Inca Trail to Amazon Rainforest Tour

Today is the first day of the Inca Trail to the Amazon tour and no activities are scheduled. You can arrive in Lima at any time.

When you arrive, our transfer staff will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign bearing your name. Please look out for your name on the list. Once you have met them, you will be taken to your hotel in Miraflores. The drive from the airport to the hotel takes approximately two hours. After you have checked in, you are free to spend the rest of the day as you wish.

Miraflores is a safe area where you can walk around or explore Kennedy Park (also known as the Park of the Cats), and there are many Peruvian restaurants as well as places serving international food.

We will begin early in the morning today. We will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the international airport, where we will board our flight from Lima to Cusco. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Upon arrival in Cusco, the former capital of the Incas, our driver will be waiting outside the airport with a sign bearing your name. Please pay close attention to ensure you see it. Once we meet you, we will take you to your hotel in Cusco. We recommend staying in your hotel room and resting for about two hours to help your body acclimatise. Afterwards, you may wish to try drinking coca tea to help with the altitude.

Your hotel is located near the main square, so you can easily explore Cusco on foot. You can visit the Cathedral of Cusco and the Church of La Compañía de Jesús, or explore the Coricancha (Temple of the Sun). Cusco has many attractions, including Inca ruins, colonial houses, temples and local markets. The most popular local market among travellers is the San Pedro Market, where you will find a variety of natural products and food.

Extra activity: City Tour Cusco

If you would like to take the city tour, please contact our sales department. The tour includes visits to the Cathedral, the Temple of the Sun (Coricancha) and four important Inca ruins: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. The tour concludes in the evening near the main square, where you can enjoy dinner independently.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and mysterious places in the world. On the Inca Trail to Amazon tour today, you will explore the wonderful Inca sites.

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you from Cusco to Pisac, a journey of approximately 45 minutes, to begin the Sacred Valley tour. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a guided tour of the Pisac Inca site, followed by a visit to the traditional Pisac market. Here, you can admire the colourful displays and purchase souvenirs to commemorate your trip. After exploring the market, we will travel by bus to Urubamba, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch at one of the Sacred Valley's finest restaurants.

After lunch, we will continue to the town of Ollantaytambo. En route, you will enjoy beautiful landscapes dotted with colonial and Inca remains. In Ollantaytambo, you will visit the impressive archaeological site and climb 125 steps to reach the Temple of the Sun. From the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the valley on your guided tour. Afterwards, you will walk to your hotel to check in. You then have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the charming town at your leisure and enjoy dinner at a restaurant of your choice.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is physically demanding but absolutely worth it! This ancient network of roads once connected Cusco with its colonies and territories, and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was part of that system. The route runs from high mountains down to cloud forests, crossing ecological zones filled with diverse flora, birdlife, and impressive archaeological sites.

During the trek, trekking cooks and super porters will carry most of the equipment, so you only need a backpack with your essentials. The trek is suitable for anyone reasonably fit. Covering 44 km (27 miles), the trail is often steep and includes two high passes. Nighttime temperatures can fall below freezing, and occasional rain is possible even in the dry season, so preparation is key.

Inca Trail Itinerary

Day 04: From the trailhead at Km 82, the route follows the left bank of the Urubamba River. Along the way, we visit the Inca archaeological sites of Willca Raccay and the ruins of Llactapata. We then continue up the Cusichaca River Canyon, with magnificent views of the Cordillera Oriental, including the beautiful Veronica Mountain (5,850 m). After lunch in Chamana, we follow the Cusichaca River until reaching the village of Huayllabamba. From there, we ascend through high Andean terrain covered with native trees and bushes before arriving at Llulluchapampa, a broad treeless plateau and the location of our first campsite.

Day 05: On the second day, we cross the highest point of the trail at Warmiwañusca, or “Dead Woman’s Pass” (4,050 m / 13,280 ft). After descending to Pacaymayo for lunch, we continue downhill along a paved Inca road to visit the ruins of Runkuracay and Sayacmarca. We then cross the second pass, Abra Runkuracay, and follow the “Royal Inca Highway” down to Sayacmarca, eventually reaching our campsite at Chaquicocha.

