15/01/2017
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days 3 nights
Destination: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Peru
Duration: 4 days
Price per person: $700
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The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is recognised beyond doubt as one of the most beautiful trails in the Americas. It provides an unforgettable experience showcasing the ancient Inca way of life. The trail winds through protected natural areas from the Andes to the wild Peruvian rainforest, passing by several archaeological sites and offering impressive views of the snow carpets of the Andes.
The Incas used this trail for their sacred pilgrimage to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Altitude: 2050 – 4200 m. / 6730 – 13780 f.
Distance: 43 Km
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Route: Closed in February
Comments: 2-3 Days acclimatization required.
We have daily departures with 2 month advance reservations
Due to its popularity, permits for the classic Inca Trail are sometimes old out, however don’t despair, there are other equally spectacular trails leading to Machu Picchu such as the Lares trek and the Salkantay Jungle Trek.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Cusco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba – Yuncachimpa
We start by picking you up from your hotel in Cusco (3350m/10990f) at 5:30 am. Make sure you carry your original passport and ISIC student card (if applicable).
Then we take our tour bus to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Before we reach the official beginning of the Inca Trail, at km 82 (Piscacucho), we make a short stop in Ollantaytambo for breakfast. At the starting point, we will pass through the control point and register your Inca Trail permits. After crossing the Rio Urubamba (2200m), we will start the legendary Inca Trail. The first day of the trail is easy and a good warm up for the following days. In Miskay we’ll have lunch on a small riverbank while learning about the archaeological complex of Llactapata. After that, we will continue our hike to Wayllabamba (3100m/10170f) and ascend to Yuncachimpa (3300m/10826f) campsite. From here, we’ll have a spectacular view of the mysterious snow mountains, Nevado Verónica.
Level of difficulty: Normal (easy)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Total distance: 11 km approx.
Day 2
Yuncachimpa – LlulluchapampaWarmihuausca pass – Pacaymayu -Runkurakay pass – Chaquicocha
The second day is the Free-Hike-Day; that means that everybody can walk at their own paceof course you will meet up during small breaks and see each other while climbing the stairs. Early in the morning the trail winds through the Valley of Llulluchapampa (3850m/12631f). The first 3 km are steep – enjoy the humid woodland and the natural water sounds. From Llulluchapampa follow the path for 2-3 hours until you reach the highest point of this section, the Warmihuausca Pass (Dead Woman Pass) (4200m/113780f). This climb is known as the most difficult part of the Inca Trail. After a short break at the summit, you continue your hike down with a long and steep descent to the river Pacaymayo (Sunrise River) towards the Runkurakay pass (3050m/10007f) until you reach our campsite, called Chaquicocha(3650m/11975f). Here you can relax after the tough day hiking while enjoying an amazing view over the mountains.
Level of difficulty: Challenging
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Total distance: 15 km approx.
Day 3
Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiayhuayna
The third day is the most beautiful. You can see changes in the eco-system while walking towards the tropical forest of Wiaywayna. You will pass two small lakes at the top of the second pass (3950m). It a gentle climb through beautiful cloud forest and a small Inca tunnel before the third pass (3700m) offers a grand view over the Rio Urubamba Valley. The nearest settlement is named Phuyupatamarca “Town above the clouds” (3600m/11811f), a well preserved site with long chain of Inca baths where one can enjoy impressive, ancient
engineering. We pass through another Inca Tunnel before visiting the ruins of Wiaywayna “Forever young” (2650m/8694f). The Inca stairs change into a zigzag trail until you reach a red-roofed white building, our last campsite, and also the place to get hot water (S/.5) and bottled drinks.
Level of difficulty: Normal, unforgettable (easy)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Total distance: 10 km approx.
Day 4
Wiayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
After our breakfast at 4:30 am, we will head, equipped with our flashlights to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) to catch the first glimpse of Machu Picchu and watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. The last triumphal descent will take almost one hour to get to the citadel of Machu Picchu (2400m//7874f) around 8.00 am. You can enjoy its unique spirituality during a guided tour (about two hours) that will help you to understand the meaning and ancient uses of the different buildings. After this tour you will have enough time to explore the archaeological site on your own (for example go to the Inca Bridge, explore the variety of buildings or climb Wayna Picchu for an amazing panoramic picture). A bus takes you down to Aguas Calientes. Here you can soak away your aches and pain in the town hot springs (S10). You will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.
Level of difficulty: Normal, unique (easy)
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Total distance: 7 km approx.
Notes:
(1) Visit to Huayna Picchu: For Huayna Picchu Mountain required to be booked a long time in advance. For an additional US$ 75, we’ll guarantee your entrance for Huayna Picchu as well (This new State law began July 18, 2011).
(2) Extra porter: According to the law (26702) and supervised by the Ministry of Employment, an extra porter is given under the conditions if the customer requires. However, the customer luggage cannot exceed 15 kg, since the porter is only allowed to carry 20 kg. The Service costs US$ 160 and includes transport, entrance fee to the Inca Trail, food and camping equipment.
