Inca Trail 04 days
The Inca Trail is by far the most famous trek in South America and is rated by many to be amongst the top 5 treks in the world. Over just 26 miles (43 Km) the Inca Trail combines beautiful mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest, subtropical jungle and, of course an outstanding mix of Inca paving stones, ruins and tunnels.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Ollantaytambo - KM 82 - Llactapata - Wayllabamba
You will be picked up from your Cusco hotel early in the morning in private transport. You should have breakfast in your hotel or bring some snacks. We will stop in Ollantaytambo for last minute purchases, plus an opportunity for breakfast if you wish. We will continue to Pisacucho (also known as Kilometre 82) where the trail starts. On arrival at Kilometre82, it is necessary to show entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) student card. Crossing the Urubamba river we begin our trek through typical dry forest growing cacti, prickly pears and the Tara tree. We will walk around 3 hours (6kms) to Llactapata the first archaeological site on our journey. 4 kilometres of gentle uphill through farmland takes us to Wayllabamba and our campsite for the night.
Walking – 12kms or 8 miles
Minimum Altitude – 2,700ms, 8990 feet. / Maximum Altitude – 3,100ms, 10000feet
Altitude of camp – 3,100ms , 10000 feet./ Approx night temperature: Around 10oC.
Day 2. Wayllabamba - Llulluchapampa - Dead Woman's Pass - Pacaymayo
This is generally considered the most challenging day of the trek. We will wake early in order to get a good start. Leaving small villages and farmland we will enter the sub tropical forest and lunch around Llulluchapampa. From here we will start a steep ascent towards the highest pass (Abra de Huarmihuañusca/'Dead Woman's Pass’ – 4200m/13779ft). There is an amazing sense of achievement upon reaching the top. We will continue downwards 600ms (1980 feet) over 3 kms (1.8 miles) through very humid forest to the evening campsite of Pacaymayo,
Walking – 11kms or 6.8 miles
Minimum Altitude – 3,100ms, 10000 feet. / Maximum Altitude – 4,200ms, 13780feet
Altitude of Camp – 3,600ms, 11810 feet/ Approx night temperature: Around 6 degrees C.
Day 3 Pacaymayo - Sayakmarka - Phuyupatamarca - Wiñay Wayna
After another early breakfast we will walk to the beautiful Inka site of Runkurakay one of the check points and the beginnings of the original royal Inca trail to Machu Picchu. We will continue on to Sayakmarka one of the most beautiful Inka remains on this, the Classic Inca trail. After lunch we trek through some very beautiful scenery ,with, the entrance to the cloud forest and the fabulous examples of orchids and humming birds we will walk for another hour to Phuyupatamarca (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’) and to reach the third highest point on the trail (3680m). There are also wonderful views of Salkantay Mountain. From here we have 3 hours of downhill into the forest and Wiñay Wayna and our camp for the evening. This is the most popular campsite with access to hot showers and a cold beer. A short distance from this campsite is located the Inca site of the same name ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are tired after your day’s trek, don’t miss out on visiting the most impressive site on the trail. Make sure you ask your guide about visiting this site!
Walking – 12kms, 10.5 miles
Minimum Altitude – 2,670ms, 8760 feet. / Maximum Altitude – 3,900ms, 12800feet
Altitude of Camp – 2,670ms, 8760 feet/ Approx night temperature: Around 12 degrees
Day 4 WiñayWayna - IntiPunku - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
We will rise very early on this day in order to arrive at the (‘Sun gate’) (2730m/8792ft) before sunrise. This early morning hike is the final part of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and from the Sun Gate you have your first view of the mysterious and enigmatic Machu Picchu. After some time there, we will walk down the last part of the trail to the spot where you can take the classic photo (picture postcard shot) of this ancient city. Finally we visit Machu Picchu itself! A walking tour (approximately 2.5 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8923ft)!!! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top. (New system requires permit purchased separately) You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. Note: The train included in all tours is the Backpacker service (to Ollantaytambo) and then bus to Cusco. For those who wish a more flexible train timetable, you might like to upgrade to a Vistadome train. This is an extra $30 per person and must be nominated AT BOOKING.