Day 06: Today the trail enters the cloud forest as we descend to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, “Town Above the Clouds,” reached by a stone stairway. This is one of the best-preserved sites on the trail. After a guided tour and lunch, we continue along steep Inca stone steps for about three hours to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, a beautiful Inca site surrounded by thick forest. After a guided tour, we have dinner and camp overnight at Wiñay Wayna.

Day 07: Early in the morning, we climb the ancient steps to Intipunku, the Sun Gate. After about two hours, we will enjoy our first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Together with our guide, we’ll explore the temples, houses, farming terraces, and palaces of the Inca city, depending on the circuit chosen for your visit. The guided tour lasts about two hours, with plenty of opportunities for photos. You may also choose to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, though both require prior reservation and an additional fee. In the afternoon, we return to Cusco by train.

Today is a free day, giving you the chance to rest and sleep in after your arduous hike to Machu Picchu. You could also take this opportunity to explore Cusco once more, as today is your last day in this beautiful city.

If you would like to add more experiences to your trip, your tour operator, Inca Trail Machu, offers optional day tours with unique adventures. There are many incredible destinations in Cusco that are not included in the Inca Trail to Amazon tour. Please contact our sales department, where our staff will be happy to provide more information.

Extend your tour with a Day Adventure:

• Rainbow Mountain Day Tour
• Humantay Lake Trek
• Rafting on the Urubamba River.
• Moray and Maras Salt Mines Day Tour.

We will transfer you to the airport for your flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. When you arrive, our staff will be waiting at the airport with a sign displaying your name. They will then take you to the river port. From there, you will board a motorised canoe and begin your journey deep into the Peruvian jungle. Enjoy a one-hour boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to reach our jungle lodge. After receiving a warm welcome from your guide and enjoying a refreshing drink made from local fruits, you will be given a brief orientation before settling into your room. As you travel, you may spot bird species that are typical of the riverbanks and forest edges of the Amazon.

Built using native architecture and sustainable materials, the jungle lodge is designed to minimise environmental impact while preserving the surrounding ecosystem. The rooms are simple yet comfortable and equipped with mosquito nets for each bed, flush toilets and showers. Most of the lodge staff are local community members, including multilingual naturalist guides who will accompany you throughout your stay.

Day 9: Monkey Island and night safari.

In the afternoon, we will cross the river to visit Monkey Island, home to capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys and other species that roam freely in their natural habitat. After returning to the lodge, dinner will be served. After nightfall, we will go on a nocturnal boat safari in search of white caimans on the riverbanks, and we may also spot capybaras, the world’s largest rodent. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 10: Lake Sandoval – Canopy Walkway – Nocturnal Jungle Walk

After breakfast, we will hike 3 km into the Tambopata National Reserve to reach Lake Sandoval, which is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse lakes in the Peruvian Amazon. A rowboat tour will allow us to observe the area's rich wildlife, including herons, hoatzins, cormorants, macaws and monkeys. With some luck, we may even catch a glimpse of the endangered giant river otters.

We then return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we climb the Canopy Walkway, a suspension bridge 30 metres above the jungle floor offering sweeping views of the rainforest and the Madre de Dios River. From the walkway's various platforms, you can spot toucans, tanagers, macaws and other colourful birds.

In the evening, we go on a guided walk through the jungle to discover nocturnal wildlife such as frogs, insects and reptiles. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 11: Parrot Clay Lick - Lima

We wake up early and continue our expedition into the Peruvian Amazon. We will board a boat to visit the Parrot Clay Lick, where hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather daily to feed on mineral-rich clay, which is an essential part of their diet. After witnessing this unforgettable spectacle, we will return to the lodge for breakfast.

Today is our last day in the Amazon rainforest. After breakfast, we will take a motorised canoe from the lodge to the port of Puerto Maldonado. From there, we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Lima.

