Adventure On The Lower Inca Trail To Machu Picchu
This itinerary is designed for people wanting to enjoy a hike on a true Inca trail without necessarily having to hike over high passes. Few trekkers take this route even though it has great opportunities to view exquisite flora and fauna and seldom visited Inca remains. You join the Classic Inca Trail route on the last trekking day, visit the beautiful "Wiñay Wayna" Inca citadel before you enter Machu Picchu by way of "Intipunku" or "Gate to the Sun", the same way the Incas did.
River Inca Trail Trek 3D/2N
DAY 1 - KM 82 TO KM 88
We pick you up from your hotel and travel by private vehicle to Km. 82. Here we meet our porters and crew to begin our trek. We follow a gentle trail on the right bank of the river visiting the ruins of "Salapunku", we pass a series of original Inca terraces still being cultivated at present and a beautifully carved ceremonial stone, later we reach Km. 88 where we cross the river, have lunch at a private campsite and later continue on an ascent to reach the ruins of Machu Q'ente. This settlement high on a mountainside has spectacular views of snow caped mountains. We return to to our campsite to find our tents ready, have dinner and camp for the night. B,L,D.
DAY 2 - KM 88 TO KM 104
An early breakfast and we begin our hike into the sub-tropical lush vegetation close to the river. This is a fairly easy day on a trail still uncluttered with other hikers, we will have plenty of time to take pictures and enjoy the varied flora and fauna in the region. We will encounter rare species of trees and other plants native only to this region: The Andean pine, a impressive variety of orchids and ferns are some examples. We will also have opportunity to see rare species of birds like the "Cock of the Rock" that is a national symbol to Peru, the rare Mot Mot (Cukoo bird). Also the rare Spectacle Bear has been spotted in the region. We arrive at the station and bridge at Km. 104 to camp nearby at the ruins of "Chachabamba". B,L,D.
DAY 3 - KM 104 TO MACHU PICCHU
Fuelled with a nourishing breakfast we begin our ascent to the beautiful Inca ruins of "Wiñay Wayna" or Forever Young, here is where we join the classic route. Masterful Inca engineering is today's highlight along the trail, we will visit this spectacular Inca remain that houses a series of Inca baths that pressurize water for an efficient irrigation of the numerous terraces that produced food for its inhabitants and also for Machu Picchu, not far away. Later we continue on the Inca trail until we reach "Inti Punku" or Gate to the sun. From here we first see the spectacular city of Machu Picchu below us. Have a Picnic lunch with views of the ruins. A quick descent along the wide royal Inca road and we enter the mysterious citadel to spend some time wandering and wondering in the midst of its eternal beauty. In the evening we return to Cusco by train, arrive at Poroy Train Station and we will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. B,L.
OPTION "A": You have the option to request to stay at the a hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes, located besides the Urubamba River.and also the option for your guide to stay one more day with you to return with him to Machu Picchu for further explanations on the site and to visit other areas of Machu Picchu like Huaynapichu or the Temple of the Moon. In the afternoon return by train to Cusco.
Please Note: This option must be requested before the trip begins in order to make the previous arrangements necessary.
Price Includes:
- All accommodations in top quality tents.
- All meals marked as B,L,D at the end of each day in the itinerary.
- Service of local official guides.
- Service of camp staff: Cook, assistants, porters.
- All group camping and cooking equipment: Passenger tents based in double occupancy. Dinning tent with tables, silverware and chairs. Toilet tent with biodegradable chemical toilet.
- Porters to carry all equipment plus a your bag with a maximum weight of 10 Kgs. (22 lbs).
- Entrance to Inca trail and Machu Picchu ($50.00).
Price Does Not Include:
Any meals not specified after each itinerary day, optional tipping or gratuities to staff, additional hotel nights, expenses such as medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (liquor, laundry, and so on.) Trip member must provide sleeping bag. (please note that sleeping bags can also be rented for $4 per day).