Follow the river into a world of jungle landscapes and wild nature while Quechuas Expeditions takes you deeper into the heart of Peru.
Discover our Salkantay camps and experience the ultimate trekking adventure in the heart of the Andes with eco-friendly campsites and stunning views.







































Tours Pongo de Mainique offer a journey where the Andes meet the Amazon, combining river navigation, jungle landscapes, wildlife, and authentic experiences in one unforgettable route.
Hidden deep in the Cusco Amazon, where the Andes give way to the rainforest, lies one of Peru’s most dramatic and least explored natural wonders: Pongo de Mainique. This 4-day expedition takes you far beyond the usual routes, into a remote river canyon carved by powerful waters and surrounded by pristine jungle.
Travel through breathtaking landscapes, navigate sacred rivers, encounter extraordinary wildlife, and connect with local communities whose lives are deeply intertwined with the forest. Designed for adventurous travelers seeking authenticity, nature, and meaningful experiences, this journey offers a rare opportunity to explore an untouched corner of the Amazon.
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Our Tours Pongo de Mainique have earned recognition for quality service, safety standards, and authentic cultural experiences in the Amazon-Andes region.
Follow the river into a world of jungle landscapes and wild nature while Quechuas Expeditions takes you deeper into the heart of Peru.
In this section, we share what makes Pongo de Mainique one of the most unique routes in Peru, where the Andes meet the Amazon through powerful rivers and untouched jungle.
Pongo de Mainique is home to rich Amazon biodiversity, including tropical birds, monkeys, butterflies, and dense rainforest vegetation, making every journey a unique encounter with nature.
The canyon lies within the influence of the Megantoni National Sanctuary, a protected area created in 2004 that preserves more than 10 ecological zones. This sanctuary shelters an exceptional variety of plant and animal species, including birds, primates, butterflies, and endemic Amazonian wildlife.
One of the characteristic stops in the area is the Tonkini waterfall, surrounded by thick vegetation and steep canyon walls. The region is known for pristine riverbanks, hidden cascades, and lush scenery ideal for nature photography and quiet observation.
Most Tours Pongo de Mainique start with a scenic drive from Quillabamba to Ivochote, followed by a boat journey along the Urubamba River, entering the canyon through remote jungle landscapes only accessible by water.
The region is connected to native Matsigenka communities, whose traditions and relationship with the forest continue to shape life in the area. Traveling through Pongo de Mainique offers insight into cultures that have lived alongside the river for generations.
Travelers share authentic experiences about their journey through the breathtaking canyon, highlighting expert guides, smooth logistics, and unforgettable Amazon scenery.
Posted on Sara DVerified 10/10 Experience - Would Recommend! We had an amazing time on the Salkantay 5 Day Trek. Before the trip started, Quechuas had great communication and was very accommodating to our travel schedule, including adjusting our briefing time with our guide.The skydome accomodations were great (all fairly spacious, with exception of night 2, which was fine as we didn’t spend much time there), the food was delicious (a great variety and always more than enough to go around) and the trek itself was beautiful. Our guide Steven, as well as second guide Jorge, were very patient, knowledgeable and kind to us and the others in our group - not only did we get to see incredible scenery but we also learned a lot about the local landscape and culture.We rented sleeping bags, which we would highly recommend. We brought our own hiking poles but would recommend renting if you don’t bring your own.Overall, an amazing experience and we would highly recommend this company.Posted on Matthew WVerified Seamless and Supportive Inca Trail Experience – Highly Recommend We recently completed the 4-day Classic Inca Trail trek with Quechuas Expeditions in June 2025, and overall had a fantastic experience that struck the perfect balance between physical challenge and logistical ease.Our guide, Fernando (“Nando”), was outstanding—passionate, deeply knowledgeable about the trail’s rich history, and highly supportive throughout. He kept our group motivated and informed, and managed different paces and needs with professionalism and care. His English was great, and he always made time to answer questions or share interesting stories along the way.The porter and chef team were phenomenal. Every meal was different, delicious, and plentiful—we were never hungry, and dietary needs (including vegan and vegetarian) were handled without issue. They even baked a custom cake on the trail for a couple’s anniversary, which speaks volumes about their care and capability. The porters themselves were friendly, warm, and constantly going above and beyond to support us.Quechuas provided tents, sleeping bags, a toilet tent, and hot water for face washing each morning, plus coca tea as a wake-up touch. The duffel service was useful, though we did find the weight limits a bit tighter than expected once you factor in the sleeping bag. In the end, we paid for an extra porter—which was easy to arrange but worth noting for those planning their packing. One thing we didn’t know in advance: the porter bags aren’t waterproof, so future trekkers may want to use dry bags or line the