Explore the Inca Jungle
The Adrenaline Pumping Way to Hike to Machu Picchu
The Inca Jungle Trek is the ultimate trip for adventure lovers. It combines cycling and walking through some beautiful areas of Cusco. You’ll come across many sites and paths just like those on the Inca Trail.
Witness the changing climate as you head down on bicycles from the Abra Malaga at over 4,000 masl winding and descending to the start of the jungle in Cusco. Let your exciting journey take you all the way to the New Seven Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu.
The Inca Jungle Trek is the ultimate trip for adventure lovers. It combines cycling and walking through some beautiful areas of Cusco. You’ll come across many sites and paths just like those on the Inca Trail.
Locally Owned & Operated
We are the operators! We are a licensed Tour Company. There is no middleman on a trip with us!
Expert Local Guides
Chosen for great knowledge of their country, and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.
Fantastic Meals
Our owner and all of our staff are local to Peru and care about its environment, people and culture.
Eco-Friendly Tours
Education and conservation are our passion. We aim to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of all wilderness areas.
Small Groups
Average groups of 10; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.
Our Best Seller
If you have a love for adventure and enjoying some of the best hiking routes in the world, our Imperial Inca Jungle Trail 4 Days is for you. It combines the most exciting trekking trails with the most incredible scenery you can imagine. Join us on your own, in a couple, or as part of a group.
Our Best Seller
Imperial Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu
The Imperial Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu is the perfect trip for the adventure-lovers and thrill-seekers. This trail is like no other and includes lots of exciting activities to get your heart pumping. In addition to hiking, you’ll be biking, rafting, and ziplining through the most amazing landscapes for a real adventure.
The Imperial Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu is the perfect trip for the adventure-lovers and thrill-seekers. This trail is like no other and includes lots of exciting activities to get your heart pumping. In addition to hiking, you’ll be biking, rafting, and ziplining through the most amazing landscapes for a real adventure.
Through the beautiful Andes and gorgeous green jungle, you’ll pass through farmer’s fields, see the Maras Salt Mines, observe unique flora and fauna, and visit Inca archaeological sites until you get to the small town of Aguas Calientes, which sits at the base of Machu Picchu. On the final day, you’ll enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore this astounding Inca fortress. Let yourself be swept away into the historical magical land and unravel the mystical secrets of the Incas. Can you defeat the challenge?
Inca Jungle Tours & Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu
The trek tends to be four days and three nights long and runs between mountains, valleys, and rivers, combining hiking and downhill biking. Check out the tours on offer for this thrilling route right here.
The Best Adventure Combinations in Peru
Every journey we design is carefully curated and completely bespoke, fine-tuned to your passions and interests. Experience jaw-dropping natural wonders, mysterious ancient civilisations, diverse indigenous culture and unique wildlife with some of the best trek combinations in Peru and South America.
Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail 7 Days
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![Accommodation Peru Tours]()
Camps Accommodation -
![Trek Highest Altitude]()
5,100 m / 16,732 ft Max. altitude -
![Hiking Level Peru]()
Moderate to Challenging Difficulty
Are you finding it hard to decide between the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail? Well, twiddle your thumbs no more. Our Salkantay and Inca Trail 7 Days trek combines the two routes to Machu Picchu in one awesome trip. Both treks are considered in the top twenty-five treks in the world by National Geographic and put together form one of the most epic journeys of all.
Are you finding it hard to decide between the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail? Well, twiddle your thumbs no more. Our Salkantay and Inca Trail 7 Days trek combines the two routes to Machu Picchu in one awesome trip. Both treks are considered in the top twenty-five treks in the world by National Geographic and put together form one of the most epic journeys of all.
It’s no surprise that this combo will challenge you to the max and test your limits. However, when it all comes to a climax at the astounding Inca Citadel, Machu Picchu, you’ll realize all your efforts were worth it. You’ll feel a huge sense of achievement and fulfillment as you wander among the ancient city and look out over the beautiful panorama that is Peru’s dense jungle.
Salkantay Imperial 8 Days
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![Accommodation Peru Treks]()
Camps Accommodation -
![Highest altitudes in Peru]()
4,630 m / 15,190 ft Max. altitude -
![Trekking Difficulty Level]()
Moderate to Challenging Difficulty
If you’re looking for the ultimate vacation in Cusco that includes everything, our 8-day Imperial Salkantay is the best choice. Come and explore the historical city in the company of our knowledgeable guides and venture on the exciting Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with like-minded travelers from across the world. This package is an excellent option whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner, or in a group.
Cusco is a beautiful city that was once the capital of the Inca empire, which means it has a lot of history and many interesting sites to visit to learn all about ancient cultures. The city boasts an eclectic mix of Inca and European architecture and you’ll want to see as much as possible while you’re here. Most visitors come to Cusco to visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
If you’re looking for the ultimate vacation in Cusco that includes everything, our 8-day Imperial Salkantay is the best choice. Come and explore the historical city in the company of our knowledgeable guides and venture on the exciting Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with like-minded travelers from across the world. This package is an excellent option whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner, or in a group.