Upon arrival, we will be transferred to a hotel in Miraflores. You are free to spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the capital city of Lima at your own pace, or you may choose to participate in an optional activity such as a Lima City Tour or a visit to the Magic Water Circuit.

Today marks the final day of the 12-day Inca Trail to the Amazon Rainforest tour. You will return home with unforgettable memories and new friends to cherish for years to come.

If you would like to extend your stay in Peru, you could explore the north of the country; our sales department would be happy to prepare a personalised itinerary for you.

Otherwise, we bid you farewell — or, as the Incas would say in Quechua: Tupananchiskama ("Until we meet again").

• Welcome by our representative upon arrival.
• Domestic flights: Lima – Cusco – Puerto Maldonado – Lima.
• All airport arrival and departure transfers.
• Accommodation: 3* hotels (6 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights), Camping (3 nights).
• All entrance fees according to the itinerary, including the Inca Trail Permit.
• Meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners, 3 snacks, and 3 afternoon hot beverages during the Inca Trail. (If you are vegetarian, please advise us in advance. A vegetarian meal option is available at no extra cost.)
• Professional tour guides as per the itinerary.
• A professional trekking cook.
• Super Porters to carry food, camping and cooking equipment, plus 7 kg of each passenger’s personal items during the Inca Trail.

Camping Equipment on the Inca Trail:

• Double tents (designed for 4 people, used by only 2).
• Inflatable mattresses (Therm-a-Rest style) with covers.
• Pillow with cover.
• Hiking poles (one pair per person).
• Sleeping bag (suitable for -5°C) with inner sheet.
• Duffel bag for personal belongings during the hike.
• Rain poncho.
• Tables and chairs.
• Cooking tent with full cooking equipment, plus dining and toilet tents.
• First aid kit and oxygen tank.

Additional Inclusions:

• A Machu Picchu T-shirt.
• Tourist land transportation in accordance with the itinerary.
• Shuttle bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo.
• Motorboat transportation for Amazon rainforest expeditions.
• Radio communication (walkie-talkies) for the Inca Trail to connected with the Ministry of Culture and SERNANP.

Responsible Travel:

When you book the Inca Trail tours with Inca Trail Machu, we are committed to supporting social projects for porter families and reforestation efforts in Andean communities. Learn more on our Responsible Travel page.

During the Inca Trail our staff will also provide:

• Biodegradable soap.
• Hot water for personal hygiene every morning, provided by our cook.
• Small towels for handwashing.
• Bottled water for the night, to place inside your sleeping bag in case it gets cold.
• Personal toilet paper.

• Pre & post tour accommodation,
• International flights and airport departure taxes,
• Meals not mentioned,
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu;
• Travel insurance,
• Tips and baggage portage to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory),
• Other extras not specified.

Meal budget: Please allow USD 100-150 for meals not included.

Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this tour, you receive your own single room for all overnights and a single tent for the Inca Trail.

Local flights: There are three local flights included in the cost of your tour. It is very important that we have got your passport details at the time of booking in order to process all air tickets! Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to each flight departure!

All Inca Trail to Amazon tour includes a professional tour guide and an Inca Trail Machu representative. On the Inca Trail, our experienced trekking chef and dedicated porters will support you on your journey to Machu Picchu. They will provide all the necessary camping equipment, and our porters will carry your duffel bag containing your personal belongings.

Our guides are professionals who studied guiding and English at the university. During hikes, tours, and excursions, they will share information about the culture, history, and traditions of the cities you visit. They will also recommend beautiful places to visit and restaurants where you can enjoy authentic cuisine. For day tours and excursions, we work with local guides who have extensive knowledge of and experience in their city.

Our Inca Trail Machu representative will carefully monitor your trip. They will coordinate with our local operators, guides, and drivers to ensure that your trip runs smoothly and according to plan.

Our trekking cooks and porters are essential to your adventure. They carry all the camping equipment, set up your tents at each campsite, organize your gear, and put your duffel bag inside your tent. The cook will prepare delicious, nutritious meals along the Inca Trail to keep you energized.

