4 Day 3 Night Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco to Wayllabamba

We will pick you up at your hotel at 5:30am in our tour bus drive to The Sacred Valley of the Incas. Once we have arrived at our leaving point we will have breakfast in the town of Ollantaytambo. The beginning of the trail is called Piskaycucho, and there we will meet the group of sherpas that will carry your things and register our group at the security check point. We begin the trip by crossing the Urubamba River (2,200 m) with a mostly level trail the majority of the day, it is good warm up for the rest of the trek. In the town of Misky we will eat breakfast in a small restaurant on the bank of the river, and will receive information about the archeological site of Llactapata. After lunch we will continue our hike to the archeological site of Wayllabamba (3,100 m/10,170ft) and ascend to Yunkachimpa (3,300m/10,826 ft) where we will camp. From here we can take a small hike to visit the impressive Veronica peak of the Andes.

• Food included: Lunch and Dinner.
• Total Distance: 12km (7.5 miles).
• Estimated time on trail: 5 hours.
• Maximum Altitude: 3,300 m (9,840 ft).

Day Two: Wayllabamba-Pacaymayu

The second day is a relaxed day where every person can hike his or her own pace. We will hike on many different trails, but the first trail will take us to the Llulluchapampa Valley (3,850m/12,631ft). The first three kilometers are steep but during the climb you can enjoy the nice warm weather and the trickling sound of water falling down the mountainside. From Llulluchapampa we continue down the trail another 2-3 hours and arrive at the highest point of the day, El Abra Warmihuañusca (trail of the dead woman) at 4,200 m/11,378 ft), and is known as the most difficult part of the entire Incan Trail. After we take a rest at the top of the peak we will continue on our trail down a steep section to the Pacaymuyu River (Sunrise River). This trail will take us towards the Runturakay pass until we reach our campsite called Chaquicocha at (3,650m/11,975ft). At our campsite you can give your legs a rest and enjoy the sensational views of the Andes Mountains.

• Food Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Total Distance: 11km (6.8m).
• Estimated time on trail: 6-7 hours.
• Maximum altitude: 4,200m (13,776ft).

Day Three: Pacaymayu to Wiñaywayna

The third day is considered the most beautiful and spectacular day of the trip, because you get the opportunity to see a fascinating change of ecosystems from mountains into high altitude jungle of Wiñayhuayna. On our trail we will pass by two small lakes and the upper part of the first pass we climb, and begin a smooth uphill through the calm and cloudy forests that takes us to a small Incan tunnel through the third pass. From this point you will have an amazing view of the Urubamba River valley, where you can see the closest town, which is called Phuyupata (City under the clouds) at 3,600m (11,811ft). A well conserved site with a large chain of Incan baths, where you can admire the impressive hydraulic architecture of the Incans. We will pass through the tunnel and visit the archeological site of Wiñaywayna (Always young) at 2,650 m (8,694ft). From there we will climb the large Incan steps that zig zag their way up to a white building with a red roof, where we will stay the night, and there are hot springs that you can use for the price of 5 soles, and a little store to buy drinks and snacks.

• Food Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Total Distance: 16km (9.9m).
• Estimated time on trail: 8 hours.
• Maximum altitude: 3,950m (12,792ft).

Day four: Wiñaywayna to Machu Picchu to Wayna Picchu/Return to Cusco

We will eat breakfast at 4:30am and then with head lights swe will head to Inti Punku to get the first view of the city of Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. Then we will begin the descend down to the lost city of Machu Picchu, once you get to the city we will have an hour of free time before we start the tour of the magnificent Machu Picchu at 8:00am. During the tour you will have the opportunity to understand and experience the magical history of the lost city, and how the peoples lived their daily lives in such an incredible but harsh environment. After the tour you will have plenty of free time to explore the ancient city, and if desired you can climb to the peak of Wayna Picchu where you can get an incredible 360 panorama of Machu Picchu. Then we will get on a bus and take a 30 minute bus ride back to Aguas Calientes where you can go to the hot springs or eat lunch, but assure you are in the train station at least a half hour before your train leaves. We will meet you in Ollantaytambo and take you back to your hotel in Cusco. End of services.

Suggestions:

• Assure you are at the train station 20 minutes before your departure time.
• Talk to your guide about the train schedule to assure that you have ample time to visit Machu Picchu, climb Wayna Picchu, bath in the hot springs, eat lunch ect before you get on your train back to Ollantaytambo.
• Food Included: Breakfast.
• Total Distance: 5km (2.5m).
• Estimated time on trail: 2 hours.
• Maximum altitude: 2700m (8,829ft).

