Classic Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

Early morning, we pick you up from your hotel and take you by our private transport to the starting point of this 4 day Inca Trail hike - Piscacucho, also called Km 82 (2,350 m). There, your Tour Guide gives you a briefing about the following Machu Picchu trek and after that, you cross the checking point of the Classic Inca Trail. Then you hike along the Urubamba River visiting the Incan archaeological sites of Willca Raccay and the enormous Llactapata. Later on, you continue up to the Cusichaca River Canyon offering magnificent views of the Cordillera Oriental; particularly, the Veronica Mountain (5,850 m). You have lunch in Chamana to later continue along the Cusichaca River observing several Incan agricultural stepped terraces and irrigation channels until reaching the picturesque village of Wayllabamba. Thereafter, you start ascending while appreciating various eco-systems along the way. Later in the afternoon, you get to the village of Ayapata, a place of your first campsite (3,850 m). There you have dinner and a rest afterward.

Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours
Trekking distance: 17 km
Max. elevation: 3,850m (12,630 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,600 m (8,530 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Early after breakfast, you continue your hike ascending towards the highest point of the trail - Abra Warmiwañusqa ( Dead Woman´s Pass) at 4,200 metres passing through the cloud forests of Yunkachimpa and Corral Punku offering excellent views of surrounding snowcapped peaks. From Warmiwañusqa, you descend to the Pacaymayo Valley (3,300 m), where you have a lunch break. Then you continue hiking through the valley to the Inca´s ruins of Runkuracay where a guided tour follows. Afterwards, you climb up and get over the second pass - Abra Runkurakay (3,860m) walking on this "Royal Inca´s Highway" down to the next Inka site - Sayacmarca. On the way, you pass the Yanacocha Lake. In the end, we get to our second campsite - Chaquicocha (3,670 m).

Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours
Trekking distance: 12 km
Max. elevation: 4,200 m (12,630 ft)
Min. elevation: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
Difficulty: Challenging

Today, we start hiking passing through lovely subtropical vegetation and many important archaeological sites. Before we reach the first site, we get over Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,670 m) and just behind it, we can see the Phuyupatamarca Inka complex (3,600 m), one of the best preserved and most completed sites of this 4 day Inca Trail hike. The complex is located on the top of a mountain and it corresponds with its Quechuan name that means the "Town above the Clouds". After a guided tour, we have lunch there. Then, we start a steep descent via a cloud forest offering an opportunity to see beautiful orchids and different bird species on the way to our last campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m). There, we have a guided tour of the same-named impressive archaeological complex consisting of a religious sector, urban sector and an agricultural centre with lots of stepped terraces. Afterwards, we are served dinner and then we go to sleep to get ready for the exciting Machu Picchu hike!!

Estimated trekking time: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 10 km
Max. elevation: 3,670 m (12,040 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate

This is the last day of the 4 day hike to Inca Trail so we get ready early in the morning and after breakfast, we start climbing antique steps to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) to see the sunrise above the long-expected citadel of Machu Picchu!! Then, you enjoy a 2 and half an hour guided visit of the so called "Lost City of the Incas"!! Afterwards, you have an opportunity to climb either the peak of Huayna Picchu (45 minutes up and the same time back) or Machu Picchu Mountain (1 hour, 30 minutes up and down) on your own to take some panoramic pictures of Machu Picchu!! This 4 day trek to Machu Picchu finishes by afternoon's descend to the town of Aguas Calientes where we take a train back to Ollantaytambo, there you will take the tourist bus to Cusco. Arrival in the evening. 

Estimated trekking time: 3 hours
Trekking distance: 4 km
Max. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,400 m (7,875 ft)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Pre - Trek briefing

Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing. Our guide will provided the duffel bag for your personal belonging,

Note: It is very important let us know, where you will be staying in Cusco;

Professional Guide

Experienced bilingual Tour Guide. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. They are fun yet professional, and will ensure you are safe and happy.

Note: A group up to 8 participants has 1 Tour Guide, a groups over 8 participants receives 2 Tour Guides

Double tent - Camping (3 Nights)

Our tents are of the brand Eureka Mountain designated for 4 seasons. We provide with 3 person capacity tents; however, just 2 trek participants use it! In this way, we provide you more space and comfort. In case of a single traveller, we provide with a 2 person capacity tent.

Inflatable Sleeping roll Mattress - Thermarest mattress

We provide with inflatable mattresses of the brand Therm-A-Rest. The mattresses are 3 cm heigh that will ensure you a sufficient isolation from the cold earth!

This inflatable mattress for more comfort to sleep in the trail 

Sleeping Bag (-5° C)

We use only feather sleeping bags that are suitable up to minus 16°C. This means you do not need to be worry about cold as temparature at night at each trek reaches just up to 0°C (maximum -5°C)!!
 

Inca Trail permit + Entrance fee to Machu Picchu

Included the Inca Trail Permit and Machu Picchu.

