Cusco Inca Jungle Trek: A Detailed 3-Day Review

Thinking about the Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu? Maybe you’re searching for something a little, maybe like a lot, more active than the usual train trip, yet with a sprinkle of the old Inca spirit? Right, so this is just a quick review of the three-day Inca Jungle Trek I experienced from Cusco. What I am covering involves what to expect, and a couple, perhaps, of helpful suggestions if you are thinking of doing it.

What is the Inca Jungle Trek?

So, the Inca Jungle Trek isn’t really one single, you know, trail. The itinerary blends a handful, maybe like a real blend, of activities: biking, trekking, and a little zip-lining often get thrown in. As a matter of fact, the starting point tends to be around Cusco, with, it is almost always, the final destination being Machu Picchu, very obviously.

The main difference with, just like, the Inca Trail is that you are trading in an, sort of, all-hiking experience for a mixture of stuff to do. As I was saying, if you aren’t up for days upon days of pretty hard trekking, but you still would like a challenge and a tiny, maybe very tiny, bit of an outdoorsy time, this is it. I want you to know that this variation gives you the opportunity to observe the area’s varied landscapes as a matter of fact, not only observing but engaging, very naturally.

Day 1: Biking Downhill and Trekking to a Homestay

The first day tends to start pretty early—we are talking a 6 AM pickup from your Cusco hostel. That means bleary-eyed faces, very bleary indeed! So the group hops onto a van, and off you go, heading to Abra Malaga. This is a high, pretty chilly mountain pass, you see, where the biking begins. So it’s pretty cold at first, but the views are seriously killer. That, I assure you.

You’re just going to be cruising downhill for, maybe like, three to four hours. On a mountain bike. Now this isn’t really technical mountain biking in a way, but you are definitely picking up some speed. You might be going past waterfalls and crazy steep cliffs! After this, a filling lunch follows and that prepares you, more or less, for an afternoon hike. In fact, expect that part to be somewhere into the cloud forest. Basically, on my tour, we went to a village, just so pretty, where we would stay with a local family. The family time? Worth the price, pretty literally.

Day 2: More Hiking and Hot Springs

So day two means you need to wake up super early in the morning, I would guess 6 am? Then you keep trekking, right now the views are bananas, so you might not even mind all the steps and the uphills too. On my trip, the guide, very friendly, took us along routes where we could actually glimpse plants used, you know, by the Incas. Pretty informative stuff.

You may well pass, I would assume you might, through some local coffee and fruit plantations as you push towards Santa Teresa in a way. That portion of the walk lasts about five to six hours. Then in the evening the group may visit the hot springs located at Cocalmayo. In short, those springs are so great for aching muscles. Trust me, so very awesome after a hard day’s walk.

Day 3: Zip-lining (Optional) and Arrival to Aguas Calientes

OK, here’s the, actually, deal. You will often have an option to, perhaps, throw in zip-lining if the thought comes to you in the morning. I have heard there are folks who feel that zip-lining seems kind of gimmicky, yet for me that, as a matter of fact, added just one more zing of excitement, seriously exciting I might add, so very high up with views for what seemed like for days, you see?

For instance, people who don’t elect to zip-line go straight onward on the trail. On the path you actually have the possibility of, perhaps, seeing a small segment, maybe a fairly little part, of the original Inca Trail. After this, everyone treks down towards Aguas Calientes. We did walk near, very near, the train lines a tiny bit which, arguably, was a little crowded. Then when the walking finally reaches Aguas Calientes? Check into a hotel. Have something to eat. Be in readiness for Machu Picchu the next morning because very early morning and late night would seem an amazing contrast. Which it is.

What to Pack

Basically, pack as, just like, you would for any hiking adventure: a daypack, trekking poles, comfortable shoes, and breathable clothes for me is vital, frankly. Anyway, Cusco sits quite high above sea level, which just might make the weather really tricky: think sun one second and then rain. Seriously, you actually have to pack rain gear with you too. And don’t just even think about passing on stuff such as sunscreen, insect repellent, plus blister cream, because you will feel the urge to put the cream on. You see, those items may be really useful, you just have to make a start somehow and the earlier the better in my experience, you know? I want you to also keep your passport handy – for, just like, the Machu Picchu entrance.

• Lightweight Backpack: For day-to-day use.
• Hiking Shoes: Break them in ahead of time!
• Rain Gear: A waterproof jacket is extremely crucial.
• Sunscreen: The sun could actually be powerful at that altitude.
• Insect Repellent: Better safe, seriously.

Things to Consider

Anyway, you need to realize that the altitude may very likely throw you a curveball. At times people book the Inca Jungle Trek thinking, I’ll cope. Truthfully, actually, some don’t. Take a handful, it doesn’t take many, days in Cusco prior to your tour so your body, possibly, gets adjusted, and hydrate heaps! Second consideration? Evaluate the group operator thoroughly. Scan testimonials to just get one where previous people give decent word. And very naturally do know what is covered. Does the tour actually take into consideration admission tickets? In addition the accommodations in Aguas Calientes, very clearly.

• Altitude: Spend a few days adjusting in Cusco first.
• Operator Reputation: Scan reviews carefully before you confirm anything.
• What’s Covered: Know what the total inclusions are in your deal before it becomes more expensive than anticipated.

Final Thoughts

So all in all, my Inca Jungle Trek would be one heck of an unforgettable memory, it would totally stay in my conscious as something that altered my life a bit, if I am allowed to be melodramatic for just one second. If, it has to be said if, the goal reads activity, just with amazing scenery combined alongside, a little sneak peek straight into Inca customs and that famous last stop just to view Machu Picchu, that trek actually would not ever fail. Just plan really carefully and you’re likely to find an unbelievable adventure, I just know that for absolute certainty.

• Mixture of Activities: Something very different everyday so less prospect of getting bored.
• Cultural Immersion: The village stay simply would be life altering.
• Machu Picchu: Really no much could just match finally getting to be there after a bit of effort.

Disclaimer: Experiences could actually vary based on conditions or that group that goes out for that time. I personally always recommend ensuring all bases get covered beforehand when choosing the travel company to potentially accompany on the adventure.