Short Inka Jungle Trail + Machu Picchu 3D/2N
Hiking and Adventure
Easy
3 Days and 2 nights
4,316m/14,160ft
7 Cº / 30 Cº
Price from: 329USDper person
- We highly recommend to contact us via email before making the deposit (to comfirm availability).
- Consider that this is only a PARTIAL PAYMENT, the final price of the tour can be requested via email. be aware this partial payment is NON-REFUNDABLE by any circunstance.
Description
The Short Inca Jungle 3d tour to Machu Picchu is the most requested trekking for all tourists who have little time in Cusco, as it offers 3 days of adventure such as Biking, Rafting and Zip Line, together with the trekking to Machu Picchu National Park, which can only be accessed by those who get a ticket many months in advance.
It is advisable to have the entrance permit to Machu Picchu through a local travel agency in Cusco, and Lorenzo Expeditions has such authorization, so learn more about this adventure below.
Overview
As we said before this tour is the fastest way to get to Machu Picchu in only 3 hours. It borders the Andean mountains at 4316m up to the high jungle of the Convención Valley passing through various Andean environments, reaching the cloud forest and the tropical zone where the sanctuary of Machu Picchu is located.
Itinerary Summary
- Day 01
Cusco – Santa Maria – Santa Teresa:(biking and rafting)
- Day 02
Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes: (Zip Line and Trekking)
- Day 03
Machu Picchu.
Full Itinerary
The trek begins when our Lorenzo Expeditions driver picks you up from your hotel or accommodation very early in the morning. We will then travel until we reach the village of Ollantaytambo and Santa Maria.
DAY 1: CUSCO – SANTA MARÍA – SANTA TERESA: Biking and Rafting
Pick up time is 5:30 a.m.We will leave the Imperial City of Cusco and head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Before that we will have our buffet style breakfast in Lorenzo Lodge Cusco. Continuing to Abra Málaga (4 350 masl) (14 160 ft), the starting point of our biking tour. After a short explanation to help orientate you, Your guide will provide you with the necessary equipment for the activity. Beginning our 3-hour (55km, 5.93 miles) bike ride downhill to the village of Huamanmarca. During the trip we will experience the beauty of the snow-capped mountains and the tropical forest. We will arrive at the village of Santa Maria (1 200 m.a.s.l.), for lunch. Then, a private transport will take us from Santa Maria to the thermal baths of Cocalmayo and Santa Teresa. Before leaving Santa Maria, we have the option of rafting on the Vilcanota River ($ 40usd). This river offers category III and III+ rapids.
Meals included:Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
DAY 2: SANTA TERESA – AGUAS CALIENTES : Zip Line and Trekking
Continuing with the adventure activities here we have the zip line with one of the most trusted operators in the area. This activity is optional ($40) After breakfast, we will board our transport to the hydroelectric, where the government control is located, and the entrance to Machu Picchu National Park (Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary). At this point we will start our trekking to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the third night of the tour.
Meals included:Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU
This is the most important day of the tour, today you will visit one of the seven wonders of the world. The tour will start very early, Once inside the archaeological site, you will have a two-hour guided tour inside the Inca city of Machu Picchu, you will see its most important temples, and urban areas. If you booked in advance, to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain you will have that opportunity after your guided tour. You must make the reservations to hike either mountain three months in advance for an additional cost of US$60. Space is limited to only 400 people a day to climb Huayna Picchu. After you have finished enjoying Machu Picchu, you will return to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.
Whats Included?
- Tour with Professional guide (08 people maximum).
- Mobility from Cusco to Abra Málaga and Santa Maria.
- 02 basic Hotel in double or triple accommodation ( Santa Teresa: Hotel Plaza, Aguas Calientes: Hotel Andino).
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu and Hot Springs in Cocalmayo.
- Towels.
- Professional Bicycles.
- Specific Meals: 02 Breakfasts, 02 Lunches, 02 Dinners.
- Safety equipment: Integral Helmet. Integral Gloves: FOX. Kneepads. Waterproof jackets.
- Support team: First aid kit.
- Return train to Cusco.
- Bus in Machu Picchu.
- Meals on the last day.
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain admittions ($60 USD)
- Rafting or Zip line: $40 USD (each one).
- Drinks.
- Tips.
