Classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu

4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Attraction:

A trek organized for you and your partner or a select group of friends. A porter will carry your personal gear; you will carry only a small day-pack. For private services, we do not add other people to your group. Departs daily. Journey through many of the Machupicchu Historical Sanctuary's ten ecological zones, from high grasslands, tropical mountain forest, ancient Inca ruins, and granite pathways to the famous lost city itself, now declared one of the new 7 wonders of the world.

Day 1 Cusco - Km. 82 - Wayllabamba

After an early morning departure from our hotel, we'll travel through the Sacred Valley of the Inca.
From Km82, we'll begin our trek by hiking along the left bank of the Vilcanota river, watched over by the summit of Mount Veronica (5,900 metres / 19,000 feet). We'll camp that night on a terrace near the small village of Wayllabamba. (15.8km –9.8mi / 6 hours walking)

Day 2 Wayllabamba - Pacaymayu

We'll trek upward through native forest to the highest camp-site on the Inca Trail, at Pacaymayu. Today will be one of the most demanding days of the trek as we ascend to the mountain pass at Warmiwanuska (4200 metres/13,750 feet).
From here, we'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the peaks of Huayanay to the east, and the rugged Vilcabamba range to the west. Afterward, we'll descend to our campsite at Pacaymayu. (8.6km – 5.3mi / 6.5 hours walking)

Day 3 Pacaymayu - Winay Wayna (15 km)

Today, we'll cross a second mountain pass at 4,000 metres (13,100 feet), and follow a finely-paved and well-preserved Inc highway to the restored archaeological site of Sayacmarka. This section of the Inca Trail is paved with white granite and traverses a thickly forested slope. We'll camp at Wiñaywayna after a spectacular descent from cloud forest and high jungle. Wiñaywayna is a beautiful ceremonial site divided into two sectors and fashioned from finely-carved stones fit together withgreat precision.
(15km – 9.3mi / 7 hours walking)

Day 4 WinayWayna - Machu Picchu (5 km)

Orchids and hummingbirds are a common sight along this stretch of the Inca Trail, and the Urubamba river is a constant presence far below us. From Wiñaywayna we'll continue to Intipunku, or the Sun Gate, from where we will see Machupicchu for the first time stretched out below on a rocky outcropping. Overhead you'll find the peak known as Wayna Picchu. From here, we need only stroll down the final stretch of the royal highway and enter at last the enigmatic citadel, which lay hidden for four centuries before being revealed to the world by chance discovery.
(5km – 3.1mi / 2.5 hours walking)
Guided excursion of Machupicchu and in the afternoon, we'll return to Cusco by train, arriving in the evening.

Note: Campsites may change as dictated by government regulation.

Included:

• Pick up at your Hotel
• Transportation by Bus to km 82
• Entrance Ticket to the Inca Trail and Machupicchu
• Professional bilingual guide
• Mountain Hardwear tents (3-person tent for every 2 individuals)
• Foam mattress (self inflatable mattress can be rented)
• Cooking equipment, mess tent, dining tent, chairs, tables, accommodation for the porters and cook
• A Cook preparing all meals
• Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners and snacks; food is programmed for trekking and is rich in carbohydrates.
• Boiled water provided at meal times to refill your water bottle
• Porters (to carry the tents, food and cooking equipment)
• First aid kit, Emergency oxygen
• Bus from Machupicchu to Train Station
• Return by Expedition train: Machupicchu / Poroy
• Radio communications
• Transfer from station to hotel

Not included:

• Lunch on the last day
• Sleeping Bag
• Tips for the porters, cook and guide

For rent:

• Trekking poles: Leki and Black Diamond, 1 for US $ 7.00 and 2 for US $ 10.00.
• Self inflatable mattress Therm-a-Rest US $ 10.00
• Sleeping bag, US $ 16.00. Our sleeping bags are a mummy model and rated -11 Celsius (12 Fahrenheit).
• Personal porter can be hired to carry your personal items such as sleeping bag, mattress, clothes etc. US $ 120.00, sufficient for two people.

Option: Upgrade to Train back to Poroy with Vistadome train ($ 30.00)

RETURN FROM MACHUPICCHU TO CUSCO / POROY

• Vistadome departure 16:00 hrs. arrival Poroy train station: 19:42 hrs. Transfer Poroy to your hotel in Cusco by car approximately 20 minutes.
• Expedition departure 17:03 hrs. arrival Poroy train station: 20:01 hrs. Transfer station to your hotel in Cusco by car approximately 20 minutes.

