Pre-Departure Guide
Machu Picchu Inca Jungle Trek
Overview
The Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu is by far the most adventurous trekking option in Cusco region. It includes a variety of outdoor activities for you to enjoy - a massive downhill mountain biking experience, followed by river rafting on Grade III and IV rapids, hot spring, jungle trekking, and zip-lining. It culminates with a visit to Machu Picchu. It also includes recently discovered Inca paths, archaeological remains and beautiful mountains from the Abra Malaga to the green valley and the jungle basin of Santa Maria. After returning to Cusco, enjoy a day trip to the incredibly Instagrammable Rainbow Mountain.
Highlights
- Experience the adventurous Inca jungle trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
- Explore the stunning Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- Visit the most the most instagrammable place - Rainbow Mountain.
- Enjoy various sports and activities: mountain biking, white water rafting, zip-lining, hot spring spas, etc.
- Attend a cooking class and learn how to make authentic Pisco sour, ceviche, and more!
- Upgraded accommodations - You will be staying at 4-star hotels in Cusco and the best eco-lodges during the Inca Jungle Trek.
Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to variance due to local circumstances.
Climate & Weather
Rainy Season (Nov–Mar): The wet season begins in November and gets into full swing over the months of December, January and February. During this time, Machu Picchu has the greatest amount of rainfall of the year. The Inca Trail is closed every year in February for restoration. We do not recommend trekking Machu Picchu these months as the chance to encounter rain is high.
Dry Season (Apr–Oct): Rain begins to dry up towards the end of April and the trekking season begins. The daytime temperature averages between 63F and 70F, and the nighttime temperature can drop as low as 32F.
Visa
For citizens of the countries listed below, a visa is not required for a tourist visa to Peru for up to 183 days. Traveler must be in possession of a round-trip airline ticket and a passport valid for 6 months beyond stay with at least 2 blank pages.
- North America: Citizens of the United States, Canada and Mexico
- Central America: Citizens of most Central American countries (exception Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic)
- South America: Citizens of all South American countries
- Europe: Citizens of all countries within the European Union and Switzerland
- Africa: Citizens of South Africa
- Asia: Citizens of Brunei, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand
- Oceania: Citizens of Australia and New Zealand
Note: Travel Her Way tries to provide accurate visa information. However, visa requirements and regulations may change at any time without further notice. We strongly encourage you to check out your local embassy website for the most updated visa information prior to departur
Emergency Contact
Should you need to contact us during a situation, it is best to first call our local team. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.
Emergency Contact Info:
Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu:
- (+51 084) 597097
- +51 979858544 / +51 964180948
Care Her Way Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu:
- (+51 084) 265523
Accommodations & Food
We have upgraded the accommodations for the Inca Jungle Trek. In Cusco, you will be staying at a 4-star hotel, and during the Trek, you will be staying at the best eco-lodges in the area. For our Care Her Way Inca Jungle Trek, you will camp for one night in Santa Maria.
Peruvian cuisine has been profoundly influenced by the immigrants, including the indigenous Inca, the Spanish, the Chinese, the Italians, the Japanese, the Germans and the Africans. You will not only get to taste a variety of Peruvian foods and drinks during the trip, but also join a cooking class to learn to cook some of your favorite dishes from an experienced local chef.
Drinking Water
Foreign travelers should avoid drinking tap water or eating ice cubes at all times in Peru, despite improvements to the country's water and sanitation systems over the last few decades. We recommend you bring water purification tablets with you. They are handy and environmental friendly when you are in remote areas. The other option is to buy bottled water. Make sure the seal at the top of the bottle is not broken.
Health
You should consult your family physician doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. You must be fit and should be in good health. Please also make sure you bring all your prescription drugs with you. Our guides will bring a first-aid kit for minor sickness and injuries.
Please note that all travelers are required to complete the sections ‘A’ and ‘B’ of the medical form. If you have indicated that you have a pre-existing medical condition you are required to complete section ‘C’ also which must be signed by your physician. This is to ensure that travelers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip.
Vaccinations
There’s no obligatory vaccination schedule for visitors to Peru. That means you won’t be required to show any medical paperwork on arrival. But because of poor hygiene, poverty and poor conditions in many areas of Peru, travelers are encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get a number of vaccines to prevent illness and disease, especially if traveling to rural areas.
