Trek to Machu Picchu and Go to the Amazon

A challenging climb to the Salkantay Pass followed by a deep journey into the historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu and its incredible archeology and sacred geometry. The final days were spent immersed in the Amazon jungle and rainforest amongst the powerful Howler Monkeys, Macaws, Toucans and Capybaras. A beautifully balanced and curated adventure.

This was two separate trips that meshed seamlessly together for one amazing adventure! Everything was well organized from visiting several Inca sites to the Salkantay Trek, to Machu Picchu to exploring the biodiversity of the Amazon. Throw in 2 expert guides namely Christian for the Salkantay Trek and Samy for the Amazon adventure and this trip truly became uniquely memorable. The trip was physically challenging, mentally stimulating and spiritually fulfilling. It was only made better by a cast of amazing companions! Oh yeah, the scenery was breathtaking, the food was all natural and tasty and the memories were unforgettable. This was only my second Much Better Adventures Trip but I am already looking to book another!

This was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. There were some minor scheduling issues but mostly the trip worked seemlessly and everything was set up and ready to go. The Salkantay trek was a bucket list item for me and the support we received with porters and the chefs on the trip was exceptional. We had first wave tickets to Machu Picchu and the last fees days in the rainforest were perfect R&R after our hike with an amazing diversity of animals to see. The group mix was good - 30-40 year olds from the UK, Australia, and North America and everyone got along well. Do note that although you have MBA for high level organization your tours are run completely separately through local companies.

Trek to Machu Picchu and the Amazon trip with Much Better Adventures was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Everything was very well organised, and both guides made the experience even more special. Will, our guide on the Salkantay Trek, was fantastic — very knowledgeable, supportive, and always kept the group motivated throughout the hike. The trek itself was challenging but absolutely worth it, with breathtaking scenery every day and an incredible atmosphere within the group. Arriving at Machu Picchu after completing the trek was an unforgettable moment. One of the best parts of the adventure was the amazing group of people I shared the experience with. Everyone was friendly, supportive, and fun to be around, which made the whole journey even more enjoyable. From hiking together through the mountains to sharing stories in the evenings and exploring the Amazon, it felt like a real team adventure. In the Amazon, our guide Rio was equally amazing. He had incredible knowledge about the rainforest, wildlife, and local culture, and made every excursion exciting and interesting. Exploring the jungle, spotting wildlife, and experiencing the Amazon environment was something I will never forget. The whole trip was perfectly organised with a great balance of adventure, culture, and comfort. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Peru.

The guides were great, the location was great. The 4 day Amazon portion was disappointing. What was listed in the itinerary was not available in our location. The guides knew nothing about what our scheduled itinerary was. When we asked the tour lead for Action Perú he said that was for people who book next year. I was looking forward to the canopy tour. . instead we took a walk.

While there were parts of the experience I genuinely enjoyed — including the natural beauty of the surroundings and the enthusiasm of the guides — the overall service did not match the price paid. The accommodation was below expectations in terms of cleanliness and comfort, and during the trek, the guides were not equipped with basic safety essentials like a first aid kit, extra water, or emergency food. With a few improvements, this could be a much better experience, but as it stands, it felt overpriced for what was offered.

This trip basically has three segments. First, the Salkantay trek. Starting one day at thirty degrees in the mountains, ending it twelve hours later in an eighty-degree cloud forest. Days were long and sometimes taxing but the scenery is spectacular throughout. Crossing the Salkantay Pass felt dramatic -- small avalanches vibrating down the mountain while our guide Eddie led a Quechuan ceremony as condors flew nearby. Second is Machu Picchu and the stay in Aguas Calientes. Is it possible for one of the world's most famous sites to be more impressive than advertised? We arrived near sunrise and watched as mists evaporated and gave way to a sunny morning. The size and scope of the ruins, as well as the surrounding natural environment, are awesome. Third is the rainforest visit to Tambopata. Lots of wildlife (caiman, capybara, macaws, several monkey species, tarantulas) and trees that seemed like characters in a fantasy novel. Loved waking to the birds and howler monkeys outside. There's a swimming creek on site and enough downtime to enjoy it. All chill and magical. Nothing but praise for the guides. Lino and Eddie kept the hike organized and on track across a range of experience levels and paces. I also realized late how much logistical work they do behind the scenes, like organizing meals and last-minute changes to transportation and site admissions. When someone became ill, they arranged for immediate transport; one night they surprised someone with a birthday cake. Superb. In the rainforest, Leo had a supernatural ability to spot wildlife from a distance. Highly knowledgeable and experienced, with great stories and a goofball sense of humor that kept things light. The group got along great. There was an even age distribution from mid-20s to early 60s. About half came in pairs and half solo. Many experienced hikers -- several had climbed Kilimanjaro -- and big, enthusiastic personalities. Enjoyed everybody on the tour. Got a little misty-eyed saying goodbye at the end. A few things I wished I'd known. Bring plenty of cash for the hike: there's no electronic payment outside of the cities, no ATMs and you'll want to tip the crew and buy snacks on the trail. Only about 1-1/2 days of the hike are legit cold; I overpacked on winter gear. Camping accommodations were fine but it's not glamping: cold showers and rooster wake-up calls at odd hours. Expect to be up at 5 a. m. most mornings, sometimes earlier. Light long sleeves and long pants are the way to avoid bug bites. Get a Diomax prescription: seemed like we were all on it and mostly avoided altitude problems. Parts of the Tambopata visit varied from the published itinerary, but it was all awesome, so I didn't care.

