The INCA TRAIL To Machu
Picchu
To follow the Inca's footsteps on the royal highway
to Machu Picchu is an unforgettable experience. Few other hikes
in the world can offer the variety of breathtaking scenery: from
high sierra to tropical jungle. No other will take you through so
many well preserved archeological sites.
The Inca trailed formed an
important communication and transportation link within the empire,
connecting a large area including Cusco and Machu Picchu. Although
steep in places, Inca engineers designed it for efficient travel
with carefully constructed stone staircases and tunnels. The important
archeological ruins we will visit in this adventure are Llactapata,
Runkurakay, Phuyupatamarca, Winay Wayna and finally Inti Punco,
all on the way to Machu Picchu.
Your Inca Trail trek includes
all meals, guides, porters, cook, camping gear, food and supplies,
pack animals and tents. An experienced bilingual guide accompanies
the group assisted by a cook and several camp helpers who are responsible
for food preparation and set up of the camp. Trekkers are free to
enjoy the mountains without logistical concerns.
The Inca trailed formed an
important communication and transportation link within the empire,
connecting a large area including Cusco and Machu Picchu. Although
steep in places, Inca engineers designed it for efficient travel
with carefully constructed stone staircases and tunnels. The important
archeological ruins we will visit in this adventure are Llactapata,
Runkurakay, Phuyupatamarca, Winay Wayna and finally Inti Punco,
all on the way to Machu Picchu.
Your Inca Trail trek includes
all meals, guides, porters, cook, camping gear, food and supplies,
pack animals and tents. An experienced bilingual guide accompanies
the group assisted by a cook and several camp helpers who are responsible
for food preparation and set up of the camp. Trekkers are free to
enjoy the mountains without logistical concerns.
A typical day on the trail
begins at 7:00 AM with a hot breakfast. Tents are taken down and
the walk begins. Around noon we break for a leisurely lunch after
which there will be time to get some sun and just relax. The walk
continues until about 4:00 PM when we stop for the night, with time
to explore local ruins. Evenings are free for relaxation around
the fire.
Inkaland
offers two alternatives in Inca Trail hikes:
1) Fixed Departure
group hikes leave every Sunday and Wednesday. On these
hikes you will share the trail services of a guide, camp staff and
porters with a group of hikers. This is the most economical way
to hike the trail with expert guidance and service. Cost is $620
per person.
2) Private Service
Inca Trail hike is a custom departure, any day of the week,
for your group (or solo) only. This is the best type of Inca Trail
hike for many people. It allows the most flexibility, accommodation
to your hiking style and specific attention to your interests. And
of course, the group size is determined by you alone. We highly
recommend the Private Service hike for the highest quality of experience.
Cost is $1195 per person.
Fixed Departure Inca Trail
Classic
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Fixed departures
every Sunday and Wednesday.
Note: Park
authorities may occasionally designate different campsites than
those indicated.
DAY 1: PISKAKUCHO
(Km. 82) – HUAYLLABAMBA
A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the
Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 of the Machu Picchu railroad.
After getting acquainted with our trail crew we set out, crossing
a footbridge to hike a gentle two hours down the Urubamba canyon,
and then visit imposing sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement
of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. We then
climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Huayllabamba, the last
inhabited village on the trail, where we camp.
DAY 2: HUAYLLABAMBA
– PACAYMAYO
We climb the steep-sided Llullucha valley past a rushing stream
and through enchanted native polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim
of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the puna, the
treeless grasslands of the high Andes. The trail traverses an open
slope opposite mighty mountain crags as we ascend to the first and
highest pass, Warmiwañusca (4,200m/13,776ft). Here we encounter
spectacular views of the trail ahead to the second pass, and look
back to the sweeping snowpeaks and valleys of the Huayanay massif.
Take the trail to the floor of the forested Pacaymayo valley, where
we make camp.
