AAPT02   Inca Trail (classic route) 4D/3N

A hike 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 until we reach the Llactapata's (town in the heights) archaeological group. Then we will continue towards 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 essential to do an ascent of 1100 meters up to the highest point of the whole circuit, the Warmihuañusca ("dead women") pass at 4200m (13,776ft). The slow ascent will take about 4 ½ and 5 hours approximately. From the pass we enjoy an astonishing view of the surroundings and the magnificent landscape. This is a windy area so is important to wear warm clothing. Overcoming the pass we continue our way down to the Pacaymayo Camp located at 3500m (11480ft). 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 and a half hour ascent to the Runku Raccay's Pass located at a height of 3,950m (12,916ft). On the way down, 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 is a descent 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 to the beautiful Inca remains of Wiñayhuayna ("Forever Young") located at 2,700 m (8,856 ft). Camp. (B, LB, D)

Day 4: Wiñayhuayna Camp – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The day begins earlier than usually at about 04:30 a.m. in order to make our final trek towards the city of Machu Picchu. After one and a half hour we arrive to 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 1:00 o'clock 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).

Gross Rates per Person in US$ (Private services):

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 – can be modified), one way train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Vista Dome: $71.- pp; Tourist Class train (Back Packer): $50.-pp), international and domestic flights, airport taxes, extra personal porters (us$ 140.- per porter), tips, personal trekking gear, extras.
Grading: moderate

Personal weight allowance per passenger: 8 kgs (this to be carried by porters). Passengers must carry a day back pack (suggested 30-40 lts) with their personal belongings for the day hike (lunch box, warm clothing, photo camera, etc.).

Fix (in pool) Departures:

For the Inca Trail Trek we offer fix departure tours starting from Cusco every Thursday and Sunday (in high season from May 1st to September 30 we offer departures every day – In February the Inca Trail is closed due t the heavy rains and for maintenance). Our fix departures are guaranteed with minimum 2 participants however we are subjected to spaces availability according with the Government regulations (please check our remarks on this matter).

Net rates per person us$ 450. – pp (included Inca Trail entrance fee and Back Packer train back to Cusco)

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 .
Pool services weight allowance per passenger: 5 kgs (this to be carried by porters)

Inca trail Special remarks:

1) 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 to buy the entrance tickets (boletos). Please take into account that once bought the tickets, the prepayment amount 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.

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.

2) Use of Ski Poles or Sticks: 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).

3) Weight allowance for Inca Trail:

For the Inca Trail you must put in a duffel bag those things you will need when you arrive to each camp (sleeping bag, extra clothing, cleaning goods, foam or termarest mattress, etc). This duffel bag will be carried by our porters and must have a total weight of maximum 10 kgs. The items you will need for the day trek (photo camera, warm clothing, wind jacket, box lunch, etc) you must carry yourself in a day back pack (suggested a 40-50 lts back pack), unless you will pay for a personal extra porter (us$ 90.-) and also in this case this extra porter availability will depend of spaces availability for the Inca Trail. So before we provide you with an extra porter we must check if there is Inca Trail space availability.