Inca Trail 5 Days

Day 1: Begin Inca Trail Trek. Cusco to Wayllabamba.

Start your day early with a pick-up from your hotel and a scenic 3-hour drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. Here you will collect your trekking equipment and meet the rest of your team before continuing by bus to Piscacucho (Km. 82), where the Inca Trail starts. Once you cross the Piscacucho Bridge over the Urubamba River, the trek begins. You will walk along the valley until continuing on a steeper path toward a high plateau. Your efforts will be rewarded by a spectacular view of the Inca ruins of Patallacta.

Patallacta, “Village in the Heights,” is an archeological complex situated at the foot of a mountain on the left bank of the river Cusicancha, a tributary of the river Urubamba. After lunch, you will continue the trek for another two hours until you reach the first campsite of Wayllabamba. This is the highlight of the day as it includes breathtaking views of the Vilcanota ridge.

• Meals: Lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities.
• Distance: 12kms/7.5mls (6 hours more or less of hiking)
• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.

Day 2: Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo.

The second day is the most rigorous, when you will reach the highest elevation sections of the Inca Trail, so you are encouraged to take your time. The walk is arduous, with a long steep climb to the Abra de Warmiwañusca known as the “Dead Woman’s Pass,” at over 13,700 feet (4,200 meters). Once you cross the pass, a winding path of steps descends steeply across a natural valley and to the next campsite.

Keep your eyes open for wildlife, in addition to the many avian species that live here, you may spot the Andean bear. Also called the spectacled bear, this solitary creature is native to Andean cloud forest. Today you will end your hike at the Pacaymayo Valley campsite.

Here you will have dinner and take a well-deserved rest after a strenuous day on the trail.

• Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities.
• Distance: 12kms/7.5mls (6 hours more or less of hiking)
• Difficulty: Moderate/challenge.

Day 3: Pacaymayo to Phuyupatamarca 

After breakfast, the hike continues along a path rich with archaeological treasures. A steep climb will lead you to the Runkurakay Pass. Halfway along the trail, you will encounter the ruins of Runkurakay, an Inca lodge with a view of the valley of Pacaymayo, “Hidden River,” below. Continue wandering past picture-perfect mountain vistas and lakeside villages, before reaching the ruins of Conchamarca and Phuyupatamarca, Finally, we walk for two more hours to our third campsite at Phuyupatamarca (3,650m/12,047ft). Walking through the Peruvian rainforest, we can enjoy the spectacular views of Machu Picchu Mountain and the stunning Inca Citadel, the Urubamba Canyon and the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

• Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities.
• Distance: 14kms/8.7mls (8 hours more or less of hiking)
• Difficulty: Moderate/challenge.

Day 4: Phuyupatamarca -Wiñaywayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes

Today, we will have the chance to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises on the Inca Trail, weather permitting. After breakfast, you´ll have a guided tour of Phuyupatamarca. Then, start descending the stone steps to Intipata (Terraces of the Sun), where you enjoy magnificent views of the Urubamba River and the mountains.

After resting, you will continue to the archeological site of Wiñay Wayna or “Forever Young,”The tour guide will explore the impressive terraces, temples, and urban areas and enjoy the Urubamba River’s views as you learn about the Incan history. At the same time, the team prepares a special last lunch.

Following, it is a tradition on the Inca Trail to have a thanking ceremony for all the hard work the porters and cooks have provided. If you wish, you may leave a tip for them at this time. After we´ve said goodbye to our team, we will carry on to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we will get our first views of Machu Picchu.

It takes about an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones in the highland jungle to reach the Sun Gate. From there, it is about another hour down to the site itself. Upon arrival, we´ll have a chance to enjoy the sunset and to see views of Machu Picchu without crowds, before taking the bust to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

• Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, and dinner.
• Accommodation: Hotel 3***
• Distance: 12kms/7.4mls (8 hours more or less of hiking time)
• Difficulty: Moderate.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Guiding Tour Of Machu Picchu- Cusco

An early morning will reward you with another momentous day of exploring the “Lost City of the Incas”. Your tour guide will take you through the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, discussing the mystery and skill of its construction as you absorb the magical landscape that surrounds this important ruin.

Enjoy a two-hour tour of this majestic Machu Piccchu Inca City and take some time to savor your accomplishment as you soak in the views. You will have the chance to explore the three zones of this centuries-old city: the urban, agricultural, and adjacent zones.This will give the tourist free time to take photos, scroll on their own wherever your interests take you.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included).Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs. 

The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.

***IMPORTANT:

• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by requeste and it has to be done by booking time.
• The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.
• On the 5 day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is now way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu like the circuit #2 for US$55 per person.
• OPTIONAL extra tickets for Machu Picchu (Circuit #2 ) will cost US$55

What Is Included

What Is Not Included

Added Values For Free

Price & Availability

“The Inca Trail Trek 5 days is available on any date that is best suited to you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers”

Prices:

Group Service

• US$945 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)

Private Service                              

• US$ 1225 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS) – 2 to 3 persons
• US$ 1075 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS) – 4 to 6 persons
• US$   995 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS) – 7 to 8 persons

***We require a minimum of 2 hikers in order to start the trek. For solo travellers- please inquire on the dates you are looking to trek.

Discounts

• 18 to 25 years old: US$30 Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
• Under 18 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Under 11 years old: US$40 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.

Essentials

• Passport
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

For Your Duffel

Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2-3 wicking t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

Toiletries

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Handsanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc

Inside Your Daypacks

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

• Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs