Inca Trail to Machu Picchu # 1

Cusco - Inca Trail - Machu Picchu - Cusco

4 Days / 3 Nights

ITINERARY

No Available spaces for the Classic Inca Trail? then see the Alternative Inca Trail

Altitude: 2050 - 4200 m. / 6730 - 13780 f.
High Season: March - January
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

1st Day: Cusco - Km 82 – Wayllabamba - Yuncachimpa

we will leave Cusco (3350m/10990f) at 5:30 am by tourist bus to and head for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Before we reach our starting point km 82, we make a short break in Ollantaytambo for having the option to get breakfast. The official beginning of the Inka Trail is called km 82. Here we will meet the rest of the group and take care of the registration facilities. After crossing the Rio Urubamba (2200m) we will start the legendary Inca Trail. The first day the trail is easy to walk and a good warm up for the fallowing days. In Miskay we’ll have lunch at a small river bank while getting some information about the archaeological complex of Llactapata. After that, we will continue our hike to Wayllabamba (3100m/10170f) and ascend to Yuncachimpa (3300m/10826f), the camping site we will spend the night in. From here, we have a great view of the mysterious Nevado de Veronica.

Level of difficulty: normal (easy)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Total distance: 11km approx.

2nd Day: Yuncachimpa - Llulluchapampa – Warmihuañusca pass - Pacaymayu - Runkurakay pass - Chaquicocha

The second day is the ‘Free-Hike-Day’; that means, that everybody should walk in his/her own pace – of course you will meet during the small breaks or see each other while beating the stairs. Early in the morning the trails first leads through the Valley of Llulluchapampa (3850m/12631f). The first 3km are step - enjoy the humid woodland and the water sounds. From Llulluchapampa fallow the way for 2-3 hours until you crest the highest point of this section, the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman Pass) (4200m/113780f). This climb is known as the most difficult part of the Inca Trail. After a short break at the summit, you continue your hike down with a long and steep descent to the river Pacaymayu (Sunrise River) towards the Runkurakay pass (3050m/10007f) until you reach our camping site called Chaquicocha at (3650m/11975f). Here you can relax your body from the tough day while enjoying an amazing view over the mountains.

Level of difficulty: challenge
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Total distance: 15 km approx.

3rd Day: Chaquicocha - Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna

The third day is the most beautiful one. You can notice a change in the eco-system while walking to the tropical forest of Wiñaywayna. We will pass two small lakes at the top of the second pass (3950m). It’s a gentle climb through beautiful cloud forest and a small Inca tunnel before the third pass (3700m) offers a grand view over the Rio Urubamba Valley. The nearest settlement is named Phuyupatamarca/"Town above the clouds" (3600m/11811f). A well preserved site with long chain Inca baths where one can enjoy impressive ancient engineering. We pass another Inca Tunnel before visiting the ruins of Wiñaywayna/"Forever young" (2650m/8694f). The Inca stairs change into a zigzag trail until you reach a red-roofed white building, our last camping site, and also a location with hot water (5S) and bottled drinks.

Level of difficulty: normal, unforgettable (easy)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Total distance: 10 km Approx.

4th Day: Wiñayhuayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco

After our breakfast at 4:30 am, we will head - equipped with our flashlights - to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) to get the first glimpse of Machu Picchu and watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. The last triumphal descent will take you almost one hour before we visit the citadel of Machu Picchu (2400m//7874f) around 8.00am. You can enjoy its spiritual charm during a guided tour (about two hours) that helps you to understand the meaning and ancient use of the different buildings. After this tour you will have enough time to explore the archeological site on your own (f.ex. go to the Inca Bridge, explore the variety of buildings or climb Wayna Picchu for an amazing panorama picture). A bus takes you down to Aguas Calientes. Here you can soak away your aches and pain in the town’s hot springs (S10). We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.

Level of difficulty: normal, unique (easy)
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Total distance: 7 km approx.

End of our Services

What do you need to bring?

Backpack with rain shelter, sleeping back, clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket,rain pants and lightweight pants, trekking shoes, slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs), woolen or synthetic socks, a sweater, long- and short-sleeved polo’s/t-shirts, a rain poncho, a hat, bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes), sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper, camera (wrapped in plastic bag), a flash light and batteries, some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit, original passport, original ISIC student card and extra money in soles.

Tour Price:

Price per person based in group service sharing a double tent.

Standard: $ 399.00 per person, with standard return to cusco
Expedition $ 449.00 per person, with Expedition train to cusco
Vistadome: $.469.00 per person, with vistadome train to cusco

Flight tickets:

Lima - Cusco - Lima to be quoted on the day of enquiry (prices vary from US$200 to US$300 per person depending on the season)

what is included in golden destination's incredible prices?

All pick-ups and transfers and tours as indicated in group service with English speaking guides.
Private transfer from your hotel in Cusco to km 82
Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Poroy)/or Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
Bus going downhill from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes where the train station is situated.
Transfer from the train station in Cusco to your hotel in Cusco
Entrance fees to the Inca trail and Machu Picchu
Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
Camping equipment (professional two-persons tents: Doite, model Cima 4, extra light/4kg, Doite, model Kailas 3, extra light/4.5kg and Doite, model Himalaya, extra light/4.5kg; sleeping mats, dining tent equipped with a table and chairs, a sanitary tent)
Cook, cooking equipment, meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners). Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit and spaghetti, chicken, fish, meat and rice, all rich in carbohydrates and very suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leafs tea which is excellent for the altitude
Tea and snack time everyday (tea, coffee, wantan, popcorn, cracker)
Porters to carry the main luggage (all the equipment and cooking stock)
First-aid kit and oxygen bottle

what is not included in golden destination's incredible prices?

