Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Day 1: CUSCO- OLLANTAYTAMBO- KM82 – AYAPATA

We will pick you up from your hotel between 4:30-4:45 a.m. to start the famous inca trail. We can pick you up from any hotel, or apartment, if it is located in the cities of Cusco4:30 am, Urubamba 5:45 am, and ollantaytambo 6:30 am. It will be a two hour drive along the beautiful landscape of the Sacred Valley from Cusco to ollantaytambo where we have breakfast in one of the local restaurant then we will drive forty five more minutes to the trail head, piscacucho( km 82). Then you will start preparing for your journey and be ready. In a few minutes walking we are at the checkpoint (please meke sure you have your passport with you to enter the inca trail). We start our journey and the first two hours of the trek are comparatively easy where you arrive to the first inca site, patallacta which is big, beautiful and great views of the snow-capped peak Veronica (5900m / 19000ft) from patallacta it is another two hours to get our lunch spot. After lunch and our siesta we will hike for another two hours and a half until we reach the first night’s campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters). On this last stretch we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drinks or snacks you can do so here, you can also buy any essential items such as batteries that you may have forgotten. We’ll arrive to our campsite by 5:00PM and after settling in for a bit you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chef and guide. By 7:30PM your dinner will be ready, and afterwards you can get some well-deserved rest. Our first campsite is a little further along the trail than most groups go; as we’re camping further up the trail the next day’s trek up to the pass is a little easier for us and with fewer tourists at the campsite we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of this beautiful place.

Day 2: WARMIWAÑUSCA PASS – PACAYMAYO- RUNKURAKAY  PASS- CHAQUICOCHA

The porters will wake you up  with a hot cup of coca tea to get up and being ready for the day. It is the longest day and challenging. The professional guide will help you a good excercise for any altitude problems before start walking. We’ll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Warmiwañuska Pass (4215 meters/13829 feet).  we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before walking down again to the lunch spot (Pacaymayu Valley – Bleached River). After lunch we start walking up to the second pass of the trek. It’s 2 hours to the pass and along the way we’ll stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two waterfalls down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca ( inaccessible village).
We’ll stop here and take a break, walk around and we see the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. Then we walk another 20 minutes until  our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). the crew will be happy, singing and dancing with our guests. you will finish the walk with tasty dinner, then we star gazing and we’ll point out the fascinating Inca cosmovision and  constellations.

Day 3: PHUYUPATAMARCA- INTIPATA- WIÑAYWAYNA

We  wake up at 5:30am to start the walk. We walk for 2 hours along undulating path, the border of the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk we will have the opportunity to see the majesty of  Salkantay snow-cap mountain and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Once we get Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley we get our first views of Machu Picchu Mountain but the it is still hidden from view. Walking a few minutes From the third pass we visit Phuyupatamarka  incan  site. Then we walk down for 3 hour down hill with a lot of steps to our last campsite, Wiñay Wayna.  Before getting the camsite we will stop at Intipata inca site(look out) a panoramic view of the sacred valley, the time is not enough to stay at the terrace. We have lunch and take a siesta in the afternoon in order to be ready for the last day. At 3:30PM your guide will take you to visit the last Inca site of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), the most spectacular Inca site on the trail and the most popular campsite in the park of Machu Picchu.

We enjoy our last dinner in good time. Then we make a Goodbye ceremony in the evening to thank all the porters for the great job they have done (if you wish to provide tips for them, you can do at this time). That has been made since long time ago, currently concider as a traditions. You must go to sleep in a proper time in order to wake up early the next day.

Day 4: SUN GATE – MACHUPICCHU- AC TOWN – CUSCO

We will wake up at 3:30AM. We’ll have light breakfast at 4:00AM and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start walking at 5:30AM to sun gate. It is one hour  to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we have spectacular views of Machupicchu and Waynapicchu mountain . Then it’s just 45 minutes walk downstairs to the accomplishment. At  7:45 AM we finally reach the final checkpoint where we have time to stop for 20 minutes. Get some snacks and use the toilet before to enter to the citadel of machupicchu. The professional tour guide will take you for 2 hours in the guiden tour, explaining and showing at all.  After the tour you’ll get the bus tickets to go  down to Aguas Calientes town and you’ll have time to explore on your own and your  guide will let you know to meet at  Aguas Calientes to enjoy your last lunch in a local restaurant. This is optional and not included. At lunch, he will give the tickets. Be on time, 30 minutes before the departure at the train station. The train will take you to ollantaytambo, where our transfer is waiting for you. Then our van will take you back to cusco. Finally we will drop you off in your hotel or nearby, depending the location and access.

