THE CLASSIC INKA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU

On the classic Inka Trail to Machupicchu, you will hike among numerous archeological sites and experience the many diverse ecosystems of the Andes, from the highland sierra to lush, subtropical cloud forests.  At the end of each day you will settle into a picturesque campsite and dine on delicious meals. You will get to know the pilgrimage highways of the Inka and walk as they did, with a stunning end at Machupicchu—one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.  This vast archeological park is also known as the “White Stone City” and is surrounded by apus, the snow-capped mountains regarded as deities by the Quechua people.  On the Inka Trail, you will begin to understand the power emanating from the massive citadel upon the mountains with holy names that seem to be alive.  The Cusco region is a magnificent place, get out there and experience it today with Andean Paths Adventures.

Hike from Arqueological sites to Arqueological sites and experience the diverse ecosystems of the Andes, from highland  to lush montane cloud forests. At the end of each day, settle into a picturesque campsite, and a delicious meal await for us.Get to know the pingrimage´s highway of the Inka and walk as the Inkas did, with an stunning end in Machupicchu. One of the new seven wonders of the world. It is also known as the White Stone City that is surronded by the sacred snowcapped mountains, once the deities of the Inca. Get to feel the power coming from this city and its mountains that have names and they seem to be alive. Cusco is a wonderful city, get out there and experience it.

Further information

THE CLASSIC INKA TRAIL (FOUR DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS)

DAY 1: THE CITY OF CUSCO – THE SACRED VALLEY – PISCACUCHO – WAYLLABAMBA 

The program begins in the City of Cusco, where we will pick you up from your hotel in a private van between 6:00 and 6:30 am.  We will then drive to Ollantaytambo, where you will have a chance to purchase breakfast on your own.  After breakfast we will continue on to kilometer 82, the starting point of the classic Inka Trail.   Km. 82 lies in the district of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Inka.  Upon entrance to the trail, you must present your original passport to begin the trek. 

Once we cross the bridge to the Inka Trail, our first day of trekking will be a relatively easy day in order to train your body to get used to the new climate.  The first archeological site we will come across is Llaqtapata, where our guide will share information about the area.  We will have lunch directly afterwards, and after a post-lunch break we continue along the trail at a leisurely pace.  The second site of the day we will encounter is Wayllabamba camping point at 3,000 meters above sea level (9,800 ft.).  This altitude in the tropics is known as the “high jungle”, where we will camp overnight in tents, spending the evening over tea time, conversation, and dinner. 

This program begins in Cusco, We will pick you up between 6:00 am. and 6:30 am. from your Hotel in a private transport. This one will drive to km. 82 the starting point. But first a stop in a restaurant in Ollantaytambo (sacred valley of the inkas) for breakfast on your own. On arrival at km. 82. All Passport must be checked there ,before crossing the bridge. Then we set out for the aclimatizing day, all the way is relatively easy, we have lunch al the midle of the way. 40 minutes later we arrive at the first arqueological site, called LLAQTAPATA, The Guide will tell us about it. Afterwards, we carry on for 2 hours until get WAYLLABAMBA (3,000 meters) There we will spend a night in tents this place is also known as high jungle. Which is surrounded  by slops and native forests?. Tea time, dinner and campsite here. 

• Walking time: 6 hours (approximately).

• Total distance: 11 km, or 6 miles (approximately).

• Campsite altitude: 3,000 meters, or 9,842 feet (approximately).

DAY 2: WAYLLABAMBA-DEAD WOMAN’S PASS - PAKAYMAYU.

