Hike the famous 4-day route, Inca Trail to Machu picchu, now called Inca Trail to Machu picchu, a tiny part of what was the ancestral route or QHAPAQ ÑAN, an intricate network of roads that tied and societies at great distances, its expansion encompassed much more distant lands such as the so-called Tawantinsuyo, that also Inca Trail to Machu picchu connected with capital Cusco. Journey through the fertile heartland of the Sacred Valley, in Inca Trail to Machu picchu you can see the magnificent Ollantaytambo archaeological before embarking on the ultimate adventure – Inca Trail to Machu picchu. This action-filled Peruvian tour gets you closer to the secrets of this elusive civilisation on a breathtaking adventure along the Inca Trail to Machu picchu.
Availabilites inca trail 2019
A few actually get to hike the Inca Trail every year. Peru’s permit system means that just 500 people are allowed on the trail every day – approximately 200 visitors and 300 trekking staff. Permits are sold on a firstcome, first-served basis and are in very high demand. Once spaces have been booked, NO OPERATOR CAN OFFER YOU A SPACE. All spaces are personal and non-transferable, and there is no waiting list, so if someone cancels, their spot cannot be taken by someone new.
When to hike
High Season – June, July, and August, During these months, trail permits can sell out six months in advance. Surrounding High Season – April, May, September, October or November, Also sell out ahead of time , try to book at least four or five months in advance. Quieter months typically December, January, and early-March. You might be OK booking as little as three to five weeks in advance. Bear in mind that the Holy Week and Easter period (moveable) is also a popular time to hike the Inca Trail. February is closed
Day 1 . Cusco – Ollantaytambo – KM 82 – Llactapata – Huayllabamba
You will be picked up from your Cusco hotel early in the morning in private transport. You should have breakfast in your hotel or bring some snacks. We will stop in Ollantaytambo for last minute purchases, or a quick breakfast if you missed it in Cusco! We will continue to Pisacucho (also known as Kilometer 82) where the Classic Inca Trail starts. On arrival at Kilometer 82, it is necessary to show entrance tickets, original passports and student card (if applicable). Crossing the Urubamba River, we begin our trek through typical dry forest growing prickly pear and other cactus, and the tara tree. We will walk around 3 hours (6kms) to Llactapata the first archaeological site on our
Total Walking Distance – 12kms
Minimum Altitude – 2,700m (8,858 ft) /
Maximum Altitude – 3000m (9,842 ft)
Altitude of camp – 3000m (9,842 ft) Approx.
night temperature: 7˚C
Day 2 Huayllabamba – Llulluchapampa – Dead Woman’s Pass – Pacaymayo
After a good night’s rest, we will get started on what is generally considered the most challenging day of the Classic Inca Trail trek. We wake early in order to get a good start, then, leaving pastoral villages and farmland behind, we enter the subtropical forest, stopping for lunch around Llulluchapampa. From here we will start a steep ascent towards the highest pass: the Abra de Warmihuañusca, or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’, coming in at an impressive 4215m (13,828ft). You’ll feel an amazing sense of achievement upon reaching the top! After a short rest, we continue downwards 600m (1,968 ft) over 3 kms (1.8 mi) through very humid forest to the evening campsite of Pacaymayo.
Total Walking Distance – 10kms (6.8 mi)
Minimum Altitude – 3,000m (9,842 ft) /
Maximum Altitude – 4,215m (13,828 ft)
Altitude of Camp – 3,000m (9,842 ft Approx night temperature: 7˚C
Day 3 Pacaymayo – Sayakmarka – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna.
After another early breakfast, we walk to the beautiful Inca site of Runkurakay, one of the check points and the beginning of the original Royal Inca trail to Machu Picchu, known as Qhapaq Ñan. We continue on to Sayakmarka, one of the most beautiful Inca remains on the Classic Inca trail. After lunch, we enter the cloud forest, trekking through some incredible scenery filled with orchids and hummingbirds. After another hour, we arrive at Phuyupatamarca (‘town in the clouds’), the third highest point on the trail (3680m) where we will have breathtaking views of Salkantay mountain. After feasting our eyes for a moment, we continue downhill through the forest for about 3 hours until we reach Wiñay Wayna (‘forever young’), our campsite for the evening. Steps away from camp is the Inca site of the same name, the most impressive on the trail. No matter how tired you are, talk to your guide and don’t miss out on seeing this wonder!
Please note: Campsites are allocated on a firstcome, first-served basis, and we cannot guarantee that Wiñay Wayna will be available. If not, the alternative campsite is located at Phuyupatamarca, located farther away from Machu Picchu but generally less crowded.
