Inca Trail to Machupicchu 4d/3n
Booking & Contact
- Type:
- Inka Trail Perú
- Visited Destinations:
- Cusco
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Peru’s best-known hike visited by thousands of tourists every year. The classical 43-km trek leading to the Sacred Inca City of Machupicchu combines the visit of mysterious archaeological sites, amazing mountain scenery and lush cloud forest rich in Andean flora and fauna. Machupicchu is reached at sunrise on the fourth day.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco to Wayllabamba
Between 04.00-04.30am our private transport and staff will pick you up from your hotel. We drive to Piskacuchu (2700m/8856ft), a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco -Machupicchu railroad, which is the starting point of the Inca Trail. We begin our hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and walking along its left shore as it flows northwest along the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay (2800m/9184ft), to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the impressive Inca city of Llactapata (2650m/8692ft). We continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach the community of Wayllabamba (3000m/9840ft), where we set our first camp. All along the way we enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5832 meters above sea level. Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley.
Meals: B, L, D
| Total distance: | 12 km (7,47 miles) |
| Estimated walking time: | 5-6 hours |
| Maximum altitude point: | 3,000 m (9,840 ft) |
| Campsite altitude: | 3,000 m (9,840 ft) |
Day 2: Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo
We wake up at around 6:00 am and after breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km. Along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass - 4200m/13776ft), we may see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at high altitude. We also cross an area of the so called cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and sparrows, and the Andean bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus). We advise that on this day specially, your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600m/11808ft), where we camp after approximately 7h of hiking.
Meals: B, L, D
|
Total distance: | 11 km (6,84 miles) |
| Estimated walking time: | 6-7 hours |
| Maximum altitude point: | 4,200 m (13,776 ft) |
| Campsite altitude: | 3,500 m (11,480 ft) |
Day 3: Pacaymayo to Wiñaywayna
This day is the longest but also the most impressive and the most interesting, due the number of archaeological sites and the lush cloud forest area that we cross, so rich in Andean flora and fauna. From Pacaymayo we climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3970m/13022ft). Halfway up, we stop to visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800m/12464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624m/11887ft). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we arrive at the third pass, the Abra Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phuyupatamarca means ¨town over the clouds¨. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley. We continue our trek down the long descending stone steps that lead us to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft), an impressive Inca complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, close to which our camp is located. This campsite hosts a trekker lodge, a bar and bathrooms with hot shower facilities. After visiting the impressive archaeological site, we enjoy our farewell dinner at our camp.
Meals: B, L, D
| Total distance: | 16 km (9,94 miles) |
| Estimated walking time: | 8 hours |
| Maximum altitude point: | 3,900 m (12,792 ft) |
| Campsite altitude: | 2,650 m (8,692 ft) |
Day 4: Wiñaywayna to Machupicchu
On this fourth and last day we get up at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna an hour later and climb to the Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we may see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machupicchu. From Intipunku we descend into Machupicchu, and 40 minutes later we enter the citadel from the highest point through the ¨House of the Guardians¨. We then descend to the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall.
Meals: B
| Total distance: | 4 km (2,49 miles) |
| Estimated walking time: | 2 hours |
| Maximum altitude point: | 2,700 m (8,829 ft) |
| Machupicchu altitude: | 2,400 m (7,872 ft) |
* Departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to the designation of the governmental institution regulating the use of the Inca Trail, as well as to our guide's criteria and the group progress
Difficulty degree of this hike
Moderate to challenging
Include
What is included
- Pre-departure briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to km.82 (starting point of the trail)
- Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field. Eureka Timberline 4 Outfitter tents are employed when double accommodation is requested and Eureka Timberline 2XT for single travelers
- One foamy sleeping pad per person
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Kitchen tent
- Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities (only if assigned campsites do not have toilets)
- English speaking professional and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
- Accommodation for all our staff
- Meals (03B, 03L, 03D + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
- Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards
- Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
- Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Bus ticket from Machupicchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes
- Backpacker train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco. Should there be no train tickets available in the direct route Aguas Calientes - Cusco, a train ticket Aguas Calientes - Sacred Valley with an additional private transportation from the Sacred Valley to your hotel in Cusco will be provided
- Transfer train station-hotel included only if returning on day 4
Not Include
- Breakfast on the first day, lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense too
- Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the 4-day trek while you're awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is s/10.00 (Peruvian Soles). Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
- Inca Trail and Machupicchu entrance fee (which must be paid on pre-departure briefing)
Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish what we recommend that you bring
Notes
Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative):
- Students: US$ 40.00 in the entrances fee (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid)
- Teenagers: US$ 40.00 in the entrances fee (up to 12 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
- Children: US$ 85.00 in the entrances fee (up to 7 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
Additional discounts (that may be added to the above-mentioned):
- SAE: 5% on full program price (valid South American Explorers Club membership card required). This discount may not be applicable in case a promotional price is offered.
- If you want to join in the organized groups (Asking our available departure dates)
Fixed departures are available along the year. Exception: one-month closing period of all Inca Trail routes in February. Please contact us to check departures to alternatives routes.
