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FAQ about the Inca Jungle Trek

Can everybody do it?

Yes the IJT is for everybody, even if you don’t like biking you can go in the van and enjoy the scenery. 

Do I need to book in advance?  

This Trek has daily departures but train tickets and Huayna Picchu passes do sell out. We HIGHLY

recommend booking in advance to be sure you receive the exact tour you want.

NOTE: May, June and July are the HIGH TOURIST SEASON in Cusco. This means that train tickets WILL

SELL OUT! Please be aware that the Trek leaves daily, but train return train tickets may not be

available. To ensure you are able to have a comfortable train ride back to Cusco please be sure to book

several weeks in advance.

Why are the prices between 180 and 450 dollars when I look online?

The cheapest price is never the best price as they say and that goes for the IJT as well. Those low prices

that you see in the street are agencies who many times don’t own any equipment, guides are what they

call aspirantes, meaning very young, inexperienced with no license to guide in MP, and rented

transportation. All of this leads to unorganized tours, late departures, and different guides with large

groups. On the other hand, really expensive tours that you see should be private are very small groups,

max 5 to 6 people, return trains should be vistadome. Be careful with the more expensive tours as

many times online companies charge more and in the end you will just end up with other people who

paid a lot less. Be sure to find out what type of accommodation and transport is included, and how big

the groups are.

How big are the groups with Loki Travel?

The bigger group, the more guides there will be.

1 guide for 10 people

1 guide + assistant guide for groups 11 - 15

2 guides for groups 16-19

Transport provided in either 15 or 19 seat vans.

What is the difference between the 4 and the 3 day option?

On the 3 day version you will skip day 2 of the 4 day version, meaning the end of day 1 you will have a

transport to bring you to Santa Teresa where you catch up with the group who left one day earlier.

Positive is less walking, negative is that you miss the Inca Trail path that you will hike on day 2.

Is the transport included to Santa Teresa on the 3 day IJT?

Yes, that is why the price is the same as the 4 day.

Huayna Picchu versus Machu Picchu mountain?

Machu Picchu Mountain is a longer trek, less steep and less crowded and offers great views over Machu

Picchu.

Huayna Picchu is the mountain located at the northwest end of the ruins and Machu Picchu Mountain is

located at the southwest end. Huayna Picchu is steeper, but more popular and has some interesting

archeological ruins at the top.

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What kind of bikes are used?  

For 2013 the bikes brand name is Scott and these bikes have front suspension and hydraulic disc brakes

and no front shifter so the chain can’t fall off.

Is the mountain biking difficult?

Not really. It’s on asphalt rolling down a mountain from over 4000 meter high till less than 2000 meters.

If you really don’t want to do the bike part you always can go in the van that follows the group.

Why doesn’t  the base price include the return transport?

Because some people want to come back on an earlier train, others want to come back by bus and

sometimes trains are not available in high season. We prefer to leave this option up to you.

Why are the earlier trains more expensive?

Peru Rail owns a monopoly on the rail lines and decides the prices of the trains. Earlier trains are in

higher demand because you will not have to spend extra money in Aguas Calientes on food and drinks.

As well you need to think the later you leave Aguas Calientes the later you will arrive back in Cusco; for

example if you take the 9.30pm train you will arrive back in Cusco at 1 in the morning.

Why do you only book trains with Peru Rail?

Because the other train company Inca Rail is charging up to 30 dollars extra if you buy a one way ticket.

What class is the optional rafting?

In rainy season the rafting is closed usually from December till April, May. Rapids on this stretch of river

could be up to class 4, and from June till November class 3. It’s a nice mix for beginners and people who

have been rafting before. If you are an adrenaline junkie who wants nothing less than class 4 and 5 we

advise you to look into the 3 day Apurimac River, ask us for more details.

Where do we stay?

On the first night you will stay in a lodge exclusive if you book with us. Other groups stay in Santa Maria

which means we are 2 hrs ahead of all the groups the next morning so you have the whole Inca Trail

path for yourself. The second and third nights you will stay in basic hostels. The first and second night

there is no hot water. If you want to stay in style in Aguas Calientes you can upgrade for a private room,

ask us for more details.

How many km in total I need to hike on the Inca Jungle Trek?

If you do the 4 day version, day 1 is about 3 km up hill to the lodge. Day 2 is 16 km, Day 3 is 14 km if you

don’t do the zip line and about 11 km if you do the zip line. Day 4 all depends on if you take the bus up

to MP or not. If you don’t it is about 1.45 hr uphill walk all stairs for about 5 km (one way). The total

distance for the trek is around 43 km if you don’t take any transport and minimum 30 km if you take all

the transport and do the zip line.

If you do the 3 day version you will only be hiking on day 3 about 14 km (if you do the zip line 11 km)

and on day 4 (if you don’t take buses) another 10 km round trip, so a total of maximum 24 km and

minimum 11 km.

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Where is the name Inca Jungle Trek coming from, are we hiking in the jungle?

On the second day you will hike on an original Inca Trail path explaining the Inca part. Since MP is the

gate to the jungle and you are hiking on a pre-jungle path known as Yungas the first operators came up

with the name Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu.

What food is included on the trip?

From lunch on day 1 till breakfast on day 3 or day 4 depending if you take the 3 or 4 day version.

I’m a vegetarian?

No problem. Let us know at the time of booking.

I’m allergic?  

No problem. Let us know at the time of booking.

How is the zip line?

The zip line has 6 cables and a via ferrata bridge. Speeds can reach up to 80 km/h. Loki Travel has an

exclusive deal with the zip line operator that our clients go private at 7.00am in the morning. This

ensures a more relaxed, safer zip line operation, as well as allowing you to be the first one at

Hydroelectrico Station.

Should I book the zip line in advance?

Since Loki Travel has the exclusive tour at 7.00am you need to book in advance.

Should I walk up to Machu Picchu?

It is about 1hr 45 min uphill and stairs the whole way. If you are already tired you can buy a bus ticket

for $10usd in Aguas Calientes that will bring you up in about 20 minutes. The way down takes about the

same time since the path is really steep. A round trip for the buses costs $18.5 usd.

How long is the guided tour in Machu Picchu?

The guided tour will be between 2  – 2.5hrs.