Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - PREMIUM

At 7:30 a.m. in the morning, we will pick you by private vehicle from your hotel in Cusco for a comprehensive Sacred Valley tour that will end at our exclusive Inca Trail Base Camp. This is the natural and most efficient way to get close to the trail head while getting acclimatized, minimizing road travel and becoming 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 leading to 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 ½ hour hike and visit, we will drive down the mountain for a short visit to the colonial town of the same name and their famous Indian handicraft market. Afterwards we will drive following the Urubamba River downstream to the city of Urubamba; here we will visit the local food market and have a private lunch at the local Hacienda “Marcabamba”. Afterwards, we will visit Ollantaytambo, considered the most authentic living Inca town. This town has been continuously inhabited since Inca times until present, conserving its original urban layout and many 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 small, paved road to our beautifully situated permanent Inca Trail Base camp at Km. 82. , set on the banks of the Urubamba River, very close to the entrance to the trail. You will experience Glamping in tented huts with bathrooms, solar hot showers, and access to a firewood sauna, all with panoramic views of the snow-capped Mt. Veronica (20,275'). This exclusive private campsite is a wonderful place to relax and prepare for the challenge ahead. L, D. 

 

After you are introduced to our crew and Porters, we will walk over to the Inca trail control station, here we quickly go through the 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. 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 private campsite (toilets and hot showers) right below the splendid Paucarcancha Inca remains. This place has been beautifully restored, and we can freely visit it from our campsite. 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.  B, L, D.

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 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. Later, we 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. Energized with lunch we will tackle the high pass known as “Warmiwañusta” or Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200 meters above sea level). We’ll slowly ascend towards the high pass taking deep breaths while rewarded with spectacular views. We reach the pass, take time for a rest and the classical pictures before we begin descending to reach our campsite at Pacaymayu about 1 ½ hours away in valley. B, L, D.

 

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 can 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 unparalleled views of the snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the lush valley vegetation. Masterful Inca engineering is today’s highlight along the trail as we discover the Inca remains of Sayajmarca at 3,640 Mts., explore them, have a picnic lunch and continue to camp at the incomparable site of Phuyupatamarca, THE PLACE ABOVE THE CLOUDS at 3,680 Mts. We have enough time to soak up some of the magical charm of this marvellous campsite. B, L, D.

 

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)

The views of Sacred Salkantay Mountain and the spectacular sunrise in “Phuyupatamarca” are both considered highlights of the trek. 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 the town of Aguas Calientes where they catch the 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 come to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (FOREVER YOUNG) to visit this outstanding Inca site and have lunch nearby. We continue on to Inti Punku or 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  return train to Cusco. Expect to be at your hotel in Cusco late that night. B, L.

 

Total distance:                         11 km (6,84 miles)

Estimated walking time:             5 hours

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

Machu Picchu altitude:              2,400 m (7,872 ft)

• Integral General Tourist Entrance Fees for Cusco and Sacred valley: US$45.00 (normally bought in person upon arrival in Cusco)
• Optional tipping to staff.
• Sleeping bag and/or pad (rentals available that weigh 3.5 Kg in total).

MODULE “A”: CUSCO CITY
You add transfers, hotels and city tour & nearby ruins in Cusco.

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).

Not included:
• BTG Tourist ticket (you buy directly US$57 approximately in local currency, with Guide)

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.