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Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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Trekking Cusco - 2 & 4 day Inca Trails

Introduction

Machu Picchu: the lost city of the Incas

We have added the two most popular Inca trails at this part of the web page; the 2 day Inca trail and the 4 day Inca trail. Here you can also find some additional information about Inca Trail preparations.

2 Day Inca Trail

4 Day Inca Trail

Inca Trail Preparations

Itineraries

2 Day Inca Trail

Day 1
(10 km)

You will be picked up from your hotel at 06.00 AM. By train you will head up for KM 88. At aprox. 11.00 you will reach point 88 and start a 5 hour trek (about 10 km) to the ruins of Wiñaywayna (2600 m) passing the smaller ruins of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca on the way, as well as stopping for lunch and snacks. You'll pass through a varied selection of eco-systems along the way, ending up in overgrown lush rainforest. We'll try to arrive at Inti Punku (the sun gate) before 4 pm. From the Sun Gate you'll get beautiful views of Machu Picchu in the distance (depending on your luck with the weather).

Day 2
(5 km)

After breakfast we go back to Machu Picchu. We should arrive at Machu Picchu ruins (2400m) at 7.30am and after a little while alone to take in the magnificent view we'll commence a guided tour of the 'Lost City of the Incas'.

Train in the main street of Aguas CalientesAfter the tour you'll have time to climb Huayna Picchu (the huge Sacred mountain you see directly behind the ruins). In Aguas Calientes there are plenty of restaurants where you can have lunch and if you have time you can visit the town's thermal baths (US$1.5 extra). The train returns to Cusco late in the afternoon.

Departures: Everyday of the week throughout the year except in February (Inca Trail closed).

Price US$ 240,- per person
 

Includes:

 
  • Collection from your hotel in the morning,
  • Train ticket to KM 104
  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes,
  • Inca Trail & Machu Picchu entrance fees (US$25),
  • Professional guide (English speaking),
  • Meals (1B,1L,1D)
  • First aid kit,
  • Return ticket on tourist train back from Aguas Calientes to Cusco

Excludes:

 
  • Tourist bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (US$6) or a 45 minute walk down hill,
  • Any tips for the guide.

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4 Day Inca Trail

The itinerary below is to be used only as a guide to the Inca Trail. The actual campsites that we will use and the distances trekked each day will be dependent on the size and speed of group and will be decided on the day by the guide.

Day 1
(10 km)

We pick you up from your hotel between 6am and 6:30am anddrive by private bus to Kilometer 82 which is the start of the trail. We'll stop briefly at the town of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley for breakfast along the way. We should arrive at Kilometer 82 (2600m) at about 10:00am.

We'll meet our porters and commence the trek at 10:30 am. The first day is relatively easy, walking 10 km, taking about 4 ½ hours. Lunch is provided just before the Inca ruins of Llactapata. The nights camp is just outside the small community of Wayllabamba, (3000m) where dinner is provided. If the group is making good progress we will move on and camp in one of the prettier campsites at Tres Piedres or Llulluchapampa.

Day 2
(10 km)

Today we'll ascend through dense vegetation to the first (andhighest) pass of the trail called the Warmiwañusca (or Dead Woman's) Pass at 4200m, taking about 5½ hours. Lunch is provided 10 minutes after the pass.It's another 1½ hours (easy walking) to our 2nd night's camp at Pacamayo. (3600 m), near to the ruins at Runkuracay, where we'll cook dinner.

Day 3
(10 km)

Leaving camp at 7am we'll walk another 15 km (approx. 7hours) to the ruins of Wiñaywayna (2600 m) passing the smaller ruins of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca on the way, as well as stopping for lunch and snacks. You'll pass through a varied selection of eco-systems along the way, ending up in overgrown lush rainforest. At Wiñaywayna we'll set up camp and have dinner. There's also a place to take a hot shower (US$1.5 extra) and a small restaurant for those who may wish to participate in the consumption of well deserved alcoholic beverages!

Day 4
(5 km)

It's an early start, rising at 4.30am, breakfast for 5am and back on the trek to Machu Picchu. We'll try to arrive at Inti Punku (the sun gate) just prior to sunrise before 7 am. From the Sun Gate you'll get beautiful views of Machu Picchu in the distance (depending on your luck with the weather). We should arrive at Machu Picchu ruins (2400m) at 7.30am and after a little while alone to take in the magnificent view we'll commence a guided tour of the 'Lost City of the Incas'.

After the tour you'll have time to climb Huayna Picchu (the huge Sacred mountain you see directly behind the ruins). In Aguas Calientes there are plenty of restaurants where you can have lunch and if you have time you can visit the town's thermal baths (US$1.5 extra). The train returns to Cusco late in the afternoon.

Departures: Everyday of the week throughout the year except in February (Inca Trail closed).

Price US$ 395,- per person
 

Includes:

  • Collection from your hotel in the morning,
  • Private bus to the start of the trail,
  • Inca Trail & Machu Picchu entrance fees (US$ 50),
  • Professional guide (English speaking),
  • 2 Person Tent,
  • Mattress,
  • Cooking equipment,
  • Cook,
  • Meals (03B, 03L, 03D) - food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking,
  • hot drinks, including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Boiled water is also provided at meal times to fill up your water bottle,
  • Teatime everyday (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn),
  • Porters (to carry the tents, food, and cooking equipment),
  • Dining tent and toilet tent,
  • Accommodation for our porters and cooks,
  • First aid kit,
  • Return ticket on tourist train back from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.

Excludes:

  • Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer an early morning breakfast service. If not, we stop at the town of Urubamba on the way to the start on the trek where you'll have the opportunity to have breakfast.
  • Tourist bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (US$4.5) or a 45 minute walk down hill,
  • Meal in restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
  • Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes US$1.5,
  • Any tips for the porters or guide.

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Inca Trail Preparations

To ensure that you are prepared and comfortable for the trek you will need to bring the following equipment:

  • Backpack and plastic cover,
  • Sleeping bag,
  • Rainwear,
  • Strong footwear,
  • 1 Complete change of clothing (all wrapped in plastic bags),
  • Sweater,
  • jacket (something warm),
  • Water bottle and sterilizing tablets (Micropur are recommended),
  • Torch / flashlight,
  • Broad-brim or peaked cap,
  • Sunblock,
  • Insect repellent,
  • Toiletries and toilet paper,
  • Selection of small snacks,
  • chocolate,
  • dried fruit,
  • biscuits etc,
  • Camera (wrapped in plastic bag)

Note: Although the weather is usually dry between May and October it is always best to be prepared for sudden bursts of heavy rain at any time of the year.

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Lama Tours & Education
Casa Bella
Lote A6
Cerro Colorado
Arequipa - Perú
Tel. office:  (+51 1) 428 2257
Tel. mobile:  (+51 1) 9009 1372
E-mail:  info@theperuspecialist.com

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