Cusco Highlights Tour 7 Days
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![Accommodation Peru Tours]()
Camp & Hotel Accommodation -
![Trek Highest Altitude]()
5,100 m / 16,732 ft Max. altitude -
![Hiking Level Peru]()
Moderate to Challenging Difficulty
Do you want to explore the most important sites of Cusco in one of our most favorite treks for travelers? Then this tour is ideal for you. We have created a trip that combines the best of both worlds. This 7-day program will take you through spectacular monuments, lush valleys and trails that lead to glacial mountains, considered the highest in the region.
Your adventure begins in the city of Cusco exploring its closest archaeological sites. Then, from the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas, you will visit the impressive sites: Chinchero, Moray, Salineras de Maras, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo until arriving by train to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, where you will have a guided tour to learn the origins of this sacred place and appreciate its imposing Inca architecture.
Afterwards, you will head up the famous 2-day short trail to Salkantay Mountain, appreciating the magical Humantay Lake and the imposing snow-capped Salkantay in the distance, before resting in our exclusive Sky Camp. Finally, you will visit the Rainbow Mountain on a trek accompanied by the beautiful view of Ausangate, a memorable trip that you can't miss!
Why Travel With Us?
We are dedicated and commited to our clients, to the environment, and to our fellow compatriots
Our Horsemen & Horses
All of our horsemen are from Mollepata, which is the starting point of our trek. We make sure to employ responsible people that are serious about what they do. This way, they do an excellent job at transporting everyone’s items along the trail with mules and are in charge of getting your gear safely to each campsite where it will be waiting for you.
Our horsemen are very content with us receiving a good salary and benefits at the end of each season. Salkantay Trekking provides all the mountain gear and uniforms to the horsemen. These guys can be of great help in an emergency because they know the area and trail like the back of their hand.
In addition to the trekking and camping equipment, each horse carries 40kg of the trekkers’ belongings. You’ll have 7kg of allowance for your gear.
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Knowledgeable Tour Guides
Salkantay Trekking relies on an extensive network of highly trained guides and expert ambassadors as a premise to guarantee excellence in our services. We are fully conscious that an excellent guide is key to making your trip a memorable experience, which is why we are extremely demanding when recruiting and regularly training our guides.
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Our Chefs
In all of our trekking trips, the chef ensures high-quality meals on time, an adequate diet both in its quality and quantity. The secret lies in the careful selection of our team of chefs, whose top-quality restaurant background, creativity and passion for their jobs provide an unequalled touch to all of our meals. We do not have set menus since we wish to give our chefs the chance to create, innovate and surprise our clients through delicious dishes in every trip.
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The Best Trekking Food in Peru
We do not have set menus since we wish to give our chefs the chance to create, innovate and surprise our clients through delicious dishes in every trip. We provide general guidelines, guest information on dietary restrictions and preferences and, most especially, the tools for a constant updating of our cooks’ knowledge in both Peruvian and International cuisine through specialization courses and training.
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Exclusive & Private Campsites
Salkantay Trekking has created the most amazing exclusive campsites for our trekkers to relax in after a long day on the trails. On the Salkantay route, you’ll stay in our Sky Camp under the stars, our Andean Huts in Chaullay, and our Jungle Domes in the middle of nature in the jungle.
On other routes, you’ll find we have private campsites away from other groups and in some instances, homestays with local families for a truly unique experience.
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Find the Perfect Destination in Peru
With astonishingly varied landscapes, stunning scenery, compelling history, and a legacy of fascinating cultures, there is truly something for everyone. Our expeditions in Peru are designed to showcase all that this country has to offer.
Our expeditions in Peru are designed to showcase all that this country has to offer.
Inca Jungle Travel Guide
Before You Go, What You Should Know
We hope that this Peru & Inca Jungle travel guide will serve as a reference for you to prepare for and undertake an exceptional and seamless journey through this “Empire of Hidden Treasures.”
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Inca Jungle Highlights
- Enjoy the thrilling bicycle ride downhill to the jungle.
- Take in the stunning surroundings of the landscape.
- See parts of the original Inca Trail.
- Witness incredible Inca archaeological sites.
- See Machu Picchu from a distance the day before you arrive.
- Discover the mysteries of Machu Picchu.
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What to Expect on the Trail
Knowing what to expect will help make your decision easier, so we’ve come up with some aspects to aid you to make your choice.
A Thrilling Bike Ride
For those who love to feel the wind rushing through their hair as they ride down a winding road from a cold, high altitude, this is a great choice. It’s a real thrill and is just fascinating to see the surroundings change as you go further and further down.
