INKA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU 5D/4N

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 4d/3n route.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Patallacta

We leave our hotel after breakfast to drive to Km 82 of the railroad from Cusco to Machu Picchu, which is the start of the Inca Trail.

Today will be an easy day allowing us to adjust to the altitude. We will hike for a short distance (about four hours) on relatively flat terrain on the left bank of the Urubamba River until we reach the archaeological site of Patallacta, where we will camp (9240 ft / 2800 m).

Day 2: Llactapata – Llulluchapampa

When trekking in the Andes we wake up early so that we can begin the day by walking before the sun is strongest. Today we will hike uphill for five hours to a beautiful location above the valley with fine views of the surrounding mountains and snow-capped peaks. We will camp at Llulluchapampa (12210 ft / 3700 m), which is usually quite cold, but the views will make it worthwhile.

Day 3: Llulluchapampa – Phuyupatamarca

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

Day 4: Phuyupatamarca – Machu Picchu

Today we will make an early start for the last 6 miles to Machupicchu. The trail descends for about three hours to Wiñaywayna (8910 ft / 2700 m). This is often described as the most beautiful Inca site on the entire Inca Trail. After lunch we will hike for another two hours through the forest to the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu, from where we will get our first panoramic view of the Inca city. When we arrive at Machu Picchu (8085 ft / 2450 m) we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town. Here you will have the option to camp along the Urubamba river below Machu Picchu or to spend the night in a hotel.

Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco

We take the earliest bus to enjoy the sunrise over Machu Picchu.

After sunrise our Inca trail guide will give us a complete tour visiting the nicest parts of the City. You will then have some time to visit Machu Picchu on your own before we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and then catch our train to Ollantaytambo town located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where a bus will be waiting to transport us to Cusco.

The Inca trail 5d/4n program 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 belongings, with 10 Kilos maximum weight per person
• Hotel pick-up and transfer via private transport to Km82
• Entrance ticket to the Inca trail (days 01, 02, 03, 04) and entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (day 05)
• A spacious 2 person, four season tent, we use The North Face or Hard Wear Mountain Equipment tents
• An inflatable mattress and a pillow
• Dining tent with tables and chairs, cooking tent and toilette tent, which will be used only in places where there are not flush toilets
• 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 client’s duffle bags
• Accommodation for our porters
• Meals (04 breakfast, 04 lunch, 04 dinner)
• Snacks, everyday after 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 – Aguas Calientes (day 05)
• Vistadome service train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo station
• Private transport from the train station to the hotel in Cusco

The Inca trail 5d/4n program does not include:

• Sleeping bag during the whole itinerary (can be rented locally)
• Tips
• All that is not specified in what the program includes

We recommend bringing:

• Thermal clothing, it turns very cold after 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/rain
• Sleeping bag
• Convertible pants or zipoff pants
• Long johns
• Sun glasses
• A towel
• Swim suit, you may want to go to the hot spring in Aguas Calientes town
• Sun cream
• Moquito repellent
• Snacks, we recommend to bring power bars
• Original passport, which will be used the first day at the check point before going on the Inca trail and to board the trains.
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Camera with extra batteries, batteries lose charge easily in cold weather conditions
• Reusable Water Bottle, one you can use throughout the journey, to avoid  plastic bottles and unnecessary waste
• Cash - Peruvian Soles or US Dollars
• Walking poles that will allow you to walk with the body upright and to help avoid exerting pressure on your knees when going downhill