- Travel health insurance (obligatory)
What to bring? - Ultimate Packing list
We recommend carrying only the necessary luggage for the days of the tour. Large backpacks with equipment that are not needed for the expedition should be left in the city of Cusco (at your hotel or in our main office).
In order to do the Short Inca Jungle tour with peace of mind, we recommend that you bring these items with you.
Remember that if you have more luggage, we can store it in Cusco, and if you still have more things on the route, we can send it to San Teresa at no additional cost so that the second day of the trek and the third day is light.
- Small backpack from 30 to 40 liters
- Light T-shirts, shorts and / or leggings
- Only a light coat
- Bathing suit and sandals
- Hiking boots
- Hat or cap
- Sun glasses.
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent (25% Deet)
- Rain poncho or rain jacket.
- Original Passport
- Personal medicines
- Personal hygiene items: wet wipes, toothpaste and toothbrush
- Flashlight
- The most friendly and positive attitude possible.
Additional Items to upgrade your experience
These are the different options how you can improve your experience in Machu Picchu after doing our inca trail trek.
1. Rafting in Santa Maria.
Rafting is an extra activity on the first day of our Inca Jungle tour, it costs $40 per person, and is not available during the rainy months from December to April.
2. Zip Line in Santa Teresa
This activity is optional and has an additional cost of $40 dollars per person. This activity can be done on day 3 of our tour.
3. Huayna Picchu: The cost of the ticket is $60 per person.
Huayna Picchu is a mountain within the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu, it is a 45 minute hike to the top.
To purchase this additional you have to let us know at least 3 months in advance due to high demand, schedules and details of your visit to this site will be confirmed in the previous meeting that we will have.
4. Machu Picchu Mountain: The cost of the ticket is $60 per person.
Machu Picchu Mountain is also an extra inside the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu, it is a 1 hour and a half walk to the top.
To purchase this extra you have to let us know at least 3 months in advance due to the high demand, the schedules and details of your visit to this site will be confirmed in the previous meeting we will have.
Useful information
Do you want to know more about the Short Inca jungle trail?
Read our useful information section and learn more about availability, campsites, food, tents, porters, entrance fees and more.
Availability of Short Inca Jungle trek
There is no space limit for the Short Inca Jungle Trek tour. However, for safety reasons we restrict some activities in the rainiest months, which are from October to March.
What you need to know about the Inca Jungle 3 days trail?
- This 3-day tour to Machu Picchu is not recommended for travelers with back problems.
- You will have a guide during your Inca Jungle trek and your visit to Machu Picchu. (English speak)
- Departures with a group of 2 or more people.
- No wheelchair access.
DO NOT FORGET ESSENTIALS: original passport, insurance card, personal medications.
This hike will be composed of a maximum of 8 travelers.
Return from Machu Picchu to Cusco
The best way to return to Cusco is Train, you will check and buy it for yourself according your schedule.
Weather on the Short Inca jungle trek 3 days
The Short Inca jungle trail has a warm climate every day, since we are in the high jungle of Cusco. With the exception of the first hours of the first day we must climb up to the Malaga pass and then descend.
The rainy and dry season also applies in this area of the Cusco jungle. This means that the rainy months go from October to April and the dry months from May to the end of October.
The best time to hike the Inca Jungle Trail
The best time to do the Inca jungle trek is the dry season, which covers March,April , May , June, July, August, September, October, November. These last months are especially good if you want to go rafting in Santa Maria.
Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, with warm days reaching 20 degrees Celsius. Nights and early mornings are cold (single digits and sometimes below freezing, especially in the dry season).
Travel Insurance (Obligatory)
if you become ill or injured while away from home, you can be reimbursed for treatment provided as a result of a covered medical emergency during your trip.
Restrooms and showers on the Short Inca Jungle trek
Toilets and showers will be at your disposal in the hotels and lodgings we have on each night.
Lodging options
You will sleep in comfortable accommodations that have all the basic services, if you need something special, please let us know before starting the tour.
Pre-trip meeting
The day before the Inca jungle trek adventure, our guide and team will meet you in an agreed upon area that they will let you know in order to explain in detail all aspects of the tour.
All about tipping on the Short Inca Jungle trek
Tipping is customary on Inca jungle trail treks. Along the trail you will have the assistance of several people that you will not see again on the trail, so if you are in the possibility of tipping you can do so.
