Main Info
Overview and Highlights
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world as the Incas did! Through this 4 days adventure you will taste adventure, gastronomy, fauna and flore very uniques and the impressive Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trails is called in Quechua “the Inka Language” Qhapaq Ñan – refers to the network of trails) were without a doubt is one of the marvels of Tahuantinsuyo, according to the Peruvian historian, José Antonio del Busto, who explains that the Inca “King” Huayna Capac most increased the network of trails in order to quickly mobilize his army.
The trails varied in quality and size, they could be 6 to 8 meters wide on the coast but, in the mountains the paving was only one meter wide but the path was audaciously steep and climbed over the difficult Andean mountains.
Itinerary notes
The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
Considering an extra night in Aguas Calientes? (Please check out linked page) We can change the date of your train ticket to the following day. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to trek costs. Please also note that your entry ticket to Machu Picchu is valid for one day only, if you wish to visit the ruins on a second consecutive day you will need to purchase the ticket again.
Aguas Calientes upgrade package (optional).
This is an upgrade package for treks that already include a night stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, but you would like to upgrade the standard of hotel, meals and train service. This price doesn’t change depending on the number of people in the group.
** For Prices, please refer to the Aguas Calientes Upgrades page **
** The difference between the Standard option, and the Comfort Plus option, is the standard of the hotel.
Standard Option includes – a night 3 stars hotel, like terraza de Luna (standard), Inti Inn (standard). These are a nice hotel, with a little more character tha the average Aguas Calientes Hotel – well decorated, and clean.
Comfort Plus Option includes – a night in higher price range 3 stars hotel, like El Mapi or Taypikala. Both are new hotels with careful attention to detail. Both packages include the same meals and trains.
Dinner at one of Aguas Calientes “best” restaurants, like Indio Feliz or Tree House restaurant.
Buffet lunch at Tinkuy Restaurant, located in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.
With limited eating choices at Machu Picchu hunger tends to send clients to Aguas Calientes; by including the buffet lunch we find that clients can visit Machu Picchu early, then go to the buffet to try lots of different Peruvian (and Western) dishes, and then rest and go back for a second look at Machu Picchu.
Return in Vistadome train rather than Expedition train, which gives you the opportunity for a more varied timetable and to return in a nicer train, with big windows in the roof.”
What is included
- Licensed trek Guide.
- Transfer to start trek Km 82.
- Warm meals during the trip.
- Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea, dinner.
- Tents. TWO PEOPLE IN EACH TENT.
- Kitchen tent, Dining tent.
- Cooks and kitchen.
- Boiled Water after the second day.
- Tables, chairs.
- Porters (to carry the tents, food and cooking equipment).
- Entrance ticket to INCA TRAIL -MachuPicchu.
- Transfer train to hotel upon arrival.
- First-aid kit.
- Oxygen.
- Bus Machupicchu- Aguas Calientes.
- Duffel bag.
- Foam Mattress.
- Train back to Cusco class: Expedition.
- 03 breakfast.
- 03 lunch.
- 03 dinners
What is not included
- 01 Breakfast the 1rst day.
- 01 lunch The 4st day.
- 01 Dinner The 4st day.
- Huayna Picchu entrance fee: if you would like to climb this mountain an additional fee of US$ 70.00 per person applies.
- Sleeping bag (Available for renting).
- Inflatable Mattress (Available for renting).
- Tips for Porters, chefs and trek guides.
- Personal Snacks.
What to bring and advices
- You can acclimate for the altitude in one or two days this will depend on how your body react; you can take some personal medication, there are some drugstores around the main square of Cusco up to your preference.
- In case you need to pay the remaining balance (USD Currency) or for buying any souvenirs (Some Cash in soles the local currency), it is advisable to take some cash. You can get some money from the ATM machine that are located in the center of the City of Cusco.
- You need to bring your original passport; this is very important to enter to Machupicchu, train station.
- Rain poncho, rain jacket, proper hiking boots. Be prepared for rain always.
- Insect repellent.
- Sun block, and a hat to cover your face and head the Sun is really strong.
- A bottle of water or a metallic one, you will need to be hydrated.
- A book to read the train will be two hours ride (just one way) approximately the same on the transport back to Cusco.
- Travel insurance this from your site, always recommended.
- If You have more days free let us know in order to let You know what You can do there are many new options that you don’t want to miss.
Itinerary
Pick up from hotel at 6.00am and transfer to the Sacred Valley and onto Ollantaytambo, where we will stop approximately 45 minutes, to collect porters and equipment. We will have time to visit the surroundings area of the town called Ollantaytambo, before making our way to kilometer 82, where we will begin our trek, our pace will be an acclimatization rhythm and very soon we will stop at our first archaeological complex Llactapata at kilometer 88 2,550m above sea level, 30 minutes to visit this archaeological complex, before continuing our walk to Wayllabamba where we will camp.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Night: Wayllabamba Campsite.
After breakfast we will begin our walk through the Valley of Huayllabamba on our journey we will be able to observe the nature and the ecological change of the area until we arrive to (Yunca Chipana) Huayllabamba from where we will climb to Llulluchapampa at 3,750 m.s.n.m., from this point we will be able to appreciate the valley of Huayanay and the first step located at 4,200 (m.s.n.m) Warmiwaסusca, called dead woman and camp in the sector of Pacaymayo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Night: Pacaymayo Campsite.
Breakfast and on this day we will ascend to Runkurakay at 3,860 m.s.n.m., contrary to the previous days our walk will be two hours more we will be able to visit another small complex, Sayacmarca and appreciate the valleys and snow-capped mountains, further on we will stop to visit the complex of Phuyupatamarca, and then descend 3 kilometers until we arrive to a place called Winawayna where we will visit its complex, finally at Intipata we will camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Night: Wiñaywayna Campsite.
Early morning breakfast, after we will walk to Intipunku called Door of Sun where we will be able to observe the impressive Lost City of Machupicchu, walk to the Sanctuary and guided tour.
At a suitable hour we will walk down to the station and take the return train to Cusco, reception and transfer to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Night: Not included.
