Inka Trail Classic 4 Days - 3 Nights

This is the most famous trail in Peru.  It offers a variety of landscapes from high mountains to subtropical forests and woods.  The 39 kilometers of the Inca Trail was a pilgrim's route, with the final destination being the sacred citadel of Machupicchu.  This expedition requires good physical condition, for which we suggest clients come to Cusco in adequate physical shape and stay in Cusco at least two days before starting the trek, to adjust to the altitude

Day 1: Cusco - Kilometer 82  - Wayllabamba.

At 6 in the morning we pick you up from your hotel in our bus, which stops in Ollantaytambo.  Ollantaytambo is the last populated town we pass before the trail begins.  It is a good idea to take advantage of this final stop to buy anything you may need or forgot to bring before starting the Inca Trail.  This is a good place to buy walking sticks, because these are useful for hiking the trail.  Continuing on, we arrive at kilometer 82, at 2600 meters elevation, where the trail truly begins.  As we begin the hike, there is a view of the archaeological site of Llactapata, and continuing along the trail we see a panorama of the Cusichaca Valley.  We arrive shortly thereafter at Wayllabamba (3000 meters), where we stay the night.

This part of the trail has views of mountains and wild terrain.  For this part of the route we serve lunch, a tea break, and dinner.

Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours along a level route.  This is in preparation for the following day, which will be longer and more challenging.

Day 2:  Huayllabamba - Pacaymayu 

Starting with a nutritious breakfast, we ascend to the highest point on the trail, the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman) Pass at 4,200 meters.  From this point we get a panoramic view of different mountains and snowy peaks.  Beyond the pass the trail descends to the Pacaymayu Valley (3500 meters), where we make camp for the night.  This is mountainous terrain.
Along this part of the trail lunch, tea, and dinner are served.
Hiking Time: Approximately 8 hours.

Day 3:  Pacaymayu - Wiñaywayna  

This is the day for enjoying the Inca Trail the most.  After breakfast the hiking resumes.  During this day we ascend to another small pass, Sayacmarca Pass (3900 meters), and the trail heads gently downward.  We begin to make contact with the highest reaches of the tropical jungle.  There is a rich environment along this portion of the trail filled with a variety of plants and flowers (such as orchids) and animals and many types of birds.  We visit the archaeological ruins of Runcuraqay,  Sayacmarca,  Phuyupatamarka and Wiñaywayna (2650 meters).  The Wiñaywaya ruins will serve as the backdrop for our camp for the night.
Lunch, tea, and dinner will be served on the trail.
Hiking Time: Approximately 8 hours.

Día 4:  Wiñaywayna - Machupicchu 

Waking up early at 4 in the morning, we have a quick breakfast and begin the final stretch of the trail.  Arriving at the ridgeline of Intipunku, we wait and watch as the sun slowly rises behind us and lights the ruins in an impressive brilliant display (depending on the weather).  Afterwards, we descend to Machupicchu, where there is plenty of time to visit the archeological site with your guide.  After exploring Machupicchu, you’ll have free time to wander and enjoy the citadel.  You could climb the path to the peak of Huaynapicchu, or descend to the little town of Aguas Calientes for a visit.
Hiking Time: Approximately 3 hours.

1.- Extra Porter.

If you want to enjoy the expedition in a little more comfort and style you may request the services of a porter. who, for an extra payment, will assist you by carrying your backpack. The porter can carry up to 18 kilos.  He does not hike with you, but goes ahead.  If you are going to use a porter you will need  to pack a small bag for yourself that contains a camera, a jacket, a water bottle, and necessary personal items.  We can provide you with a large resistant bag in which the porter can carry your things, or provide you with a small personal bag for your personal items.

Cost to hire a porter: 90 USD.  May carry up to 18 kilos.
Cost to split a porter with someone else:  55USD.  9 kilos may be carried.

Another possibility is that you may want help with your pack only for the second day, when we do a great deal of hiking over mountainous terrain.  If you wish to do this, please let us know ahead of time, and we will more likely be able to help you by hiring an available porter from Wayllabamba, (the first night’s camp).

Cost of a porter for the second day:  70.00 soles.

If you are a woman and travelling alone we recommend that you hire the services of a porter.  We find from prior experience that many women find it is easier to enjoy the Inca Trail this way.  