Total Walking Distance – 12km (Wiñaywayna) 16km (Phuyupatamarca)
Minimum Altitude – 2,670m (8760 ft) /
Maximum Altitude – 3,680m (12,073 ft)
Altitude of Camp – 2,670m
Day 4 Wiñay Wayna – Inti Punku – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
We will rise very early on this day in order to arrive at Inti Punku (the ‘Sun gate’) (2730m/8,956ft) before sunrise. This early morning hike is the final part of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and from the Sun Gate you have your first view of the enigmatic Machu Picchu. After some time there, we will walk down the last part of the trail to the spot where you can take the classic shot of this
From Inti Punku we descend into Machu Picchu through the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks and then we enter this famous city. Finally, we visit Machu Picchu itself! Your 4h visit to Machu Picchu can be spent exploring some of the alternative routes, like the Inca Bridge, after which your guide will give you a 2-3h walking tour of the historic citadel.
If you’re feeling adventurous you may wish to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, but take note: this requires an extra permit, and they can sell out well in advance! Be sure to tell us at booking if you would like to add one of these hikes. For more tips on what to see, check out our Visiting Machu Picchu page.
Want more time to explore? Consider our Extra Day Upgrades. After spending time enjoying Machu Picchu, you will return to Aguas Calientes on your own, either on foot or by bus, where you will meet your guide. There, you will enjoy your last lunch together before heading back to Cusco on the train.
Total Walking Distance – 6km
Minimum Altitude – 2,670m (8,760 ft)
Maximum Altitude – 2730m (8,956 ft)
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- Pre-trek briefing
- Collection from your hotel on the morning of the Inca Trail Trek departure
- Private transport from Cusco to the trailhead and return at the end of the trek
- Inca Trail Permit (includes entry to Machu Picchu)
- English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide, plus an assistant guide for group over 8 persons
- Inflatable mattress.
- See Optional Extras & Upgrades below.
- Cook and cooking equipment, plus assistants for larger groups.
- Tent: 2 peopple in a 4-persons tent, allowing in a greater comfort and backpacker storage
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary. Our professional cooks prepare a combination of traditional Peruvian and Western cuisine. Talk to your guide if you have certain preferences! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. When served, salads are washed in boiled water.
- Porters, who carry camping equipment,food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7kg/15lbs per person). If you wish to take more, you can hire a personal porter. Please contact us for costs.
- Dining tent with camp tables and chairs and
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Lunch on the last day.
What is Not Included?
- Breakfast on the first morning
- Dinner on the last night
- Entrance to the hot springs Available for rent if you don’t have one with you.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
- Tips for the guide, cook
- Toilete tents is not included on inca trail route because we uses fascilities provided by the ministry of culture.
treat staff right
The Inca Trail is notorious for the mistreatment of porters and other trail staff who are asked to carry more than government regulation allow. To our operators, we do things differently, going above and beyond these minimums, about how we take care of all our staff, including porters and horsemen.
Tipping Porters on the Inca Trail
If you are preparing to tip, is considered at your own discretion. You should tip what you feel is right, and based on the services you receive on the hike. These people really work very hard on the trails.
Weather conditions.
In the Andes is notoriously fickle and it’s entirely possible to experience intense sun, freezing wind, chilling rain and even snow or hail, all in the same day. Even in dry season (May, September), when rain is scarce, the temperature can range from 25˚C in the daytime to -5˚C, or less, at night. That’s a drastic change! In the mountains.
when you organize, for a trek in Peru, it’s best to expect the unexpected, and carry gear that will protect you from all the elements. Don’t leave room without these clothing essentials: a sun hat , sometimes sunscreen is not enough to protect you from the intense rays at high altitude!
a warm winter hat, toque or beanie – for those cold nights under the stars; a headband a long scarf – a versatile piece that you can wrap around you for warmth or to protect you from the wind; gloves and warm socks, a rainproof, windproof shell – make it lightweight and foldable for easy storage. sunglasses – rain gear and sunglasses, at the same time? it happens!. adequate footwear – good-quality, well broken-in trekking boots to protect your feet on the trail, and flip flops or sandals for walking around the campsite, your hotel room or luxurious hot springs!
Physical Conditions
the Inca Trail – like all hikes in the Andes – is challenging stuff! The best way to prepare for a trek in Peru is to make sure you’re fit and well acclimatized to the altitude prior the trek. try doing plenty of aerobic exercise like running, spinning or salsa classes – Get out and do some one day hikes in your area, testing out how you feel walking for 4-6 hours at a time. If you’ve never slept in a tent in the great outdoors – or it’s been a while – now’s the time to roll out your sleeping bag and take a couple of camping trips and possibly to make sure you have adequate time built into your itinerary to acclimatize to the altitude. We recommend a minimum of 3 days
of acclimatization at high altitude before beginning any trek.
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