Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights

• Trip Style: Adventure trek
• Starting point: Cusco
• Ending point: Cusco
• Highlights: Cusco, Machupicchu.

Day 1: Cusco – Km. 82 – Wayllabamba

Around 6:00am the travelers will be collected from their hotels in downtown – Cusco. The travelers will be transferred by private van or bus with enough room for the backpacks, foods and the other personal items. This journey goes through Andean villages of Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba and finally Chilca. The tour guide will recommend stopping at Ollantaytambo to have country breakfast (no included in the trek price).

After 3 hours of drive the journey ends at kilometer 82 (Piscacucho), this point is the trail head of the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Before to start the hike, the hiker will make the check in at the control point, this is the place to check everything before to start the hiking.

The trail takes us to the first Inca ruins as Huillca Raccay, this offers spectacular view of Urubamba valley and the Cusi Chacca River. The trekking includes break stop for pictures and relaxing according you’re felling.

Continue hiking on the left bank of Urubamba River the hiker will be awarded with spectacular views of Veronica snowcapped mountain, this is considerate one of the highest mountains with 5870 meters above sea level on the Cordillera Urubamba (Urubamba Mountain range).

After 3 hours of hike, you will enjoy the lunch near of Llaqtapata ruins (Upper Town in Quechua ancient language) and surrounded by pure nature and amazing views and of course guided visit of the ruins.

2 hours more of uphill and following the ancient path by the left bank of the river (around 7 kilometers) the hikers will arrive to the little village of Wayllabamba. This place will be to set up the tents and spend the first night at 3000 meter above the sea level.

MEALS INCLUDED

Lunch, tea time and dinner.

Day 2: Wayllabamba – Dead Woman’s Pass – Pacaymayo

After country breakfast the hikers will be ready to leave the first campsite and start the hike following the ancient path along the left bank of the Lluyuchayoc River. Today we recommend to hike very slow and take your time because is the hardest day to climb up the pass. After 1-hour arrival to Tres Piedras (Three Stones), there is small bridge to be crossed named Wayruro (seed of good fortune) and there the hiker will stop for break and use the toilets facilities before to continue going up through cloud forest.

Uphill hike for around 2 hours depending your physical condition and seeing spectacular views of Lluyucha Pampa (3680m). Continuing going up and following the amazing landscape you will get to the first and highest pass of the Inca trail, called in Quechua ancient language “Abra Huarmy Wañusca” or Ingles means “Dead Woman’s Pass” (4200m). The final part of the uphill trail will be the hardest because the altitude starts to make effect to the hiker don’t got good acclimatization before to this trek. PERUVIAN WONDERS recommend expending few nights at 3400 meters above sea level (Cusco) before to do this trek and reach this pass.

At the Abra Huarmy Wañusca normally many people reach this altitude and this is the best award for celebrate. Some hikers bring some special drink to share with the others taking resting, making pictures and if weather permit seeing spectacular scenes of uphill trail where some people still are making the effort to reach top.

After plenty time on the top, we start a nice 2 hours’ downhill path to the second campsite at Paqaymayo valley (3600 meters above sea level). This valley offers nice views of the mountain range.

MEALS INCLUDED

Breakfast, lunch, tea time and dinner.

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna

Today the hiker will have breakfast at 6am and the start another 16km of hiking passing through archaeological site as Runkuracay (Pile of ruins). This circular complex is located on the top of a mountain and between the border of the Andean climate and the cloud forest. To reach these ruins the trail climbs steeply up the opposite side of the valley towards the second pass. The investigation says this was a place to storage food and contains sleeping areas for the Inca army.

After the guide tour of Runkuracay we follow the trail leads us to the second larger Inca ruins as known Sayaqmarca (Dominant Town or Inaccessible Town). On the way to the ruins the hikers passing through two small beautiful lagoons next of the trail. After Sayaqmarca the trail winds through jungle with orchids and bromeliads, through a tunnel, and along ridge above Urubamba River to Phuyupatamarca (Town in the clouds). With stunning views of Salcantay, Veronica, and Pumasillo. Phuyupatamarca, spreads out on either side of the trail with many agricultural terraces, a long series of baths (one and then a run of five going down the slope), and at the top of the site a large bedrock platform. Some archaeologists interpret the site as primarily a place to worship the mountains, but also see important water source association with the springs feeding the baths.

Phuyupatamarca offer spectacular place to have lunch seeing the surrounded mountains. From Phuyupatamarca descends via steep staircase to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) is an Inca complex neighbor to Machu Picchu, on an elevated perch overlooking the Urubamba River. The site consists of upper and lower house complexes connected by a staircase and fountain structures, beside the houses lies and area of agricultural terraces. This place was discovered in 1941 by Paul Fejos.

After exploring the ruins, we go to the campsite, there is a little hostel and restaurant where you can purchase some drinks available.

Wiñay Wayna is the last campsite before to enter to Machu Picchu.

MEALS INCLUDED

Breakfast, lunch, tea time and dinner.

Day 4: Machupicchu – Cusco

Today hikers will wake up early, plenty breakfast will be served in the campsite and the follow clearly market path to Inti Punku (Sun Gate). After one hour the hikers will be awarded with more than 50 steps before to reach the pass of Inti Punku.

