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Inca Trail Trek to Machu picchu
(4 Days/3 Night)
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The four-days
Inca
Trail is
one of
the most
famous
hikes in
the
world.
Along
this
route
there is
a
spectacular
mixture
of the
Inca
ruins,
located
in a
mountainous
scenery
and the
cloudy
and
haunted
forest.
It has
been
counted
over 260
species
of
orchids
in Machu
Picchu,
as well
as
numerous
water-fowls,
and the
majestic
Andean
condor (vultur
gryphus).
This
trek is
considered
a
moderate
one.
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Day 1:Cusco-Huayllabamba.-
In an hour run by private bus, we'll get at the Urubamba or Ollantaytambo village, where we'll stop for 30 or 50 minutes in order to have an optional breakfast and coordinate with the porters. Later, we'll get along until the km. 82, the starting point of the trail. For about five or six hours we'll hike to the village. It is included: lunch, dinner and camping. (3,000m.=9,000ft.).
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Day 2: Huayllabamba-Pacamayu.-
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A
steep
climbing
takes
us
through
the
area
of
the
rainy
forest
up
to
Llulluchapampa,
a
little
village
located
in a
valley.
Along
the
way
to
the
Warmiwañuska
pass
you'll
appreciate
very
nice
views.
(4,200
m.=13,700
ft.).This
hike
lasts
about
five
hours.
After
getting
through
the
pass
we'll
go
downwards
again
to
the
Pacaymaru's
valley. |
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Day 3: Pacaymayu-Wiñayhuayna.-
At 7:00 a.m. we get along climbing to the second pass. Gazing from here behind, we'll appreciate the first pass, and ahead, the iced Vilcabamba Cordillera. Crossing to the other side of the Runcuracay Pass (3,000 m. A.S.L.=12,900 ft.), we'll quickly notice a change in the vegetation, since we have now crossed the continent divided by the Amazon's basin. The Inca Trail itself, now had become more apparent : a defined path made of flat boulders that crosses the valley, a way which will lead us to the ruins of Sayacmarca. After crossing the dry lake and entered on the rainy forest, the trees are adorned by orchid flowers worthy from paradise, a beautiness animated by flocks of parrots, whose presence makes from this environment, an actual fowl-lodge. At one point we get through an Inca tunnel, which will open up the Phuyupatumarca ruins, which is the third pass (3,600m. A.S.L. = 11,600 ft.). Far away, we get a glimpse from Pumasillo and Salkantay, and nearer, but thousands feet below, we'll see once again the Urubamba river. Soon we'll see Machupicchu, located in a huge mountain, surrounded by a long desert. After about two hours on descending way, we stop at the lodge of Wiñaywayna.
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Day 4: Wiñayhuayna-Machupicchu.-
Finally we walk one hour towards the Gate's Sun, after having admired the grandeur of Machupicchu, the greatest archaeological revealed ruins in the world. We should arrive at 7: 00 a. m. Before the most of the tourists arrive, we'll have two hours in the morning in order to enjoy freely for ourselves from this wonder of the world. From Aguas Calientes we get the train in the afternoon returning to Cusco.
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Prices of the famous Inca Trail to Machu picchu Standard service |
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(Info updated 08-05-2008)
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Licensed Inca Trail Operator 2008
Guaranteed Inca Trail departures for 2008: (subject to availability for spaces on the goverment's web site):
www.inc-cusco.gob.pe/kratos/site/main.html
We guarentee 100% that you can leave on any date you wish!!
- October – December 2008:
Departures are Every Day, we just need 2 people!!
01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.
If you donot achieve buying an space in the most popular Inca trail, you can get aware from the others alternatives trekkings to machu picchu which are equally atractive and exciting as the classic one.  Click here
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The above prices include Inca Trail entrance fee (US$86), bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
(US$6), return on tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (US$38) and all
local sale taxes
(19%). There are no hidden charges. For full details see below. Discounts: US$30 discount on the
above prices to students with a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and to children
under the age of 15 years old (scans of your ISIC card or child's passport must be provided at
the time of paying the trek deposit in order to qualify for the discount).
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OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:
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DEPARTURE 2008:
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Collection from your hotel in the morning.
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Private bus to the start of the trail.
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English speaking professional guides (two guides for groups over 9 persons).
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Igloo tents - 2 persons in each 4-persons capacity tent with plenty of space for your
backpacks.
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Double thickness foam mattress.
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Cook and cooking equipment.
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Meals (03B,03L,03D) - food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta,
chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks
including coca leaf, a tea which is excellent for the altitude.
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Teatime everyday (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn).
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Porters (to carry the tents, food, and cooking equipment).
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Dining tent with camp tables and chairs.
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Kitchen tent.
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Accommodation for our porters and cooks.
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First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
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Bus from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes.
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Train ticket (Backpackers service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
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Transfer from the train station to your hotel.
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Equipment to be carried by yourselves:
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Small back pack, sleeping bag, personal belongings. Water bottle (non disposable) and
sterilizing tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco),
warm sweater, broad-brim or peaked cap, sun protection cream, insect repellent, toilet paper,
selection of small snacks for the day etc, camera, lightweight plastic poncho, just in case of
rain (can be bought in Cusco for around US$ 1)
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We will confirm your tour reservation by e-mail within a couple of days. We will require a trek
deposit of US$120 per person paid in advance. The date by which the trek deposit has to be paid
and details of how to pay the tour deposit will be included in the trek confirmation e-mail.
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Importam Note: The Inca Trail is closed on February 2008.
