Take the chance to hike the Inca Trail; this is an unforgettable experience because you will be part of a mixing of adventure, nature and mysticism. Through the entire trek you will have the opportunity to se the most amazing sceneries, mountains, cloud forest, orchids, birds and the most beautiful landscape that you can imagine.
The Inca Trail it is a spectacular journey that has to be performed at least once in life. It has a distance of 42 km from km 82 to the citadel of Machu Picchu. People around the world come to Peru to do the Inca Trail.
The Inca Trail has a quota of 500 persons per day runs well in advance, so it is important to book in 4 or 5 months before traveling, especially in the months of April to October.
The traditional Inca Trail lasts 4 days/ 3 nights, this is the most common and chosen by the travelers.
DAY 01: PISKAKUCHO (KM. 82) – WAYLLABAMBA – (The Easy Day)
A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 of the Machu Picchu railroad. After getting acquainted with our trail crew we set out, crossing a footbridge to hike a gentle two hours down the Urubamba canyon, and then visit imposing sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. We then climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Wayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we camp.
DAY 02 : WAYLLABAMBA – PAKASMAYU – (The Challenge Day)
We climb the steep-sided Llullucha valley past a rushing stream and through enchanted native polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the puna, the treeless grasslands of the high Andes . The trail traverses an open slope opposite mighty mountain crags as we ascend to the first and highest pass, Warmiwañusca (4,200m/13,776ft). Here we encounter spectacular views of the trail ahead to the second pass, and look back to the sweeping snowpeaks and valleys of the Huayanay massif. The trail to the floor of the forested Pakasmayu valley, where we make camp.
DAY 03 : PAKASMAYU – WIÑAY WAYNA – (The Unforgettable Day)
We pick up an Inca stairway and ascend again past the small Inca site of Runkuracay. As we reach the second pass, the landscape opens onto spectacular new views to the snowpeaks of the Pumasillo range. We descend tothe ruins of Sayacmarca ( Inaccessible Town ), an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley. The Inca trail, now a massive buttressed structure of granite paving stones, continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns. At the third pass pinnacles topped with Inca viewing platforms overlook the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town). Pausing to explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways that spillins down the mountainside here, we begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us finally to our camp by the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites.
DAY 04 : WIÑAY WAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO – (The Special Day)
An early morning hike takes us across a steep mountainside through lush, humid cloud-forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry -a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu. We complete the final leg down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings and into the heart of Machu Picchu, where we spend the rest of the morning with a guided tour of the highlights and some individual exploring among Machu Picchu multitude of hidden nooks and corners. Finally a bus takes us to the small town of Aguas Calientes, where we board our return train to Cusco.
SERVICE INCLUDED
•Transfer by bus to km.82 (trail head)
•Entrance Fee, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
•A large tent, for each 2 persons.
•Mattress, one per person.
•Kitchen tent.
•Dining tent.
•Enough tables and chairs.
•English speaking professional tour guide (over 8 members, 2 guides).
•An expert cook.
•Porters (to carry tent, food, cooking equipment)
•Train Ticket
•Full meals during the trek.
•Daily snack bag.
•Daily afternoon tea service.
•Daily wake up tea, and hot water for washing.
•Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
•Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
•Transfer train station / hotel
•Bus Ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
NO INCLUDED:
•Breakfast first day (you can order an early breakfast at your hotel)
•Lunch last day
•Hot springs pool visit (on your own).
•Tips to the crew (guides, cooks and porters).
•Sleeping bag
WHAT WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU BRING
•A backpack with necessary 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
•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
•Handkerchiefs
•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$ (No ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
•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)
the most shorter is the 2 days Inca trail that stars at kilometer 104, located in the railroad Cusco-Machu Picchu, we will start walking to the city of Machu Picchu, across the Urubamba River through a bridge that offers a spectacular view of the mountains, and the first visit will be Wiñaywana, the you continue with trek until the Intipunku or Sun Gate, here you will have an spectacular view of Machu Picchu, then overnight in the town of Aguas Calientes. The following day, earlier, you will go to the fantastic Machu Picchu ruins.
Also there are more treks excursions of Inca trail which can last more days, but depends of your good conditions, time and enthusiasm to do that.
We offer some alternatives of Inca Trail tours; choose the one that better fits on your travel plan.