2.- Tipping.

Although trail porters receive adequate pay for the work they do, it is important to know that the porters traditionally organize a small going-away ceremony on the last night in the Wiñayhuayana camp before leaving.  It is by no means an obligation on part of the tourists to tip the porters, but normally travellers collect tips among the group as a sign of their satisfaction and present this to the porters. A suggested tipping amount would be 40 soles per traveller for the group of porters. Apart from this, if a person hires a personal porter, that porter will also expect a tip. This tip should be handed directly to that porter. The guide and cooks will also expect a tip. Generally we recommend taking along more or less 90 soles for all your tipping.

3.- Water.- 

We suggest you buy a 2 Liter water bottle on the first day and reuse the container over the course of the trip.  Each morning we provide boiled water for your bottle, but we suggest you also bring water purification tablets.  When you are thirsty again you may fill your bottle in the streams and waterfalls along the way and purify the water with your tablets.

4.-Bathrooms.-

In each campsite along the trail there are basic bathroom facilities.  These were constructed by INRENA—INC and can be used by visitors.

5.- Trash.-

There are sufficient trash bins along the route.  Our porters take care to leave each campsite clean and constantly work together to keep the trail free of trash.  We ask that you do your part and help us by not leaving trash in inappropriate places. 

6.- Trail Rules.-  

It is prohibited to collect plants along the trail, such as orchids. It is also forbidden to bring alcohol or other types of drugs on the trail, make bonfires, or use metal-tipped walking sticks.

7.- Showers along the trail.-  

There is only one shower along the trail, in Wiñayhuayana, and you may rent it.  It is supposed to be a hot shower, but the water is normally lukewarm.

8.- If you get sick and need to return (almost never happens).- 

Our guide coordinates your return with the help of one of the porters.

9. Extra Money.-

Take along some extra cash, perhaps  200 soles.  There is an ATM in Aguas Calientes.

COSTS

ADULT COST:           450.00  Dollars.
STUDENT COST:      415.00 Dollars. 

Bus transport to km 82, a bilingual guide who speaks English, entrance to the Inca Trail and Machupicchu, meals (3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners and 3 afternoon teas), a cook,  two-person or single-person tents according to your requirements, a dining tent, cooking tent, chairs and tables, sleeping mat, boiled water in the mornings to fill your bottles, porters who carry the camp equipment, a bus ride from Machpicchu to Aguas Calientes, First Aid equipment, radio for communication, and “backpacker” train tickets for the return ride to Cusco.  The train leaves Machupicchu at about 4 PM and returns to Cusco at about 9 PM or later. 

Walking sticks (purchase cost 5 soles), entry fees to the hot springs at Aguas Calientes (10 soles), extra porter for personal belongings, sleeping bag (if you need one you can rent one in our office, just let us know) and tips.

You should carry in your backpack:

• Your original passport must be presented at the entrance to the Inca Trail.  If you have recently changed or renewed your passport you should bring the old one with the new one.  If you do not bring your passport with which your entry pass was reserved you will lose your Inca Trail reservation.
• Cold weather gear (hat, gloves, scarf and coat), rainsuit or rain poncho, four shirts, and two changes of clothing.
• One 2 Liter size water bottle.
• Water purification pills.
• A sleeping bag that can keep you warm down to -5 degrees Celsius.  You can rent this in our office.  It costs 20 USD to rent a down sleeping bag for four nights.
• Camera and extra batteries.
• Insect repellent, sunblock, toilet paper and a good hat for sun protection.
• Wear hiking boots.  Sneakers shouldn’t be used.

All the hotel rooms we offer come with private bathrooms and include a buffet breakfast.  The Hotel Presidente and the Plaza Hostal offer rooms with extraordinary views of the Vilcanota or Urubamba rivers.

  Presidente Hotel

Room	Rates
Single room	45.00USD
Double  room	50.00 USD (  por persona 22 USD)

Hostal Plaza

Room	Rates
Single room	35.00USD
Double room	40.00 USD ( por persona 15 USD)

Hostal  Machupicchu o Continental

Room	Rates
Simgle room	30.00USD
double room	35.00 USD ( por persona 15 USD)