Trek the famous Inca Trail, with a full day at Machu Picchu: The Inca Trail is a spectacular trek through the high Andes on an original Inca highway with a chance to visit extraordinary ruins, enjoy beautiful mountain views, walk through strikingly different climatic zones and finally experience the unique feeling of arriving at Machu Picchu by foot. The return to Poroy is by train. This is an exciting way to view the mighty Urubamba River and where you have just trekked.
Transportation:
• Private transport from your Cusco hotel to km 82 (head of the trail)
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (up and down)
• Return train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy
• Transfer from Poroy train station to Your Cusco hotel
• Camping equipment:
• 4 season tents, 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tent
• Therma-Rest self-inflating mattress
• 2 foam mattresses, a table, and seat for each tent
• Food and drink utensils
• Dinner tent and Kitchen Tent for the group
• First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle
Team:
• Professional, knowledgeable bilingual guide
• A cook to prepare your meals
• Porters to carry provided equipment and food (additional porters are available for rent to carry your personal belongings)
• One extra porter each two people (to carry up to 9kg/20 pounds per person)
Food:
• High quality meals to provide the necessary energy for this challenging trek
• In addition to three meals daily, you will be given revitalizing snacks
• Hot drinks such as Tea and Coffee as well as enough water for your canteens (taken from local streams and boiled while on the trek)
• Entrance ticket to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
• One entrance fee to Machu Picchu (Day 5th)
Optional extras you may want:
• Chocolates and candy. Sugar boosts are great for keeping you going
• Coca leaves and tea for relieving altitude sickness – can be purchased in Cusco
• Wooden walking sticks to help you climb the trail. Trekking poles with metal tips are not permitted as they can ruin the trail
Day 1: Cusco - KM 82 - Llactapata
Our Inca Trail guides pick us up this morning at 7:00am at the Hotel for a drive past the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and a chance to buy any last minute supplies. After an interesting drive to the end of the road at Chilca we meet our support team of traditional porters before embarking on the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu. The trek undulates along the banks of the Urubamba River and we camp the night at Llactapata (2650m/8692ft) beside some spectacular ruins which, if you have the energy, we have time to explore. This is camping and trekking in style. Whilst walking all you need to carry is a daypack, all camping equipment is carried by the porters. All camp chores are done for us and delicious food is served by a cook and his helpers.
Meals Included: Box-lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Llactapata - Lluluchupampa
We trek up the Cusichaca valley to the small hamlet of Huallyabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail. The path continues on up past humming birds and stunted cloud forest. Our camp is the beautiful grassy area at Llulluchupampa (3600m/11808ft), this has out-standing views down the valley.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Lluluchupampa - Phuyopatamarca
Possibly the hardest day of the trek, we rise early and head to the highest point of the trail – the impressive Warmiwanusca (Dead woman’s pass 4200m/13776ft). We then descend into the Pacasmayo valley and then climb again passing the Inca ruins Rucuracay. Our second pass of the day (3970m/13022ft) gives us spectacular views of the Vilcabamba range. Walking on incredibly well-preserved Inca pathway we pass Sayacmarca ruins with plenty of time for an in depth tour and explanation. We continue along the ridge, passing through tunnels and fantastic views and a slight ascent brings us to Phuyupatamarca ruins (the place above the clouds), where we camp (3700m/12136ft).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Phuyopatamarca - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
After an early morning chance to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snow capped mountains of Salcantay (6200m/20336ft) and Veronica (5800m/19024ft), we say a farewell to our porters with a traditional song and dance. Our final day hiking brings us down into the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairway to Wiñay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. Finally we contour through cloud-forest to Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We pass through the ruins and catch a bus down to our hostel in the colorful town of Aguas Calientes and celebrate our return to civilization. (2000m/6560ft) Overnight at Aguas Calientes Hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Visit Machu Picchu full day / Back to Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu, early transfer to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you’ll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure.
Opportunity to climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary, returns in the afternoon by train to Poroy Train Station and transfer to your Cusco hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Not included:
• Sleeping bag (can be hired in our office for US$ 30 for the 4 day trek)
• Extra porter to carry your personal things like sleeping bag, clothes, etc
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Domestic airfare to and from Cusco (+/- US$ 290 per person round trip) Visa fees (if required)
• Passport & Visa Costs
• Vaccination Costs
• Personal Spending Money
• Drinks
• International Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Airport departure taxes
• Border taxes or fees
• Optional Services
Notes:
Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class: add US$ 25
Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C): add US$ 30
Extra porter to carry your personal equipment: add US$ 140
Single supplement (single tent): US$ 60
Price based in sharing one tent 2 people and double room in the Hotel