inside with plastic.Another small consideration: due to how campsites are assigned (by the government, not the tour company), some days ended up being longer than the traditional day-by-day breakdown you might read online. While not Quechuas’ fault, for myself, as much heads-up as possible would’ve helped with my own mental preparation.All said, Quechuas Expeditions delivered where it mattered most. The logistics were smooth, the staff was superb, and their support allowed us to focus on enjoying the trail and the breathtaking views without worrying about the rest. This is a company that knows what it’s doing.Would I recommend them? Absolutely—whether you’re a first-time trekker or experienced hiker, they make an unforgettable journey that much more seamless and enjoyable. If I ever do this again, I would book with them without question, and if possible, request the exact same team. Thank you Fernando and team for a trip of a lifetime and memories that will stay with me forever 🙏Posted on Arianna OVerified Amazing trip on the Inca Trail with Quechuas Expeditions I never imagined that the Inca Trail could be so transformative. My partner and I decided to do the classic 4-day trek with Quechuas Expeditions and, honestly, it exceeded all our expectations. From the very first moment we felt very welcome. The service was impeccable, they were always attentive to our needs, solving all our doubts before and during the trek.The hike was not easy, but the views, the fresh mountain air and the energy of the group kept us going without thinking about how tiring it was. The meals at the campsites surprised us pleasantly, we really did not expect so much variety and flavor in the middle of the mountain. And the end, reaching Machu Picchu through the sun gate (Inti Punku) was simply magical, there are no words to describe that moment. It is definitely a unique experience that connects you with the history, culture and nature of Peru. Thank you Quechuas Expeditions for making this trip so special!Posted on naomiammarVerified Hardest challenge of my life but worth it One of the hardest things I have ever done (definitely underestimate the difficulty level), and I don’t know if I would have made it if it wasn’t for our awesome guide Frenando and all the amazing staff we had. What a fantastic group of people. The porters are so hard working, it’s so humbling. The chef Taco was fantastic! I am vegan and he made me the most amazing food the entire time. I couldn’t believe it. And then our guide Fernando topped it all. Knowledgeable, professional yet fun, very personable, very patient (we were slow!) and very encouraging. If you are considering taking on this challenge, I highly recommend Quechua’s Expeditions and if you can request Fernando. E sure to do so. He’s been doing this for 19yrs!Posted on cade cVerified Awesome trek We really enjoyed our trip. It was challenging and also rewarding. Beautiful views and even better food. I can’t rave enough about our cook Santiago! Food was unbelievable. Jose did a fantastic job leading us along the way. He did a good job of explaining what we are seeing! Looking for a physical challenge with beautiful views this is the trek for you.Posted on Lola UVerified Demanding, enriching and unforgettable thanks to the human team I will always be grateful to the rich food and attentions of Santiago, the cook, the professionalism and good advice of José, the guide, the kindness of the helpers, who have made it possible to improve the experience.Posted on Julia C.Verified Amazing trek, amazing guide and staff The Salkantay Trek was absolutely stunning, domes and the views were great with hot water available. What the trek made very special was our guide Nildo. Also, the chef Julian, horseman and second guide were incredible too. Nildo was knowledgeable, caring and passionate about everything he shared. I cannot imagine a better guide :-) Everything was very well organized.Posted on Emelie AVerified Hike of a lifetime! We had the most amazing time! The different sceneries along the trek are just unbelievable and although being two fairly unfit persons we could enjoy it all the way. Fernando and Steven are terrific guides making sure we were all comfortable and happy at all times. The food and accommodations along the way were also a lot more luxurious than what we’d expected. Would 100% recommend this to anyone who’s up for a hike!!
Frequently asked questions about Tours Pongo de Mainique help you understand the route, travel logistics, what to expect during the journey, and how to prepare for this unique adventure between the Andes and the Amazon.
The Pongo de Mainique is a stunning 3-km-long gorge on the Urubamba River, narrowed to just 45 m in width by sheer cliffs that rise over 1200 m on either side. Carved into the Vilcabamba Mountains, this gorge marks the border between the Upper and Lower Urubamba, a spectacular gateway from the high Andes to the Amazonian lowlands.
Most tours begin with a road journey from Cusco to Quillabamba and continue to Ivochote. From there, travelers continue by boat along the Urubamba River, which is the main way to reach the canyon and surrounding rainforest areas.
Tours usually range from 3 to 4 days, depending on the itinerary, activities, and transportation included.
The tour is moderate in difficulty. Most activities involve boat navigation and light walks, suitable for travelers with average fitness.
The dry season (May to October) is ideal for better weather and river navigation, although tours operate year-round.
Yes, our tours are operated by experienced guides follow safety protocols for river navigation and jungle activities.