The Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is world famous and hugely popular. However, it’s not the only active and adventurous way to get to Machu Picchu.
Our version of the Jungle Trail (as the route from Cusco to Machu Picchu via high-jungle Santa Teresa is known) is our favorite, and we offer a choice between these two ways to get to Machu Picchu on several of our trips. We also offer each of them as a four day standalone trip.
When you book a Classic, Paucartambo, Quyllur Rit’i, or Inti Raymi trip, you’ll choose to be on either the Jungle Trail or the Inca Trail for three days of the trip.
Our Jungle Trail includes scenic ruins at Chinchero and Moray, the spectacular, surreal Salineras salt flats, and charming, cobbled Ollantaytambo – and that’s just the first day! Next we descend 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) into the Amazon basin by bike or if you prefer, relaxing and enjoying the constantly changing scenery from our comfortable vehicle. In Santa Teresa we sample coffee from a local co-operative and meet its growers, and soak in natural hot springs beside a raging river, before taking a short, scenic train ride to Machu Picchu.
If you choose the Inca Trail hike, you may be with a different, trekking-specialist guide for those days, and you may share the experience with different guests from those on the rest of your trip with us.
Inca Trail hike permits are limited to 500 per day and can run out months in advance, so it’s a good idea to book early! Guests who have time often choose the Jungle trail option during their trip with us, then hike the Inca Trail after the trip – and of course we are very happy to arrange this for you.