Important Note:

The trek itinerary described above is followed by 96% of our trips, however during the high seasons some camp spots can fill up very quickly, and changes can occur due to the availability of camping spots. Unfortunately we are not in control of designating camping spots, that power lies in the hands of the UGM (government organization), and they designate all the camping spots to different tour agencies. However we try to have our last camp spot at Wiñaywayna (two hours from Machu Picchu), we cannot guarantee spots, but we can guarantee spots at Phuyupatamarka (5 hours from Machu Picchu). This is the case with all agencies that operate on the Incan Trail, and is a factor that is out of our control.

Incan Trail Description:

• Duration 4D/1N.
• Departure Point: Choquesuysuy-84 km.
• Finishing Point: Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Age Restrictions: 12 years old.
• Type of tour: Trekking.
• Accommodations: Camping 3 nights
• Level of Service: Standard-Deluxe
• Satisfaction and Security Guaranteed.
• Type of trip: Personalized.
• Carbon Emissions: 360 CO2-E
• Group Size Restrictions: 2 min/10max.
• Transportation: Train, walking, Van.

Inca Trail Discounts:

• $35 USD for any University student that has their student ID and evidence of enrollment, which must begin given to the agency (physical, copy, or scan) during time of reservation.
• $35$ USD to any child under the age of 16. Parents must have passport or copy of passport during time of reservation, student I.D.s or I.Ds from other countries are not acceptable.

Our Services Include:

• Informative preview of the trip.
• Pick up from your hotel on the day of the trip.
• Private bus ride to the trailhead.
• Entrance fees into the Incan Trail, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu.
• Professional and bilingual (English/Spanish) guide (2 guides for groups over 8).
• High altitude camping gear with 4 person tents for 2 people with enough space to put your things.
• Camping stove
•  3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. Food includes: pancakes, tortillas, soup, fresh fruit, avocado, pastas, chicken, beef, fish, rice. All food that is good for feeding hungry backpackers. Hot drinks include: coca tea (good for altitude) others teas, and coffee. Snacks such as popcorn and crackers are always available.
• Guides that will carry the food and other camping gear such as a cooking tent and eating tent.
• First aid kit and a bottle of oxygen in case of emergencies.
• Bus from Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes (something only our company offers), train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, (expedition class).
• Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• The prices include all local sales tax.

Our Services do NOT include:

• Guides to carry personal clothing or gear (such as sleeping bag, water bottles, ect). If desired you can hire another guide to carry up to 20 lbs (9kg) for an extra $50 USD.
• Breakfast the first morning, many hotels do server early morning breakfasts.
• If not you can buy breakfast in Ollantaytambo before we get on the trail.
• The last lunch after the visit to Machu Picchu.
• Upgrades to the Vista Dome train, additional $50 USD.
• Entrance fee to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes $3 USD.
• We do not provide sleeping bags, at our office you can rent a synthetic sleeping bag for $20 USD for 4 days. All sleeping bags are washed after every use, weigh 12kg (6lbs) and are -10 degree sleeping bags to keep you warm in the coldest of conditions.
• Extra night in Aguas Calientes with food and hotel. If you would like to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes please inform our agency and we can change the date of your train ticket.
• Extra night in Aguas Calientes, or Cusco to bad weather, canceled flights or train rides.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Personal Toiletries.
• Trip insurance.
• Telephone calls, laundry, Internet.
• Personal equipment and things.

Recommended you bring:

1.  Original Passport.
2.  Student ID (incase discounts can be received)
3.  Walking poles or canes with rubber bottoms to protect archeological sites.
4.  Towel.
5.  Bathing suite.
6.  Have cash at hand, either soles or USD.
7.  Backpack with a change of clothes.
8.  Rain coat or a poncho.
9.  Hiking shoes that are durable, have good traction and give support.
10.  Sandals or extra shoes for camping.
11.  Warm clothing, warm jackets, fleeces, thermals and lots of warm layers.
12.  Head light or flashlight with extra batteries.
13.  Camera with all camera gear and extra batteries (batteries die faster in colder conditions).
14.  Hat to protect yourself from the sun, and a beanie or wool hat for the cold.
15.  Sunscreen.
16.  Lotion for dry skin.
17.  Bug repellent, the higher the DEET % the better.
18.  Bandana or handkerchief.
19.  Toilet paper.
20.  Snacks: cookies, chocolate, chips, energy bars, shot blocks, fruit.
21.  A reusable water bottle (Nalgene).
22.  Optional: Iodine tablets, steri pen or water pump for water sterilization.
23.  Personal prescriptions and medicine.