Machu Picchu
& the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
4 days / 3 nights Itinerary

£299 per person.

DAY 1
After a pick up at your Cusco hotel in private bus, you will drive to Piskacuchu (2700 masl), a community located on the 82nd kilometre of the Cusco Machu Picchu Railroad. Starting at this point, you will cross the bridge and walk along the left shore of the Urubamba River as it flows north-west along the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along flat terrain, you will arrive in Miskay (2800 masl), to then ascend and finally see, from a high view point, the Inca city of Patallacta (2750 masl). 

You will continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until you reach your first campsite in a Wayllabamba village (3000 masl). All along the way you will see spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica Peak stands (at 5832 meters above sea level), not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley. 

DAY 2
You will wake up at around 6:00 am, and after breakfast you will leave Wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that is 9km long. 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 Warmihuanusca (Dead Woman's Pass), you will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing ichu, one of the few plants that grow at that altitude. You will also cross an area of the so called cloud forest, which is the habitat of many different kinds of birds such as hummingbirds and sparrows and the Andean bear, (also called the spectacled bear - Thermarctus orantus).  

We advise that your day pack is well stocked with chocolates and coca leaves to keep your blood sugar high to help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass you will descend into the Pacaymayo Valley (3600 masl) where you will set up camp after approximately 6 hours of hiking.

DAY 3
This day is the longest but also the most impressive and interesting day due the number of archaeological sites that you will visit and learn about from your guide. From Pacaymayo you will go to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3960 masl). Half way up you will visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800 masl, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served as a watchtower.

After going over the pass you will descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayamarca (3624 masl). This beautiful complex consists of a semicircular construction with enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals.

Continuing up an easy climb, you will arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700 masl). Along this climb you 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.

You will go through an Incan 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, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Not surprisingly, Phyupatamarca means 'town over the clouds'. From above one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations and an impressive view of the Urubamba River (2700 masl). At this campsite you will find a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite has the same name as the complex located only five minutes away from the lodge, Winaywayna. This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural centre with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector.

DAY 4
On this fourth and last day you will get up at 4:00 am to leave Winaywayna an hour later and climb to Intipunku, or the Sun Gate. This will take an hour hiking along a trail of stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, you will see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu.

From Intipunku you will descend into Machu Picchu, and 40 minutes later enter the citadel from the highest point, the 'House of the Guardians'. You will then descend to the control point to register yourselves and leave your backpacks. Take a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have time to walk around, climb the Huayna Picchu, where one can experience a spectacular view of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or you can visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca bridge.

In the afternoon, you meet back in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit relax in the thermal baths. From here you will take the train to Cusco, where you will arrive after nightfall.

Included:

• Transfer from Hotel in Private car until KM 82

• Entrance fee to Inca Trail

• Backpacker Train

• English speaking local guide

• First entrance to Machu Picchu

• Meals (4 breakfast, 3 lunch, 3 dinner + snacks and tea)

• First aid kit

• Bus Aguas Calientes

• Transfer Train Station /Hotel unless you wish to stay in Aguas Calientes for longer.

 Not included:

• Porters for passenger luggage

• Lunch last day

• Accommodation in Cusco

Important:

• Camping places can vary according to what the guide and people in charge of the group think is the best.

• Due to new regulations of the INRENA (National Institute of Natural Resources) all the requests of spaces for the Inca Trail must be made well in advance including: full names, passport numbers, nationality, dates of birth and dietary requirements, otherwise reservation will not be accepted. The only way to get a reservation confirmed is by buying the entrance ticket having all the information mentioned above. In case passengers require an extra porter, it has to be requested together with passengers’ reservation; otherwise it cannot be confirmed later. It is important to inform in advance if passengers will need sleeping bags, to book them will incur additional cost, this applies for shared services only. Private tours include sleeping bags. Once reservation is confirmed it is subject to penalties for any change or cancellation. It is not allowed to replace one passenger for another one.

Recommended Packing List:

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek

• Rain gear (jacket and trousers if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)

• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended

• Warm clothes, including jacket / fleece. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping

• Sleeping bag (it can be hired for US$ 4.00 / day)

• Mattress: will be provided by the agency but is to be carried by you

• Torch 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 beware 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.

• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. 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 intend to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)

• Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)

• Original passport

• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)

Optional services to be hired:

• Sleeping Bag rent: US$ 4.00 / day. Our sleeping bags are comfortable down to -10ºC and include a sleeping bag liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.

• Therm-a-rest inflatable mattress rent: US$ 5.00 / day.

• Massage sessions: US$60.00 per 1-hour session (US$50.00 per session if at least 2 sessions are booked). Our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco, attending most 4 and 5-star hotels in the city. Our service includes pick-up from your hotel and transfer back after the session, as well as the service of our therapists in any of the following treatments: relaxing massage, stress-relieving massage, spinal column massage, energizing massage, Inca massage, altitude problems, aroma therapy, therapy with honey, therapy with glass, therapy with stones, foot reflexology, shiatzu, reiki and puddle of flowering. We recommend massage sessions before and after the trek. Sessions can be arranged both in Cusco and in Aguas Calientes.

Appropriate clothing:

Hiking trousers and T-shirts are commonly used during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets.

It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and / or waterproof trousers) as the weather changes easily and rain can occur suddenly.

At night, warm clothing is required in the first two campsites, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket.

During the third day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking trousers are useful, and can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu Picchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night.