The Inca Trail is known as one of the best trek in South America. A 43 kilometer journey through ancient Inca trails to the wonder of the world Machu Picchu. The duration of the tour is 4 days in the classic route. Tourists have the opportunity to appreciate the scenic beauty with enigmatic archaeological sites that plow this route their best option to discover the wonder of Peru.
The Inca Trail or Capaq Ñan (in Quechua), was built by order of the Inca emperor named Pachacutec, with the intention of connecting Cusco, the capital of the empire, with the citadel of Machu Picchu. In fact, this trail was part of a gigantic network of roads that covered more than 30,000 kilometers and linked all the territories of the Inca civilization. After the Spanish invasion these routes were abandoned, and it was not until 1970 that this fantastic stretch that reaches the wonder of Machu Picchu was recovered. It is not an exaggeration to say that this is one of the most famous and desired treks on the planet
Globetrotter offers you different trekking options on the Inca Trail, so you can combine this adventure with other points of interest in this fantastic country. This tour has been previously selected by travel specialists, so you only have to enjoy the wonderful landscapes while walking to Machu Picchu.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba
Pick up from the Hotel early in the morning 06:00 AM, transfer in our private transport to Km 82 being this point the beginning of our walk, we will pass through places like Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. The first section of this circuit is made along the Urubamba river with an excellent view of the Nevado Verónica (5,900 masl), we will have our lunch in the small town of Meskay, then we will continue to the Llactapata Archaeological Site through the Cusi River Valley chaca, we will arrive near the town of Wayllabamba (3,000 masl) where our camp will be.
- Total Travel Distance: 12 km.
- Estimated Walking Time: 7 to 8 hours.
- Camp altitude: 3,000 masl. Approx.
- Overnight in Wayllabamba camp.
Day 2: Pass Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo
After breakfast we will start our walk, we will slowly ascend to the Warmiwañusca pass (4200 masl) crossing a beautiful forest of Queñua trees. We will have attractive views of the Andean landscape, our next destination will be Llulluchapampa (3,750 masl), a typical pampa at the foot of the Abra. After arriving at the Warmiwañusca pass, we will descend to the Pacaymayo Valley (3,620 masl) where we will have lunch and we will also set up our camp. Here we can already appreciate the extraordinary construction of the Inca Trail. In the afternoon of this day we can explore the area a little and we will have plenty of time to rest and relax.
- Total Travel Distance: 12 km.
- Estimated Walking Time: 7 to 8 hours.
- Altitude of the camp: 3,600 masl. Approx.
- Overnight in Pacaymayo camp.
Day 3: Rumkurakay – Sayacmarca – Wiñayhuayna
After breakfast we will start our walk, This is one of the most beautiful days on the Inca trail. We will visit the archaeological complex of Runkuracay from which we will have a spectacular view of the area, we will go up the pass of the same name (3,800 masl), we will continue towards the archaeological complexes of Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna, which are linked together by a wonderful path Inca original white granite, among the abundant vegetation of the forest. We will be observers of the remarkable ability achieved by the Incas in the quest to achieve harmony with nature. We will have our lunch halfway in a beautiful camp known as Chaqui Cocha, Our camp will be located in the surroundings of the Wiñayhuayna archaeological site (2,700 masl).
- Total Travel Distance: 16 km.
- Estimated Walking Time: 8 to 9 hours.
- Altitude of the camp: 2,700 masl. Approx.
- Overnight in Wiñayhuayna camp.
Day 4: Intipunku – Machu Picchu – Cusco
This day we get up early at 4:00 AM, have breakfast and start the walk at 5:00 AM. From this point we will fire the shippers because they will return to the city of Cusco with all the camping equipment used. We will carry out our walk in the middle of a dense vegetation typical of the rain forest towards Puerta del Sol or Inti Punku, from where we will have a formidable panoramic view of the Inca Citadel. We are arriving at Machu Picchu approximately. At 7:00 a.m., once here, we will begin with our 2 and a half hour guided tour to visit the most important and peculiar places of Machu Picchu. Then you will have free time to visit Machu Picchu on your own taking the best photographs of its wonderful constructions.
At the appropriate time we will go down by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch in one of the various restaurants that exist in this place. In the afternoon we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo and later transfer by car to the city of Cusco, the tour ends with the transfer to their respective hotels.
- Total Travel Distance: 7 km.