Please arrange a visit to your personal physician and ask about vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.
Altitude Sickness
Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, located at 11,152 feet/3,399 meters above sea level, where lack of oxygen is the major thing that can prevent you from enjoying your trip. Machu Picchu is significantly lower, located at 7,972 feet/2,430 meters. Altitude sickness generally starts affecting people at 8,000 feet or higher, so Machu Picchu isn’t really the potential problem – Cusco is.
At high altitudes, the decrease in atmospheric pressure makes it difficult to breathe due to less oxygen. However, it is common for people to experience mild altitude sickness, which usually goes away after 2-3 days. Rest well and stay hydrated. If the altitude sickness gets worse, please speak with your guide for medical assistance.
Signs and symptoms
- Headache/dizziness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Tiredness/fatigue and delirium
- Difficulty sleeping
- Drunken gait
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Reduced urine output
Prevention: Trekkers must be prepared and understand the symptoms. There are things you can do to help prevent altitude sickness including:
- Acclimatize properly
- Do not make a rapid ascent
- Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills and smoking
- Drink plenty of water
- Do not carry more than 10 kg
- Climb higher sleep lower
- When starting at 3000+ m, don’t ascend more than 330m a day
- Never travel alone
Treatment
- Descend
- Provide oxygen canisters
- Gamow bags
- Diamox pills (125g) before dinner Link to Travel Insurance Purchasing
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for all our travelers. Your travel insurance must provide coverage against personal accidents, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation (including air ambulance and helicopter rescue services) with a recommended minimum coverage of US $200,000 for each of the categories of coverage. We also strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide proof of your travel insurance on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it.
If you have credit card insurance, we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Age Requirements
Adventuresses are required to be at least 18 years old if traveling independently. Our tours are open to younger adventuresses aged 15 or older, who must be accompanied by an adult over 21. A parent is required to fill out the “Travel with Minors” form in this case. If the adult is not a parent, he/she is required to fill out a “Parental Consent Guardianship Form” and get it signed by the minor’s parent.
Money
The official currency in Peru is Nuevo Sol.
- Foreign currency should be exchanged through banks or authorized money exchange. Visitors can exchange currency at the airport upon arrival. It is recommended to retain receipts for money exchange transactions.
- Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank prior departure.
- You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies.
- Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money, a combination of US dollar cash and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.
Currency Exchange Tip:
- Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent).
- As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com
Photography
Peru is an ideal place and a frequent haunt for photographers offering immense opportunities for photography especially during our outdoor sightseeing trips. However, make sure you ask a person’s permission before taking his or her photo. People from traditional Andean community take offense at unsolicited photography.
Gratuities
Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service.
Gear List
Most people assume the weather is hot in South America. The truth is that due to high elevation in the Andes, the temperature can be quite low, especially at night.This is an active trip and you will be responsible to carry your own luggage, so pack as lightly as possible. We recommend using a backpack or a medium-sized suitcase for your international travel. A daypack is also essential to carry your everyday items during the Inca Jungle Trek. You may leave some of your luggage in the hotel at Cusco where we will be staying, but you will need to take all your necessary gears with you.
Equipment
- Daypack
- Waterproof daypack cover
- Luggage locks
- Reusable water bottle (min. 1L)
- Quick-dry towel
- Sunglasses (Recommend bringing an extra pair)
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Prescription medications
- Toiletries (shampoo & body wash, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.)
- Trekking poles
- Headlamp
- Outlet adapter
Clothing
- Quick-dry sports bra
- Non-cotton underwear
- Trekking shirts
- Trekking pants
- Waterproof outer layer jacket (E.g. Gore-Tex)
- Waterproof pants
- Swimsuits (hot spring)
- Sun hat
- Neck gaiter
- Hiking socks
- Trekking boots
- Water shoes (rafting)
- Camp shoes (E.g. running shoes)
Clothing (Cold Weather)
- Thermal base layers
- Warm layers (ex. Fleece, soft-shell jacket, sweater, etc.)
- Warm gloves
- Warm hat
- Scarf
Optional
- Portable charger (Highly recommend)
- Snack bar
- Electrolytes drink tablets/powder/concentrate/drop/etc.
- Ear plug
- Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, etc.)