Can you imagine arriving at Machu Picchu doing various sports along the way? The Inca Jungle is a very popular tour in Cusco (Peru) through which you can reach Machu Picchu by cycling, canoeing, trekking, zip line and even relaxing in a thermal bath before visiting the Wonder of the World.

• Inca Jungle: the adventure tour to Machu Picchu
  • What is the Inca Jungle to Machu Picchu?
  • What is the Inca Jungle route?
  • What is the height during the Inca Jungle?
  • Map of the Inca Jungle Machu Picchu
  • What is the weather like during the Inca Jungle?
  • How is the flora and fauna during the Inca Jungle?
  • What sports does the Inca Jungle include?
  • Who can make the Inca Jungle?
• Sports in the Inca Jungle
  • How is the tour of the Inca Jungle?
  • Cycling during the Inca Jungle
  • Canoeing during the Inca Jungle
  • Trekking to Machu Picchu in the Inca Jungle
  • Thermal baths during the Inca Jungle
  • Zip Line during the Inca Jungle
• Inca Jungle Tours: everything you need to know
  • Is Inca Jungle dangerous?
  • What does the Inca Jungle tour include?
  • How to book the Inca Jungle?
  • Is the Inca Jungle difficult?
  • How much does the Inca Jungle cost?
  • When is the best time to do the Inca Jungle?
  • What to take to the Inca Jungle?
  • Tips during the Inca Jungle
• Other adventures to choose in Machu Picchu
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu
  • Mountain Huayna Picchu
  • Hike to the mountain Putucusi

The Inca Jungle crosses Andean landscapes as well as tropical jungles such as: the Abra Malaga, the thermal baths of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa, the town of Aguas Calientes and the Inca City of Machu Picchu.

Inca Jungle: the adventure tour to Machu Picchu

What is the Inca Jungle to Machu Picchu?

• The Inca Jungle tour is a tour that departs from the City of Cusco and ends in Machu Picchu, after 4 days and 3 nights after the completion of a series of adventure sports such as: cycling, trekking, canoeing and zip line.
• The Inca Jungle is one of the most popular tours in Peru.

What is the Inca Jungle route?

• The Inca Jungle begins in the city of Cusco and ends at Machu Picchu.
• During the journey you will cross the Sacred Valley of the Incas , then enter the jungle of Cusco to finally reach the Wonder of the World.

This is the route during the 4 days of the tour:

• 1st day: Cusco – Abra Málaga – Village of Santa María.
• 2nd. day: Santa María – Thermal baths – Village of Santa Teresa.
• 3rd day: Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric – Town of Aguas Calientes.
• 4th day: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco.

What is the height during the Inca Jungle?

• The Inca Jungle crosses its highest point in the so-called ‘Abra Málaga’ (4,230 meters above sea level).
• The lowest point is in the town of Aguas Calientes (2,000 masl), also known as Machu Picchu town.

Map of the Inca Jungle Machu Picchu

• The Inca Jungle starts in the city of Cusco.
• After doing several adventure sports, we visit the Inca City of Machu Picchu.
• The return to the city of Cusco is by train and bus.

Tourists doing the Inca Jungle

What is the weather like during the Inca Jungle?

• The climate during the Inca Jungle is varied.
• The coldest point is at the Abra Málaga (average temperature of 9ºC during the day). Then you descend to the tropical climate of the jungle.
• The warmest point is in the town of Santa Teresa (day temperature up to 26ºC.).

How is the flora and fauna during the Inca Jungle?

• The Inca Jungle is characterized by beautiful landscapes during the tour.
• On the way you can see vizcachas, llamas, spectacled bears, cock of the rocks and a variety of orchids.
• In addition, plantations of bananas, mangoes, oranges and more are traversed.

4 days seems like too much time for the Inca Jungle? There is another 3-day service, which accelerates the pace of the treks to arrive before Machu Picchu. However, the most popular Inca Jungle tour is the one that lasts 4 days.

What sports does the Inca Jungle include?

• The Inca Jungle includes the following adventure sports:
  • Cycling (included).
  • Hike (included).
  • Boating (not included).
  • Zipline (not included).

Who can make the Inca Jungle?

• The Inca Jungle is available for tourists of all ages.
• However, the tour is recommended for tourists in good physical shape.
• Older adults should check with their doctor before the tour.
• Minors must be used to physical efforts and take the tour in the company of their parents.

Sports in the Inca Jungle

How is the tour of the Inca Jungle?

• Inca Jungle tours may vary depending on the travel agency. However, in general, everyone follows this itinerary:

Day 1: Cusco – Santa María:

• Pick up from the visitor’s hotel.
• Travel by bus from Cusco to ‘Abra Málaga’ through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• Descent by bicycle from ‘Abra Málaga’ to the town of Santa María.
• Lunch.
• Adventure in canoeing along the Vilcanota River (Optional).
• Lodging in Santa María.

Day 2: Santa María – Santa Teresa:

• Breakfast.
• Walk from Santa María to Santa Teresa through ancient Inca trails.
• Lunch in the town of Kellomayo.
• Relax in the thermal baths of Cocalmayo.
• Dinner and lodging in the town of Santa Teresa.

Day 3: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes:

• Breakfast.
• Adventure in the Zip Line (optional).
• Walk to the ‘Hydroelectric’ station.
• Lunch.
• ‘Hydroelectric’ walk to the town of Aguas Calientes.
• Dinner and lodging in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village).

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Cusco:

• Breakfast.
• Walk up from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (optional take bus).
• Tour with tourist guide by Machu Picchu.
• Free visit to Machu Picchu.
• Hike down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (optional bus).
• Return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Return by bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Cycling during the Inca Jungle

• The first sport that takes place in the Inca Jungle is cycling. This route starts at the highest point of the route at the Abra Málaga (4,230 masl / 13,877 ft).
• From there you descend in the company of an expert guide for 2 or 3 hours until you reach the town of Santa María.
• Cycling is included in all tours to the Inca Jungle.

