Inca Trail (5 days, 4 nights)
(Private service only)

During this tour, you will have more time to 'take it easy' and explore the Inca Trail (Inca Sites, flora, bird-watching etc.). You camp in places behind the normal campsites, where fewer people camp and as you are camping at higher altitudes, the views of mountains and sunrises are amazing. (Please note that due to the higher altitudes, these campsites are a little colder than those on the 4 day Inca Trail.)

This tour is suitable for older people, families with children or anyone who wants to walk a little bit more leisurely.

See what other travellers think/say about us:

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Click here to see our departure dates in 2010

Private servive also means  special treatment for your porters!

ITINERARY:

 The night before your trek there will be a pre-trek talk (brieffing) in our office at either 6 or 7pm (exact time will be confirmed).

Day 1 - Warming Up!

Today we pick you up from your hotel at 7am (click here see the Time in Peru) and travel by bus to Piskacucho (you will hear this be called kilometre 82) where the trail starts.

On arrival at kilometre 82, it is necessary to show entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) student card. To start the Inca Trail (2720m/8923ft), we cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. This first day will be relatively easy (Inca flat!!). We will go to the Inca Fortress of ('Huillca Raccay') from where we will have great views of the area where we are going to camp. Then we will walk down to the vast Inca site - 'Llactapata' (sometimes called 'Patallacta') where we will spend the night (2620m/8595ft).

Day 2 - Off the Beaten Track!

Today we will wake up at 7am and after breakfast we will start walking towards the village of Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft).

Here we will take a fork-off the 'beaten track' in order to see the beautiful and least-visited sight on the trail, the Inca fort of 'Paucarcancha'. After seeing this we will walk back down to Wayllabamba village for lunch. We will finally take a 3-4 hour walk uphill (800m/2624ft) to reach our second campsite (3800m/12467ft) - 2 hours from Abra de Huarmihuañusca/'Dead Woman's Pass'.

Day 3 - Beautiful Views!

This day will be our longest day as we will walk 16 kilometres and go over the 2 highest passes on the trail. After breakfast we will continue our walk uphill from the previous day to reach Abra de Huarmihuañusca/'Dead Woman's Pass' (4200m/13779ft), the highest point on the trail. After this, we will walk down to the valley where we will have lunch. This is followed by an ascent to the circular Inca fortress of 'Runkurakay' and then to the second pass of the same name (4000m/13123ft).

We will then begin our walk down to the campsite, visiting the lovely Inca site of 'Sayacmarca' ( 'High Rising Town') on the way. Our campsite (3680m/12073ft) is located an hour and a half walk from this site, on the third pass, Phuyupatamarka.

Day 4 - Incredible Incas!

Today will be the most extraordinary day of the trek. We will visit lots of Inca sites along the way; 'Phuyupatamarka', 'Intipata' ('Sun Site') and the most beautiful on the trail 'Wiñay Wayna' ('Forever Young'). Finally we will see Machu Picchu! We will pass through the ancient Inca site before arriving at our campsite which is down in the valley of Machu Picchu. We will have an early night in order to prepare ourselves to properly explore the mysterious city tomorrow!

If desired, we can arrange hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (town near the campsite). You can also go the thermal springs in this town - a real treat after finishing the trail!!!

Day 5 - Sunrise at Machu Picchu!

We will have breakfast at 5.45am then catch the first bus to Machu Picchu (15-minute ride) in order to appreciate the magnificent sunrise over the city.

A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) will be given by your guide and after this you can explore the remarkable city by yourselves. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8923ft)!!! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top.

You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. The train usually leaves at 3.55pm and we will arrive back in Cusco at about 8.45pm.

Trek Dificulty level:

Please Note:Dificulty level depends very much on your fitness and aclimatization.

http://www.llamapath.com/trekking-tips.htm

Includes:

• Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
• Assistant Guide (for groups of 9 or more people)
• Collection from hotel and train station
• 2 bus tickets (From/to aguas calientes on day 5)
• Transportation (tourist bus to kilometre 82 and tourist train* back to Cusco)
• Entrance fee to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
• *4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 afternoon snacks, 4 dinners and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day (breakfast on day 1 and lunch in Aguas Calientes are not included)
• Duffle bag (to put 7 kilos of personal belongings)
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Cook
• Drinking water
• 4 man tent is provided for 2 people only.
• Sleeping mattress
• Porters (they will carry duffle bags, camping and cooking equipment)
• 0xygen bottle
• First Aid kit

What you need to take:

• Original passport (and **International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
• Travel Insurance is essential
• Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired from us)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Warm jacket, hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Hand sanitizer
• Sun hat
• Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags.
• Water (only for first 4 hours of trek, then we will provide you with drinking -previously boiled- water)
• Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Torch with spare batteries

* Train included in all tours is the Cerrojo backpacker (to/from Ollanta) Train times will only be confirmed close to the time of the trek.

Please Note: train times are subject to change depending on Peru rail timestable and availability.If organized in advance, the train can be upgraded to Vistadome (larger windows than the backpaker cerrojo train) for an increased price.

**To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a valid ISIC card scanned and e-mailed to us

Optional items to take:

• Shorts
• Walking stick (with rubber tip)
• Plasters and bandages
• Sandals
• Extra money
• Bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes)

Please check our Terms and Conditions.

***Before Booking: make sure your preferred departure date and back up date are available.

Click here to see Inca Trail availability

Expected Weather in Cusco and Inca Trail

In Cusco dry season starts in April to October, the days are usually sunny and hot but temperatures drop abruptly after 5-6 pm until 7-8 am.

Weather is very changeable from November to March and heavy rains are expected being the wettest month December to March although is not as cold as it is in the dry season.

Please note: Temperatures are for the Valley of Cusco at 3400masl. And temperatures change depending on the altitude (higher altitude = colder) Also note that it could be a bit more wet on the 3rd and 4 day of the Inca Trail (cloud forest regions).