Inca Trail vs Inca Jungle

The Classic Inca Trail and the Inca Jungle Trek both end at Machu Picchu, but they are very different trips. The Inca Trail is a camping trek on the original Inca path, with limited permits. The Inca Jungle is a multi-activity route with mountain biking, rafting and a zipline, and it needs no Inca Trail permit. This comparison uses the data of our own tours.

Quick comparison#

	Classic Inca Trail	Inca Jungle Trek
Days	4 days / 3 nights (also 2, 5 and 7-day versions)	4 days / 3 nights (also a 3-day version)
Price with us	From USD 890	From USD 420 (3 days: from USD 390)
Inca Trail permit	Yes. Limited, in your name, book months ahead	No. You only need the Machu Picchu ticket
Distance on foot	42 km (26 miles)	About 28 km (17 miles) of hiking, plus about 45 km by bike
Highest point	Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215 m	Abra Málaga, 4,300 m, where the bike ride starts
Main activity	Hiking on the original Inca path	Mountain biking, rafting, a zipline and hiking
Nights	Camping	A family house in Pispitayoc and hotels in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes
Arrival at Machu Picchu	On foot through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku)	From Aguas Calientes, by bus or on foot
Group size	Maximum 12 travelers	Maximum 12 travelers

The Classic Inca Trail#

The trek starts at Km 82 of the railway, near Ollantaytambo, and covers 42 km in four days. Day two is the hardest, with the climb to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m). On the way you pass Inca sites such as Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna, sleep three nights at campsites, and on the last morning walk through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to Machu Picchu.

The trail is protected, so only 500 people a day can start it, guides, porters and cooks included. Permits are issued in your name and sell out months in advance for May to September. Read how Inca Trail permits work and how long each day of the trail is.

Besides the 4-day trek, we run the 5-day Inca Trail at a slower pace, the 2-day Short Inca Trail from Km 104, and a 7-day route combined with Salkantay.

The Inca Jungle Trek#

On the first day you ride a mountain bike down from Abra Málaga towards Santa María and go rafting on the Vilcanota River. On the second day you walk a section of old Inca path to Santa Teresa, where you can visit the Cocalmayo hot springs. On the third day you cross the valley on a zipline and walk to Aguas Calientes, and on the fourth you visit Machu Picchu with a guide before returning to Cusco.

You do not need an Inca Trail permit, only a Machu Picchu entrance ticket, so it is a good option when the Inca Trail is sold out or you book late. You sleep in a family house and hotels rather than tents. The 3-day version fits the same activities into less time.

Which one should you choose?#

Choose the Inca Trail if:

• It is your first trip to Peru and you want the classic route to Machu Picchu.
• Inca history and archaeological sites matter most to you.
• You want to arrive at Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate.
• You can book several months ahead.

Choose the Inca Jungle if:

• You want adventure activities as well as hiking.
• The Inca Trail is sold out for your dates or you are booking late.
• You prefer sleeping in a bed instead of camping.
• You are on a tighter budget.

Still undecided? Compare the Inca Jungle with the Salkantay Trek, or tell us your dates and we will help you choose.

See our tours: Classic Inca Trail 4 Days and Inca Jungle Trek 4 Days.

Frequently asked questions#

Which is harder, the Inca Trail or the Inca Jungle?

The Inca Trail. It is 42 km on foot with long climbs on stone steps, including Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m), and three nights camping. On the Inca Jungle you reach the highest point by vehicle, walk about 28 km on the 4-day tour (about 10 km on the 3-day tour) and sleep in hotels.

Which is cheaper?

The Inca Jungle: from USD 390 for 3 days and USD 420 for 4 days, against USD 890 for the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days, which includes the limited Inca Trail permit and porters.

Can I do the Inca Trail or the Inca Jungle in February?

The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. The Inca Jungle does not use the Inca Trail, so the closure does not affect it, although February is the rainiest month and the weather can change the activities.

Do both include Machu Picchu?

Yes. Both of our tours include the Machu Picchu entrance ticket, a guided tour of the citadel and the train back to Ollantaytambo.