Inca Jungle Trek

The Inca Jungle Trek is one of the alternative hikes to Machu Picchu. While not the original Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, this route is for adventure sports lovers as it includes biking, rafting and zip lines on route to Machu Picchu.

No, the guided trek itself is not dangerous. You do need to be properly acclimated to the elevation however and it is always best to consult your doctor before starting any high altitude trek.

Hiking the Trek alone could be dangerous under unpredictable weather conditions. Fog or extreme weather conditions can disorient hikers. Solo travelers have been lost under such conditions in the past.

The difficulty of the trek is rated by hiking experts at a level of difficulty of 2-3 on a scale that reaches up to 7. The easy to moderate rating is due to the high altitude, you will need a reasonable level of fitness to complete the trek.

The Inca Jungle Trek is 50 km or 31 miles in length and reaches a maximum elevation of 14,160 feet (4,316 meters) at the highest point; Abra de Malaga. The estimated trekking time per day is 6 hours.

The Inca Jungle Trek has you lodged at rustic guesthouses and does not have camping therefore camping equipment is not necessary. Here is what is recommended:

1. Well worn-in waterproof walking boots : Good quality, comfortable footwear is essential. Whatever you wear on your feet the most important thing is comfort. It is vital to ensure your boots are well worn in and lightweight. Ankle support and waterproofing is recommended but if you already have something comfortable with good grip on rocks then don’t go rushing out to buy new boots – you are better off with your well worn in pair!

2. Waterproof clothing : A plastic poncho is recommended and can be purchased easily in Cusco.

3. Small lightweight umbrella : Light umbrellas which pack away to almost nothing can be useful to keep away drizzle.

4. Plastic bags – to keep your belongings & clothes dry (wrap everything in plastic bags).
Toilet paper – Most important! Also small plastic bags for rubbish which can then be thrown in the main rubbish bag provided by the porters.

5. Small towel & basic personal toiletries. There is an opportunity for a shower at the campsite on the third night so bring travel size shampoo and shower gel if you would like to use it, plus wet wipes for the rest of the trek.

6. Water bottle – Bring 1 large (1.5 liter) or 2/3 small water bottles which can be refilled on the trek with boiled water which will be supplied when it is possible to make camp.

7. Warm clothing for nights – Fleece, long pants, woolen hat, and gloves

8. Thermal underwear – If trekking in winter or you feels the cold

9. Walking clothing in layers – e.g. zip off trousers, fleece, T-shirts

10. Personal medication and first aid kit – Band-aids, Imodium, Panadol, re-hydration sachets

11. Camera and spare batteries, memory cards and/or film – There are no electrical
outlets on the trek so make sure you fully charge or/and have spare batteries!

12. Snacks – Chocolates, chips, biscuits, energy bars.

13. Torch – (flash-light or headlamp) – this is very important, and spare batteries.

14. Sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhat

15. Tropical strength insect repellent

16. Antiseptic hand gel

17. Swimwear – for hot pools at the Hot springs

18. Flip flops / thongs / sandals / jandals – good to change into at camp.

Trekking (long hikes):

**It’s important you bring snacks on your trip, you burn a lot of calories and do a lot of exercise walking the trek. Even if it’s not a difficult trek the high altitude of certain locations causes your body to use more energy. You may encounter abnormal hunger and thirst, for this it is recommended to bring snacks to supplement your included meals.**

The Inca Jungle Trek departs from Cusco, Peru. Our guides pick you up from your hotel or hostel near the city Center. You are then taken to Abra de Malaga, the starting point of the tour where you start the downhill biking.

We recommend running for 15 to 30 minutes daily at least 2 weeks before your trek. Upon arrival in Cusco we recommend at least 2 full days in Cusco for your body to acclimate to the high altitude to give you the best possible Salkantay Trekking experience.

Yes the trek is available to hike without a guide. However it is not recommended as hikers have become lost in the past under extreme weather conditions. 

The weather along the Jungle Inca Trek is warmer then other treks in the region as you are not approaching snowy peaks or extreme altitude. Most of the trek is hiked in High Jungle.

Here are some Average Temperature and Rainfall Charts for the area around Machu Picchu:

The Inca Trail requires a government permit to hike due to heavy demand, this makes the Inca Trail sell out quickly and have more hikers on the trek. The Inca Trail is the original route the Inca took to get to Machu Picchu and has several Inca Ruins on Route.

The Sakantay Trek does not require a government permit to hike. There is less congestion on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek also gets you close to the Salkantay Glacier, the Inca Trail does not get you close to any glaciers. The Salkantay Trekking experience has you lodge in domes, tents, cabins and hostel while the Inca Tail is all camping.

The Inca Jungle Trek breaks up the hiking with other activities such as biking, rafting and zip lines on your route to Machu Picchu. It also does not require a permit and is considered the best budget option for travelers.

While there are many, Karikuy Tours is among the best due to offering some of the best customer service and price to quality. With over 15 years experience picking the best guides to accompany you on your journey, Karikuy Tours will give you an overall great trek.

While the area around Machu Picchu can be considered the high Amazon jungle it is not in the Amazon Basin. There is still however a wide variety of plant and animal life in the area. The area around Machu Picchu is also not as warm and wet as the Amazon Basin.