A professional Cook + Meals

3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner, 3x afternoon´s hot beverages, Snack

The Tierras Vivas chefs cook delicious meals that many previous trekkers have raved about. If you are a vegetarian or have any restrictions, our chef will prepare special food, please advise us in advance. A vegetarian meal option is for NO extra cost. Food is typically served and buffet.

Water during the hike

Excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own, Tierras Vivas will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.

Inca Trail Porters for your personal belonging

Our porter will carry your personal belonging + Sleeping bag + Inflatable sleeping roll mattress and other porters will carry all camping equipment,  

Tierras Vivas DOES NOT permit this exploitation!! We guarantee that our porters carry only an amount given by the Peruvian law!!

Tourist Train

From Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo, there are two companies train (Incarail and Perurail),you can choose two time of your train return to Cusco

If you take the train return at 14:55, you will be in Cusco at 18:00

If you take the train return at 19:00, you will be in Cusco at 22:00

On the high season, it is very important let us know in advance, because it is very difficult find spaces available.

Cooking Equipment

Tables and chairs, cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas

Machu Picchu Bus Ticket

A shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town

First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

Our guide has received training in first aid from a physician. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen.

Extra equipment for your hike included 

• A pair hiking poles
• A blanket per person
• A pillow
• Day Pack Rain Covers;
• Rain Ponchos;
• Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);
• A T-shirt of the Classic Inca Trail Map;.

• Breakfast on the first day and last lunch in Aguas Calientes Town,
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, this mountain is different for the Machu Picchu citadel($80);
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory);
• Travel Insurance;

Solo Traveller: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveller" option for this trek, you receive your own single tent for all nights.

Our guide will visit your a day before the trek and He/ She will give you a briefing and more information about your Inca Trail. It very important, let us know, where you will be staying in Cusco, our guide will visit your hotel 2 or 1 day before the trek for your briefing.

All Tierras Vivas trekkers are accompanied by a Tour Guide. The aim of our Tour Guides is to take a hassle out of our customers’ trips and to help them to have the best trip possible. The Tour Guides provide information on places visited, offer suggestions of what to see and to do, recommend a good place to eat and introduce to his/her colleagues. The Guides have a broad general knowledge of each country visited during a tour, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local Tour Guides where we think that more specific knowledge could add more enjoyment to visited places.

If you want to reserve the Inca Trail. We can recommend to send your passport information such as full name, passport number, nationality and date of birthday. Once arrived the head trail, the park rangers will require your Inca Trail permit and your original passport. They will compare your personal information, but in case you send the wrong information, you can´t enter to the Inca Trail and you will need to pay the new entrance fee to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (U$ 100).

Can you use the old passport to reserve the permit and then to change with new passport?

Yes, it is posssible, but it is very important to bring a copy of your old passport. When you will be in the Inca Trail, you can present your current passport and a copy of your old passport.

Day 1 - 3: We pick you up from your hotel at 05:30 am and transfer to Km 82 (2hrs 40min), where start hiking the Inca Trail with a professional guide, cook and porters. Guided tour on the route of the Inca Trail and Wiñaywayna.

HIKE TO MACHU PICCHU

Day 4: Wake up early (4 am) and hike to Machu Picchu, guided tour on the lost city of the Incas and in the afternoon  train return to Cusco.

Day 1: Cusco- Ollantaytambo - KM 82 to Llulluchapampa Campsite.

Distance: Approx. 16km

Starting Altitude: 2,650m

Finishing Altitude: 3,700m

Walking Distance: 8 - 9 hrs

Day 2: Lluchapampa Campsite up to Dead Womens Pass. Descend to Pacaymayo Valley Camp.

Distance Approx: 8 km

Starting Altitude: 3,700m

High Pass Altitude: 4,200m (Dead Womens)

Finishing Altitude: 3,950m

Walking Distance: 7 -  8 hrs (walking slowly)

Day 3: Trek Pacaymayo Valley Campsite up to Runkuraqay - Phuyupatamarka. Descend to Winay-Wayna Campsite.

Distance Approx: 16km

Starting Altitude: 3,950m

High Pass Altitude: 3,600m (Phuyupatamarca)

Finishing Altitude: 2,700m

Walking Distance: 6 hrs

Day 4: Trek Winay-Wayna Campsite to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), then to Machu Picchu!

Distance Approx. 5km

Starting Altitude: 2,700m

Finishing Altitude: 2,300

Walking Distance: 4 hrs

Usually our hike is starting from Cusco, but we can pick you up from your hotel outside of Cusco. Please check your trip and location for pick you up.

Climate in Cusco: The highland region of Cusco has well defined winter and summer seasons. Winter days (June - August) are very sunny and warm, but the temperature drops to near freezing at night. Rainy season is from January to March. December and January are two of the nicest months for trekking with only the occasional shower and blooming flowers.

Cusco’s climate is divided into two seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to September.

October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.

Inca Trail Weather

The wet season from November to April has a tropical downpour feel to it. Heavy, but the rain showers don't usually last long or the rain is often at night.