- Estimated Walking Time: 4 hours.
- Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,400 masl. Approx.
End of Service.
Details:
It includes:
- Pick up from the hotel in Cusco.
- Transfer to KM 82, starting point of the tour.
- Professional Spanish or English guide.
- Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Archaeological Sanctuary.
- Porters to carry all the equipment, tents, food, kitchen equipment, restaurants and tents.
- Permits and tickets for our team of porters and cooks.
- 3 breakfasts, 3 appetizers, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. All these meals are prepared by our cook and his assistant.
- Coca tea is served every morning in his tent.
- Boiled water after breakfast, to refill your canteens.
- Hot drinks in the camp (coca tea, tea and coffee).
- Appetizers every morning or snacks.
- Oxygen and first aid kit.
- Vegetarian food and special diets at the request of the client.
- All equipment, including tents for staff.
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes.
- Return train to Ollantaytambo.
- Private Return Transportation to Cusco.
- Transfer to the hotel at the end of the tour.
Does not include:
- Food and drinks not mentioned in the program.
- Sleeping bag. (You can rent in the office USD 20.00).
- Walking sticks (you can rent in the office USD 10.00).
- Travel insurance.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (additional USD 25.00).
- Extra porter to carry your luggage or personal backpack (Optional $ 50 USD, right to 8 kilos of luggage).
- Extra activities and tips for staff (optional).
COST:
PRIVATE SERVICE USD 800.00 | SHARED SERVICE USD 640.00
Globetrotter established all Costs in United States Dollars (USD) and include taxes in Peruvian territory.
What to bring:
- Original identity document.
- Sleeping bag.
- Medium backpack (approx. 40 liters) for the walk.
- Walking poles with rounded rubber tip.
- Camera, extra batteries, chargers and adapters.
- Personal hygiene items, especially wet wipes due to the lack of adequate showers and sanitary facilities.
- Personal medicine kit (bandages, cotton, bandages, alcohol, aspirin, pills for stomach problems, medicines to avoid altitude sickness).
- Boots or hiking shoes.
- Hat or cap.
- Underwear.
- T-shirts or polo shirts.
- Long sleeve shirts.
- Gloves, scarf, wool stockings.
- Waterproof in the rainy season.
- Long pants.
- Sweaters and a jacket or jacket.
- Towel and toilet paper.
- Bath linen (for the Aguas Calientes hot springs – not included)
- Insect repellent.
- Sunscreen.
- Sunglasses.
- Bottle of water and pills to purify the water.
- Dehydrated fruits, candies and chocolates
- Headlamp and batteries.
- Binoculars.
- Travel insurance.
- A little local money for services not included and tips.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Is the Inca Trail a very difficult or dangerous experience?
It is considered one of the demanding experiences due to the type of terrain it presents since it occurs between mountains and not in flat places in which we are used to walking and also for the duration that it has, it is not considered as a dangerous tour since the The road is generally well signposted and also always has the support of your tour guide who is a professional with years of experience, however you should always walk through the assigned and indicated places.
Do I need to physically prepare for the Inca Trail?
It is advisable to carry out an exercise routine even weeks before the trip, the main thing is to strengthen your legs since the walk is extensive and prolonged daily, it is also recommended that you take 1 or 2 days in the city of Cusco before starting this experience of Inca trail.
Will I be affected by altitude sickness?
The main thing to avoid altitude sickness is acclimatization in the city for 1 or 2 days, avoid alcohol consumption and especially take advantage of coca tea which is a natural stimulant but not excessively at night so you can rest from better way.
Where do you sleep on the Inca Trail?
During the walk we can find spaces that are assigned for our camping nights, we already have these spaces designated for you.
Can I do the Inca Trail ONLY or on my own?
It is NOT possible for individual travelers to plan their trip since one of the new regulations dictates that the advice of a formal company is necessary, just as the guide in charge must have a special permit.
The groups are made up of more people, ours as they are small are in groups of 8 participants maximum, additionally we are accompanied by porters or support team who carry the camping and food equipment and finally our leader who will be the professional guide.
When is recommended to book my tickets for the Inca Trail?
The best recommendation we can make is that you start your reservation well before the start of your tour, that is, between 6 to 8 months in advance because the tickets end very quickly, in addition the regulations allow the entry of only 500 people per day including to travelers (of these 200 are tourists and the rest support staff and guides).