I’ve been on the hunt for a trip that’s more than just a standard trek, and the Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu has firmly grabbed my attention. This isn’t just a walk; it’s a full-blown, 4-day multi-sport adventure that is calling my name. The idea of combining thrilling mountain biking, adrenaline-pumping river rafting, and hiking through the thick Andean jungle to finally arrive at Machu Picchu sounds like the ultimate excursion. It’s an action-packed journey that promises to take me through some of Peru’s most stunning and varied landscapes.
What I’m most excited about is the sheer variety. One day I’ll be mountain biking through the incredible salt pans of Maras, and the next I’ll be navigating Class III and IV rapids on the Urubamba River. I can’t wait to trek along a beautiful, off-the-beaten-path section of an original Inca Trail, exploring local banana, coffee, and avocado plantations along the way. To top it all off, the journey finishes at one of the most magical locations on the planet and includes a return trip on the Vistadome train. For anyone craving an adventure that packs in as much of Peru’s incredible scenery as possible, this tour is definitely it.
The adventure is set to kick off with a 7:00 a.m. pickup from my hotel in Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m). A one-hour drive will take us to Cruzpata (11,850 ft / 3,612 m), which is where the mountain biking begins. I’m picturing myself cycling across fields of potatoes and wheat, with breathtaking views of the Andes all around. We’ll get to visit the village of Maras and explore the incredible Salineras (salt mines) as we descend into the Sacred Valley. From there, it’s a 2-hour drive in our transport to the village of Santa Maria (4,200 ft / 1,280 m) for lunch.
After lunch, the adrenaline gets turned up a notch. Following a safety briefing, we’ll hit the Urubamba River for 1.5 hours of white-water rafting. I’m thrilled that we’ll be tackling Class III and IV rapids with specialized professional guides who know these waters inside and out. After the rafting, a 30-minute hike will lead us to our resting place for the night. I’ll have dinner and spend the night in a rustic lodge, which sounds like the perfect end to an action-packed day.
I can’t wait to wake up in the Peruvian jungle to the sound of tropical birds. The day starts with breakfast and fresh homemade coffee before exploring local coffee, coca-leaf, banana, and pineapple plantations. After that, we’ll start hiking along a stunning, lost original Inca Trail that once connected Machu Picchu with Vilcabamba, the last capital of the Incas. The path will take us past avocado, manioc, orange, mango, cacao, and coffee shrubs.
After about a 4-hour hike, we’ll arrive at Quellomayu for lunch at a local restaurant. Then it’s another 4-hour walk upstream along the Urubamba River to the Cocalmayu hot springs. I’ve heard the pure volcanic water here is believed to be medicinal, perfect for soothing tired bones and muscles. After a relaxing soak in the hot pools, we’ll take a bus to the town of Santa Teresa (5,167 ft / 1,575 m). I’ll spend the night in a basic hotel with a hot shower and Wi-Fi, which sounds like pure luxury after a long day of hiking.
After breakfast in Santa Teresa, we’ll get ready for what sounds like the most beautiful day of the trip. A 1-hour drive will take us to Lucmabamba (6,561 ft / 2,000 m), where we’ll join another original Inca Trail. This path, built in the 15th century, was lost along with Machu Picchu until it was rediscovered just a few years ago. The hike is about 3 hours uphill to Llaqtapata, another incredible Inca site located right in front of Machu Picchu. This is where I’ll get my very first glimpse of the legendary citadel.
After exploring the site and soaking in the spectacular views of Machu Picchu and the Andes, we’ll start a relatively easy 2-hour downhill trek to the hydroelectric station for a well-earned lunch. The final leg of today’s journey is a hike to Aguas Calientes (6,692 ft / 2,040 m) along the train track. This part of the trek is full of history, as we’ll visit the Mandor Farms, seen by Hiram Bingham III during his 1911 expedition. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes around 5:00 p.m., our guide will take me to my hotel. We’ll enjoy a final dinner together in the evening and get ready for the grand finale tomorrow.
Today is the day. I’ll be up very early to prepare for the highlight of the entire experience. After breakfast at the hotel, I’ll take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m), arriving just as the sky begins to brighten. I’ll get to explore the citadel and visit its most important places, palaces, and temples with my guide.
After the tour, I’ll have free time to discover more on my own. Once I’m finished exploring, I’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Then, I’ll board the Vistadome train for a scenic journey back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private transfer back to Cusco. I expect to be dropped off at my hotel around 7:30 p.m., filled with memories of an unbelievable adventure.
Difficulty: Easy
It’s important to remember that there are no porters on this tour, so I’ll be carrying my own gear. The company can arrange to transfer some luggage by car where possible, which is a great help. Packing light will be key.
Essentials
Clothing & Accessories
A highly qualified professional with extensive experience in the art of guiding will lead your tour. They have years of dedication to nature walks, have medical certifications and an overflowing passion for leading people on unforgettable adventures.
We understand how essential a delicious hot meal is to revitalize and comfort your body after a challenging hike. Therefore, on each expedition with Ausangate Peru, you will find chefs with extensive experience in preparing meals during the hikes.
All our hiking trips offer a varied selection of delicious meals, rich in carbohydrates, proteins and essential fats. We have carefully selected foods that adapt perfectly to the natural environment.
Our experienced muleteers and their faithful horses are responsible for all our equipment and will always be available in the safe and comfortable camps, ready to receive us.
In general, the climate in this area is usually hot and humid, as you pass through the Amazon rainforest. But be careful! The coldest point will be in Abra Málaga because you will be at 4,350 meters above sea level / 14,272 feet and at a temperature of 09 °C / 48.2 °F.
The time spent in the highest area of the route is very short, since the Inca Jungle trek route mostly focuses on the Amazon jungle.
The highest peak you will reach will be at Abra Málaga at just over 4300 m (14,108 ft). From this point, you will descend relatively quickly while cycling.
For most of the route, the altitude does not exceed 2,000 m (6,562 ft). Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m (7,972 ft) which is relatively low. This means that altitude sickness in the Inca Jungle does not occur in travelers or is too rare.
Experiencing mild altitude sickness such as headache, dizziness or nausea is very common for visitors to Cusco. It is important that you acclimatize for a few days in Cusco before doing the Inca Jungle trek.
Travel insurance for your trek is a must as most operators will require you to carry one.
Check that your chosen insurer covers mountain biking and rafting on the Urubamba River.
The Inca Jungle, as its name suggests, runs through jungle landscapes full of vegetation. For safety reasons, it is not recommended to do the route in the rainiest months: January, February and March. These can cause landslides and accidents to people. This adventure can be carried out the rest of the year.
If you chose this tour to visit Machu Picchu, do not forget to bring appropriate clothing for hiking as well as personal hygiene items. Don’t forget to bring bathing clothes and a towel to better enjoy the Cocalmayo thermal baths on the second afternoon. Sunscreen, a cap, mosquito repellent and a poncho in case of rain are also recommended.
All Inca Jungle tours include the basic entrance to Machu Picchu that allows you to tour the archaeological site and get the classic postcard photos. For an additional cost, the visitor can add entry to Huayna Picchu Mountain, a short hiking route at the top of the site.
During the four days of the route the weather will be hot most of the time. The geography is mountainous but with abundant tropical flora and fauna. The flora is made up mainly of fruit plantations, coffee plantations and the beautiful orchids of Machu Picchu. The fauna is made up mainly of birds such as the cock-of-the-rock or mammals such as the Andean deer.
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
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