Inca Trail to Machupicchu

Day 1: Cusco – KM82 – Ayapata

We’ll pick you up from your hotel between 4:30-5:00am and travel to Km 82. You’ll arrive to Km 82 at about 7:00am and we stop for a breakfast prepared by your guide. After a delicious breakfast we’ll go through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek (please make sure you have your passport with you to enter the Inca Trail). The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site, Patallacta which was an Inca checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu. From Patallacta it’s another 2 hour hike to our lunch stop. After lunch we will hike for another 2 and a half hours until we reach the first night’s campsite (Ayapata, 3300 meters). On this last stretch we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drinks or snacks you can do so here, you can also buy any essential items such as batteries that you may have forgotten. We’ll arrive to our campsite by 5:00pm and after settling in for a bit you can relax and have a drink and something to eat with your porters, chef and guide. By 7:30 your dinner will be ready, afterwards you can get some well deserved rest.
Walking distance: 8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours)
Campsite altitude: 3300 meter high above sea level.
Considered: Moderate day (get used to the Inca trail)
Weather: Warm and windy

Day 2: Ayapata – Dead Woman’s Pass – Runcuraccay Pass – Chaquiccocha

Your porters will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day. Today is our longest day and we will start with an early wake up. We’ll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 meters). On reaching the pass we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot and a chance to refill our water bottles. After lunch we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It’s 2 hours to the pass and along the way we’ll stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the 2nd pass, it’s another hour downhill to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (unaccessible village). We’ll stop here for a rest and have a quick tour of the site and then watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After dinner, if you’re not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing.
Walking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
Campsite altitude: 3600 meter high above sea level (chilled weather)
Considered: Top day (we will survive two passes)
Area : Andes and the cloud forest
Weather : Cold and rainy

Day 3: Chaquiccocha – Wiñaywayna Camp

Completing day 2 and beginning day 3 certainly deserves a pat on your back! We begin early again, waking up at 6:30am to begin what is commonly believed to be the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. We hike for 2 hours along what is known as Inca flat (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the peak of the jungle, which is also known as the cloud forest. As we walk we will have the opportunity to see the beauty of the Salkantay snow capped peak and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flat we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we get great views overlooking the Urubamba river. Down the valley we get our first views of Machu Picchu mountain but the site is still hidden from view. From Phuyupatamarka it´s a 3 hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of it´s proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (The Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the sun). We arrive at our campsite around 1:00pm to have lunch and then relax for the entire afternoon so you’re relaxed and ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. Your guide will give you a small talk at around 4:30pm and you will visit the inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna spending about an hour and a half there. We will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek so you’re fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day.
We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs. It’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again and to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them then you can do so now). It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time in order to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn.
Walking distance: 6.2 miles/10km (5 hours)
Campsite altitude: 2.600 meter high above sea level. (Chilled weather)
Considered: Easy day (Just down hill)
Area: High cloud forest
Weather: Warm and very humid

Day 4: Machupicchu – Cusco

Wake up time is at 3:30am. We’ll eat breakfast at 4:00am and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking when they open the gates at 5:30am. We’ll wave goodbye to our porters and chef and then it’s all ahead to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here we have spectactular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory. We reach the Sun Gate by 6:30am and then it’s just another hour´s trek down a stairway to reach the lost city of the Incas. As we approach Machu Picchu the views of the city just get better and better and at about 7:40am we reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hour guided tour. After the tour you’ll be given your bus tickets to make your way down to Aguas Calientes and you’ll have between 3-4 hours to explore on your own. At about 1:30pm we’ll meet at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes to have our last lunch together and you’ll be given your train tickets for your return journey to Cusco. We´ll arrange to meet 30 minutes before your train departs and then all go together to the train station. If you like there is an optional hike up Huayna Picchu mountain which takes about an 45 minutes to reach the summit. From here you can enjoy fantastic views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding scenery. If you’re interested in this, please book it in advance for $65.
Considered:The most exciting and magicical day (Early wake up 3.30 am)
Area: High cloud and tropical forest
Weather: Hot and very humid (requires a lot of water)

What is included:

• Pre trek briefing with your tour guide.
• Storage of backpacks during the trek
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
• Private transport from Cusco to the trailhead
• Inca Trail Permit (includes entry to Machu Picchu)
• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 8 people).
• Double tents and sleeping foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest).
• Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
• Meals mentioned, hot beverages, boiled water everyday (optional vegetarian food for no extra cost!). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the traditional Peruvian delicacies.
• Porters (for equipment and personal items) They 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 porter, please contact us for costs.
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals.
• Tents for our staff to sleep in.
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Bus down from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
• Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Or Cusco)
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, if it’s the case.

What is not included:

• Sleeping Bag (you can rent it at the office)
• Trekking poles (you can rent it at the office)
• Tips to local staff (please note: It is a custom to give tips in Perú; however, it is not obligatory).

