Are you planning a trip to Machu Picchu? Are you visiting during the rainy season? And if so, are you worried about trekking for 3 to 4 days?
We are going to let you in on a little secret. The photos below may appear as though we hiked to the top, however, this is far from the truth. Well, we did a bit of hiking, however, the majority of our four-day tour was spent tackling a variety of extreme sports. We’ll now explain more…
// Cusco //
There are three words to describe Cusco – what a surprise! We were told before coming to Peru that it was necessary to have a few nights in Cusco to adjust to the altitude change. Little did we know that the town is actually a great place to explore; full of culture, hidden laneways, colourful markets and lovely people.
We stayed at Loki Hostel which was perfect for us as we were travelling in a group of six people. It’s not anything glamorous but a great base to meet other travellers in a well-situated and clean environment. We stayed in a six dorm which meant we all had our own beds and a private bathroom.
The days leading up to the trek were spent exploring the town which was only a 4-minute walk from Loki Hostel. It’s important before heading to Macchu Pitchu that you have all the necessary gear so stock up on anything that you think you’ll need. We all hired hiking boots which were more heavy duty than our Nikes. If you want to see a more detailed list of what to bring/hire click here. We also visited San Pedro markets which were full of little clothing and food stores.
// The Trek //
Having worked out that we were visiting Machu Picchu during the rainy season, we were hesitant to trek the whole journey. Through some research, we discovered the Loki 4 day/3 night Machu Picchu Jungle Adventure. As with the majority of the tour companies in Peru, this tour included transfers, entry fees, accommodation and food and drink.
// The Trek – Day One //
The tour guide picked us up from Loki Hostel bright and early in the morning before heading by car for a day full of adventure. Part of the Jungle Adventure included a 2.5 bike ride down into the lush and humid jungle. As we commenced the bike ride at 4,200 metres above sea level, we found ourselves immersed in a thick mist. Before long we strapped into our protective gear and were riding downhill while admiring the beautiful jungle. The bike ride was not only an incredible way to view the area, but it certainly provided many laughs! Do not be worried if you are not a regular bike rider, as we can ensure you there were many rusty bike riders in our group!
We arrived at Santa Maria Village in the early afternoon. The rafting was an optional activity for those who still had the energy. If not you will spend the afternoon relaxing before enjoying an early meal at a family owned jungle lodge.
// The Trek – Day Two //
Day two started with a 6 am wake-up call. With a day ahead of trekking, we were happy to get as much of the walking done before the middle of the day. The trek was beautiful. As we progressed up the mountain we were able to witness breathtaking views over the Urubamba river.
As we had been told at the beginning of the day that we would eventually arrive at Santa Thersea hot springs we kept moving along. The most thrilling part of the day was crossing the river in a cart and pulley. This was not an automatic cart, with someone else standing on the other side pulling you along!! There was no other way across so if you were scared of heights you pretty much just had to face your fears head on as Olly did..!
Day two ended with a rewarding Hot Springs visit before arriving in Santa Theresa.
// The Trek – Day Three //
On day three we opted for the zip line option which saw us fly through the air about 150 metres above the ground. There is nothing quite like racing your friend on the zip line as you glide across rivers and jungle!
After a fun-filled morning, we spent the afternoon trekking for another 3 hours on a part of the actual Inca Trail. The trail is very thin at stages with a big drop on one side and the mountain on the other. Nothing to worry though, just don’t slip! There is also an option to catch a train to the overnight accommodation if you exhausted from zipping through the jungle!
// Machu Picchu – Day Four //
Day four is the final day of the tour and by far the most exciting. Ascending to Machu Picchu takes approximately an hour, so it is recommended that you begin the hike before the sun is up. You want to make sure you are up there as early as possible seeing as it does get very busy with tourists!
Part of the Loki tour included a 2 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu. We found this part very interesting as we learnt about the way which the Incas lived and how they were able to achieve such astonishing engineering.
After exploring the main area of Machu Picchu (and taking photos with the alpacas) we trekked up to Huayna Picchu which offered incredible views over Machu Picchu. It is easy to spend hours exploring the area. We opted for the return train ride as we were exhausted after a morning of exploring.
// In Conclusion //
Exploring Machu Picchu is one of the most wonderful adventures we have been on. The entire area is a true wonder. For us, the Jungle Adventure offered everything we were looking for. We would suggest this option to anyone who is looking for a trek in a reasonable price bracket as well as anyone who does not involve intense trekking.
Our four-day trip was filled with making new friends, lots of laughs and most importantly many wonderful memories (and photos as you can see in this post!)
X KoTravellers
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