Along the Inca Trail (May to September - High tourist season), temperatures range from 15-20ºC during the day if it’s sunny, to 05-10ºC during the day if it´s not sunny and 0-05ºC at night in the first and second campsites. At Wiñaywayna and Machu Picchu, It is subtropical zone, at lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clothes are still recommended at night.

The Inca Trail is closed for maintanace all February. The low season can be a time when you can enjoy Salkantay Trek, Inka Jungle to Machu Picchu without the crowds. Mudslides are an occasional problem It's rare, but visitors have been stranded at Machu Picchu or between Aguas Calientes and Cusco if the slider blocks the way, usually the earth and mud is cleared away quickly and travel continues unimpeded.

BACKPACKER FOR YOU TREKKING

If very important your take best cover backpacker, because the weather in Inca Trail is change every date, we can’t predict it raining or no. If you don’t have, we recommended to putting your clothes, sleeping bag and other personal equipment inside the plastic bag.

APPROPRIATE CLOTHING ALONG THIS HIKE

Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu picchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring your Inca Trail” list.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL.

• Passport original
• Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
• Cash in soles
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended.
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
• Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into Machu Picchu. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
• Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)

OPTIONAL SERVICES TO BE HIRED

• Walking sticks or trekking poles USD 20 for both
• Personal shared porter: Tierras Vivas provides a porter duffle bag for your belongings/equipment at the briefing time the night before of your tour. Foam pad roll mattress, Therma- rest mattress, blanket, pillow and rain poncho is provided to each trekker and need to be carried by your porter. it is more comfortable. *Equipment as sleeping bags, backpacks, duffle bag, pillow, blanket, rain ponchos,water bottles must be organised in advance at the time of your booking or send us an e-mail.

EXTRA INFORMATION

The camping equipment to Inca Trail will be returned to Cusco on day 4th, you need to give to chef the sleeping bag, mattress.

Camping (double tent) provided in 1st, 2nd, 3rd nights

The hike to Inca Trail is included the extra porter. Our porters will carry your clothes, sleeping (5 kg per person). You will need to carry only your a daypack: Camera, water bottle, snacks, cold weather and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season May to October)- but as a precaution.

TIPPING & EXTRA MONEY

It’s very important to take EXTRA MONEY. You need to take at least 200-300 soles emergency money:

• The local people built the small markets in the route and you can find the water, snack, chocolate, cola etc. Your first breakfast, last lunch no included
• Tipping to Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: If at the end of your trek you felt your trekking guide(s), and staff did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference: however as a guideline we suggest each hiker contributes USD 50 per person to a collective tipping pool, more is always appreciated.

During the Classic Inca Trail we spend three nights full-service camping, meaning that our camp staff will erect and dismantle the tents, cook, and do all camp chores for you: you need only carry your day pack. There will also be dining and toilet tents and bowls of warm water are provided both morning and evening for washing with.

Our tents are of the brand Eureka Timberline Outfitter 4 person  designated for 4 seasons. We provide with 4 person capacity tents; however, just 2 trek participants use it! In this way, we provide you more space and comfort. In case of a single traveller, we provide with a 2 person capacity tent.

Single Supplement: If you are traveling on your own, and would prefer to share a tent, we'll pair you with another trekker of the same gender and there will not be an extra cost. If you prefer to have a tent to yourself a surcharge of USD 50 will have to be paid. If you want an upgrade any service to the train or accommodation or do you want to stay extra night in Machu Picchu, contact us directly to info@tierrasvivas.com for this to be done and confirmed to you.

On the way, you can observe stunning landscape of Andean mountains with snowy peaks and beautiful mountain lagoons, meet local people of remote Andean villages and visit the overwhelming Machu Picchu on the last day!! You can climb up either to Huayna Picchu or to Machu Picchu Mountain as well! Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

The Inca Quarry trail to Inca Trail involves 2 day hike to Inca Quarry trek and 2 day Short Inca Trail. On Inca Quarry trek you can observe Inca ruins, Inca moummies, temple of the water and Andean highlands. On Short Inca Trail, you can observe the Cachabamba, Wiñaywayna ruins, flora and fauna. The last day you will visit Machu Picchu. Inca Quarry Trail to Inca Trail

During this hike, you appreciate warm cloud forest nature as well as the Apu Salkantay Mountain (Apu is the sacred spirit of the mountain in Quechua), you visit the Incan site of Llactapata and the “Lost City of the Incas” - Machu Picchu. You can also climb up to either Huayna Picchu or the Machu Picchu Mountain. Salkantay Hike

This is a longer and very favourite variation of the Salkantay Trek! During this trek, you do not miss out any of its stunning nature as you walk along all its length!! So you can appreciate warm cloud forest nature as well as the Apu Salkantay Mountain (Apu means the sacred spirit of the mountain in Quechua), you visit the Incan site of Llactapata and the “Lost City of the Incas” - Machu Picchu. You can climb up to either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain too. This trek is definitely a worth!!. Salkantay Trek