What you need to bring:

• Original Passport – Very important
• ISIC card (www.isic.org) if it is applicable (it needs to be sent at the time of the booking)
• Day Pack
• Sleeping bag (you can rent it)
• Hiking boots and sandals (very important)
• Trekking poles (you can rent it)
• Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night. Thermals/Gloves/scarves: wool socks /wool hat for cold nights: About 4 T-shirts for the entire trek
• Head lamp (very important)
• Camera and extra batteries
• Sunscreen/hat and sunglasses
• Personal medical kit
• Insect repellent
• Rain Gear: a good rain jacket and rain pants and plastic rain poncho.
• Toilet paper
• Small towel
• Camel bag – if not you can take plastic bottles for water
• Extra money for drinks & tips, souvenirs, etc (soles or dollars) at least 200 extra soles.
• Bathing clothes for the hot springs (optional) Recommended for those who stay extra night.
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

Extra Night upon request:

• If you want to stay longer at Machu Picchu then you can book an extra night at Aguas Calientes village. Just let us know about it so we organize your train return for the next day. Of course we can assist you booking hotels. If you were thinking of going back to Machu Picchu the next day then you will have to buy a new entrance fee to Machu Picchu and the bus tickets.

Prices are the same for private or group treks!  

Why choose Peru Wonder Travel?

– Since 2004 in the Tourism Industry, our goal is just to do our best to meet your expectations with an excellent service to every person and are constantly looking for ways we can improve to make your trip of a lifetime. PERU WONDER TRAVEL do a sustainable tourism in Cusco, we feel that it’s our responsibility to keep Perú pristine and beautiful for all the future generations to come. On all our treks we do everything we can to ensure we leave as little impact as possible. In PERU WONDER TRAVEL you will find reliable, friendly and professional people ready to organize Custom Perú Trip Packages, Honeymoon trips and Family tours with Kids. Just choose from one of the Treks and Tours that we have carefully put together for you or get creative and mix and match our tours and extensions to design an a la carte package to accommodate your personal needs.

Do I need to be fit to do one of your treks?

– All of our treks are moderately difficult, long and mountainous. We highly recommend that you are relatively fit and acclimatised (a minimum of 2 days at altitude) before undertaking them. During the months (or at the very least, one month) before your trip, you should take regular, moderate exercise. We want you to have an amazing experience and the fitter you are, the more enjoyable will be the trek. People of all ages (from kids, teenagers to pensioners) complete the trek and age itself is no barrier if you are positive minded and live an active lifestyle. Before departing for your tour, we recommend visiting your doctor who will be able to provide you with more information.

What is the Train return to Cusco?

– The return train is the Expedition train which departs either at 2.55, 4.20, 4.42 or 6.40 pm. The train that is booked depends of the availabilty and is confirmed at your briefing. There is an option to upgrade the train to the Vistadome which is an extra $65 per person. Please let us know your preference at the time of booking. None of the trains go straight to Cusco, they only run either to Ollantaytambo or Poroy but in either case we will transfer you back by bus to your hotel.

How is the food on the Trek?

– Definitely one of the highlights of the tour is the food. It is always fresh and most of it is organic. There is always a lot to eat and lots of options including vegetables, meat, chicken, fish and other types of protein and carbohydrates. Everyone sits down to eat together and we go out of our way to accomodate all dietary requirements including vegetarian options and any food allergies. We do not provide any alcoholic drinks on the trek but if you would like you can bring your own.

How is the camping equipment?

– We provide 4 man tents for only 2 people and foam mattresses for everyone. Our dining equipment includes a spacious dining tent, tables and chairs, plates and utensils. We do not supply sleeping bags, air mattresses or walking sticks, but all can be rented at the office here in Cusco.
Please note that if you are over 1.95 meters / 6´4″ tall then you won´t be able to rent a sleeping bag in Cusco. In this case it is recommended to bring your own.

How will be our Guide, Cook and Porters?

– All of them are amazing, helpful, caring, and great people to be around with. Our guides speak good English and are patient and very informative. Our cooks provide amazing family style food for you and our porters and everyone is impressed with what they can whip up in the middle of the mountains. Your porters will carry everything for you which makes your trek as easy and comfortable as possible, thanks to them you will finish your trek and have a great time.
We make sure that all our team are well looked after and we provide all the equipment that they need so that they can do the trek in as much comfort as possible.

Where will we store our main luggage during the trek?

– You can either store your luggage at your hotel or you can leave it with us. You will receive a small duffle bag at your Inca Trail briefing (briefings are normally set for the evening before you start the trek) to pack clothes for 3-4 days. Your team of porters will carry these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the porters will always be ahead of the group, you should therefore bring a day pack in which you can carry personal belongings such as your camera, water and sunscreen etc. By Peruvian law the duffle bag carried by the porters must not weigh more than 7kg (14pounds). You can either store your luggage at your hotel or you can leave it with us.