Day 1: Cusco – Pispitayoc (Biking and Rafting)

After enjoying breakfast with your tour group, you’ll go by mini-bus to the starting point. From here - the mountain Abra Malaga – you’ll do the exhilarating 3-hour descent by bike. During this downhill challenge, you’ll pass stunning views and picturesque villages.

After an excellent lunch, you’ll start the rafting* adventure, encountering rapids of class III and IV. There’s also an alternative walking tour to enjoy this afternoon. At the end of this busy program, you’ll get to hike to the beautiful ecological lodge in the town of Santa Rosa. You’ll stay the night in a local, rural house.

*Rafting is only available in dry season.

Day 2: Pispitayoc (Ecolodge) - Santa Teresa (Trekking)

You’ll be picked up and taken on a guided tour to the Sacred Valley of The Incas. This is a beautiful walk along the riverbanks, followed by a 30-minute climb. On the way, you’ll see small coffee plantations, birds, fruit trees, and many other lovely plants such as orchids.

After arriving to the top of the mountain, you’ll get a spectacular view of the Urubamba valley. This will be followed by a 2.5-hour descent to the village of Qellomayo. Here you can take a break, before starting a 3-hour trek, going through farms, rivers, and waterfalls until arriving at the hot water springs of Santa Teresa for some rest and relaxation.

From here, it's just another 40-minute walk until reaching the town of Santa Teresa, where you’ll sleep for the night.

Day 3: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes (Zip-lining and Hiking)

You’ll continue exploring the roads less travelled, starting at the town of Santa Teresa. If you reserved for the zip-lining, then now’s the time you’ll do this exciting activity (later you’ll be taken by bus to the hydroelectric). If not, then you’ll continue hiking for approximately 3 hours until reaching the hydroelectric. Here, everybody will regroup for a delicious lunch.

After a break, the journey will continue along the path for 3 hours, going past waterfalls, and coca and coffee farms, until arriving to the town of Aguas Calientes. You’ll be taken to the hostel at around 4.00pm where you’ll stay the night. In the evening, you can join the rest of your tour group in a restaurant for a great dinner, and have a briefing about the trek to Machu Picchu.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The last – and most important – day is off to an early start! You’ll follow an ascending route through the high forest, with a chance of catching the beautiful sunrise. On arrival to the legendary Machu Picchu, your guide will show you round the site for approximately 2 hours. Later, you’ll be free to enjoy the Incan citadel on your own. If you reserved the hiking to Huayna Picchu, you’ll do this for about 2.5 hours. The path is very steep at some points, but it’s well worth it.

In the afternoon, you’ll descend to Aguas Calientes to rest or to buy souvenirs. Be ready for the train to Ollantaytambo at 9.50pm. It will arrive into Cusco late at night, at around 12.30am. Note: The train time depends on which train ticket you reserve.

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DAY 1:

CUSCO – PISPATAYOC (BIKING & RAFTING)

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DAY 1:

OVERNIGHT IN A LOCAL RURAL HOUSE

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DAY 2:

PISPATAYOC – SANTA TERESA (TREKKING)

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DAY 2:

OVERNIGHT IN A LOCAL RURAL HOUSE

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DAY 3:

SANTA TERESA – AGUAS CALIENTES (ZIP-LINING AND HIKING)

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DAY 3:

HOT SPRINGS

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DAY 3: 4.00PM

ARRIVAL TO HOSTEL IN AGUAS CALIENTES

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DAY 3:

GROUP DINNER & MACHU PICCHU BRIEFING

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DAY 4:

MACHU PICCHU

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DAY 4: 9.50PM

TRAIN DEPARTS FROM AGUAS CALIENTES TO OLLANTAYTAMBO (the time depends on your train reservation)

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DAY 4:

RETURN TO CUSCO LATE AT NIGHT

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- Hotel pick up
- Mini-bus transportation from Cusco to Abra Malaga, and support during the trail to Santa Maria
- Bicycles with front suspension, safety helmets and gloves
- 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and 3 breakfasts
- 2 nights in a shelter house with basic services
- 1 night in a hostel (with a private bathroom and hot water) on the last night
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Bilingual professional guide service throughout the 4 days
- Machu Picchu return train journey from Piscacucho to Ollantaytambo, and a mini-bus to Cusco
- Assistant guide (for more than 11 passengers)
- First aid provided
- Vegetarian meals choice (without additional cost)

- Round trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu (US$24.00)
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain
- Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day
- Snacks and additional meals
- Ticket for hot springs in Santa Teresa (S/.10.00)
- Mineral water during the trip
- Rafting (US$30.00)
- Zip-lining (US$30.00)

- A sweater to avoid the cold
- Sports clothes
- Shoes for walking
- Flashlight
- Mosquito repellent
- Cap or hat
- Sun glasses
- Rain jacket or rain coat
- Extra money
- Sunblock

No booking available at the time.