(3) Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for a small donation, for example clothes or school equipment for their children.
Please read this Terms & Conditions for the Inca trail:
Please note that the program deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is used to purchase the entrance ticket to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and also the entrance for the porters (they will carry camping equipment and food for the trek), and once a ticket is purchased it cannot be resold.
Odyssey Cusco will not give any refunds if a participant decides to cancel the trip prior to departure or during the trip. We will give you the tickets to the archaeological sites and the bus and train.If Odyssey Cusco doesn’t confirm the reservation, your payment will be refunded in full.
All participants have to carry their own back packs, including sleeping bag and mattresses unless they booked an extra porter or the service includes porters.
A participant must declare if he/she has any sickness or medical disorder and must bring his/her own medication.
All participants must bring their original passport and, if available, their original student card ‘ISIC’.
It is mandatory that all clients have personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, loss of affects and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage or injury occurring to the client. Odyssey Cusco shall not be held accountable for any accident or loss of personal belongings the customer.
In case force majeure occurs, such as an impossibility to operate the program or trek due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside Odyssey Cusco control like: extreme weather conditions, landslides, strikes not allowing operation or putting it at risk, sudden inaccessibility of route, etc. Odyssey Cusco will propose viable solutions to operate the program within the available dates, or if impossible, will then propose an alternative program. If the alternative program chosen by the client is of lower value than that
originally booked then the client is entitled to a refund of the price difference. All cost overages will be at the client expense. In case none of these would be feasible, Odyssey Cusco will refund all money paid except expenses already incurred.
INCLUDED:
Pre-departure Inca Trail briefing, informative presentation by your tour guide.
Local cell phone
24 hour support from company owner
Private transfer from your hotel in Cusco to km 82.
Entrance fees to the Inca trail and Machu Picchu.
Professional bilingual licensed guide for up to 8 trekkers (Spanish and English). (2 licensed tour guides for 9 to 16 (max) trekkers.)
Camping equipment (professional two-persons tents: Doite, model Cima 4, extra light/4kg, Doite, model Kailas 3, extra light/4.5kg and Doite, model Himalaya, extra light/4.5kg; sleeping mats, dining tent equipped with a table and chairs, a sanitary tent).
Cook, cooking equipment, meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners). Food includes pancakes, omelettes, soups, fresh fruit and spaghetti, chicken, fish, meat and rice, all rich in carbohydrates and very suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leafs tea which is excellent for the altitude.
Porters to carry the main equipment, tents, food, cooking gear, dining tents
Permits and entrance fees for our porters and cooks.
Tea and snack time every day (tea, coffee, wantan, popcorn, cracker).
Vegetarian food and specialised diets by request.
Boiled purified water after breakfast to refill your water bottles.
First-aid kit and oxygen bottle.
2.5 hrs. Machu Picchu guided visit and explanation.
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes where the train station is situated.
Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Poroy)/or Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
Transfer from the train station in Cusco to your hotel in Cusco.
NOT INCLUDED:
Breakfast on the first day and last lunch in Aguas Calientes Town.
Sleeping bag (if you don’t have a sleeping bag there is the possibility of renting one for US$ 20, 4 days)
Personal porter.
Trekking poles. $ 10 each
Energy snacks will be very useful as chocolate bars, dried fruits
Hot shower on 3rd camp (5 soles), Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu town€ (10 soles), extra
Porter for the 2nd day, extra drinks, wood walking stick (5-10 soles),Tips for the trekking crew; guides, cooks, and porters. Not mandatory.
We recommend that you bring the following:
Backpack with rain shelter (if you hire personal porter, we will provides a duffle bag)
Sleeping back. (we recommend -8 C sleeping bag)
Clothing for warm and cold climate.
Rain pants and lightweight pants.
Trekking shoes.
Trekking poles (Poles with metal tips are not allowed on the trail)
Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs).
Thermals: Gloves / scarf: wool socks / woollen hat for cold nights, warm clothes: layers for variable temperature especially at night
T-shirts and trekking pants that zipoff to short pants for a comfortable day walk
The weather can be very cold and moistly, your clothes – once gotten wet won’t dry at night. So take some clothes to change.
Rain Gear, Rain poncho and a hat.
Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle and sterilizing tablets.
Personal medical kit
Toiletries / toilet paper / small towel
2 liter water bottle, water purifying tablets optional
Camera (wrapped in plastic bag), a flash light and batteries.
Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit.
Original passport, original ISIC student card.
Extra money for drinks & tips, souvenirs etc. (soles or dollars) Emergency money at least 200 extra soles
Price US$ 700.00 per Person
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Exclusive international transaction fees The amount of the extra transaction fees depends on how the payment is made and on your bank. For further informations please don’t hesitate to ask.
