Overview
Prepare for an unforgettable expedition as we traverse the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This iconic Peruvian route beckons to those with an adventurous soul, inviting them to immerse themselves in the rich history and majestic allure of the Inca Empire. Along this awe-inspiring path, you’ll navigate through a diverse landscape, spanning from the towering peaks of the Andes to the enchanting depths of the cloud forest. Each step reveals a panorama that captivates, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of every intrepid traveler.
Highlights
- THE TRAIL. Built in the 1450s by the powerful Inca Empire, the trail required the use of rocks which were transported from nearby quarries and delicately carved to fit in precision and meticulously.
- NATURE. Experience the wonders of nature along the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, where diverse microclimates unfold with every step due to the changing altitudes. Trekking this trail means journeying from the lofty heights of the high-altitude puna to the verdant richness of the high jungle.
- INCA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES. Traversing valleys and mountain passes, this trail opens the door to a historical tapestry, revealing archaeological marvels like Patallacta/Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Inti Pata, Winay Wayna, and Intipunku. Ultimately, this path culminates in the breathtaking arrival at Machu Picchu, promising an expedition that transcends time—a hike that etches itself into the very fabric of a lifetime.
Itinerary
Your epic four day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu begins with an early morning transfer from your hotel in Cusco. We will be driving you to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is the last major town before the trail head in Km 82 so you can buy some last minute things you may need during the hike.
We will be driving you to Piscacuho or Km 82. The place is named after its distance while traveling from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Once at the trailhead, the local authorities will be verifying your passport against the Inca Trail permit. We will begin with a gradual uphill hike to Miskay. Along the way we will be immersed in the captivating views of the trail. We will also be visiting a number of small and lesser known Inca sites.
Once in Miskay, we will be serving the first lunch of the Inca Trail. Our local chef will prepare a traditional Andean meal.
After lunch, we will continue hiking for two hours to Huayllabamba, witnessing more sights and archaeological complexes. Huayllabamba is at 3000 meters (9842 feet) above sea level. We will be camping here for the night. We will be reaching Huayllabamba by 0500 PM. Our crew will welcome you with some appetizers and a cup of freshly brewed Peruvian coffee or tea. After witnessing the sunset, we will be serving dinner before you settle in your respective tents.
First day:
- Total distance: 10 km (aprox.)
- Estimated walking time: 5 – 6 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 3,000 m (aprox.)
- Campsite altitude (Huayllabamba): 3,000 m (aprox.)
- Places to see: Ollantaytambo, Piscakucho, km 82, Kanabamba, Llactapata Incan Site, Tarayoc lunch spot, Hatunchaka, Huayllabamba.
The second day of the Classic Inca Trail begins quite early in the morning. You will be waking up to a cup of freshly brewed Peruvian coffee or tea followed by a protein rich breakfast to keep you energized for the day. We will begin with a five hours uphill hike to the highest point of the Inca Trail, the Dead Woman’s Pass at 4600 meters above sea level (15091 feet). The pass is named after the way it looks. The hill here vaguely has a formation of a woman resting in the Andes. We will have plenty of time here to soak in the views and immerse in the energy of the Andes. Our tour guide will be giving you an insight into the Andean mythology and traditions. After contemplating the views, we will begin with a gradual downhill hike for two hours to Pacamayu. It is at 3600 meters/ 11811 feet above sea level. Our crew will serve lunch here. After lunch, you will have time for a siesta as this will be our campsite for the night as well. We will be serving tea/coffee in the evening followed by dinner.
Second Day:
- Total distance: 12 km (aprox.) Please, See we climb one pass only (Dead Woman Pass 4200 meters high) while Many operators are using a camping spot of Chaquicocha and passengers are forced to climb the 2nd pass of 3950 meters high) So 2 passes in one day.
- Estimated walking time: 6 – 7 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 4,200 m (aprox.)
- Campsite altitude(Pacaymayu): 3,650 m (aprox.)
- Places to see: Huayllabamba, Yunkachimpa, Tres pierdas, Llulluchapampa, Warmihuañusca(Dead woman Pass), Pacaymayu.
The third day of the Classic Inca Trail begins at 0600 AM. After relishing an Andean breakfast, we will be leaving the campsite at 0700 AM. We will be visiting three iconic archaeological sites on our way. We will begin with an hour’s hike up the hill to Runkuraqay. It is an Inca complex at 3800 meters (12467 ft). This complex played a major role during the Inca civilization. Our local expert will be giving you an immersive tour here. Once you have got an insight to this, we will be hiking further up to Runkurakay Pass. It is at 3760 meters (12,335 ft. above sea level). We will have a brief stop here to contemplate the view of the valley below and catch up with the breath. We will then begin with a gradual descent for 45 minutes to Sayacmarca archaeological site. It sits at 3850 meters (12631 ft) above sea level. After the tour of the complex, we will continue our hike down to Chakicocha (3600m/11811ft) through cloud forest. We will be stopping here for lunch. After lunch, we will hike to Phuyupatamarca. This is the last section of the original Inca Trail. We will also be visiting some of the last Inca ruins that we will be crossing along the way. Our last section of the trail for the day will be to Wiñay Wayna (2600m/8530ft). This will be our campsite for the night. In Quechua, Wiñay Wayna means forever young. The archaeological site is arguably the most beautiful one along the trail. We will have an immersive tour here. After witnessing the sunset, we will be returning to the campsite for dinner.
Third day:
- Total distance: 16 km (aprox.) We explore the incan site along the inca trail
- Estimated walking time: 7 – 8 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 3,900 m (aprox.)
- Campsite altitude (Wiñay Wayna)2,650 m (aprox.)
