The Inca Jungle is an adventure tour in which adventure sports and walks are carried out for 4 days until finally arriving at Machu Picchu. The route owes its name to the fact that it crosses part of the province of La Convencion in the Cusco jungle. The only way to do this adventure is by hiring a tour through a tourism agency. The majority of visitors who choose this service are young. Therefore, it is one of the most adventurous and joyful ways to visit Machu Picchu.
The Inca Jungle is an excellent opportunity to have fun during the route to Machu Picchu. In the four days that it lasts you can go biking, canoeing, zipline and hiking. The nights are spent in lodgings with all the necessary comforts. All tours include transportation, entrance fees, food, lodging and constant tour guide service. Young people prefer this adventure route during their visit to Machupicchu.
The adventure tour in Machu Picchu
The Inca Jungle is a 4-day adventure tour. It is considered one of the best tours on the way to Machupicchu. During these days cycling, canoeing (optional), zipline (optional) and hiking are practiced. It also includes a relaxing afternoon in the famous thermal baths of Cocalmayo. On the morning of the last day, we visit Machupicchu by way of the town of Aguas Calientes.
The Inca Jungle requires a special organization so it can only be practiced through a tourism agency. There are 3-day and 5-day services. However, the classic route is the one that lasts 4 days. All services include: transportation, cycling equipment, lodging, food, tour guide, entrance to Machu Picchu and return to Cusco. Canoeing and zipline are optional.
The Inca Jungle tour is preferred by young people from all over the world who are looking for a dose of adventure as well as meeting people of other nationalities. Tours can be contracted with a Cusco tourism agency, either online or in person.
Summary Inca Jungle 4 days
| Difficulty |  |
| Total distance | 35 kilometers |
| Sports included | Cycling, trekking, canoeing (optional) and zipline (optional). |
| Lodging on day 1 | Santa María |
| Lodging on day 2 | Aguas Calientes |
| Highest section | Abra Málaga (4,230 m.a.s.l.). |
| Less elevated section | Aguas Calientes (2,160 m.a.s.l.). |
| Maximum temperature | Machu Picchu (24ºC. On average). |
| Minimum temperature | Abra Málaga (9ºC. On average). |
| Tourist attractions | Machu Picchu, Cocalmayo, Aguas Calientes. |
| Geographies | Mostly tropical rainforest. |
This is the Inca Jungle: day by day
This is the itinerary carried out by the vast majority of tourism agencies:
Cusco | Santa María
- The Inca Jungle begins with the pick-up of tourists in the city of Cusco and the subsequent transfer by car to the Malaga pass at the top of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- This is followed by a descent of several hours by bicycle until reaching the town of Santa María, already in the province of La Convencion (jungle of Cusco).
- In Santa María you have lunch at a local restaurant. Then, visitors who wish to do so can practice canoeing in the waters of the Vilcanota River.
- After dinner, the night is spent in a tourist lodge in Santa María.
Santa María | Santa Teresa
- The second day begins with a breakfast at the hotel. Then we continue with the walk through jungle landscapes until we arrive at the town of Santa Teresa.
- On the way, you have lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Kellomayo.
- Because the afternoon will be free, visitors who wish can relax in the thermal baths of Cocalmayo, considered the best in Cusco. The ticket is not included in the tour and has a cost of 10 Peruvian soles for foreign tourists.
- After dinner, the night is spent in a tourist accommodation in the town of Santa Teresa.
Santa Teresa | Aguas Calientes
- The morning begins with a nutritious breakfast at the hotel. Then, tourists who wish, can practice zip line in a recreational center in Santa Teresa.
- That day the walk will be along the famous Hydroelectric route. After the first section of the walk, a stop is made for lunch at a local restaurant of the Hydroelectric plant.
- The route continues parallel to the Vilcanota river and the train tracks. That day the final destination will be the town of Aguas Calientes, also called Machupicchu town because of its proximity to the Inca citadel.
- In Aguas Calientes you will have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a tourist accommodation. Tourists who wish can relax in the thermal baths of the place (not included in the tour).
Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
- The last day starts very early with breakfast at the hotel. Then start an uphill walk (8 kilometers) until arriving at the entrance gate of Machu Picchu. Tourists who wish can do this section by bus (not included in the tour).
- Once in Machu Picchu, the tour of its buildings begins with the tour guide (the same one who will accompany the visitors for the four days). After more than two hours of travel, it is time to return to Aguas Calientes.
- In Aguas Calientes, visitors will have time to have lunch (not included in the tour), stroll through the town or simply do last minute shopping.
- At the scheduled time, visitors must go to the train station to take the service that will take them to the town of Ollantaytambo. There you take a tourist minivan to finally return to the city of Cusco.
Tour prices
Prices vary depending on the tourism agency you choose. However, the average costs are between US $ 350 and US $ 450. Services can be purchased with Cusco tourism agencies, either online or in person.
This tour cannot be done on your own because it requires the organization of special equipment such as: bicycles, lodging, restaurants, etc.
Tips
The Inca Jungle, as its name suggests, crosses 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. All the rest of the year this adventure can be carried out.
If you chose this tour to visit Machu Picchu, do not forget to bring suitable clothing for the hikes as well as personal hygiene implements. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit and towel to better enjoy the Cocalmayo thermal baths on the second afternoon. A sunscreen, a hat, mosquito repellent and a poncho in case of rain are also recommended.
Learn more about this tour
All Inca Jungle tours include the basic entrance to Machu Picchu that allows you to visit the archaeological site and get the classic postcard photos. For an additional cost, the visitor can add the entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain, a short hiking route at the top of the place.
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 mainly made up of fruit plantations, coffee plantations andlas bellas orquídeas de Machu Picchu. La fauna está conformada principalmente por aves como el gallito de las rocas o mamíferos como el venado andino.
By Inca Trail Machu Picchu - Last updated, 22-08-2024
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