All Inca Trail staff receive annual training in first aid, emergency response, responsible travel, and environmental care. They are also trained in proper food handling and preparation along the route. This training ensures that your trek will be safe, well-organized, and unforgettable, providing you with the best possible experience on your journey from the Inca Trail to the Amazon.

The following hotels will be used during the Inca Trail to Amazon tour:

Lima

Hotel Ferré Miraflores

Address: Ca. Diego Ferré 235, Miraflores 15074
Phone: +51 924 594 335

Cusco

Hotel Illa

Address: C. Carmen Alto 166, Cusco 08003
Phone: +51 920 005 100

The SOLO TRAVELER cost is not included on the Inca Trail to Amazon tour. If you require a private room during your trip, an additional charge will apply. Once your booking is confirmed, our booking department will arrange a single room with an en-suite bathroom and a single tent.

For more information, please contact our sales department at info@incatrailmachu.com.

Breakfast at the hotel is included from the second day onwards. If you require accommodation before or after the tour, please contact us.

Inca Trail Machu Tour operator will provide the double tent. Our tents are of the brand EUREKA BREAD AMAZON PASS 3XTE designated for 4 seasons. We provide with 3 person capacity tents; however, just 2 trek participants use it! In this way, we provide you more space and comfort. In case of a single traveller, we provide with a 2 person capacity tent. After each machu picchu and amazon river tours, we carefully check our tents and fix them if necessary Inca Trail Machu will provide the clean Sleeping bag, Inflatable pillow and blanket. Our porters will leave inside your tent. Once arrived to the camping, you will find inside your all camping equipment.

What camping equipment is included on the Inca Trail?

We recommend the following equipment for the Inca Trail to Amazon tour. The list varies depending on the regions of Peru you visit, the season of the year, and the length of your trip. In general, you should pack as lightly as possible since you will carry your own luggage during most of the tour (however, walking distances are not long – usually up to 30 minutes). We recommend keeping your luggage under 10 kg (22 lb.).

Most travelers use a suitcase; however, a large backpack is often more practical. In any case, please do not forget a small daypack that you will need for daily outings (to carry bottled water, a camera, snacks, etc.). It is better to avoid wheeled luggage and instead use baggage with shoulder straps.

What Kind of Clothing to Pack for Peru

Clothing depends on the season and the regions of Peru you plan to visit:

Coastline (Northern Peru & Lima area):

Bring light clothing such as shorts, skirts, dresses, and T-shirts. Also pack flip-flops or sandals, a hat or cap for sun protection, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a swimsuit.

Andean Mountains:

For the daytime, pack trousers suitable for hiking, shorts, T-shirts, and trekking shoes. For the nights, bring warm clothing such as sweaters, fleeces, hats, scarves, and jackets. Also include sunscreen, sunglasses, and in some areas mosquito repellent. A light rain jacket or poncho (and/or waterproof trousers) is essential, as weather changes quickly and sudden showers are common.

Amazon Rainforest (Manu, Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, etc.):

The most important item is mosquito repellent (20% DEET minimum recommended). In addition, pack light long-sleeved shirts and long trousers (tuck them into your shoes for extra insect protection). Do not forget waterproof clothing (especially if traveling during the rainy season), comfortable closed footwear, long socks, and a hat.

For more details, please check the section below: “What to Bring on the Inca Trail  to Amazon Tour.”