You will rise early on the second day—the most challenging, yet rewarding of the trek—to a warm cup of invigorating coca leaf tea.  After a hearty breakfast, we will begin the climb slowly, setting a pace that is comfortable for the group and that allows for you to take in the stunning landscapes of the Peruvian Andes.  Two hours into the day we will arrive at Llulluchapampa rest stop where we will take relax and enjoy the moment.  Thereafter, you will begin to experience the varied ecological levels of the Andes, passing through lush polylepis trees, an emblematic species of the region known as the qeuña.  If you are a nature lover, you will want to frequently stop along the trail and soak up the impressive landscapes, the same ones that the chaskis (Inka couriers) were traversing centuries ago.  Hummingbirds, white-tailed deer, and the spectacled bear can be spotted from this section of the trail.  The next two hours are spent hiking towards Warmiwañuska Pass (“dead woman” in Quechua), the highest point of the trek at 4,200 meters (13,800 ft.).  While celebrating your impressive feat of completing the most physically demanding section of the trek, we will spend the approximately last two hours descending to our midday resting point Pakaymayu (“Hidden River” in Quechua), located at 3,650 meters (12,000 ft.).  Here we will enjoy lunch and pause to relax. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to rest, practice your photography skills, and talk about the amazing day with your fellow hikers. Dinner and overnight camping will be at Pakaymayu as well.   

Rise early with Coca tea for the challenging day. After hearty breakfast, we climb up slowly getting our own pace. So that, you will be able to take in views of stunning landscape. After 2 hours you will arrive at LLULLUCHAPAMPA. You will rest there. Shortly after, you will experience ecological levels of the Andes, passing from lush Polylepys trees to highland. If you are nature lovers, you are going to want to stop the time and dive into the landscape that once, the Inkas were walking along this trail and you will imagine this experience. Humming Birds, White tailed deers and Spectacled bear can be spotted here. Then, we carry on the last 2 hours until get the pass WARMIWAÑUSCA (Dead woman) that is fairly steep and this is the hights point on the trek 4,200 meters, 13,800 feets.It will be worthwhile to hike. Because, you will have breathtaking vistas from there.After, celebrating our feat, we have 2 hours left heading down into our campsite. Drinks, Lunch and dinner at Pacaymayo 3,650 meters.

• Walking time: 8 hours (approximately). Don’t worry, snacks will be provided for the long interval between breakfast and lunch!

• Total distance: 12 km “7 miles” (approximately).

• Campsite altitude: 3,650 m “11,975 feet” (approximately).

DAY 3: PAKAYMAYU – CHAQUICOCHA – WIÑAYWAYNA 

You will wake up early on the third day of the Inca Trail ready for a full day of Inka culture because the day will be spent pass through numerous and amazing archeological sites. After another tasty breakfast we will hike for about fifty minutes to the second mountain pass of the trek: Runkurakay at 3,850 meters (12,360 ft.).  As we walk over the pass, we will visit the archeological site of the same name.  While we comprehend the astonishing Andean vistas of numerous snow-capped peaks, we will head down through the rugged high jungle and its renowned tropical hills.  Here we will visit the Sayacmarca archeological site and have lunch at Chaquicocha rest stop just minutes away.  After lunch we will set out for Phuyupatamarca the most famous archeological site on the classic Inka trail.  Your guide will be explaining the sites’ meaning throughout this day full of archeological wonders.  The last site of the day will be Wiñaywayna archeological site and rest stop, and the neighboring archeological site of Intipata, we will spend our last night of camping over a scrumptious farewell dinner.  

Be ready for cultural day.Wake up early morning after tasty breakfast we walk 50 minutes in order to get RUNKURAKAY pass (the second pass on the trail 3,850 meters, 12,361feets ) .We visit RUNKURAKAY during the way up. After taking fabolus vistas  of the area surrounded by any snow cappep peak mountains We head down through uneven upper jungle and its renowned jungle-clad hills, visiting SAYACMARCA  Arqueological site, Then we have lunch at CHAQUICOCHA that is 3 minutes from SAYACMARCA. After, we set out for PHUYUPATAMARCA Arqueolical site of the Inka Trail. There the Guide will tell you about the history of each place. After visiting we head to WIÑAYWAYNA where we will spend the last night, we have a farewell- dinner.

• Walking time: 8 hours (approximately).

• Total distance: 16 km (9 miles) (approximately).

• Campsite altitude: 2,650 m (8,694 ft.) (approximately).

DAY 4: WIÑAYWAYNA – INTIPUNKU – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO .