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We are Licensed Inca Trail Operator 2008. Guaranteed Inca Trail departures for 2008 AND 2009
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NOT INCLUDED:
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Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer an early morning breakfast service. If
not, we stop at the town of Urubamba on the way to the start on the trek where you’ll have
the opportunity to have breakfast.
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Meal in restaurant in Aguas Calientes on day 4 of the trek.
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Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes US$1.5.
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Sleeping bags can be hired in our office for US$8 for the 4 day trek.
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Tips for the guide, cook and porters.
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SEASON:
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All year.
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DURATION:
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4D/3N (Cusco-Cusco)
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APPROPRIATE LEVEL:
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Moderate: 4200m
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SIZE GROUP: |
Typical group size 04-08
Maximum 10persons.
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Regulations for the Inca trail:
The Inca trail takes
place inside the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. As it is a protected area, there are a number of
regulations that include: 500 persons permitted to enter to the Inca Trail per day. This includes
visitors, porters, cooks, and guides. It is therefore essential to make the Inca Trail reservations well in
advance. Each reservation must include complete names, nationality,
birth date, passport number and the program
(4 days) that will be taken. These trips are priced assuming two travellers. Surcharges for solo travellers and
discounts for groups, if any, will be applied. Prices assume itinerary
if purchased "as is". Minor changes to
hotels or hotel add-ons to the beginning or the end of the existing itinerary can be made at no extra charge.
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Options:
(1) Personal porters
can be hired to help carry your personal items such as clothes, sleeping bag etc. They can be hired for $60 for
all 4 days and will carry up to a maximum of 18kg (usually 1 porter between 2 persons is more than sufficient).
You can hire the services of a half a porter to carry up to 9kg for US$30. However, even with a personal porter,
you will still need to bring a day pack for essential items.
About 30% of the group usually have personal porters to help them. If you hire a porter we will provide you with a
sack to put your items in
and give it to the porter. This extra porter will help you carry:
dufflel bag or sack (we will
provide you with this), sleeping bag, mattress (we will provide you with this), clothing, sweater, jacket, wooly
hat, scarf, gloves (something warm for
the night), flashlight and batteries, toiletries. Your personal porter,
however, will not walk at your side so you will still need to bring a day pack for essential items. You will meet
up with your porter at lunch time and at the campsite late in the afternoon. Equipment to be carried by yourselves:
small day pack, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, warm sweater, broad-brim or peaked cap, sun protection cream,
insect repellent, toilet paper, selection of small snacks for the day, etc, camera, lightweight plastic poncho just
in case of rain (can be bought in Cusco for US$1).
Important note: You must decide if you want to hire the services of a personal porter in advance when making
your trek reservation since we need to purchase the porter's trekking permit. You cannot decide to hire an
additional porter once you arrive in Cusco.
(2) An extra night in Aguas Calientes
can easily be arranged for you if required. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the
following day are additional to trek costs. It is best to make your hotel reservation directly.
(3) Vegetarian Meals
We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days
prior to the trek departure.
(4) Sleeping bag hire.
If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the
discomfort of bringing one all the way to Peru with you then
we have sleeping bags in our office for rent. The price is US$2 per person per day.
Reservation details:
All trek reservations must be made well in advance (6-8 weeks in advance is recommended
specially during the
months of June, July and August).
Payment details:
We will require a non-refundable trek deposit of US$100 per
-person, payable within one week of All Trek peru
confirming your trek booking. The deposit is to be paid by or
through (i) Western Union money transfer.
Further details on how to send the deposit are included
in our trek booking confirmation e-mail. The remaining
balance is to be paid in our office, at least two days prior to your trek departure date.. Payment can be made in
cash US$, local currency (Peruvian Soles), American Express Travel Cheques (3%) or by VISA (6% surcharge - VISA's
cost not ours).
Other information:
(1) Luggage storage.
When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco. Nearly all
the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels
charge for this service,
specially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any
problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at our office.
(2) Time of arrival in Cusco after returning from the trek.
Unless you plan to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you will return to your hotel in Cusco for approximately
8:30pm on the 4th day of the trek.
Notes:
1. Your arrival date in Cusco must be at least 2 days prior to
the trek departure since you have to pay the trek
balance before 8pm, 2 days before you start the trek. Arriving 2 days prior to the trek also ensures that you are
better acclimatized to the high altitude. However 3 days is recommended.
2. A free transfer from
the airport to your
hotel is provided for groups of 2 persons or more. A single supplement of US$5 will
be charged for single travellers. Obviously, if you want
a transfer from the
airport to your hotel, we will require your flight
arrival details: Airline, flight number, expected arrival, time and date (to be confirmed at least 5 days in
advance).
3. In order to qualify for a student discount you must be under the age of 26 and be in possession of a valid
international student identity card ISIC. You must bring the ISIC card to the office when you pay the trek balance
and take it with you on the Inca Trail as it will be checked several times by government officials. Unfortunately
no other forms of student identity are acceptable (university cards, international youth cards, etc). If you forget
your ISIC card or lose it, then you will have to pay an additional US$50 for a standard trek
permission. The government
has recently become more fastidious with respect to lost ISIC cards and on several occasions has not given
permission to the person to enter the Inca Trail.
4. If you have a hotel reservation in Cusco, please include the name of your hotel on the reservation form. This
allows us to locate you if there
is any problem with your arrival. You will also be asked to confirm your hotel
in Cusco when you come to the office to pay the trek balance.
We will confirm your trek reservation by e-mail within a couple of days.
We will require a trek deposit of US$120 per person paid in advance.
The date by which the trek deposit has to be paid and details
on how to pay the trek deposit will be included in
the trek confirmation e-mail.
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