Note 1: Schedule subject to change. Train timetables valid till may.
Note 2: Note: If this train if fully booked you will journey by bus to the Sacred Valley and board the train in Ollantaytambo.
On your return you will get of the train in Ollantaytambo and continue by bus to Cusco.

Vistadome versus Expedition

Vistadome
These spectacular carriages have beautiful panoramic windows offering unsurpassed scenic views and photograp hic opportunities. With glass surrounding them on all sides, passengers feel as if they are part of Peru's remarkable landscape. Vistadome is the quickest way to visit Machu Picchu and apart from the carriages of the Hiram Bingham, the most comfortable. Snacks and hot and cold refreshments are included on the journey.

Expedition
The Backpacker carriages are created for our adventure passengers or for those seeking comfort and security, without all the frills. These carriages offer travellers a true Peruvian experience. Seats are upholstered with indigenous fabrics, giving a touch of local flavour. Snacks are served on this service and additional storage space is available for backpacks.

Inca Trail packing list and rental options

What to bring on the 4 day Inca trail?

We suggest to keep your personal items to a minimum weight. A good choice is to keep the total weight under 7 kg (15 pounds).Consider to hire a porter for your personal belongings if you do not want to carry them. A personal porter will take
the luggage of two people (max. 15 kg).

We have made up the following packing list for the Inca Trail which we think fits best.

Recommended packing list for the 4 day Inca Trail
Tops

• 1 poly/fleece (wind stopper) jacket
• 1 poly/fleece light weight sweater
• 1 lightweight long sleeved shirt (optional)
• 2-3 T-shirts
• 1 rain poncho (preferable) or rain jacket

Bottoms

• 1 pair wind/rain pants (Gore-tex or similar)
• 1 pair lightweight cotton pants (loose jeans/khakis)
• 1 lightweight fleece pants

Foot & hand wear

• 4 pairs wool or synthetic socks
• 1 pair of (used) trekking boots
• 1 pair of wool or fleece gloves

Headgear

• 1 wool or fleece hat
• 1 sunhat
• 1 pair sun glasses that provide good UV protection

Miscellaneous

• 1 sleeping bag (rated to -11 C / 12 F)
• 1 good (day) backpack
• 2 walking poles
• 1 headlamp (preferable) or torch
• 1 pocket knife
• 1 water bottle
• water sterilizing tablets (Micropur)
• Note: bottled water for sale at several parts of the trek; consult your guide at the briefing
• sun block
• 1 lip balm (spf 16)
• insect repellent
• towel and soap
• toiletry kit
• toilet paper
• personal medicines

Optional:

• camera and extra memory cards
• spare battery for your camera
• binoculars
• bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• hot showers in Winayhuayna (US $ 2.00)
• sleeping bag
• porter for your personal equipment

FIXED DEPARTURES: EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY & SATURDAY

Dates in Red are sold out

January: 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29

February: Inca Trail is closed for maintenance

Not possible to leave on these dates? Ask us for more possibilities!

• Adults please consult us
  
• Students US $ 20 discount (only with valid ISIC card)
• Important: Mail a scanned copy of your ISIC card together with your reservation for processing, we can not obtain your discount afterwards or when you present your card in our office.

minimum number of participants 4.

Inca Trail via Salkantay to Machu Picchu

A trek through an extraordinary variety of ecological floors, from tropical valleys to glacial steppes.

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

A program know as Hike From Lares to Quishuarani- Ipsaycocha – Patacancha - Ollantaytambo and a Full Day tour at Machu Picchu.

5D - Choquequirao Trek.

Hike to the other lost city, difficult to reach and rareley visited.

We recommend to make your reservation four months in advance during high season (March - November) to secure your place.

Use our web-form to make your reservation: reserve

Fixed departures 2011:

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (all year except February)

Equipment to be carried by yourselves:

Small day pack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (provided by us), personalbelongings. water bottle (non disposable) and sterilizing tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco), warm sweater, broad-brim or peaked cap, sun protection cream, insect repellent, toilet paper, selection of small snacks for the dayetc, camera, lightweight plastic poncho just in case of rain (can be bought in Cusco for around US$ 1)

Options

An extra night can easily be arranged for you if required. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to Inca Trek costs.

Very Important

If you have medical problems of which the Guide should be aware, please let him know.

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