INKA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU 5D/4N

CUZCO - KM82 - PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHU PICCHU

The Inca Trail in Peru is considered as one of top ten hikes in the world due the mixture of scenic and archaeological beauty along the 43Km - 27miles towards Machu Picchu. The trail itself winds through a combination of high altitude mountain ranges and dense subtropical forest. It is a personal challenge for the days of arduous journey, so it requires that you be in relatively good physical condition. There are many ways to reach Machu Picchu, only one will make you feel proud of yourself ... do it on foot…!!! This itinerary allows you to walk less distance per day, rest and relax far more than the traditional route.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUZCO - KM82 - PATALLACTA

You will leave the hotel and drive to Km 82 of the railroad from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, which is the starting point of the Inca Trail. Today will be a quiet easy walking day, allowing you to adjust to the hike and high altitude. You will hike for about two hours on relatively flat terrain on the left bank of the Urubamba River, then you will start ascending along a narrow path to Willkaraqay (9570 ft / 2900 m) view point. From here you will see the confluence of two river valleys (Urubamba and Cusichaca), a very impressive view of Veronica snow capped mountain, and the Inca archaeological site of Llactapata (8745 ft / 2650 m). After lunch you will descend to the valley of the river Cusichaca and camp in front of the archaeological site of Llactapata. In the afternoon you will be able to visit this beautiful Inca site.

Overnight    :  Campsite at Patallacta
Meals          :  Lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

DAY 2: LLACTAPATA - LLULLUCHAPAMPA

When trekking in the Andes you have to wake up early so that you can begin the day by walking before the sun is strongest. Today you will gradually ascend along the Cusichaca river valley for one and a half hours to the farming community of Wayllabamba (9900 ft / 3000 m). Here you will start one of the most difficult parts of the trek, the steep ascent to Warmihuañuska pass or Dead Woman’s Pass (13860ft/4200m), the first and highest mountain pass in the Inca Trail. The total hike to the pass will be 14.4 miles, today you only hike half way up to the pass and camp at Llulluchapampa (12210 ft / 3700 m), located in a beautiful area above the valley with fine views of the surrounding mountains and Huayanay snow-capped peak. En route you will see vegetation of the cloud forest area, habitat of many birds and mammals such us the white tailed deer, spectacled bear and a great variety of birds.

Overnight    :  Campsite at Llulluchapampa
Meals          :  Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

DAY 3: LLULLUCHAPAMPA - PHUYUPATAMARKA

Today will be the longest day of the trek to Machu Picchu, as you hike up for one and a half hours to Dead Woman’s Pass (13860 ft / 4200 m) which is the highest point on the Inca Trail. You will hike for about six hours before lunch on an original Inca highway, visiting the archaeological sites of Runkuracay and Sayacmarca. After lunch you will walk for another two hours along a paved Inca highway through lush cloud forest to the next campsite at Phuyupatamarca (12210 ft / 3700 m), which overlooks the Urubamba river valley. At this spot the sunrises are spectacular. From here you also have fine views of Mount Salkantay, which is the highest snow-capped mountain in the region (20694 ft / 6271 m).

Overnight    :  Campsite at Phuyupatamarka
Meals          :  Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

DAY 4: PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHU PICCHU

Today you will make an early start for the last seven miles to Machu Picchu. The trail descends for about two and a half hours to Wiñaywayna (8910 ft / 2700 m). This is often described as the most beautiful Inca site on the entire Inca Trail. After visiting the site you will have lunch and in the afternoon, will hike for another two hours through the forest to the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu, from where you will see the first panoramic view of the Inca city. When you arrive at Machu Picchu (8085 ft / 2450 m) you will go to the hotel.

Overnight    :  Hotel in Machu Picchu on your own (please request hotel list, for us to book it)
Meals          :  Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU - CUZCO

We recommend you to wake up very early to enjoy the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Today you will visit Machu Picchu on a tour given by your Inca trail guide, and later opt to hike up the mountain known as Huayna Picchu (which appears in all the classic photographs of Machu Picchu). Other options include the thirty-minute hike to the Inca drawbridge. In the evening you will board the train back to Cuzco.

Overnight    :  None
Meals          :  None

OUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• A licensed professional English speaking tour guide, who will visit you at the hotel to give you a pre departure briefing
• Duffle bag during the whole period of the trail to take all your personal staff, with 9 Kilos maximum weight per person
• Collection from your hotel and transfer via private transport to the Km82 (starting point of the trail)
• Entrance ticket to the Inca trail (days 01, 02, 03, 04) and entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (day 05)
• A spacious three person tent to be used for each two people
• A sleeping bag during the whole itinerary
• An inflatable mattress
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Cooking tent
• A toilet tent and portable toilet with bio chemical waste bags
• A chef and assistant chef to cook healthy and hearty meals during the whole itinerary with fresh ingredients
• Porters, to carry the camping equipment, cooking equipment, food and the client’s duffle bags
• Accommodation for our porters
• Meals described in our program itinerary
• Snacks, everyday alter breakfast
• Boiled cool drinking water during the whole itinerary (morning, afternoon, night)
• First Aid medical Kit and emergency Oxygen Tank
• One way bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town (day 04)
• Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu (day 05)
• Vistadome service train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo station located in the Sacred valley of the Incas
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Tips
• All what is not specified in what the program includes

WE RECOMMEND YOU TO BRING:

• Thermal clothing, it turns very cold alter nightfall all year round
• Rain gear
• Hiking boots water proof
• Sandals or slippers, to walk more comfortably at the camps sites
• Hat for cold and Cap for the sun or it can be used during rainy days, too
• Sleeping bag
• Convertible pants or zip-off pants
• Long johns
• Sun glasses
• An adventure travel towel
• Swim suit, you may want to go to the hot spring in Aguas Calientes town
• Sun cream
• Mosquito repellent
• Snacks, we recommend to bring power bars
• Original passport, which will be used the first day at the check point before going in to the Inca trail and board the trains.
• Flash light with extra batteries
• Camera with extra batteries, batteries lose charge easy in cold weather conditions
• A canteen, one you can use throughout the journey, so do not use plastic bottles of water that can be easily discarded. We recommend Nalgene or Camel Back bottle.
• Cash money, Soles or US Dollars
• Walking poles that will allow you to walk with the body upright and do not exert much pressure on your knees on downhill

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