The adventure was amazing - mainly thanks to the incredible group I was with. The trek isn’t too physically demanding but satisfying and incredible views, so varied and so fun to see the lake, glacier and cross into the jungle. So much variety in 4 days. I would highly recommend doing the shorter walk along the railway line of day 4 so you can get the earlier tickets for Machu Picchu. The 6am tickets are well worth it as the crowds are much less and you get some fabulous pictures. The jungle stay is amazing! The eco lodge is gorgeous and guides wonderful. Overall, a fabulous trip, however, our guide in Cusco and trekking (Leno) was very poor and lacked any enthusiasm and interest in the group, several people had travel dilemmas and both Leno and Roxner were incredibly unhelpful so need to work on their skills there. However, the experience is fab and the group I was with were absolute 10/10. In all honesty, MBA need to pick up the quality of their guides as a few people have had mediocre experiences. Having personally had unacceptable guides on another trip I currently would not recommend MBA and would certainly explore companies that offer the same route and jungle stay as the actual adventure is top level.

This was my first trip with Much Better Adventures—and it definitely won’t be my last. The trek to Machu Picchu was physically demanding, with a few tough days of hiking, but every step was absolutely worth it. The scenery along the way was breathtaking, and camping out under the stars made the whole experience feel even more immersive and special. It’s important for anyone considering this trip to understand that it is tough—you don’t need to be an athlete, but having a solid base level of fitness will make a big difference in how much you enjoy it. Our guides, Edi and Lino, were incredible—enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and fully engaged with the group from start to finish. They brought so much energy and insight to the journey. One of the most meaningful moments was an Incan ceremony led by Edi at the top of the Salkantay Pass—an intimate and spiritual experience that brought the group closer together. The meals on the trek were excellent, thanks to a dedicated team of chefs who worked hard to keep us well-fed with fresh and plentiful food. A really thoughtful highlight was the birthday cake they arranged for one of our group members—completely unexpected and very appreciated. As a group, we chose to change our Machu Picchu entry time to see the sunrise—and we’re so glad we did. The early start was well worth it. The views as the sun lit up the ruins were absolutely stunning, and we were fortunate to experience it with very few people around us. That quiet, golden morning light added something truly magical to an already awe-inspiring place. It felt incredibly special to be there in that moment. The Amazon leg of the adventure was completely different, but just as impressive. We were lucky enough to spot a huge variety of wildlife—capybaras, caimans, snakes, monkeys, otters, and macaws. The accommodation was basic, exactly what you'd expect and want in a remote setting, and the food—while simpler—was always fresh and tasty. A huge part of what made this trip so memorable was the group itself. The 13 of us bonded quickly and shared so many incredible moments together. We’re already planning a reunion and searching for our next adventure. Overall, the trip exceeded expectations on every level. Thank you to Much Better Adventures for delivering such a meaningful, challenging, and unforgettable experience. I’m already looking forward to the next one!

This was my first MBA trip, and it did not disappoint! The trip was incredible from start to finish. The Salkantay Trail was brilliant - stunning scenery, knowledgeable guides, and excellent support throughout. The food and accommodations along the trail were great and made the whole experience more enjoyable. The second leg of the trip in the Amazon was just as unforgettable. Once again, the guides went above and beyond, even organising extra activities like bird spotting during our downtime. I can’t recommend this trip highly enough. If you’re considering it, go for it - you won’t be disappointed. An unforgettable experience all around!