Walking – 8kms, 5 miles
Minimum Altitude – 2,400ms, 7870 feet. / Maximum Altitude – 2,720ms, 8920 feet
IMPORTANT – government regulations will not allow reservations to be made unless accompanied by full passport details of the client and full payment of the entrance fee to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. This is to assist in the 500 people a day rule. Therefore to guarantee your place on the inca trail trek or tour you must provide a scanned copy of your passport and a non refundable deposit. Your reservation will only be confirmed when we have your entrance ticket in our hands. In case of passport number change this information must be relayed to us or you will lose your booking. Original passport must be carried on trail.
Included / Not Included
INCLUDED IN THE TREK
- Pick up from your hotel by your tour guide at 4.30AM (to get ahead of the crowd)
- Transfer to KM 82, the start of your trek, Km 82 (in private transportation)
- Amazing breakfast at KM 82 prepared by your trekking chef (other companies don’t include this, you would have to shop around or simply not have breakfast )
- Professional English-speaking tour guide
- Entrance into the Inca Trail National Park
- Entrance into Machu Picchu Archaeological Sanctuary
- Superb porters to carry all the equipment, tents, food, cooking gear, and dining tents
- Porters carry your personal belongings (up to 7kg) – at no extra cost!
- Permits and entrance fees for our porters, cooks and guides
- 4 breakfasts, 4 snacks, 3 lunches, 3 happy (social) hours, and 3 dinners. All of these meals are prepared by our cook and his assistant.
- Small pillows for sleeping, more confortable!
- Foam mat (1/2 inch/1.25 cm thick)
- Coca tea served each morning in your tent for a gentle start to the day
- Boiled water provided after breakfast, lunch and dinner to refill your water bottles
- Happy hour includes hot drinks such as mate de coca and locally grown coffee which is prepared by our cook
- Snacks every morning
- Access to an oxygen tank and first aid kit
- Vegetarian food and specialized diets (upon request)
- Only 2 people per tent (in our 4-person tents giving lots of room for your personal items – clean & waterproof)
- Dining tents and personal tents included
- Private, portable toilet tent for your group’s use only
- 2 hour private guided tour within Machu Picchu ruins
- Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes village
- Expedition train return to Ollantaytambo then by bus to Cusco (you can upgrade to Vistadome by request)
- Taxes included
- Rain Ponchos (Made in Cusco by Alpaca Expeditions)
- Day Pack Rain Covers (Made in Cusco by Alpaca Expeditions)
NOT INCLUDED (See “Our Equipment” for photos)
- Sleeping Bag (rentals available from Alpaca Expeditions for up to -15°C/5°F)
- Trekking poles (rentals available from Alpaca Expeditions – adjustable telescoping/fold up)
- Inflatable sleeping pads for extra comfort (3 inches/8 cm thick) (rentals available from Alpaca Expeditions)
- Your last lunch in Aguas Calientes
TREKKING CHECKLIST
- PLEASE remember to bring your original passport – you will not get on the Inca Trail without it!
- Your original ISIC card (www.isic.org), if applicable (please send us a copy at the time of your booking)
- Day Pack
- Sleeping bag (you can rent from Alpaca Expeditions)
- Hiking boots and sandals (very important)
- Trekking poles (you can rent from Alpaca Expeditions)
- Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night. Thermals/Gloves/scarves: wool socks and wool hat for cold nights: About 4 T-shirts for the entire trek
- Head lamp (very important)
- Camera and extra batteries
- Sunscreen/hat and sunglasses
- Personal medical kit
- Insect repellent
- Rain Gear: a good rain jacket and rain pants and plastic rain poncho.
- Toilet paper
- Small towel
- Camel bag – if not you can take plastic bottles for water
- Baby wipes
- toiletries
- Extra money for drinks & tips, souvenirs, etc. (soles or dollars) At least 200 extra soles
- Swim suit for the (optional) hot spring
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