Machupicchu
Inka Citadel, World Wonder
Our Inka Jungle Tour is recommended for younger travelers looking for adventure, may want to spend less on a tour, and who enjoy travelling in larger groups (around 12).
An alternative to the famous “Inka Trail”, this 3-day expedition combines adventure sports, including mountain biking, canoeing, zip-lining, and hiking, all before reach our ultimate destination: Machu Picchu.
Along the journey, travelers will experience diverse landscapes and climates, witness the variety of Peruvian wildlife, as well as plantations of coffee, coca, corn and fruit. Accommodations are arranged in the small towns and the communities we will visit along the way.
The Inka Jungle Backpacker is our most popular tour among young travelers seeking adventure and excitement, set against a backdrop of Peruvian nature and ancient Inca history.
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco - Santa María (Biking and Rafting)
Starting at 6:00 am, all participants are picked up from their respective locations and are then transported to Abra Málaga, with an altitude of 4300 meters in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Here we begin on bicycle, descending several thousand meters to arrive at the town of Santa María. After a well-deserved lunch we then have the chance to go on a 3-hour rafting journey (+$30 at booking) We will then be transported back to our lodging in the town of Santa Maria, where we will enjoy dinner together and spend our first night.
Day 2 Santa María - Santa Teresa (Trekking and Thermal Pools)
After beginning the day with a warm breakfast, we continue on our journey along an ancient Inca road to the village of Kellomayo. On this trek we cross diverse landscapes and climates, witnessing picturesque vistas of plantations of coffee, cocoa, coca, corn, and fruits.
After lunch, we continue trekking crossing one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world and eventually arriving at the thermal pools of Santa Teresa (Cocalmayo). Here we have the opportunity enjoy the restorative hot springs before undertaking one more short trek (approximately 30 minutes) to the town of Santa Teresa where we will spend our second night.
Continuamos nuestra caminata hasta llegar a los Baños Termales Medicinales de cocalmayo. Luego de un relajante baño, nos dirigimos al pueblo de Santa Teresa llegando aproximadamente a las 5:00 pm.Here oftentimes groups will unwind together while enjoying a well deserved ‘pisco sour’ in one of the small but cozy pubs of Santa Teresa.
Day 3 Santa Teresa - Aguas Calientes (Zip Line and Trekking)
The 3rd day features the most exhilarating of the adventure activities – the Zip Line. The morning is spent flying through mountain valleys and the Peruvian high jungle. Afterwards we will have lunch in close to the Hidroeléctrica (Hydroelectric) station, here is the beginning of our walk along the tracks to Aguas Calientes.
Along this 3 hour hike, the guide will provide historical context, describing the route of the great explorers who first discovered Machu Picchu in the early 1900s.
In the evening we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and coordinate our visit to Machu Picchu with our guide for the following day. The last night of the tour will be spent in a comfortable hostel at the foot of the great archaeological wonder.
Day 4 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Cusco
At 4:00 am in the morning, we will begin our climb to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, hopefully to witness the sunrise at the summit. After entering the archaeological complex at approximately 6:30 am, we will have a 2-hour tour from our guide, after which we will be free to explore the site independently.
This is also the point where we will have the opportunity to climb some of the optional mountains: Huayna Picchu or Montaña Vieja. These spectacular sites are where some of the most iconic Machu Picchu photographs are taken, however they must be reserved in advance.
That afternoon we will descend to the village of Aguas Calientes where we will rest and have the opportunity to pick up any crafts or souvenirs while we wait for our return train. The train will take us in the direction of Ollantaytambo, where we will meet our transport and be brought back to Cusco – the final destination of our Inka Jungle tour.
The Inka Jungle Tour is an 4-day expedition combining adventure sports (mountain biking, canoeing, zip-lining, hiking) and a tour of the ultimate destination: Machu Picchu. The Backpacker package is the more budget friendly version, preferred by young people who come to Cusco from all over the world in search of adventure and the iconic Inca ruins. This package has daily departures of roughly 12 people per group. Accommodation and meals are provided by the communities we visit during the 4-day trek and allows us to support the local people and economies.
Departure & Return
Cusco
Departure Time
6:00 am
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
- Pick up from hostel or hotel
- Round trip transportation
- 3 nights accomodation
- All meals (except lunch & dinner on last day)
- Official guide
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Water, snacks or other extras
- Lunch / Dinner on the last day
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (option to walk)
- Tips
We suggest:
- Clothes for 4 days of walking
- Trekking shoes and water proof rain jacket
- Hat, sun block, sun glasses, insect repellent
- Flashlight, spare batteries and chargers
- Passport and personal medicine
