Inca Trail 4 Days 3 Nigths

The Inca Trail is without a doubt one of the most beautiful trails in the South America and therefore an unforgettable experience, not to be missed. The trail leads through the protected wild nature of the Peruvian jungle and forest steppe, passes several archeological Inca sights and offers impressive views. The Incas used this route for the pilgrimage to the sacred citadel Machu Picchu

DAY 1: CUSCO – KM 82 – WAYLLABAMBA – YUNCACHIMPA

We will leave Cusco (3350m/10990f) at 5:30am by tourist bus and head for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Before we reach our starting point, KM 82, we will have a short break in Ollantaytambo and have the option to get breakfast. The official beginning of the Inca Trail is called KM 82. Here we will meet the rest of the group and take care of the registration formalities. After crossing the Rio Urubamba (2200m) we will start the legendary Inca Trail.

The first day the trail is easy to walk and a good warm up for the following days. In Miskay we’ll have lunch at a small river bank while getting some information about the archaeological complex of Llactapata. After that, we will continue our hike to Wayllabamba (3100m/10170f) and ascend to Yuncachimpa (3300m/10826f), the camping site we will spend the night on. From here, we have a great view of the mysterious Nevado de Verónica.

SUMMARY

• Level of difficulty: Moderate
• Hiking time: 6-7 hours
• Total distance: 11km Approx.

DAY 2: YUNCACHIMPA – LLULLUCHAPAMPA – WARMIHUAÑUSCA PASS – PACAYMAYU – RUNKURAKAY PASS – CHAQUICOCHA

The second day is the ‘Free-Hike-Day’, this means that everybody should walk in his/her own pace. Of course, you will meet during the small breaks or see each other while beating the stairs. Early in the morning, the trail first leads through the Valley of Llulluchapampa (3850m/12631f).

The first 3km are steps – enjoy the humid woodland and the water sounds. From Llulluchapampa follow the way for 2-3 hours until you reach the highest point of this section, the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman Pass) (4200m/113780f). This climb is known as the most difficult part of the Inca Trail.

After a short break at the summit, you continue your hike down with a long and steep descent to the river Pacaymayu (Sunrise River) towards the Runkurakay pass (3050m/10007f) until you reach our camp site called Chaquicocha at (3650m/11975f). Here you can relax from the tough day while enjoying an amazing view over the mountains.

SUMMARY:

• Level of difficulty: Strenuous
• Hiking time: 8-9 hours
• Total distance: 15km Approx.

DAY 3: CHAQUICOCHA – PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAYHUAYNA

The third day is the most beautiful; you will see changes in the ecosystems while you walk to the tropical forest of Wiñaywayna. We will pass two small lakes at the top of the second pass (3950m/12960f). It is a gentle climb through beautiful cloud forests and a small Inca tunnel before the third pass (3700m/12140f) offers a lovely view over the Urubamba Valley.

The nearest settlement is Phuyupatamarca “Town above the Clouds” (3600m/11811f). There is a well-preserved site with a series of Inca baths that are testimony to the excellence of Inca engineering.

We pass another Inca tunnel before visiting the ruins of Wiñaywayna (Forever Young) (2650m/8694f). The Inca stairs change into a zigzag trail until you reach a red-roofed white building, our last camping site, and also a location with hot water (S5) and bottled drinks.

SUMMARY:

• Level of difficulty: Normal
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours
• Total distance: 10km Approx.

DAY 4: WIÑAYHUAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

After our breakfast at 4:30 am, we will head, equipped with our flashlights, to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) to get the first glimpse of Machu Picchu and watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. The last triumphal descent will take almost one hour before visiting the citadel of Machu Picchu (2400m//7874f) around 8.00am.

You can enjoy its spiritual charm during a guided tour (about two hours) that helps you to understand the meaning and ancient use of the different buildings. From Machu Picchu there will be a bus awaiting you to take you down to Aguas Calientes. Here you can soak away your aches and pain in the town’s hot springs (S10). We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.

SUMMARY:

• Level of difficulty: Moderate – Easy
• Hiking time: 2-3 hours

Total distance: 7km Approx

We will leave Cusco (3350m/10990f) at 5:30am by tourist bus and head for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Before we reach our starting point, KM 82, we will have a short break in Ollantaytambo and have the option to get breakfast. The official beginning of the Inca Trail is called KM 82. Here we will meet the rest of the group and take care of the registration formalities. After crossing the Rio Urubamba (2200m) we will start the legendary Inca Trail.

The first day the trail is easy to walk and a good warm up for the following days. In Miskay we’ll have lunch at a small river bank while getting some information about the archaeological complex of Llactapata. After that, we will continue our hike to Wayllabamba (3100m/10170f) and ascend to Yuncachimpa (3300m/10826f), the camping site we will spend the night on. From here, we have a great view of the mysterious Nevado de Verónica.

INCLUDED:

• Pre-briefing time at 19hrs in our office 1 or 2 days before your date departure (It has to be confirmed at the booking time).
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
• Collective tourist transfers from the train station in Ollantaytambo to the hotels in the Sacred Valley or Cusco City (Hotels, hostels, home house or AIRBNB).
• Bus going downhill from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes where the train station is situated.
• Entrance fees to the Inca trail and Machu Picchu.
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish – English or French speaking guides).
• Camping equipment (professional two-persons tents / single tents: Doite, model Kailas 3, extra light/4.5kg, Doite, model Himalaya, extra light/4.5kg and Eureka Tents; sleeping mats, dining tent equipped with a table and chairs).
• Cook, cooking equipment, meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners). Food includes pancakes, omelettes, soups, fresh fruit and spaghetti, chicken, fish, meat and rice, all rich in carbohydrates and very suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leafs tea which is excellent for the altitude.
• Tea and snack time every day (tea, coffee, wantan, popcorn and cracker).
• Porters to carry the main luggage and matrass (all the equipment and cooking stock).
• Porters to carry the mattress and sleeping bags.
• Boiled cold water filtered
• First-aid kit and oxygen bottle.
• T-shirts with inca trail map design.
• Communication radios and satellite phones.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast on the first day and last lunch in Aguas Calientes Town.
• Sleeping bag (if you don´t have a sleeping bag there is the possibility of renting one $20.00).
• Walking Sticks Pair (if you don’t have a walking stick there is the possibility of renting one $15.00)
• Huayna Picchu or Mountain: $65.00

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

• Backpack with rain cover (35- or 45-liter capacity is sufficient).
• Clothing for both warm and cold climates.
• Original passport, original ISIC student card (to receive the student discount
• Sun hat to protect neck and face (01)
• Woolly hat for the cold (01)
• Long- and short-sleeved T-shirts.(04)
• Fleece jacket (01 )
• Hard shell jacket ( 01)
• Trekking pants and shorts pants (03)
• Pajama pants (01)
• Under wears (04)
• Trekking shoes/boots.(01)
• Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs). (01)
• Woolen/synthetic socks.(04)
• Sunglasses with UV protection(01)
• Flashlight or Headlamp(02)
• Water bottle or camel back (01)
• Trekking towels (01)
• Toilet paper (01)
• Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes). (01)
• Sunscreen with UV protecction, insect repellent, toilet paper, hand cleaner/disinfecting alcohol gel.
• Camera (with rain protection), a flash light/headlamp and extra batteries.
• Snacks (e.g. chocolate bars and dried fruit)
• Money cash in soles / approx. 400 soles (100 dollars)
• Small lock and plastic bags
• Rain Poncho

Since the weather can be very cold and rainy, your clothes – once wet – will not dry at night. It is best to take some clothes to change.

PRICES: From 680 US dollars per person in a share or group service