Includes

• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
• Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 8+
• Chef
• Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
• Pick-up from your hotel
• Transportation by bus to Km82
• Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
• Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
• 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
• Sleeping mattress (you need to carry this unless you hire a personal porter)
• Oxygen bottle
• First aid kit
• Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

Does Not Include

• Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us).
• Personal Porter (Need to be hired well in advance).
• Inflatable mattress (can be hired from us).
• Walking poles (can be hired from us).
• Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 4.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain (need to be booked in advance).
• Entrance to Machu Picchu Picchu Mountain (need to be booked in advance).
• Tips (the amount you tip (or if you tip)  is a personal decision and it is NOT an obligation.
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

What you need to take

• Original Passport
• ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
• Day pack
• Sleeping bag( you can rent from Quinoa Expeditions )
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket Warm jacket
• Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night. Thermals:Hat, gloves.
• wool socks and wool hat for cold nights
• T-shirts for the intire trek
• Comfortable Trousers
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen (factor 35 or higher)
• Insect repellant
• Toiletries : poilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, wipes and hand sanitizer
• Personal medical kit
• Camera and film
• Torch with spare batteries
• Camel bag or wáter bottle
• Extra money for drinks,tips and souvinirs. Etc( soles  or  dollars). At least 300 extra soles.
• Bathing suits for the hot springs( optional) recommended for those who stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes)

GROUP SERVICE

US$ 719 per person

PRIVATE SERVICE

• 2 people   US$849 per person
• 3 people   US$819 per person
• 4 people   US$779 per person
• 5+ people   US$719per person

Discounts:

Student Discount: US$30 (Requires ISIC Card to qualify)
Under 18’s Discount: US$30

Equipment Rental:

Walking Pole US$15(pair)
Sleeping Bag US$20
Inflatable Mattress US$20
Single Tent Supplement US$30

Optional Extras/Not Included (Need to book in Advance):

• Machu Picchu Mountain climbing:  USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance).
• Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance).
• Vistadome Train Aguas Calientes- Ollantaytambo: USD50.00 (Need to book in advance).
• Extra Night in Aguas Calientes: Depends on the type of Hotel desired (Need to book in advance).

ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS FOR THE TREK:

• Valid, original Passport (a copy will not be accepted)
• Valid, Student Card (if you booked as a student)
• Trekking boots (light, comfortable and broken in)
• A good quality daypack (light, small and comfortable)
• Water storage for at least 2 liters; either a camel bag or water bottle(s)

FOR YOUR DAYPACKS:

Below is a list of items that we highly recommend you keep with you at all times in your personal backpack. Remember you will be carrying this with you everyday of the trek so we recommend you bring a good quality daypack which is both light and comfortable. It is important to note that due to local regulations, your backpack should not exceed 25L. All larger backpacks can not be taken into Machu Picchu and will need to be stored outside the gates.

• Hat and sunglasses
• Rain gear
• Warm layers (fleece / long sleeved tops)
• Sun cream, bug spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• Band-aids, moleskin
• Camera, extra batteries
• Head Torch
• Extra snacks, power bars, chocolate
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips (small change is useful for paying to use the villagers’ toilets on the first day)

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAGS:

During the trek will provide you with a duffel bag in which you can pack any items that you won’t need to keep with you during the day. Our porters will carry this bag for you throughout the trek. Please note this bag should weigh a maximum of 7 kg including the weight of your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you bring/rent one). When rented from us these two items weigh approximately 3 kg. During the Inca Trek, you will travel through different temperatures as you climb/descend, it can also be cold at night when at the campsite. Therefore layers work best!

• Sleeping bag for Inca trail (can be rented from us)
• Air mattress for Inca trail (can be rented from us)
• Some light, comfortable shoes for the camp
• Warm jacket, hat and gloves for Inca trail
• 2-3 t-shirts (wicking t-shirts are best)
• 1-2 hiking pants/trousers
• 4 sets of undergarments
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket for the coldest nights
• Quick-dry towel
• Soap
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Face moisturizer
• Power pack / battery charger
• Plastic bags to keep wet or muddy clothes separate