Machu Picchu Inca Jungle Trek: An Honest 4-Day Review

Okay, so you’re maybe thinking of doing the Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu? Like your average person, you’re seeing the pictures, you’re maybe reading all those super exciting blogs, and now you’re seriously thinking of booking. But hold on just one second. It is often that many of those write-ups skip on quite a few of the things that you might genuinely want to know prior to putting down that deposit. I just completed the 4-day Inca Jungle Trek, and I would want to provide, you know, a really honest run-down of it. I will lay out, pretty much, what worked, what did not, and stuff like what to genuinely expect.

What Is The Inca Jungle Trek, Anyway?

Before we go too far, perhaps we could quickly recap what this trek actually is. So, quite different to the well known Classic Inca Trail (that it is often that people book months and months ahead for), the Inca Jungle Trek is a more – in a way – adventurous path toward Machu Picchu. What that includes? That contains mountain biking downhill, hiking through parts of the jungle, ziplining (if, like your average person, you choose that option), and also some time on public transport, too. Oh, and there are quite a few tour companies that run it, all at very, very similar prices, generally.

Day 1: The Mountain Bike Ride. Pretty Much? Intense.

So, day one. You start really early, like your average person, with a pickup from Cusco at roughly 6 am. A bus ride then leads you to Abra Malaga, the start of the mountain bike portion. Now, this is, in a way, something pretty vital. What I thought would just be, basically, a breezy downhill bike ride soon revealed itself as, you know, something slightly different. The road is paved, yet – arguably – there’s, kind of, a lot of traffic, which includes cars, buses, and trucks, all shooting down the mountain, too. Your bike probably won’t be new; mine definitely was not. You may want to keep an eye on those brakes – use both, a lot. Plus, it is often that the altitude is going to get you. The starting point is really high, and I had to, kind of, stop a number of times because I felt a bit unwell. Anyway, most tour companies often claim it’s all downhill. This simply isn’t really the case, because there’s, you know, quite a few uphill parts that you’re going to be pushing your bike on. After about three hours of riding and small stops, you will reach the spot for lunch, which is almost certainly welcome.

Day 2: Jungle Hiking

Okay, so day two is often a hiking day, yet not like your typical trekking day. This pretty much? This day usually means walking through that is often jungle or forest terrain. We hiked for approximately 6-7 hours. It’s definitely more or less flat for pretty much, like, half of it, and the rest involves some uphill climbs, arguably. Keep an eye out for all those tiny bugs, too – so, you know, wear pants and stuff and repellent, of course. What is genuinely cool in that case? The cocoa and coffee farm visit, that happens more or less mid-morning. You will discover pretty much? Quite a bit about those processes and, of course, you will sample the goods, alright. So too it’s almost? In the afternoon, you will hike for a couple of hours towards the Aguas Calientes railway. You then trek along the railway track into Aguas Calientes itself. Watch out for those trains! And arrive, virtually? Exhausted. That’s often, of course, before finding your lodging.

Day 3: Machu Picchu, Sort Of… Then Aguas Calientes

Right, so listen up, so if, that you chose the option with ziplining (like your average person, I did) then it is often that day three usually means traveling to, you know, another location a bit early, near Santa Teresa. That might be by local bus, and also involves a pretty brief taxi ride, too. The ziplining consists of – usually – around six lines of varying lengths. Now, if, just a little, you are pretty much? A scaredy-cat, like I am, it is still, as a matter of fact? Absolutely possible to do it, yet I did cry! It definitely felt super secure, yet pretty scary too! Then there is often a bus to Hydroelectrica from where you start walking along the rail tracks again towards Aguas Calientes (around three hours). Just stay on the tracks and you can’t – actually – go that far wrong, of course. You then usually meet for, arguably? Dinner in Aguas Calientes at a restaurant together with your tour group in that case.

Day 4: Machu Picchu! (Pretty Early…)

Day four often involves an extremely early start to visit Machu Picchu. And what I mean with that, that is like getting up at, pretty much, 4 am early! Many people choose to walk up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes (around 1.5 – 2 hours uphill, usually). A bus is also, of course, possible for extra dollar or so. Once inside Machu Picchu, you might very well have a guided tour, just a little. Following your tour, it is often that you’re pretty much? Able to have free time to, kind of, discover the place on your own, just a little. Many hikers also choose to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. These hikes will usually have to be booked far in advance, just so you are aware, and are actually an additional fee, too. After Machu Picchu, most tour groups take a train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, that is a bit early, followed by a bus ride back to Cusco. Pretty much? Exhausted once more, arguably.

Accommodation and Food On The Trek

This usually can shift a bit, however more or less – don’t expect a luxury stay. Lodging is, like your average person, often quite basic, with pretty much? The odd cold shower (or sometimes not any shower!), usually, and possibly a fairly uncomfortable bed too. Bring a sleeping bag liner in that case! I’d also highly suggest, you know, taking ear plugs, usually because you are almost certainly in close quarters with others. On the upside, most of the food is generally? Tasty and there is often plenty of it, too. A vegetarian selection is almost always possible too.

A Couple Of Super Handy Tips For The Inca Jungle Trek

• Pack light! Honestly, you might think I am overplaying it yet that genuinely makes a very, very big difference when you will go hiking up mountains, that is usually, so if, pretty much? You bring lots of stuff you definitely will regret it.
• Bring decent repellent for bugs. Pretty much? Honestly! You definitely are in the jungle so that goes without pretty much saying.
• Layers, layers, layers! A change in weather can pretty much? Occur instantly, therefore it is often that the option is to have multiple layers is what it all boils down to in the end.
• Bring – arguably – snacks While you might very well get well fed there is often the opportunity where you just will get peckish, so definitely pack – potentially – snacks, alright.

Inca Jungle Trek: What Did I Genuinely Think?

Alright, that might seem as though I’m whining a bit on all of this review, in the meantime. I would, really, want to state it is a pretty superb experience that I really would encourage, usually! Is that the most challenging physically element you ever done? Possibly. If that that you just want to hike the Inca Trail I definitely would tell you – probably – book far ahead so that you might actually accomplish it in that case.

Would I have wished I picked – arguably – this hike if that you ask me upfront? As a matter of fact? It’s almost certain I do not actually think so, if I was genuinely truthful with myself, as a matter of fact. Although I did witness some genuinely mind blowing places in the meantime. What could very well seem super great as a concept, might probably be that which it is in fact, of course. Now it has actually come to – pretty much – the close, and stuff.

At any rate. If this all feels okay. Absolutely go with the 4-day Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu!