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The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Trekking: Sacred Valley - Inca Trail - Machu Picchu

Peru

Continuing up this Inca stairway - Incatrail - Peru Start of the Inka Trail - Peru Hiking the Inca Trail is a highly rewarding holiday choice! The Inca Trail is Peru's best known hike, combining a stunning mix of Inca ruins, mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest and rich subtropical jungle. Over 250 species of orchid have been counted in the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, as well as numerous birds such as hummingbirds, waterfowl and the majestic Andean Condor. The star of the Sanctuary is the spectacled bear - a shy, herbivorous animal that is extremely rare and close to extinction.

Essentially the Inca Trail is a mountainous jungle hike leading to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu. The 45km trek is usually covered in 4 or 5 days, arriving at Machu Picchu at daybreak on the final day before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon.

The Inca Trail is rated moderate and any reasonably fit person should be able to cover the route. It is fairly challenging nevertheless, and altitudes of 4200m are reached, so ensuring that you are well acclimatized is important. If arriving from sea level, plan to spend at least 2 full days in Cusco (3 days is better) prior to commencing the trek. This should allow plenty of time for acclimatization and give you sufficient opportunity to visit the city of Cusco and nearby Inca ruins at Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, as well as spending a day or two exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas visiting the tradition market town of Pisac and the fascinating Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo.

The Inca Trail can be hiked year round although the months of May till October are probably more comfortable since the weather is drier. June through August is the high season when reservations must be made well in advance.

There are three main alternative treks to the traditional 4 or 5 day Inca Trail that both end at Machu Picchu. The first and most popular alternative is the Short, Imperial or Sacred Inca Trail which can be completed in just one day. This is an easier trek and starts further along the Vilcanota River Valley closer to Machu Picchu at a place called kilometre 104 (since it is located 104 km along the railway from Cusco to Aguas Calientes). You can also do this Inca Trail in 4 or 5 days if you follow the complete Sacred Inca Trail via de Urubamba River. There is no need to be acclimatized before starting this trek. The second alternative trek is a more strenuous 7 day hike via the sacred Apu Salkantay, a beautiful snow-capped mountain. (Apu = mountain god in the local Quechua language). On the fourth day this trek joins the route on the classic Inca Trail and continues to Machu Picchu. All of the above mentioned treks are subject to the Inca Trail regulations which have strictly limited the number of trekkers allowed on these trails.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
As you may know and since the begining of this year the government issued a new law regarding the Inca Trail circuit stating the Total Capacity of the Circuit per day which now is a maximum of 500 people including passengers, guides, porters, coockers and other helpers and the National Institute of Culture is in charge of the reception and control of the bookings, so now we need to do our pre-bookings, subject to be re-confirmed and paid at least 30 days prior to the initiation on the program.
Due to these new government regulations, the re-confirmation of our pre.bookings for the Inca Trail have to presented by us to the National Institute of Culture at least 30 days prior to the initiation of the Inca Trail which means you have to book at least 38 days prior to the initiation. For details about the regulations please read the Regulations .

DAY 1:Llactapata
Our vehicle takes us to Chillca, the starting point of our trek. The trail follows the left bank of the Urubamba River with views of Veronica Mountain. In the afternoon a short hike from our camp to visit the ruins of Llactapata and the terracing at Qenti.(L.D)

DAY 2:Llactapata /Llulluchapampa
A gentle walk takes us to the Indian community of Huayllabamba. From here the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass with Breath-taking views of Mount Huayanay. (BLD)

Machu Picchu - Peru View down from Warmiwanusca - Inkatrail - Peru DAY 3: Llulluchapampa / Phuyupatamarca
After a gradual uphill two hours hike we reach Warmiwanuska Pass (4,050mts /13,280ft) then the trail descends to Pacaymayo River, then climbs slowly to the second pass where we get incredible views of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, and finally descends to Phuyupatamarca where we camp. En route we visit Runkuraqay and Sayacmarca ruins. (BLD)

DAY 4:Chakicocha / Machupicchu
The flagstone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest, visiting Winay Wayna ruins on route. This area is known as cloud forest, rich in avian fauna and flora that contains more than 200 species of orchids. From here a two-hour hike by staircases, paved trails and bridges we arrive to Inti Punku pass (the gate of the Sun) where we see the magnificent citadel of Machupicchu at our feet. One hour more downhill and we get to Machupicchu ruins shorts visit of Machupicchu and then continue by bus to our camp in right bank of the Urubamba river. (BLD)

DAY 5: Machupicchu
A fascinating tour of temples, houses, terraces for growing crops and gardens is given at Machupicchu. Words and pictures will never do justice to this truly magical place. Later in the afternoon return to CUSCO by train. (BL)


Grade: moderate/strenuous

5 days/4 nights Classic Incatrail
N° of participants   Fixed departure 2 3 4 5/6 7/9 10+ SGL Supp.
USD $ 650 $ 828 $ 647 $ 548 $ 562 $ 547 $ 472 $ 62
EUR € 539 € 687 € 537 € 455 € 466 € 454 € 392 € 51
GBP £ 364 £ 464 £ 362 £ 307 £ 315 £ 306 £ 264 £ 35
(*) Price last updated on 07 June 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .




4 days/3 nights Classic Incatrail
N° of participants   Fixed departure 2 3 4 5/6 7/9 10+ SGL Supp.
USD $ 575 $ 715 $ 558 $ 475 $ 490 $ 481 $ 407 $ 50
EUR € 477 € 593 € 463 € 394 € 406 € 399 € 338 € 41
GBP £ 322 £ 400 £ 312 £ 266 £ 274 £ 269 £ 228 £ 28
(*) Price last updated on 07 June 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .




Departure dates
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays

4 days/3 nights Classic Incatrail
N° of participants   Shared Service Departure
USD $ 351
EUR € 291
GBP £ 196
(*) Price last updated on 07 June 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
Important Note There are only porters for the collective equipment. If you wish a porter for your luggage, a supplement is payable. Please note the lunch on day 4 is not included. Single supplement available upon request.

Included in price:
Bilingual mountain guides, experienced cooks, camp and field staff, porters, all terrestrial transport on a private basis, all food except lunches and dinners in the city of Cusco, top quality camping equipment except sleeping bag, sleeping pads, national Park and ruins entrance fees, transfer to and from hotel (see note for shared service departure).

Not included:
Sleeping bag. bottled drinks except water, tips, items of a personal nature e.g. laundry. excess luggage charges.