All Inca Trail departures are subject to government space availability, please check the following website: www.inc-cusco.gob.pe > RCI Nahui > Ingresar Como Invitado > Consultas > Disponibilidad Camino Inca (please select the month and then click on "Ver Disponibilidad").
Inca Trail - Important Notice
According to the Resolution #002-2004-UGM-CD, published in El Peruano on Nov 12, 2004, modifying chapter III of the Inca Trail Regulation which refers to Inca Trail space bookings, bookings will only be guaranteed by the governmental institutions when providing full names, nationalities and passport numbers of passengers, and when having paid the full amount of passengers and staff (cook and team of porters) entrance fees.
THEREFORE:
- ANDEAN EXPLORER'S CUSCO Tour Operator will guarantee the spaces booked provided:
- The booking has been first confirmed by our Reservation Department by e-mail, this meaning that spaces are available on the Inca Trail for the requested date at the moment of the booking.
- The full passenger data have been provided and the required deposit has been paid for.
- Since the Inca Trail has a maximum allowance of 500 people per day (including passengers and agency staff), we strongly recommend making your bookings as much in advance as possible to make sure you will find spaces on the desired departure date. We are already receiving bookings for departures scheduled as far as one year prior to the trek departure date, so if you wish to travel with us to the Inca Trail, please make sure to confirm your booking as soon as possible. Otherwise, we have also available alternative routes of equally awesome beauty and interest to offer to you.
VERY IMPORTANT:
- The following client information is requested for any Inca Trail booking:
- Complete names and surnames
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
The exact information provided by you will be submitted to the governmental institution in charge of regulating the access to the Inca Trail and will be included in the official permit to enter the Inca Trail on the requested date. Should there be any change in the above-mentioned data (ie. New passport number), we kindly request you to inform the Reservation Department at ANDEAN EXPLORER'S CUSCO Tour Operator via email as soon as possible. The government reserves the right not to allow the entry to any visitor whose data are not the exact ones as those in the official permit. ANDEAN EXPLORER'S CUSCO Tour Operator excludes any responsibility for a no entry in case the passenger information has changed without prior notice to us.
Group Size
Maximum 16, no minimum required
What we recommend that you bring
- A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
- Sleeping bag (please inform our Reservations Department if you wish to book this extra service at the moment of your booking)
- Sleeping pad: will be provided by us but is to be carried by you
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
- Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - no malaria risk has been reported
- Toilet paper
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
- Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into the Inca Trail. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
- Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
- Small towel
- Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
- Cash in soles and/or US$
- Original passport
- Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)
Optional services to be hired
- An extra porter to carry your personal items: US$ 110.00 / 4 days. A porter can carry up to 15kg, which should be enough for 2 people
- An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose. Please note that if you wish to visit Machupicchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee is not included
- Vistadome Service train (First Class) instead of the Backpacker one (Tourist train), at an additional cost of US$ 23.00 per person. (*) Pls note that our guide travels back to Cusco in the Backpacker train in all group services, so if you wish to book this extra service, you will not be accompanied by our guide
- Hiram Bingham Luxury Orient Express train instead of the Backpacker one (Tourist train), at an additional cost of US$ 257.00 per person. This train departs Aguas Calientes at 6.00pm and includes a gourmet dinner on board, with an estimated arrival time to Poroy train station at 9.30pm, needing an additional transfer from Poroy train station to Cusco. (*) Pls note that our guide travels back to Cusco in the Backpacker train in all group services, so if you wish to book this extra service, you will not be accompanied by our guide
- Sleeping bag rent: US$ 20.00 / 4 days. Our sleeping bags are -10ºC-comfort (0ºF). They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
- Therm-a-rest inflatable sleeping pad rent: US$ 20.00 / 4 days
ANDEAN EXPLORER'S CUSCO & RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
As a Responsible Company we are helping to the porter's wife in order to be included in the Tourism activity like gastronomic services providers, we have the SUMAK ANDEAN PROJECT where they are offering a special local breakfast, which is $ 6 USD if you are interesting in support them you are invited to go with our groups.
Book now 'Inca Trail to Machupicchu 4d/3n'
Koos Rijshouwer 2010-06-12 12:51:13
Dear Sir/Madam,
Together with my daughter Stephanie and her friend/partner Ruud, I participated in the Inca-trail starting on 10th and ending on 13th November 2009. At the end of our 3 weeks\' roundtrip in Peru with touroperator Djoser from the Netherlands, this trail really has been one of the most exciting items of our holidays. The landscape was overwhelming beautiful and varied, whereas the arrival at the sungate with a view at Machu Picchu was of an astonishing greatness. This trail should not have had such an affect on all of us without the performance of your guide BONET. From the beginning on up to and including her perfect and inspiring explanations in/on Machu Pichhu and every day before on our way and during all the tastful meals (compliments to the kitchenstaff and personnel), she has been very helpful and informative. We really hope that Bonet will have a successful job and career in your team because she deserves it. We should highly appreciate it if you will keep Bonet posted of our gratitude against both her and you as the organizer of the Inca-trail. We wish you a lot of success with your tours.
Muchas gracias para todo y muchos recuerdos desde Holanda!
Koos Rijshouwer (un amigo de su paìs)