Stunning Landscapes
As you’ll be cycling from high up, you’ll get some of the most wonderful views over the ever-nearing jungle below. The luscious green scenery is the perfect backdrop for your bike ride, hike, and photos.
To Learn a Lot
There’s no doubt that on this route you’ll learn a lot about the surroundings. You’ll see exotic plants and wildlife as well as get to know more about the Incas history. Your guide will give you plenty of information and feel free to ask whatever you like.
Something Different
Most of the routes to Machu Picchu include just hiking; this is something different and offers a more exhilarating adventure with the bikes.
Feel the Heat
In contradiction to most of the other tours, you don’t spend much time in the colder climate regions on this trek, hence the name. Be ready to feel hot a lot, so light and thin clothing is a must to make sure you feel comfortable.
Get Bitten by Bugs
The jungle is full of bugs that love to bite. To make sure you get bitten as little as possible, you should make sure you take plenty of repellent as well as long-sleeved shirts and pants rather than shorts.
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Where is Inca Jungle?
The Inca Jungle trek takes place in the La Convencion province of Cusco. To get to the starting point you’ll travel around 2-2.5 hours from the city of Cusco. It’s a beautiful trail through the jungle region to Machu Picchu.
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Difficulty Level
This trek is relatively difficult. The reason being that you’ll need to take care when riding the bikes as you go along a road where cars are also passing from Cusco to Quillabamba. The changing climate can make things tough as well as the terrain and ascents and descents. Expect a moderate to challenging trek overall.
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Packing List for the Inca Jungle
Make use of this packing list to make sure you have everything you need and don’t get stuck in the middle of the trek without the necessities.
- Sunblock, hat, and sunglasses for the strong Andean sun
- Warm clothes for the bike ride
- Thin layers that you can take off and put on easily
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Walking poles
- Sleeping bag
- Bug spray/repellent
- Water bottle (not plastic)
- Sandals/flip flops for the campsites
- Snacks
- Cash in small denominations
- Waterproofs or poncho
- Good quality camera
- Passport
- Machu Picchu and train tickets
- Personal medication
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Inca Jungle Tips
To help you prepare for your jungle adventure, we’ve got some tips for you.
- Go on bike rides and treks at home as often as you can to prepare your body for the trip. Try to make these at higher altitudes and over a few days to get better accustomed to the same style.
- Implement daily exercises and stretches into your routine to build muscles.
- Look into ways you can help altitude sickness. Your doctor at home may be able to prescribe you some pill just in case.
- This trek will be hot and there’ll be lots of bugs around, too. Make sure you have long sleeved tops and pants, but also that they’re thin and cooling. This way you’ll avoid being bitten but stay cool at the same time.
- Drink plenty of water along the route. The higher altitude and warm climate will ake you thirsty often. We recommend a camelbak or bottle (not plastic) that you can refill at every stop.
- Stay in Cusco or the Sacred Valley of the Incas for 2 or 3 days before you leave for the trek to be better acclimated.
- Don’t rush the trek. Go at your own pace to avoid feeling tired.
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Recommendations
The following recommendatoins are to help you with planning the trek and to make sure you feel ready.
Book Beforehand
To avoid disappointment upon arrival in Cusco, we suggest you book well in advance. This way we can guarantee we’ll have guides available and a group ready to go. Last minute plans can mean we don’t have the date available that you’re after.
Check the Season
The best time to enjoy this trek is in the dry season, from May to October. The trip is available in rainy season but it can mean that the roads and trail are slippery and a little more dangerous.
Get Insured
You’ll need to make sure you have travel insurance that includes adventure activities for this trip. Many companies won’t let you travel with them without it, and healthcare in Cusco isn’t cheap if you do end up needing it.
Take Care When Packing
Packing well means you won’t be stuck without something you need in the middle of the trail, especially tickets for the train and Machu Picchuand passport, as you won’t be able to ener without these. Use our list to make sure you have everything you need. You also want to be careful of the weight as you only have an allocated amount.
Prepare for the Altitude
The altitude can really affect how you feel the first few days. Take things slowly and use some local remedies to help you including coca tea. If all esle fails, oxygen is available at most pharmacies in the city centre.
Quality Service
For us quality of experience is only second to safety
We are committed to providing world-class trekking experiences for our guests that go way above and beyond the mass-produced tours so common today.
This was the best trekking experience I have ever gone on. I was very impressed with the professionalism of Salkantay Trekking. Our guide, Carlos "the mountain king", was amazing. My partner and I had gotten quite sick before the trip and he really made sure we were ok and helped us throughout the trip. We loved how knowledgeable he was. He was also sooooo funny. I don't think I have laughed so hard in years. Carlos was a master of interacting with the group and making sure everyone was happy and having fun. I'd recommend him to everyone.
BRANDON C
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