International air tickets to Peru and airport taxes (US$32 per person)
Breakfast on the first day and last lunch in Aguas Calientes
Sleeping bag (if you don’t have a sleeping bag there is the possibility of renting one)
Meals not indicated.
Domestic flights
Additional expenses such as telephone bills, laundry, etc.
Personal Travel Insurance.

Details of your trip to Peru:

If you go to high altitudes you may suffer "Soroche" (altitude sickness), bring diamox or ask your doctor for advice, just in case.(See more details).
Checked-in luggage weight limit on domestic flights is 20 kg (44.09 lb). The fee for excess luggage is US$1.8 per kilo.
Carry-on luggage for domestic flights cannot exceed 8 kg (17.64 lb).
Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident.
In addition to your carry-on, you can bring with you a personal item such as a purse, a lap top, a video camera or a diaper bag (when traveling with an infant).
The rate for tips is at your discretion.
The exchange rate is about 2.50 soles per dollar.
Airport taxes for international flights are $30.25, payable at the airport.
We will assist you in every step of your trip, so please feel free to call us at any time, day or night, if necessary.

Important:

We reserve the right to make changes in the schedule of the trip without prior notice, due to changes in climate conditions, river water levels, flight or bus arrival and departure times or any other unforeseeable reason that may develop, in order to make the best of the trip.
We would be pleased to arrange additional free days to your tour, if you so desire, in order to give you more time to explore things, or places that may be of particular interest to you

Notes:

Visit to Huayna Picchu: For Huayna Picchu mountain requires to be booked long time in advance however we charge additional $ 19.00 USD and then we’ll guarantee your entrance for Huayna Picchu as well (This new State law began since the 18th of July, 2011).
(2) Extra porter: According to the law (26702) and supervised by the Ministry of Employment, the collaboration of an extra porter is given under the conditions the customer requires. However, the customer’ luggage mustn’t exceed 15 kg, since the porter is only allowed to carry 20 kg. The Service costs 100 USD and includes transport, entrance fee to the Inca Trail, food and camping equipment.
(3) Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for a small donation, for example clothes or school equipment for their children.

Conditions & Terms:

Please note that the program deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is used to purchase the ticket entrance to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and also the entrance for the porters (they will carry just camping equipment and the food for the trek), and once a space is purchased it cannot be resold.
Golden Destinations will not give any refunds if a participant decides to cancel the trip prior to departure or during the trip (except from the entrances to the archaeological sites and the bus/train tickets)
If Golden Destinations doesn’t confirm the reservation, your payment will be refunded totally.
All participants have to carry their own back packs, including sleeping bag and mattresses unless they booked an extra porter or the service includes porters, horsemen or mules.
A participant must declare if he/she has any sickness or medical disorder and must bring his/her own medicines.
All participants must bring their original passport and, if available, their original student card ´ISIC´.
It is compulsory that all clients have personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, loss of effects and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage or injury occurring to the client. Golden Destinations cannot be accounted for any accident or loss of personal belongings the customer caused by his/her own.
In case force majeure occurs, like impossibility to operate the program or trek due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside Golden Destinations' control like: extreme weather conditions, landslides, strikes not allowing operation or putting it at risk, sudden inaccessibility of route, etc. Golden Destinations will propose viable solutions to operate the program within the available dates, or if impossible, will then propose an alternative program. If the alternative program chosen by the client is of lower value than that originally booked then the client is entitled to a refund of the price difference. All costs derived will be at the expense of the client. In case none of these would be feasible, Golden Destinations would refund all the money paid except all the incurred expenses so far. General information and recommendations
Reservation: Since the number of trekking permits is limited to 500 per day (about 200 tourists and 300 trekking staff) it is important to book well in advance - especially in the high season between May and September. In the low season between December and January, it is possible to get a ticket about 20 days in advance.
Passport details: Please make sure that your passport is valid for the time you intend doing the Inca Trail. Furthermore, assure that the passport’s details you send us via email, such as the passport’s number, your name etc., are correct. Changes on short notice will complicate the entrance to Machu Picchu.
Travel Insurance: It is compulsory that all clients have personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, loss of effects and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage or injury occurring to the client. Golden Destinations cannot be accounted for any accident or loss of personal belongings the customer caused by his/her own actions.
Porters: The Porters will only carry general camping equipment. Backpacks, sleeping bags, mattresses and additional equipment must be carried by the customer. However, if you wish to have a personal porter, this can be arranged. Please let us know in your reservation. Tips for the porters are always welcome.
Camping sites: The camping sites on the journey to Machu Picchu can vary from those described in our brochure. This is because some camping sites are already booked out, depending how far in advance a client books. In this case, the INC (Instituto Nacional de Cultura), supervising all agencies that offer the Inca Trail, will assign a camping site.
Return ticket: We will leave Aguas Calientes by train either at 2:55 pm or at 6:45 pm. This depends on the ticket availability and on how far in advance you booked your trip. During the afternoon, you will have time to have lunch in one of the nice restaurants in Aguas Calientes. Moreover, you can visit the hot springs to relax a bit. You will be back in your hotel either at about 6:00 pm or at about 10:00 pm.
Your health: It is a common misconception that because many people do the Inca Trail it must be easy. It is not. The trail is 45km (26 miles) long and involves great physical exertion to complete. Combined with high altitude and extreme weather the trek can be hard work. Therefore, we strongly recommend ensuring that you are well acclimatized, in good shape and healthy. Hence, you will enjoy your trip from the beginning on. o A participant must declare if he/she has any sickness or medical disorder and must bring his/her own medicines.