1. I cannot find my accommodation listed in the operator pick up locations when making my booking. What should I select?

   This operator only offers pick-ups from the hotel and hostel accommodation listed, this covers over 90% of the accommodation providers in the area. They do not provide pick-ups or drop-offs at private residences, Airbnbs, bus terminals etc. Select an alternative close by and be ready there for pick-up at the time on your booking confirmation.

2. What is the difference between Salkantay and the Inca Jungle Trek?

   Salkantay is full-on trekking, whereas the Inca Jungle mixes trekking, rafting, mountain biking and other activities.

3. How physically fit do I need to be?

   The Inca Jungle Trek can range in difficulty however, most are classified as a moderate level. The Machu Picchu complex itself is not difficult, most people do not have any problems.

4. How do I avoid altitude sickness?

   Take Soroche (Diamox) pills, eat small meals, drink coca tea, drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol (it’s a dehydrator). The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to acclimatize yourself. The recommended approach for acclimatization is to ascend gradually, spending at least 24 hours at every 2,000ft increase in altitude.

5. What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?

   Common symptoms of altitude sickness (sometimes called acute mountain sickness) can be similar to a bad hangover, and may include headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. A severe headache (that is not relieved by medication), nausea and vomiting, and increasing fatigue or shortness of breath may indicate more serious problems – seek medical attention.

6. Are there any student discounts?

   Yes, there is a student discount. These discounts are only valid if you have an ISIC card and it matches your passport. They are very strict with this. You must bring your original I.D. to enter Machu Picchu.

7. Where is Machu Picchu?

   Machu Picchu is near a town called Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Town. From there, it is a 1.5 hour hike up steps, or a 20-minute bus ride to the complex itself.

8. Where is Huayna (Wayna) Picchu?

   Huayna Picchu Mountain is the peak located to the north of Machu Picchu citadel. It is the backdrop to the classic image of Machu Picchu. The peak offers inspiring views of the ruins and 360° views of the area. The climb to the summit takes 45 minutes, it is a challenging trek and is very steep in parts. Limited to 400 a day, tickets must be purchased as a combo ticket at the same time as your entrance to Machu Picchu. This ticket cannot be purchased separately and is always in high demand. It costs approximately $10 extra.

9. What is Machu Picchu Mountain?

   Machu Picchu Mountain is the peak located to the south-west of Machu Picchu citadel. The trek offers unparalleled sights of the ruins and panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. The trek is wide and well-marked. It is a moderate/challenging trek and takes 90 minutes to ascend. Limited to 800 a day, tickets must be purchased as a combo ticket at the same time as your entrance to Machu Picchu. This ticket cannot be purchased separately. It costs around $5 extra.

10. What are the hours of operation?

    The site is open daily from 6am until 5pm. It’s open every day of the year, including public holidays, Christmas and New Year.

11. Why is the train so expensive?

    Peru Rail and Inca Rail are the two operators which have a duopoly on the route, so they can maintain very high prices.

12. Where can I leave my bags?

    You can leave your bags at your Cusco hostel/hotel. Note, if you take the train there are bag restrictions.

13. Is the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu worth it?

    The walk up to Machu Picchu can be seen as part of the experience. However, the bus is an option for those who are tired after a long trek, or who just want to save their energy for all the walking at the top.

14. What kind of weather can we find in Machu Picchu?

    Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude level than Cusco. It contains part of the jungle, and the rains are present during all seasons. During the hottest days, the temperature can reach approximately 26° Celsius (79ºF), and during the cool, early mornings, the temperature can drop to -2° C (-36ºF). The best months to visit Machu Picchu are May and June, since they are the mildest ones.

15. Will I have problems with altitude sickness on this tour?

    Altitude sickness can catch many travellers a little bit off guard. Not everyone gets sick in high altitudes, and it is difficult to predict who is likely to be badly affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time, 1 to 2 days for most people. If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, do not fly directly into high altitude - proceed slowly, allowing your body time to acclimatise as you ascend gradually. However, for many that is not possible, so it’s important to drink lots of water, and to slow down! This sounds simple, but both of these things are very important. Your body is struggling because you don’t have enough oxygen, so avoiding any strenuous activity is a good idea. Chew some coca leaves - the native people of South America have been chewing coca for centuries, thanks to its ability to alleviate mild altitude sickness symptoms. Coca leaves can be bought in any supermarket, and even souvenir shops or street stalls. Take altitude sickness pills (Soroche): these are sold over the counter all over Peru and Bolivia, and are just a few dollars. If you are flying straight into altitude over 2500metres without spending any time at an intermediate elevation, and you’re worried about getting sick, you can ask your doctor for more specific and stronger altitude sickness medication in advance. In the rare case that your symptoms are more severe than a headache and mild dizziness, you should descend in altitude and seek medical assistance.