Inti Punku or Sun Gate is entering to Machu Picchu citadel, the complex can be seeing from Inti Punku. The hikers can arrive here before sunrise and enjoy the first rays of the sun reaching Machu Pucchu.

After cross the stony door the hikers will see the magnificent and beauty of Machu Picchu, from where hikers will be able to have an impressive panoramic view of the Inca Citadel. Upon arrival to Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. Free time to stroll around the Citadel and then meet the rest of the group to take the bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Around 4pm the hiker will aboard the train from Aguas Calientes town to Ollantaytambo (sacred valley) or Phoroy train station. Reception and transfer to your selected hotel in Cusco.

MEALS INCLUDED

Breakfast.

Included

• 4 days Excursion in group service with English speaking guide.
• Orientation meeting in Cusco (previous to departure day).
• Official English-speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons).
• Transfer by private van from Cusco to Km. 82.
• Entrance to the Inca Trail.
• Entrance to Machupicchu Citadel (one day).
• Experienced cook and assistant cook.
• Porters to carry food and camping gear and backpack.
• Extra porter for 8 kilograms (to carry your personal items).
• Duffle bag for extra porter.
• All balance meals during the trek (4 days / 3 nights), including 4 snacks.
• Teatime every day (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit).
• Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast.
• Camping tents (four season tent) gear: 2 persons per tent with plenty space for backpacks.
• Cooking equipment.
• Kitchen and dining tent with camp tables and chairs.
• Air sleeping mattress.
• Tents and food for our camp staff.
• Well-paid and well-treated Cook and Porters.
• First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant and our camp staff.
• Trekking price include government sales tax (18% as know IGV).
• Sanitation care (disinfect dishes, filtered water, etc.).
• Environment care (all the garbage is going back to Cusco).
• Map.

Not included

• Alcoholics drinks.
• Sleeping Bag. (can be hired in our local office in Cusco $30 USD)
• Walking sticks. (can be hired in our local office in Cusco $20 USD)
• Breakfast on the first day.  We stop at Ollantaytambo village to have breakfast for additional cost.
• Lunch in Machupicchu (For lunch in Machupicchu or Aguas Calientes – please ask for details).
• Tips for guide, camp staff and other extras not specified.
• Optional night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged easily
• Others not specified.

Excursion notes:

• Every night keeps everything locked up in your tents to prevent any problems with robberies.
• Level of difficulty: Normal/Challenging

What you need to Bring/Carry

• Original passport to be showed in the park control of the trail (day 1).
• Original and valid International Student Card (ISIC), only if you booked the trek as student.
• Hiking boots (waterproof), sneakers are welcome to but for the rainy season is not enough comfortable.
• Sleeping bag -10ºC (this can be hired in our office for $5 USD per day with previous notification at booking time).
• Long pants or slacks.
• Long-sleeved shirts to prevent you from the sunburn.
• T-shirts.
• Sweaters and a jacket (something warm for the night).
• Rain wear or poncho for the rainy season December – April, but during the dry season can be raining too.
• Camera with extra batteries.
• Bottle of water, along the trail you can purchase a bottle of water for few coins more. Also, you can bring purification tablets.
• Snack (dried fruits, power bars, chocolates, etc.).
• Insect repellent to protect you from mosquitoes along the Inca Trail.
• Hat and sun block to protect you from the sun.
• Personal toilet items.
• Flashlight or headlamp and batteries.
• First Aid kit (Band-Aids, cotton, bandages, alcohol, aspirin, tablets for stomach troubles, medicines to avoid altitude sickness).
• Backpack of 50 liters or more to carry your personal items including your sleeping bag.
• Day pack is good to bring to carry your camera, water, rain jacket. Only if you hire a personal porter to help you with the big pack.
• Plenty of complete change of clothing (only if you hire a personal porter to help you to carry up to 8kg).
• A change of underwear.
• Gloves, scarf and wool socks.
• Toiletries, towel and toilet paper.
• Swimsuit (On the last day there is possibilities to swim on the hot spring of Aguas Calientes – only if time permit).
• Optional: Trekking Poles with rubber covers (No damage the Inca Trail), without rubber covers you CAN’T use them. (can be hired from our office for $20USD).
• Optional: Binoculars if you like to appreciate birds along the Inca route.
• Optional: GPS to map the campsites, the ruins and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail weather

• Dry season (April – November)
• Day temperature 20ºC/35ºC
• Night temperature 0 ºC/5ºC
• Wet season (December – March)
• Day temperature 17ºC/22ºC
• Night temperature 2 ºC/7ºC

Advice for hiker

The Inca Trail lies in the forested fringes of the Amazon basin, where showers can occur at any time of year. Therefore, even in the “dry” season, your daypack should always include full rain gear (both jacket and trousers).

Daytime temperatures can vary greatly, with daytime highs ranging from 10ºC/50ºF to 32ºC/90ºF and nigh time lows ranging from 10ºC/50ºF to a cold 4ºC/40ºF, though seldom much lower.