Cyclists in Malaga

Canoeing during the Inca Jungle

• Boating is an optional sport during the Inca Jungle.
• It is carried out in the waters of the Vilcanota River in the company of an expert guide.
• The difficulty of the adventure depends on the time of year.
• Between April to October, the waters are suitable for exciting trips of little risk.
• Between November to March, the river is only suitable for boating experts.

Trekking to Machu Picchu in the Inca Jungle

• Walks are made at several points of the Inca Jungle.
• The trek from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa walk old Inca trails.
• The stretch from Santa Teresa to Aguas Calientes, crosses one of the most incredible landscapes before reaching Machu Picchu.
• The difficulty of the walks is not demanding.

Thermal baths during the Inca Jungle

• The thermal baths of Cocalmayo are an optional stop during the Inca Jungle.
• The pools are outdoors and have a temperature of up to 44ºC.
• This section is an opportunity to relax after several hours of walking.

Zip Line during the Inca Jungle

• This extreme sport is another option during the Inca Jungle.
• It takes place in the town of Santa Teresa, at the beginning of the third day.
• The experience is doubly incredible due to the beauty of the landscape.
• Then, the visitors meet the group to continue with the trip to Machu Picchu.

Inca Jungle Tours: everything you need to know

Is Inca Jungle dangerous?

• The Inca Jungle is a safe adventure.
• The tour is carried out in the company of a professional tour guide trained in solving emergency situations.

What does the Inca Jungle tour include?

In general, a tour to the Inca Jungle includes the following:

• Transport to the ‘Abra Málaga’.
• Professional guide throughout the tour.
• Bicycle and safety implement.
• 3 nights of lodging (in Santa María, Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes).
• Food during the tour (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• Entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Transportation by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Transportation by bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Optional services in the Inca Jungle:

• Entrance to the Thermal Baths of Cocalmayo.
• Boating service and its implements.
• Zip line service and its implements.
• Transportation by bus (from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa).

How to book the Inca Jungle?

• Inca Jungle reserves are made in a tourism agency through the internet.
• It is also possible to buy the tour directly at a tourist agency located in the Historic Center of Cusco.

Is the Inca Jungle difficult?

• The Inca Jungle has a moderate difficulty. Adventure sports do not require significant physical effort.
• In total, approximately 35 kilometers of trekking are covered by easy routes of great scenic beauty.

How much does the Inca Jungle cost?

• The Inca Jungle costs approximately $ 300 U D. However, this price varies according to the tourism agency and the quality of the service they provide.

When is the best time to do the Inca Jungle?

• The best time to do the Inca Jungle to Machu Picchu is in the dry season (April to October).
• During those months, the days are sunnier, the nights are colder and the rains are unusual. Those days are ideal for outdoor excursions.

What to take to the Inca Jungle?

It is recommended to take the following to the Inca Jungle tour:

• Hat or hat
• Sunscreen.
• Repellent against mosquitoes.
• Shoes for trekking.
• Canteen with water.
• Cotton clothes for 4 days.
• Rain poncho (in case of precipitation).
• Bathing suit and towel (for the thermal baths of Cocalmayo).
• Backpack for trekking.
• Extra cash money (if needed).
• Photographic camera.

Tips during the Inca Jungle

The Inca Jungle to Machu Picchu is one of the most incredible experiences in Peru. To fully enjoy this adventure, it is recommended to take into account the following:

• The Inca Jungle is recommended for young people of any nationality. However, there are cases of adults with advanced age who wish to do this adventure.
• The Inca Jungle does not cover places that can cause soroche (altitude sickness). However, it is recommended to acclimatize at least 1 day in the city of Cusco before starting the tour.
• Is not he in good physical shape? The Inca Jungle is not difficult. It is recommended to prepare physically at least 1 week before the tour.
• Do not feel prepared for extreme sports? Many sports in the Inca Jungle are only optional.
• Do you want to make the Inca Jungle with your group of friends or family? There are private tours. You just have to request it at the tourist agency of your choice.

Other adventures to choose in Machu Picchu

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

• The Inca Trail is the most popular adventure in Machu Picchu.
• It is a 4-day and 3-night hiking trail through the ancient roads built by the Incas that led to Machu Picchu.
• It travels almost 40 kilometers until arriving at Machu Picchu through the Intipunku (Puerta del Sol), just as the Incas did hundreds of years ago.

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu

• A trekking route to Machu Picchu that lasts 5 days, 4 nights and that crosses the ‘Abra Salkantay’, one of the highest mountains of Cusco.
• This route is famous for visiting beautiful landscapes. The entrance to the Inca City is by the town of Aguas Calientes.
• This route has a challenging difficulty: you must make the tour through a tourism agency.

Mountain Huayna Picchu

• The Huayna Picchu mountain is the summit located north of the Inca City.
• In this mountain there are Inca stairs as well as a famous construction called the ‘Temple of the Moon’.
• Going up the stairs and reaching the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain is considered one of the best short walks on the planet.
• The entrance to this mountain is with the ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu.
• Only tourists older than 12 years old are allowed to enter.

Hike to the mountain Putucusi

• The Putucusi mountain is one of the peaks that surround Machu Picchu
• Admission to this summit is free.
• You must leave from the town of Aguas Calientes and follow a little signalized path until you reach some wooden stairs that lead to the top of Putucusi.
• This hike has a challenging difficulty. If you do not have the necessary experience, the adventure can be dangerous.

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, December 17, 2019