- Booking
- Overview
- Gallery
Overview
The Inka Empire, which was called Tahuantinsuyo, stretched from the present-day Ecuador to Chile and back then, its capital was Cusco which means Navel of the World. According to the Spaniards of the sixteenth century, the Inkas were the best organized society in the world with a large empire and perfectly organized infrastructure. Their communication methods were also well organized thanks to the access roads and messengers, Chasquis, who roamed their territory to deliver information and/or goods.
While it took the Spaniards two weeks to go to the coast from the imperial capital of Cusco (which is situated in the middle of the Andes), the Inkas in Cusco could eat fresh fish every day only three hours after it had been caught from the sea. The “Descendants of the Sun” deserved at least that.
Machu Picchu’s purpose and meaning are still subject to controversy. It may have been a place of residence of the Inkas, a place of refuge or fortress, or possibly the Lost City of El Dorado. One thing that we know for certain is that access to Machu Picchu from the Capitol was via the now famous, Inka Trial.
Level: medium. People of all ages that have a good level of fitness can do this trek.
We offer a slightly alternative trek where we will camp in different campsites to the usual route, so as to avoid the crowds on the Inka Trail.
DAY 01: CUSCO - KM 82 – WAYLLABAMBA - AYAPATA
Today begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel at 06:00 a.m., and a bus journey to KM 82 which is the starting point of our walk. On our way to KM 82, we’ll pass through the towns of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo and begin our walking for the day by walking alongside the Urubamba River, where we’ll have a stunning view of the snow-capped mountain, Veronica (5900m/19000ft). Afterwards, we’ll continue to the archaeological site of Llactapata by the Cusi Chaca River Valley, pass through the village of Wayllabamba (3,000m) to arrive at our campsite in Ayapata (3300m).
Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
DAY 02: AYAPATA - WARMIWAÑUSCA PASS – PACAYMAYO – RUNKURAKAY PASS - CHAQUICOCHA
After breakfast, we’ll start our walk and slowly ascend to the Warmiwañusca Pass (4,200m) through a beautiful forest of Queñua trees. Along the way, we will walk by Llulluchapampa (3,750m) which is a typical Pampas (flat) area at the foot of the pass. After taking in great views of the Andean landscape, we will arrive at the Warmiwañusca Pass where we’ll descend to the Pacaymayo Valley (3,620m) to have lunch. Later on, we’ll head up to the Runkurakay Pass and then descend to our campsite for the evening, Chaquicocha, where you’ll see a good example of the extraordinary construction of the Inka Trail.
Estimated walking time: 9-10 hours
DAY 03: CHAQUICOCHA - WIÑAYWAYNA
This is one of the most beautiful days on the Inka Trail, where you’ll observe the remarkable balance achieved by the Inkas and the environment they lived in. We’ll start our trek after breakfast, beginning by visiting the archaeological site of Runkurakay from which you will have a spectacular view of the area. Afterwards, we will continue towards the archaeological sites of Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna which are linked by a wonderful path of original Inka white granite, and set amongst the lush vegetation of the forest. Our campsite for the evening is located near the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna (2,650m).
Estimated walking time: 5 hours
DAY 04: WIÑAYWAYNA – INTI PUNKU – MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
We’ll get up very early today at 04:00 a.m., have breakfast, and start walking around 05:00 a.m. We’ll also say goodbye to the porters because they’ll return to Cusco with all of the camping equipment.
We will begin our walk through a dense rainforest towards Inti Punku, or Puerta del Sol / Sun gate where we will have a spectacular panoramic view of the Inka Citadel. Arriving at Machu Picchu around 07:00 a.m., we’ll have a 2-hour guided tour of the most important sites within. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to explore Machu Picchu by yourself.
In the afternoon, we will take a train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo and a bus back to Cusco.
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco
- Transfer to KM 82, starting point of the tour
- Spanish and English-speaking professional guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups
- Inka Trail pass and Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Porters to carry all the equipment for the group and staff: tents, food, and cooking equipment, dining tent and chairs
- Permits and tickets for our porters and cooks
- 3 breakfasts, 3 snacks, 3 lunches and 3 dinners. All these meals are prepared by our cook and his/her assistant. We can accommodate special dietary requests e.g. vegetarian meals and allergies.
- Coca tea is served every morning in your tent
- Snacks each morning
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- Hot drinks such as coca tea, black tea and coffee in the afternoo
- Sleeping mattress (you will need to carry this unless you hire a personal porter)
- Oxygen and first aid kit
- 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Expedition train ticket to return to Ollantaytambo, bus to Cusco and transfer to your hotel
- Sleeping bag (can be rented at our office)
- Lunch on Day 4 and breakfast Day 1
- Entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Travel Insurance – we strongly recommended that you purchase travel insurance for the duration of your trip
- Tips
- Original Passport and migration card
- ISIC card (isic.org) if applicable (must be submitted at the time of booking)
- Backpack and daypack
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Hiking boots and sandals (very important)
- Rain gear: a good raincoat, rain pants and a plastic rain poncho
- Shirts and pants for the whole trek
- Coat, layers for varying temperatures, especially at night
- Thermal gloves, scarf, hat for cold nights
- Woolen socks
- Bathing suit for the hot springs
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Personal medical kit and medication
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Small towel
- Water bottle (recommended 1 liter)
- Trekking poles (can be rented from us)
- Headlamp with spare batteries (very important)
- Camera and extra batteries
- Extra money for drinks, souvenirs, tips etc. (soles or dollars)
Departure dates: We have potential group trips for the Inka Trail every day of the year, except in February when the trail is closed for maintenance.
Note: You are able to visit Machu Picchu by train in February.
Availability: Only 500 people are allowed on the Inka Trail per day and this includes tourists, guides, porters and chefs. Therefore, to avoid disappointment, you should make your reservation months in advance. Also, please note, all agencies have the same number of spaces, so if one agency is not able to accommodate your dates, none of them will be able to.
USD $730.00 per person
- Student Discount: USD $30.00 (requires ISIC Card)
- Under 18’s Discount: USD $30.00
- Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain: USD $70.00
- Hiking Huayna Picchu Mountain: USD $70.00
- Vistadome Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco: USD $50.00
- Personal porter: 6kgs USD $70.00, or 12kgs USD $140.00
- Sleeping Bag: USD $20.00
- Walking Poles (pair): USD $10.00
- Air Mattress: USD $20.00
- One-person tent: USD $25.00