EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

Inca Jungle trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days and 3 Nights

The Inka Jungle Trail is considered as one of the most beautiful and complete alternative routes to get to Machu Picchu, because this trek is flexible. On the way, we´ll be able to take long walks during 4 days or we´ll have the option to go on the mountain bike circuit on the first day. It starts at an altitude of 4,215 meters and ends at 2,220 m. above sea level, enjoying landscapes from the rustic “puna” or highlands, all the way to the tropical forest, as well as the visit of archaeological complexes or small sections of Incas trails with stone stairs, that are little visited by tourists, beautiful waterfalls, natural thermal baths, exotic fruit and the daily life of the area´s settlers with whom we´ll be able to share friendly moments.
biking-inka-jungle-trail (RAFTING OPTIONAL: S/ 100 or US$ 35) Pick up time is 5:30 a.m. We will leave the Imperial City of Cusco and head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is here that we will have our buffet style breakfast. We will continue on to Abra Málaga (4 350 meters) (14 160 ft), the starting point of our biking tour. After a short explanation to help orientate you, your guide will provide you with the necessary equipment for the activity. We will the begin our 3-hour, bicycle descent 55km (34.18 miles) until we reach the town of Huamanmarca. During the trip we will experience the beauty of the snow-capped mountains and the tropical forest. It is here in the tropical forest that our Peruvian Amazon adventure begins. We will cross small streams and we will enjoy the change from cold to a tropical climate. During the journey we will stop several times to review bicycles and equipment. We will arrive at the town of Santa María (1 200 masl)(3,937.01 ft.), where we will have our lunch and stay for our first night in a hotel. In the afternoon we have the option of rafting on the Vilcanota River (US $ 35 per person). This river offers category III and III + rapids. For this activity we will give you helmets, windbreaks and category V life jackets. This activity is available between the months of April to December, and you must be able to swim to participate in accordance with Peruvian law. (B, L and D / Basic hotel). That is our first day of Inca jungle trail to Machu Picchu.
santa-maria-senderismo After a delicious breakfast, we will be ready to make the first day of trekking to Santa Teresa. The first two hours of our tour we will ascend the terrain. On the way we will have several stops to learn a little more about the richness in flora and fauna of the area in which we will find ourselves. We will also stop at the home of a local family, where we will learn about their customs and traditions. Later we will cross a section of the Inca Trail that formerly connected the Sacred City of the citadel Machu Picchu to the last Inca refuge, Vilcabamba. Here our guide will explain a little more about the history of the Incas and also the Incan communication system (the route of the Incas). At this point we have the pleasure of experiencing some of the most impressive views of the Huancarccasa canyon, the majestic Salkantay. We will then descend to the town of Quellomayo, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch and a relaxing rest in the hammocks of the restaurant. We will continue with the last two hours of our hike to arrive at the thermal baths of Cocalmayo, where we will spend a while enjoying this enchanting place. When the whole group is ready, our private transport will take you to the town of Santa Teresa, where we will spend our second night (B, L and D / Basic hotel).
canopy_santa_teresa (ZIP LINE OPCIONAL: S/ 100 O US$ 35) On day three we will have the opportunity to do the zip line activity with one of the highly trusted operators in the area. This activity is optional and lasts approximately two hours. We will then have breakfast. After breakfast, we will board our transport to the hydroelectric plant, where the government control is located and the entrance to Machu Picchu National Park (Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary). At this point we will start our trekking to the town of Aguas Calientes, passing through the area called Intihuatana, a small archaeological site where the guide will share an explanation to better understand the site. Then we will continue to Inka Rakay, where we will enjoy our lunch. During the journey, we will enjoy and contemplate the majesty of the Machu Picchu mountains, Huayna Picchu as well as other agrological sites in the heights of the mountain. We will finish the hike in the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the third night of the tour (B, L and D / Basic hotel).
machu-picchu-cusco-peru Today you have the option of using the bus services to arrive to the archeological site of Machu Picchu. The prices are the following: (Optional Machu Picchu bus: One Way = S / 40 or US $ 12 or Round Trip S / 80 or US $ 24). If you plan on hiking Mt. Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu you must make reservations in advance to your trip and the fee is S / 70 or US $ 20. This is the most important day of the tour, today you will visit one of the seven wonders of the world. The tour will start very early, to appreciate the sunrise in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Our day will start at 4:00 a.m., with the option of hiking or taking the bus (extra cost: US $ 12). Once inside the archaeological site, your a two-hour guided tour inside the Inca city of Machu Picchu, you will see its most important temples, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, etc. You will then be free to explore Machu Picchu on your own. If you booked in advance, to hike Mt. Huayna Picchu (height: 2,800 meters)(9,186.35 ft.) or Machu Picchu mountain (height: 3 082 meters)(10,111.55 ft.) you will have that opportunity after your guided tour. You must make the reservations to hike either mountain three months in advance for an additional cost of US $ 20. Space is limited to only 400 people a day to climb Mt. Huayna Picchu. We also recommend allowing time to relax, meditate and rest while taking advantage of the magical and spiritual energies of this great wonder. After you have finished enjoying Machu Picchu, you will return to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco (train not included). You can buy tickets at perurail.com or incarail.com (No meals included) Important:
  • If you want to access to the Huayna Picchu mountain, must pay$ 20 (twenty dollars)
  • All the buses the coming back from the Inca Trail leave the passengers one block from the main square, you are going to return to the hotel by yourself.
  • Professional bilingual guide (English – Spanish)
  • Pre-departure orientation meeting, (5:30pm 2 days before).
  • Pick up from accommodation in Cusco and transfer to Abra Málaga
  • Bicycles ,helmet and gloves.
  • First Aid kit.
  • 2 nights’ accommodation in basic hostels
  • 1 nights accommodation in a hostel in Aguas Calientes (own bathroom and hot water)
  • 3 lunches, 3 dinners and 3 breakfast.
  • Return bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
  • Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
  • Train back to Ollantaytambo (standard expedition Service, if you would like to make a change to the service, or request a specific departure time, please let us know).
  • Bus from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco.
  • Purified water.
  • Breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 4.
  • Snacks.
  • Tips for guides, porters and cooks.
What to Bring
  • Back Pack
  • Sturdy Hiking shoes
  • Warm and comfortable clothes
  • Rain jacket or a Poncho (especially for rainy season Nov-March)
  • Plastic bags to store your spare clothes
  • Flashlight and batteries, pocket knife, matches
  • Camera
  • Water bottle, preferably metal so it is more heat-resistant
  • A good supply of mineral water OR purification tablets
  • Hat and / or beanie to protect you from the sun and the cold
  • Sunglasses
  • High factor sun block & insect repellent
  • Toilet paper
  • Some extra snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate)
  • Towel
  • Swimsuit (recommend for the hot springs)
  • Cash (soles)
  • Personal medical kit
  • Original passport and ISIC Card (if you have one). Photocopies are not acceptable.
If you change your passport after booking, you must send us details of your new passport immediately.
From 380 USD BOOK HERE reservas@leadingperutravel.com