What to Bring on the Inca Trail

• Passport (original + copies)
• Travel insurance (+ copies in case of loss)
• Flight tickets
• Cash in USD or credit cards
• Service voucher (sent by us to you)
• Entry visa and vaccination certificate (if applicable)
• Daypack (for daily personal items)
• Rain gear (rain jacket and waterproof trousers, or a poncho – available in Cusco)
• Resistant footwear (waterproof trekking shoes recommended)
• Sandals (for comfort at campsites)
• Warm clothes (jacket, fleece, thermal wear recommended for cold nights)
• Hat or cap (for sun, rain, or cold protection)
• Sunscreen / sunblock
• After-sun or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent (minimum 20% DEET; note: no malaria has been reported on this trip)
• Camera + charger/batteries (batteries drain quickly in cold weather)
• Flashlight or headlamp + spare batteries
• Handkerchiefs and toilet paper
• Small towel and toiletries
• Sufficient underwear supply
• Swimsuit (for Aguas Calientes hot springs)
• Snacks (energy bars, chocolate, fruit, nuts, etc.)
• Note: we provide a daily morning snack, and our meal service is complete and well-supplied. Bring your own snacks only if you prefer specific ones that may not be available in our menu.
• Bottled water for the first morning + reusable water bottle
• Important: Plastic bottles are not allowed on the Classic Inca Trail! Please bring a metallic or Nalgene-type bottle.

Optional:

• Water-purifying tablets (we provide boiled, filtered water during the trek, but tablets are useful if you prefer to drink from natural streams)

• Explore the Machu Picchu citadel
• Walk through the Peruvian jungle
• Visit the Sacred Valley of Incas
• Visit archaeological museums on Inca Trail
• See beautiful landscapes in best Peru Amazon rainforest tours

Best moment of the Trek

• The visit and exploration through the Amazon River path and Inca Trail

Here is everything you need to know about Inca Trail & The Amazon Rainforest, one of our most impressive routes.

Where is located the Amazon Rainforest?

This trip visits high altitude locations, which is why some people, regardless of age or physical condition, may suffer from altitude sickness. For more information, see the Medical and Health Information section of the Essential Travel Information.
This trip involves a lot of walking to see the sights and if you hike the Inca Trail you will be strenuous. The tour is recommended for people with a good level of fitness. Please bring comfortable shoes suitable for hiking. See the Packing section of Essential Travel Information for more information.

For those hiking the Inca Trail, camp with basic facilities. It is definitely the journey as well as the final destination (Machu Picchu) that makes this way of exploring Peru worthwhile.

This trip is part of many longer combination trips. Some of your fellow travelers may have left Lima or elsewhere earlier, or may be traveling on to Peru, and some will take other routes to Machu Picchu.

The Amazon jungle can be very hot and muggy, so it's important to drink plenty of water and wear light cotton clothing. Make sure to bring tropical strength insect repellent as well.

This trip includes a full day walk in the jungle. Although the trails are well marked, this still requires a reasonable level of fitness and sturdy walking shoes or light walking shoes are essential.

According to Machu Picchu Visitor Regulations, all visitors must follow a set route within the site. This route is to be followed in one direction only and once the guided tour begins, exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Upon completion of the guided visit, visitors must leave the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please see the itinerary for details.

Travelers who choose different paths to reach Machu Picchu (Inca Trail or Train) will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means you may not be able to take photos with a view of Machu Picchu together. This applies to travelers with the same booking or separate bookings.

All Inca Trail to Amazon tours are committed to responsible travel across different regions of Peru. Inca Trail Machu and the Responsible People Foundation work together to protect the planet and support local communities by encouraging environmental care, promoting reforestation in highland areas, and improving health and living conditions in Andean communities.

Our mission is to demonstrate that tourism can be a powerful tool for protecting the environment and supporting people. By traveling with Inca Trail Machu, you are helping create meaningful adventures that improve the lives of local communities while also contributing to reforestation and conservation efforts that serve as natural buffer zones.

Our Most Important Projects

Porters

At Inca Trail Machu, we DO NOT allow the exploitation of porters. We guarantee that our porters carry only the legally permitted weight established by Peruvian law.

Every year, our porters receive training to ensure your trip runs smoothly. They are also trained in first aid and other essential skills.

Rainforest

Each year, Inca Trail Machu and the Responsible People Foundation participate in reforestation campaigns in the Andean mountains, working directly with local communities. We are also developing new sustainable methods to benefit these regions.

Community
In Cusco, we collaborate with communities through various social projects. Each year, we bring smiles to families by supporting health campaigns, community improvement projects, and educational initiatives.

If you would like to learn more about our projects, please visit the Responsible People.