You will wake up on the fourth day ready to experience one of the seven Wonders of the Modern World, the Machupicchu Archeological Park.  Because you will be entering via the classic Inka Trail, you will have the exclusive pleasure of watching the sun rise from Intipunku ( “Gate of the Sun” in Quechua) at 2,700 meters, or 8,900 feet.   The latest archeological research stipulates that the “White Stone City” of the Inka was built during the reign of Pachaqutec, the Alexander the Great of ancient South America.  

You will have a guided walking tour for two hours throughout the ancient citadel, after which you will have free time to explore the vast city for yourself.  After you are ready to leave Machupicchu, you can take an eco-friendly bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machupicchu village.  Here you will have the opportunity to relax in the thermal springs the town is famous for and have dinner at many of the fine bars or restaurants in Aguas (both are optional and at your own expense).  At the end of the day we will take the train back to the Sacred Valley, where a private van will return you to the City of Cusco.  

Early  morning we hike to One of the New Seven Wonder of the World  where we will have a pleasure to watch day break over the White Stone city of the Incas Machupicchu from the INTIPUNKU (Sun Gate 2,700 meters). that based on Researchers was built during Pachacuteq´s Reign. We have a guided walk for two hours in the citalel of the Incas, then you will have spare time in order to dive yourself into Machupicchu. At the end of the visit take the train back to the Sacred Valley where you will be taken to Cusco.

• Walking time: 1-2 hours (approximately).

• Total distance: 6 km “3 miles” (approximately).

• Machupicchu Archeological site: 2,400 meters, or 7,800 feet.

REMINDERS: Any point of the itinerary could be changed or modified because of circumstances out of our control such as weather conditions, flight schedules, etc. 

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 WHAT´S INCLUDED:

• Pre-departure briefing.
• Private transport from Cusco to Km. 82.
• Official and licensed English-speaking Guide.
• 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners (hot drink every morning and afternoon).
• Boiled water during the trek.
• Every morning before beginning the hike. snacks are provided for you to enjoy during the trek 
• Porters (whose will carry our camping and cooking equipment). Reminder: You will need to carry your personal belongings, including your sleeping bag and roll pad mattress.   If need be, you may reserve an extra porter to carry your personal belongings for US$80 for the entire trek.  
• Roll pad mattress. Reminder: You may rent a self-inflating Therm-a-rest air mattress for US$15 for the entire trek!
• Travel-size pillows. 
• Travel-size thermal blankets for extra warmth.  
• All camping equipment.
• Entrance fee to the Inka Trail.
• Entrance fee to Machupicchu.
• Ecological bus Service from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu village).
• Train Service to return to Sacred Valley.
• Private transport from the Sacred Valley to Cusco.

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WHAT´S NOT INCLUDED

• The first breakfast in Ollantaytambo and the last meal at Aguas Calientes.
• A sleeping bag is not included with the package fee. Reminder: You may rent a down-feather sleeping bag for US$20 for the entire trek!
• Entrance fee to Huaynapicchu Mountain, the tall mountain towards the back of Machupicchu.  Reminder: This is optional and must be reserved before the trek because tickets to Huaynapicchu may only be purchased in the City of Cusco, not at Machupicchu.
• Extra money in Peruvian soles and US dollars (snacks, souvenirs, personal expenses). 
• Entrance to the thermal baths at Aguas Calientes (optional, 10 Peruvian soles).

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WHAT TO PACK

• Original Passport and ISIC student card (if applicable).
• Travel and Health Insurance (bring only copies with you).
• A backpack to carry your belongings.
• Trekking boots with ankle support.
• Trekking poles with rubber tips.
• Warm clothes layer for variable temperatures, especially at night.
• Thermal underwear.
• Gloves or mittens, scarf, wool socks, and a woolen hat for cold nights.
• T-shirts and trekking pants that zip off to shorts for comfort during the day.
• Head light or torch and extra batteries.
• Camera and extra batteries
• A hat with a broad visor to keep the sun off your face.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Rain jacket and rain poncho.
• Toilet paper, small towel.
• Insect repellent, with at least 15% DEET.
• Personal medicine kit.
• One 2-liter water bottle.
• Water purifying tablets.
• A bathing suit for the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes.
• Extra money, preferably in Peruvian soles.
• A sense of humor!