DAY 3: PACAYMAYO
– WIÑAY WAYNA
We pick up an Inca stairway and ascend again past the small Inca
site of Runkuracay. As we reach the second pass, the landscape opens
onto spectacular new views to the snowpeaks of the Pumasillo range.
We descend to the ruins of Sayacmarca (Inaccessible Town), an intricate
labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously
on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley. The Inca trail,
now a massive buttressed structure of granite paving stones, continues
along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest through a colorful
riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns. At the third pass
pinnacles topped with Inca viewing platforms overlook the archaeological
complex of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town).
Pausing to explore the wondrous
maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways that spill down
the mountainside here, we begin a long descent through ever-changing
layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living
granite leads us finally to our camp by the ruins of Wiñay Wayna
(Forever Young), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail
sites.
DAY 4: WIÑAY WAYNA
– MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
An early morning hike takes
us across a steep mountainside through lush, humid cloud-forest
of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the
stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable
sweep of natural beauty and human artistry –a backdrop of twisting
gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu.
We complete the final leg
down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings
and into the heart of Machu Picchu, where we spend the rest of the
morning with a guided tour of the highlights and some individual
exploring among Machu Picchu’s multitude of hidden nooks and corners.
In the early afternoon a bus takes us to the small town of Aguas
Calientes, where we board our return train to Cusco.
Cost is
$620 per person in DOUBLE tent accommodations. Inquire for SINGLE.
Important: Includes
meals while on the hike. Includes guide and porters. Flights (Lima
- Cuzco - Lima) not included. Airport taxes not included. Does not
include lodging in Cuzco.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
FOR TREKKING
· A good sleeping bag. (Sleeping
bags may be rented by request, rental: $8.00 per night ). (Foam
pad is supplied by outfitter.)
· Day pack or fanny pack... for daily items and camera. (A
SMALL duffle bag is supplied by the outfitter for the majority
of your gear that will be carried by a porter.)
· Comfortable walking shoes...WELL BROKEN IN!
· Rain jacket or rain poncho.
· Canteen or plastic water bottle.
· Warm jacket for cool evenings.
· Wool sweater.
· Wool or flannel shirt.
· Pants (two short and two long for the evenings).
· T-shirts or light cotton shirt.
· Hat with brim.
· Flashlight (the campsite has its own light but you will need
this in your tent).
· Personal medications.
· Binoculars.
· Camera and film.
· Towel & toiletries.
· Plastic bag for wet or dirty clothes.
Private Service Inca Trail
Sample Itinerary
Day 0, Friday: Iquitos -
Lima or States - Lima
Fly to Lima from Iquitos. Greeting and transfer to Hotel for
overnight. (If extension to Amazon Adventure) Or....fly from the
States to Lima.
Day 1,Saturday: Lima - Cuzco
For either early morning direct arrival from States or those who
over-nighted in Lima: fly Lima to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco,
greeting and transfer from airport to Hotel Royal Inka II for overnight.
Afternoon, pick up from your hotel for a half day guided tour of
the city and the nearby ruins (Quenqo - Tambomachay - Sacsayhuaman).
Cuzco is one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in the new
world. Cuzco is a feast of culture, art, museums and architecture
along with extremely fine quality handicrafts, textiles, alpaca,
silver and gold.
Day 2, Sunday: Cuzco / Chillca
/ Patallacta / Huayllabamba (Start the Inca Trail)
Our vehicle takes us to the starting point of our trek. The trail
follows the left bank of the Urubamba River with views of Veronica
Mt. arriving to Llactapata ruins which where restored, we can explore
this incredible place before continuing upstream to the Indian
community of Huayllabamba. (B-L-D)
Day 3, Monday: Huayllabamba / Patallacta / Llulluchapampa / Pacaymayo
From our camp the trail ascends steeply to a large pampas below
the first pass where we have lunch. Hiking gradually up hill, in
about two more hours we get to Warmiwañuska pass (4,050 mts/13,280
ft), the first and the highest pass with a breath-taking view of
Mount Huayanay. From here a quick descent by a recently restored
trail with staircases take us to Pacaymayo River where we camp.