For the tour guide, the tip is given after the guided tour of Machu Picchu. You decide the amount depending on your experience with them. The guides can receive dollars or soles without any problem.
Food on the Short Inca Jungle trek
The food is varied and changes cooks at each place we arrive, the people live on this route and as a way to promote the local economy we hire them for this purpose.
*Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and other options are available upon request (please advise at the time of booking).
These are just examples and we will not necessarily find the same. Some local restaurants will have options and some will not.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should pack for the next few days of adventure.-Trekking shoes, sun cream, sunscreen, light clothing 90% of the route is through hot and humid tropical zone, but the first hours during the cycling is cold, a light jacket is enough, insect repellents, hat and sunglasses.
First day: cold at the beginning of the cycling activity it is recommended to wear warm clothes, but as we go deeper into the jungle the weather changes from cold to hot and humid.
Second day: wear super light clothes to walk all day in this part of the tour will be very hot 25-27 degrees.
Third day: it is also recommended to wear light clothing as the heat and humidity continue.
For this trip, we recommend a backpack that can hold between 25-40 L with clothes that are only necessary for the 3 days of the trip. The rest of your luggage will be left in storage at your hotel in Cusco or at the Lorenzo Expeditions office.
On the tour, there is a total of 3 hours of downhill biking. 95% of the road is downhill and paved. Therefore, the cycling part of the tour is not difficult. Only basic to intermediate experience is required.
To climb one of the two mountains, you must purchase the entrance ticket in advance. Huaynapicchu has an extra cost of $60 USD per person and it is recommended to book tickets at least 3 months in advance. If you wish to book the entrance ticket for Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain, please contact our reservations team.
The tour package includes 02 nights of accommodation.
On the first night, we will provide rooms with a maximum capacity of 4 people. Private bathrooms and a cold shower are included.
On the second night, double or triple rooms will be provided. Private bathrooms, hot shower and Wi-Fi are included.
Please note: If you would like to require a private rooms please contact us before starting the tour.
During the first two hours (the cycling route) it will be quite cold because we will be at a high altitude. After those two hours, and for the rest of the tour, the weather will be warm and humid (during the night as well). The temperature in the morning varies between 18-25 degrees Celsius (64 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit). During the months of June, July and August, the temperature can reach 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). At night, the minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) with a maximum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit). Therefore, we recommend that you bring light clothes.
There are two options for your return trip to Cusco. The most popular and safe option is the train. The second, and more affordable option, is by car.
By train: There are two options if you chose to travel by train. The first is from Machu Picchu town to Cusco (about 4 hours of travel) and the second option is from Machupicchu Town to Ollantaytambo (about 2 hours of travel). From the station in Ollantaytambo, it is very easy and affordable ($4 USD) to find a car that will take you straight to Cusco (in total, about 3 ½ hours of travel).
To see train availability and prices, please visit: www.perurail.com or www.incarail.com
By car: If you wish to return by car, you must first walk for 3 hours from Machupicchu Town to the hydroelectric power plant. At the power plant, there are cars waiting to take passengers to Cusco. The price to get to Cusco is about $20-25 USD and the trip takes around 7 hours. The disadvantage of returning to Cusco in a car is that you will have to leave the archaeological ruins of Machupicchu no later than 10am.
This route offers all travelers to Machu Picchu an area of great biodiversity and exclusive access. At any given time you may encounter orchids, foxes, cock-of-the-rock (Peru’s national bird), spectacled bears, deer and many more species of flora and fauna. While hiking the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you will also pass by other impressive Inca ruins, such as Wiñay Wayña and Phuyupatamarca that only you and those who hike the classic 4-day Inca Trail can see. It’s an incredibly rich hiking experience, and that’s even before you reach your destination: the sublime Inca citadel atop the mountain of Machu Picchu.
Photos and videos are not able to explain and show the great beauty of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, from its incredible architecture to the surrounding mountains and mist-filled gorges. But we won’t describe it all here. Much better if you come with us on the classic guided hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, with our professional guides, porters and talented local cooks, and discover this magical trek for yourself.
Price from: 329USDper person
- We highly recommend to contact us via email before making the deposit (to comfirm availability).
- Consider that this is only a PARTIAL PAYMENT, the final price of the tour can be requested via email. be aware this partial payment is NON-REFUNDABLE by any circunstance.
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Short Inca Jungle Trail photos
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