- Places to see: Pacaymayu, Runkurachay Incan Site, Runkurakay pass(3900 meters high) Sayacmarca Incan Site, Conchamarca Incan Site, Chaquicocha Lunch spot, Phuyupatamarca incan site, Intipata incan site, Wiñay Wayna incan site.
We will be waking up at 0300 AM. After breakfast, we will be parting ways with our support staff. You can express your gratitude and tip them at this point, if desired. We will begin with an hour’s hike to the emblematic Sun Gate or Inti Punku. This will be the most rewarding moment of your Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. You will witness the glorious rays of the rising sun beaming on the walls of the citadel as the blanket of cloud would unveil this Inca masterpiece. After contemplating the view, we will hike down to a checkpoint and continue further to Machu Picchu citadel. We will begin the tour with a brief introduction to Inca civilization. We will be visiting the main areas of the citadel like the main plaza, farming terraces and more. After the tour, if you have booked to climb Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu mountain, our tour guide will be directing you to the respective entrance. Once you have enjoyed Machu Picchu, we will be taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. You will have some free time here so you can have lunch or explore the town. You can also visit the hot springs for a perfect treat to your muscles after a long trek. At 0600 PM, we will be boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will meet you on arrival and will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be reaching by 10:00 PM.
Fourth Day:
- Total distance: 7 km (aprox.)
- Estimated walking time: 2 – 3 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (aprox.)
- Places to see: Wiñay Wayna, Intipunku(Sungate), Machupicchu city, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain(optional), Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Town.
Classic Inca Trail Peru Includes:
- PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION/ Private Tourist transportation Cusco – Ollantaytambo and then KM 82 (The Trailhead) (We never share Bus service with other companies as most agencies do here to minimize costs) and Please, Note. we always use the same tourist transportation for our porters. we wont send them by an unconfortable truck as most do here.
- EXPEDITIONS TRAIN BACK TICKET/ Tourist Expeditions train Back ticket (Between 1:30pm to 7:00pm. Subjet to availability) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then bus back to cusco and we willdropp you off at the hotel.
- PROFFESIONAL GUIDES/ English – Spanish speaking guide for 4 days of the Inca Trail and Machupicchu.(All our Guides work for us only) All of them speak Fluent English & Second Guide Over 08 people Group(Large Group Service)
- CAMPING EQUIPMENT/ Thermarest air-inflate Confortable sleeping Mattress (While others agencies are using foam mat) Thats why many of them run away from us. Because they dont want their passengers to see the Quality of our Camping equipment)
- Two person CAMPING TENTS (3-people capacity tent used as doubles – Kayla Doite) 4 season tent Aluminium poles Tents
- MASTER CHEFFS/Cook and assistance of the Cook.(We have chosen the best cook/cheffs and all are trained by Quechuas Expeditions every month)
- Cooking equipment (We use New cooking equipment and change all every 3 months) Snacks (Fruits, energy bars)
- Daily tea service (Wake up Coca tea and afternoon tea time(Happy hour) with full of popcorn and special snacks made by our cooks)
- Dining equipment including portable chairs and tables
- FOOD/Food service in the campsites (3 breakfast, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 3 snacks) – nutritionally balanced menu: Buffet style Plenty of food you will never be hungry with us! as well as Guinea Pig for free because we want you to taste all from Peru.
- Vegetarian and free Gluten menu at no extra cost (Please let us know at the time of booking)
- Portering Service. As detailed in the table authorised by the INC. (To carry our camping equipment and food) We Never overload our porters. Please, see a detailed page where you can see how we threat our porter Chaskis
- Extra Portering Service of 7 Kilos/14 pounds for our personal stuff (We will provide you a duffel bag to put all your personal stuff as well as the sleeping bag & Mat)
- INCA TRAIL PERMITS AND ADMISION TICKETS/Inca Trail and Machupicchu Permits & entrance fees as well as all the porters and cooks valid for 4 days as well as insurance policy of life for all our staff.
- Visit to Machu Picchu on the 4th day (2 hours guide tour to explore the whole incan site)
- Camping equipment and basic field equipment for our porters as well as adecuate clothing like: (Sleeping bag, Mat, Jacket, T-shirt, pant, rain poncho, shoes, hat, belts, proper backpack to carry the equipment and all of them are limited to carry 20kg only).
- Private Transportation from the train station of Ollantaytambo to Cusco (2 hours drive) and drop off at the hotel.(we only use our Private Transportation. so you will never wait at the train station till the bus of 30 ppl gets full)
- First-aid kit (Our Guide will carry while on the Inca Trail) Please, note all our Guides are trained every year in first-aid)
- Emergency oxygen bottle (Our guide will carry while on the Inca Trail)
- Rain waterproof cover for your day backpacks as well as Rain poncho
- Pre trek Orientation – briefing (Hotel or Office) Let us know once you are at the office or by email.
- Single Tents upon request with no extra cost.
- Water for Driking: we will supply with filtered and boiled water and your bottles will be filled at each meal time.
- Water bottle for refilling with water along the inca trail (WE DONT WANT YOU TO USE PLASTIC BOTTLES) Get one once you are at our office!!!
- Free “I survived ” T-shirt and certificate (only for PEOPLE who successfully complete the trek!!!)
Classic Inca Trail Peru Does Not Include:
- Breakfast – Day 1
- Lunch and dinner – Day 4
- Tips (optional)
- Travel and health insurance.(bring copies with you please):Quechuas Expeditions highly recommend to get an insurance of trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your travel investment. Included with your pre-departure package, bring your travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, interruption, baggage loss and delay, emergency medical evacuation insurance and emergency medical expense insurance.