Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

At 7:30 a.m. in the morning, we will pick you by private vehicle from your hotel for a comprehensive Sacred Valley tour the day before you enter the Inca Trail. This is the natural and most efficient way to get close to the trail head while getting acclimatized and familiar with Inca trails. We will drive over the “Ccorao” pass above Cusco to descend on a winding road to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here we will hike on Inca trails trough the magnificent Inca citadel of PISAC considered as one of the outstanding Inca remains because of the quality of the stonework and breath-taking location on a mountain saddle overlooking the Sacred Valley. After a 1 1/2hour visit and hike, we will drive down the mountain for a short visit to the colonial town of the same name with a quick stop at their famous Indian handicraft market. Afterwards we will drive following the Urubamba River downstream to Urubamba city; here we will visit the local food market and have lunch at a local restaurant nearby. Afterwards we will visit Ollantaytambo, considered the most authentic living Inca town. This town has been continuously inhabited since Inca times until the present, conserving its original urban layout and stone walled homes. A guided walking tour through the extensive ruins and cobblestone paved narrow streets will make you feel like you are travelling back in time. From here, we will travel for 40 minutes on a mostly unpaved road to our beautifully situated permanent campsite “Camp Km. 82” set on the banks of the Urubamba River, very close to the entrance to the trail at Km. 82. Located at 2700 meters above sea level (8,900 feet), it offers indoor plumbing, hot showers and a firewood sauna. From the camp, we also enjoy panoramic views of the snow-capped Mt. Veronica (20,275′). This private campsite is the resting point before all our Inca Trail treks and is a wonderful place to relax and prepare for the challenge ahead.

After a nutritious breakfast, you will be introduced to our crew and Porters, many of them will be wearing their traditional clothingbefore they change into their trekking outfit. A short walk over to the Inca trail control station, to quickly go through the Inca Trail entrance control procedure and begin our trek following the left bank of the Urubamba River. After a couple of hours of gentle hiking, we reach a viewpoint to enjoy the extensive Inca ruins of Llactapata. Your Guide will share an explanation about this interesting site and we continue hiking, this time away from the Urubamba River ascending and following the Cusichaca River towards the village of Huayllabamba, we have a picnic lunch nearby and continue ascending to our 2nd campsite right below the remains of the Inca settlement of Paucarcancha: a small pristine set of remains nicely restored you can visit and soak in the magic surrounding it. You will find your tents set up and ready for you. Time to rest before we are served a complete dinner and retire for the night.

Total distance: 12 km (7,47 miles)

Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours

Maximum altitude point: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)

Campsite altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)

After enjoying the beauty of this special campsite and a nutritious breakfast, we begin hiking on a shortcut trail above the village of Huayllabamba. We register at the Park’s 2nd control station (now in the protected area) to continue on an ascending trail with increasingly rewarding views. We will hike through an interesting cloud forest of native trees before we reach our lunch spot at “Llullucchapampa”. We have lunch enjoying views of the far away Huayllanay Glacier on the opposite side of the valley below. Energized with lunch we will slowly gain altitude and tackle our highest pass known as “Warmiwañusta” or Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200 meters above sea level). We’ll want to take time for a rest and shoot the classical pictures before we begin descending a winding trail to reach our campsite at Pacaymayu about 1 ½ hours away down in the valley.

Total distance: 11 km (6,84 miles)

Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours

Maximum altitude point: 4,200 m (13,776 ft)

Campsite altitude: 3,580 m (11,742 ft)

An early nourishing breakfast bolsters our energy for a day’s hike, this time on the original cobblestone paved trail left by the Incas. We will appreciate the lovely changes in vegetation and geology as we pass through different ecological zones. We climb up and over the second-high pass at 3,950 Mts. On a clear day, our efforts will be rewarded with stunning views of the snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the lush valley vegetation. Now we can be certain that we are on the original Inca Trail, masterful Inca engineering is today’s highlight as we discover the Inca remains of Sayajmarca at 3,640 Mts., explore them, have a picnic lunch nearby and continue hiking on the incredible cobblestone trail. You will notice outstanding retaining walls that keep the trail leveled, you will also walk through a tunnel and enjoy exotic flora and fauna before we reach the incomparable site of Phuyupatamarca, THE PLACE ABOVE THE CLOUDS. At 3,680 meteres above sea level, this will be our last campsite on the trail. We have enough time to soak up some of the magical charm of this marvelous campsite and you will know why we consider this a very special place.