(B-L-D)
Day4, Tuesday: Pacaymayo/Winay
Wayna
Today is the longest and the most interesting, the trail climbs
to the impressive ruins of Runkuraqay, then we continue slowly to
the second pass with incredible views of the Vilcanota mountain
range. Now the trail descend to Sayaqmarka, a pre-Hispanic complex
with narrow streets and buildings erected on different levels, shrines,
patios, canals, and a protecting outer wall. Continue to Phuyupatamarca,
constructed near the third pass with extraordinary views of the
mountains and the Urubamba canyon. Now a flagstone trail winds sharply
down into the cloud forest arriving to Wiñay Wayna ruins that has
wonderful agricultural terraces, a small religious sector and the
residential area where the houses are located. (B-L-D)
Day 5, Wednesday: Winay Wayna / Machu Picchu
A two hour hike will take us to Inti Puncu pass (the gate of the
Sun) where we see the magnificent lost city of the Incas at our
feet. One hour more downhill and we get to the ruins. At Machu Picchu
we will have a fascinating tour of the temples, houses, and terraces
for growing crops and gardens. Words and pictures will never do
this place justice, truly a magical place to experience. Overnight
at Machu Picchu Pueblo. (B)
Day 6, Thursday: Machu Picchu
/ Cuzco
Morning at leisure. Later in the afternoon return to Cuzco by train.
Overnight hotel Royal Inka II.
Day 7, Friday: Cuzco / Lima
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Lima. Make connections
to States.
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Cost: for the above
itinerary, including lodging in hotels, transfers and above listed
Inka Trail Services is currently $1195 per person in double accommodations.
Single supplement of $300 will apply.
Important: Flights (Lima
- Cuzco - Lima) not included. Airport taxes not included. Seat in
Car Services in Cuzco for city tour. Full board meals, (3 meals
a day) + welcome tea for Inca Trail. Meals in Lima, Cuzco and Machu
Picchu NOT included.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
FOR TREKKING
· A good sleeping bag. (Sleeping
bags may be rented by request, rental: $8.00 per night ). (Foam
pad is supplied by outfitter.)
· Day pack or fanny pack... for daily items and camera. (A
SMALL duffle bag is supplied by the outfitter for the majority
of your gear that will be carried by a porter.)
· Comfortable walking shoes...WELL BROKEN IN!
· Rain jacket or rain poncho.
· Canteen or plastic water bottle.
· Warm jacket for cool evenings.
· Wool sweater.
· Wool or flannel shirt.
· Pants (two short and two long for the evenings).
· T-shirts or light cotton shirt.
· Hat with brim.
· Flashlight (the campsite has its own light but you will need
this in your tent).
· Personal medications.
· Binoculars.
· Camera and film.
· Towel & toiletries.
· Plastic bag for wet or dirty clothes.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
IN CAMPSITES ALONG THE INKA TRAIL
STAFF: bilingual trip
leader, 1 porter per person, camp cook and assistant.
CAMPING GEAR: 2 - 3
men tents, (single tents on request with extra cost), Insulated
mat - one each person. (Bring your own just in case.) Mess tent,
without chairs and tables ( will sit on the ground). Kitchen set.
Latrine tent.
ALSO INCLUDED:
Private bus to the starting point at Chillca or Km 82. Entrance
fees to the Inca trail and Machu Picchu. Bus ride from ruins to
train station. Train back to Cuzco in Autovagon class. Transfer
from train station to hotel in Cuzco.
We highly recommend the
use of either GreenTracks or another tour service for the Inca Trail
hike. Hike the trail for 3 nights/4 days. We can provide guides,
porters, tents, camping gear, food, etc. making your trip safe and
enjoyable.
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