ECOPC06 Inca Trail 4D/3N

Trekking along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can be one of the most wonderful trekking experiences in South America. This trekking takes you through enchanting scenery with different landscapes and climates and arriving at the spectacular city of the Incas: Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Cusco – Pisca q´uchu (Km 82) – Wuayllabamba (prairie–green place).

The day begins early, between 06:15 to 07:00hrs with the passengers pick up from their hotels in Cusco. We will drive across the villages of Yucay, Urubamba, etc. and after a 3 hours drive by bus we arrive at Kilometer 82 (2,600m / 8,528ft). At this point where the first control is located, all tourists have to register to be able to start the trek. From this place, 42 kilometers of mountains, Andean valleys, rivers and tropical forests separate us from Machu Picchu. In our way to our first camp at Wuayllabamba village, the first part of the trek is mainly flat, with slight ascents and it will take approximately 2 ½ hours till we reach the Llactapata's (town in the heights) archaeological group. Then we will continue to enter to the valley of the Kusichaca River from where the route follows a slight ascent up to Wuayllabamba's camp located at 3,100 meters (10,168feet). (LB, D).

Day 2: Wuayllabamba Camp – Pacaymayo Camp.

After breakfast, we start our second day considered by many trekkers the most difficult since it is necessary to do an ascent of 1,100 meters up to the highest point of the whole circuit, the Warmihuañusca ("dead women") high pass at 4200m (13,776ft). The slow ascent will take about 4 ½ and 5 hours approximately. From the pass we can enjoy an astonishing view of the surroundings and the magnificent landscape. This is a windy area so is important to wear warm cloths. Overcoming the pass we continue our way down to the Pacaymayo Camp located at 3,500m (11,480ft). (B, LB, D).

Day 03: Pacaymayo – Runkuracay – Phuyupatamarca - Wiñayhuayna:

The third day besides being the longest also is the most interesting. It begins with one hour and a half ascent to the Runku Raccay's Pass located at a height of 3,950 m (12,916ft). On the way on we will visit to the interesting ruins known as Runkuracay (oval building) at 3800m (12,464ft). Once overcoming the pass, the rest of the way basically will descend towards the interesting ruins of Sayacmarca located at 3,600 meters. On the Inca times this was used as a place of control post of the roads connecting to Machu Picchu. Then along a beautiful cloud forest, we will continue up to the pass of Phuyupatamarca, ("town above the clouds") at 3,670m (12,038ft). From here we will descend on an impressive way of endless rock steps until we arrive near the Inti Pata's remains located at 2850m (9,348ft), a complex of terraces and platforms built in the middle of the hillside of a mountain covered by thick vegetation. The trail finally leads to Wiñayhuayna's camp ("Forever Young") located at 2,700 m (8,856 ft). (B, LB, D)

Day 4: Wiñayhuayna Camp – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The day begins earlier than usually at about 04:30 hrs in order to make our final trek towards the city of Machu Picchu. After one and a half hour we arrive to the Inti Punku ("Sun Gate") at 2,700m (8,856ft) from where we will have the first impressive views of the majestic Inca City of Machu Picchu. From here it is only 1 km more to arrive to the city and enjoy a guided visit to the most important places. At about 13:00 we will be transported by bus from the citadel down to the village of Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon we take our train back to the city of Cusco. (B, LB).

Included:

All transfers, transport to/from trek start point, professional English speaking guide, noted meals, complete camping equipment (tents for 2 persons, dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent), complete food services while on the trek, cook, helpers, porters, first aid kit.

Not included:

Entrance fees to the Inca Trail & Machu Picchu (us$100. - pp), one way train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Vista Dome: $71. - pp; Tourist Class train: $60.-pp), international and domestic flights, airport taxes, extra personal porters (us$ 120. - per porter), tips, personal trekking gear, extras.

• Grading: moderate
• Weight allowance per pax: 8 kgs.

Special remark: Bookings for the Inca Trail, and according to the Peruvian Government new regulations, are possible only if there are available spaces for the Inca Trail (now is not allowed to be within the circuit more than 400 hundred people including passengers, porters, helpers, guides, etc.). So to guarantee your booking and once we get your request we need first to check spaces availability. If we find them we will notify you immediately and then we need an urgent prepayment of $150. - per passenger in order to buy the entrance tickets (boletos). Please take into account that once bought the tickets, the prepayment ammount is not refundable in case of tour cancellation.
If you are interested in doing the Inca Trail, it is necessary to receive your formal request as soon as possible. Together with this we need the following information:

• Full name (as per is stated in your passport)
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Age
• Gender
• Dates for your trip

The Confirmation of your booking will be given to you the following day after your pre-booking has been received and the prepayment has been done.

Other Important Remark:
In case passengers desire to carry sticks or ski poles to facilitate the trekking on the Inca Trail, these should be with rubber tips (metal tips are not permitted).

If Inca trail spaces are not available we offer other trekking possibilities to Machu Picchu including the beautiful and awesome Salcantay – Machu Picchu Inca Trail.

Fix Departures:

For the Inca Trail Trek we offer fix departure tours starting from Cusco every Thursday and Sunday (in high season from May to September we offer departures every day). Our fix departures are guaranteed with minimum 2 participants however we are subjected to spaces availability according with the Government new regulations (please check our remarks on this matter).

Gross rates per person us$ 550. – pp

Included:

Transfer from Cusco to trek start point, professional English/Spanish speaking guide, noted meals, complete camping equipment (tents for 2 persons, dining tent, kitchen tent), complete food services while on the trek, cook, helpers, porters, first aid kit, one way back packer train ticket Aguas Calientes – Cusco, entrance fee.

Weight allowance per passenger: 5 kgs (this to be carried by porters).

If we can not get available spaces for the traditional Machu Picchu Inca Trail we suggest to offer the beautiful and more scenic Mount Salcantay – Machu Picchu trekking tour of 5 days and 4 nights. This remote path leads us through an amazing variety of landscapes and habitats varying from green, reach valleys full of blossoming forests and trees of different species to highland fields and glacial moraines flanked by steep rocky and icy peaks of impressive beauty. During our trip we have to cross a high pass below the spectacular glaciers of the Humantay (5,917m – 19,414ft) and Salcantay (6,270m -20,572ft.) peaks. Crossing awesome mountain and lush cloud forest landscapes, from our last camp site we trek down to the shores of the Urubamba River and from there by train we will be transported to the small town of Aguas Calientes for a well deserved rest in a comfortable hotel. Next day we will enjoy a full day tour to visit the amazing "Lost City" of the Incas: The fabulous Machu Picchu.

Tour additional information is available in our Andes Adventure tours catalog.