountains, such as “Old Mountain” or “Huaynapicchu” (subject to availability).

The Inka Jungle Trail is geared to travelers of any age and physical condition. This trail is considered to be easier than the Salkantay Trek or Choquequirao Trek without losing 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). A shorter tour would override the second day (walk) of the original Inca trail. The Inka Jungle tour starts around 6:30 am (approximately) and therefore requires participants to 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 Inca culture.
Trek to the Lost City of the Incas deep into the jungle with a local and English-speaking guide.
Enjoy four days of adventure and culture on the Inca Jungle Trail, located in the high jungle region of northern Cusco.

Full itinerary:

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 at 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 for 25 minutes to Pispitatos village, which is located in the middle of the mountain and forest. We will spend the night in the eco house, and a delicious dinner and breakfast are provided the next day.

Day 2: Santa María – Qellomayo – Cocalmayo – Santa Teresa

After a yummy breakfast, we will begin hiking and 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, which is approximately 2 more hours. We end up at the Cocalmayo (optional) and afterward reach the town of Santa Teresa. We will spend the night here with our overnight accommodation and then enjoy dinner and breakfast the next day.

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 the next day.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

At 5:00 am, 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 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.

Optional visit at Machu Picchu

Visit 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 raft for 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 on the Trail

• Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek to go over the itinerary, meet your guide(s) and answer any questions
• Collection from your Cusco hotel in the morning
• Private bus transport to start the trek and back to Cusco
• Personal porter to carry your overnight gear up to 8kg/17.6lbs
• Dry bag in which to put your overnight gear so it won’t get wet or dusty on the trail
• 3-person, 4-season tents (2 people in a large and comfortable Mountain Hardwear Expedition tent)
• One-inch thick foam mattress pad
• Toilet tent and toilet and toilet paper
• English-speaking professional guide
• Full meals on the trek (3 meals per day, tea time every afternoon, and snacks on the trail)
• First-aid kit, including emergency oxygen tank and emergency horse
• Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
• Dining and cooking tents with tables and stools
• Dietary needs: able to cater to any dietary preference/need
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food, cooking equipment, and your duffel bags)
• Hot water every morning and evening for hand-washing purposes
• Boiled water to fill your water bottle every morning and afternoon
• Entrance to the Ausangate trail

Not included

• Flights
• Hotel before/after trek
• Dinner on the last day
• Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
• Entrance to hot springs
• Travel interruption & travel medical/evacuation insurance (required)
• Tip for your guide(s) and trek staff are optional but highly encouraged if you enjoy your trek

Recommendations:

• Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
• Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek
• Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
• Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore we recommend bringing your own pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you might want to have (camp pillow, etc).
• Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm
• Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
• Optional: microspikes in case of excessive snowfall (rare)
• Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers)
• Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
• Hand warmers if you wish
• Warm hats, gloves, scarves, and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!)
• Daypack and rain cover
• Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), or you can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
• Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
• Swimsuit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every trek/trip has this) if you wish to go
• Sandals
• Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
• Insect repellent if you plan to visit Machu Picchu
• Hand sanitizer and face covering (for the COVID-19 Pandemic)
• Extra snacks if you wish (a few snacks are provided by us)
• E.g. if you have a favorite protein bar (Cusco doesn’t sell items like this)
• First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own)
• Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
• Camera, extra memory cards, batteries, and solar panel/power bank
• Water bottle or water bladder to refill
• Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries)
• Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc)
• Power plug adapter
• Travel lock(s) approved by TSA (or they cut them off – US only)
• Tickets, itinerary, emergency contact information
• Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need (see suggestions below)
• Small quick-dry pak towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day

A minimum of 2 trekkers is required for this trek. Maximum of 10 trekkers in a group.

Private treks, single trekkers, custom treks, large groups, and packages are welcome. Please email us to customize.

What to carry – Daypacks

On the trail, you should carry a day pack with your camera, water bottle or bladder, snacks, hand sanitizer, face mask, cold weather clothing, and rain gear or poncho in case of rain (unlikely in the dry season – May to October) and anything you will need before dinner as horses do not walk alongside you. A recommended packing list is sent after you book the trip and can be found below under the “What To Pack For Your Trek” tab. We will provide you with a dry bag for your overnight gear to be carried by horses. Your bag will be waiting for you at every campsite. Yes, we can store your luggage for you during the trek. Most hotels/hostels also provide this service.

• For more information, you can write to us by emailing reservas@huntingtreasuresperu.com.