Total distance: 10 km (6,21 miles)

Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours

Maximum altitude point: 3,950 m (12,956 ft)

Campsite altitude: 3,700 m (12,136 ft)

We will rise early to watch the sun come up with the exiting idea in mind that today we will reach Machu Picchu, the lost City of the Incas. After breakfast, we say good-bye to our crew and porters and we have a chance to voluntarily tip them. Most of them will take a detour from the main trail and head to where they catch the return train to go home. After breakfast, we hike on lush high jungle terrain for a couple of hours. We go down a clear stone paved trail with numerous incredible stairways, a small tunnel and several viewing terraces. We will reach the Inca remains of Wiñay Wayna (FOREVER YOUNG) to visit this outstanding Inca site and have lunch nearby. We continue on to Inti Punku (THE GATE TO THE SUN). From here, we first see the spectacular city of Machu Picchu below us. After recuperating our breath and taking memorable pictures we`ll quickly descent along the wide royal Inca road to enter the mysterious citadel. Here we will have a tour in detail of the site at a less crowded time of the day and enjoy wondering in the midst of its eternal beauty. Take the bus down to the train station to catch the return train to Cusco (Option of a first class train that includes a delicious dinner). Expect to be at your hotel in Cusco at 11 p.m. B and Box lunch.

Total distance: 11 km (6,84 miles)

Estimated walking time: 5 hours

Maximum altitude point: 3,700 m (12,136 ft)

Machupicchu altitude: 2,400 m (7,872 ft)

• Return train from Machu Picchu to Cusco. 1st Class: US$220.00 (includes diner) | 360° : $120.00 | Voyager: $105.00. All these trains go to Ollantaytambo or Poroy from where we transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
• Integral General Tourist Entrance Fees for Cusco and Sacred valley: US$45.00.
• Optional tipping to staff.
• Trip member must provide sleeping bag and pad (rentals available).

MODULE “A”: CUSCO CITY
You add hotels and visits of interest in Cusco and surroundings.

Price Includes:
• Transfers in and out in Cusco. (from/to airport)
• City Tour and nearby ruins of Cusco. (BTG not included)
• 2 Hotel nights in Cusco. (One night before and the other one after your trek).

You can choose hotels in 3 levels: (Prices based in double occupancy)
Tourist: US$ 170.00 each person. These are simple 2 and 3 star hotels clean with private bathrooms and hot water. (If less than 4 people add US$50.00) S.S. = US$80
Comfort: US$ 240.00. These are 3 + of 4 star hotels. (If less than 4 people add US$50.00) S.S. = US$ 150.00
Luxury: US$ 500.00. These are 4+ or 5 star hotels. (If less than 4 people add US$100.00) S.S. = US$ 420.00

MODULE “B”: 2ND DAY GUIDED VISIT TO MACHU PICCHU
You will stay at hotel in Aguas Calientes and next day with your guide you will hike Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and then visit Machu Picchu one more time to visit other areas of the place. In the afternoon return by train to Cusco.

Price Includes:
• 1 night at hotel in Aguas Calientes. (Prices based in double occupancy)
• 2nd day entrance fee to Machu Picchu including Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike. Without either hike you can deduct US$ 70.00 from price.
• Buses up and down from train station to Machu Picchu.

Not Included: Return train

*Optional Lunch at Sanctuary Lodge: US$ 45.00

You can choose hotels in 3 levels (DWB rooms):
Tourist: US$ 220.00. These are simple hotels clean with private bathrooms and hot water. (If less than 4 people add US$30.00) S.S.= US$ 50.00
Comfort: US$ 250.00. These are 3+ or 4 star hotels. (If less than 4 people add US$40.00) S.S. = US$90.00
Luxury: US$ 410.00. These are 4+ or 5 star hotels. (If less than 4 people add US$100.00) S.S. = US$260.00

MODULE “C”: 1D GUIDED VISITS TO MORAY, SALT MINES OF MARAS AND CHINCHERO on your way back to Cusco.
You return back from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo and stay overnight at local hotel, next day travel to Cusco visiting Moray (known as the Inca Agricultural Laboratory), short hike to the Salt mines of Maras and visit the Traditional town of Chinchero with Inca Ruins and Colonial Church.

Price Includes:
• 1 night at hotel in Ollantaytambo.
• Transfer by private vehicle to Cusco.
• Guided visits to Moray, Maras and Chinchero.
• Box Lunch.

You can choose hotels in 2 levels (DWB rooms):
Tourist: US$180.00. These are simple hotels clean with private bathrooms and hot water. (If less than 4 people add US$60.00) S.S.= US$40.00
Comfort: US$240.00 each. These are 3+ or 4 star hotels. (If less than 4 people add US$70.00) S.S.= US$80.00
Luxury: not available.