Is The Inca Trail In The Amazon Rainforest?
Many travelers who head to Peru often wonder if the Inca Trail is located in the Amazon Rainforest.
This is because these two regions are among the most popular to visit in Peru, and also as there is a huge amount of green landscapes that we can see on various parts of the Inca Trail. This combination of factors means there could be an exciting chance to see both landscapes with ease from Cusco.
In this guide we’ll explore if the Inca Trail is in the Amazon Jungle of Peru, and how long you’ll typically need to see both regions on a trip here. We’ll also answer any burning questions you may have in our FAQ section.
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Is The Inca Trail In The Amazon Rainforest?
Technically yes, we can say that certain parts of the Inca Trail do run through areas of the Amazon. However it’s important to know that these areas sit within the Upper Amazon Basin.
This region is a lot more mountainous, however is also very green and much warmer than Cusco and other higher-altitude towns. It’s often thought of as the joining point of both the Andes and Amazon Rainforest, hence why you are more or less visiting both when on the Inca Trail (especially on days 3 and 4 which are at lower altitudes and surrounded by more vegetation).
It’s important to mention that you will not be seeing the true Amazon Jungle and its more classic jungle landscapes (such as the Amazon River) when on the trail. This is because these are located several hundreds of miles more inland, and would be virtually impossible to hike to from the Inca Trail.
How Long You Need To See Both The Inca Trail And The Amazon Jungle
Given these two incredible regions are part of most travelers’ Peru Bucket Lists, it would be highly ideal to visit both destinations within the same trip.
The closest areas of the Amazon Rainforest from Cusco are Manu National Park and the Tambopata National Reserve, both of which are a 10-12 hours bus ride away. If visiting these areas after the Inca Trail, then we would suggest having a minimum of 8 days in total (5 days for the Inca Trail which includes a day prior acclimating in the city of Cusco, as well as 3 days for enjoying the Amazon landscapes in a different destination).
Throughout Peru we can also find many other incredible regions that lie within the Amazon Rainforest. Iquitos is the deepest jungle city, however to get here you’ll need to fly first to Lima, and then board another flight here which can take a day. Other Amazon destinations around Peru (which are further away yet still worth visiting) include Pucallpa, Tingo María and Tarapoto.
Photo by George Alvarez
Inca Trail Amazon FAQ
Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about whether the Inca Trail is in the Amazon Rainforest, as well as anything else important that you need to know.
Did Incas Use The Amazon Rainforest?
Whilst the Inca were more focused around the Andes, scientific research and newly discovered artifacts suggested they had a strong connection with the Amazon Jungle. We can also find many ancient ruins within the Amazon Jungle that were once used by the Incas. The most notorious was Vilcabamba, which was their last stronghold to stand until the eventual defeat to the Spanish Empire.
What Animals Can You See Along The Inca Trail?
Whilst not part of the more vibrant and exotic low-lying jungle, we can still certainly see many incredible animals along the Inca Trail (which are similar to the animals that you can see around Machu Picchu). Spectacled Bears are an elusive yet special species to witness, whilst we can also spot wild Alpaca, Pumas, the Andean Fox as well as the Giant Hummingbird. If we’re lucky we might even spot the dark orange Cock-of-the-rock bird – which is the national bird of Peru!
Is Machu Picchu Near The Amazon Rainforest?
Yes, Machu Picchu is certainly near the Amazon Jungle, which can be felt with its warmer temperatures as well as the abundance of green dense foliage all around. However, given it’s located up at an altitude of 2430m, it’s considered to be part of the Upper Amazon Basin – and not within the true heart of the Amazon Rainforest.
Overview Of The Inca Trail And Amazon Jungle
And that’s all for this guide on if the Inca Trail is in the Amazon Rainforest.
Two of the most unforgettable regions of Peru, you’d be glad to know that it’s definitely possible to visit both of these destinations within the same trip. This means you can enjoy unforgettable Andean scenery and ancient ruins, and also see exotic wildlife within the Amazon Jungle too.
Take a look at our Four Day Inca Trail Trek, which allows us to visit remote parts of the Upper Amazon Basin where we can see impressive wildlife such as the Spectacled Bear, Giant Hummingbird as well as the emblematic Cock-of-the-rock bird.