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Inca Trail 4 days

The Inca Trail 4 days is one of the most breathtaking classic tours in the world. Adventurous trekkers, follow the footsteps of the

Incas on this treck to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. The extraordinary ancient Inca trail, paved with stones, will have you pass through stairs, tunnels, bridges crossing deep gorges and traversing cold Andean altitudes and tropical forests. Along the route you will enjoy more than 250 species of rare colorful orchids, as well as many species of endangered wildlife. Feel the excitement and thrill once you enter the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) and catch a glimpse of the immense and sacred Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Take the classic, yet extraordinary pictures from this point of the archaeological complex, once covered by lush vegetation and never discovered by the Spanish. Every trekker will have the impression of re-discovering this amazing paradise. You will then be able to walk through the sacred temples, around the burial grounds; admire the quality of work of granite stones and its brilliant structures constructed by these amazing engineers: the Inca. Live the mystery of the grandeur of this place of Machu Picchu Sanctuary.

OVERVIEW

Overview - Inca Trail 4 Days:

Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Starting Point: Piscacucho - km. 82.
Ending Point: Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu/Cusco
Physical Demand Rating: Moderate - Demanding.
Age Restriction: 12-year old and older only.
Tour Type: Trekking.
Accommodations: 3 nights camping.
Service Level: Standard - Luxury.
Guarantee: Satisfaction and Safety.
Style: Personalized - Active.
Carbon Emissions: 360 CO2-E.
Group Size: 2 min., 10 max. - Small Groups
Transport: Train, Walk, Mini-van.
Price: 789 US$

Inca Trail Day-By-Day Summary

Day 01 - Cusco - Kilometer 82 to Ayapa
Trek length: 7.8 miles (5-7 hrs) Camp elevation: 9,691 ft
02 - Hiking Huayllabamba to Pacaymayo
Trek length: 5.1 miles (5-7 hrs) Camp elevation: 11,833 ft
Trek high point: Dead Woman's Pass (13,776 ft)

Day 03 - Hiking Pacaymayo to Phuyupatamarca
Trek length: 4.5 miles (4-6 hrs); Camp elevation: 12,067 ft
Day 04 - Hiking Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu
Trek length: 6.9 miles (5-7 hrs); Machu Picchu : 7,875 ft

Important information regarding new Inca Trail regulations !
We recommend that you make your trek booking at least 5 months in advance to secure your departure date because permits sell out at least 4 months in advance. The government has strictly limited the number of people permitted on this trek to 500 people each day including the porters, cooks and guides. So, if you are sure about your hike departure date, send us an E-mail to check the trek availability dates first.

ITINERARY

Inca Trail Itinerary:

Day 01: Cusco - Piscacucho km. 82 – Llactapata – Ayapata

(5:00-5:30am. Cusco Hotels) The Qeros Tours Team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco or Sacred Valley in our private van.

(6:30-7:00am. Sacred Valley Hotels) We will then drive to Km 82, our private van normally stops at the town of Ollantaytambo for about 45 minutes to have breakfast, get energy drinks, snacks or any essential you may need (batteries you may have forgotten for example). Arriving at km 82, we will go through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek (please, make sure you have your original passport with you to enter the Inca Trail).

In the first two hours we make our way to our first Inca site, Patallacta: an ancient Inca checkpoint for the approach of Machu Picchu. From Patallacta, another 2-hour hike will take you to our lunch stop.

After lunch, we will hike for another 2½ hours until we reach the first night’s campsite in Ayapata (3,300m.a.s.l) at approximately 5pm, to allow you to settle in for a bit, relax and have a hot drink and snacks with your team of porters, chef and guide.

By 6:30pm, your dinner will be ready and the Guide will present our plans for the next great day. Have a good night!

The first day of the trek is relatively easy and serves as training for the days to follow.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner.
Total distance: 12 km. (7,47 miles).
Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours.
Maximum altitude: 3,300 m. (9,840 ft).

Day 02: Ayapata – Dead Woman Pass – Pacaymayu - Chaquiccocha

The Qeros Tours Team will wake you up early with a cup of coca tea and breakfast to get you ready for the most difficult day of the trail. We will start early and hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek: Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 meters/13,829 feet), where we will enjoy a short break to enjoy the amazing scenery before setting off again.

During this part of the trail, hikers are exposed to the Andean elements: first scorching sun and then, closer to the pass, freezing winds. Once at the top, hikers can celebrate having completed the most difficult section of the trail, and now descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). Another one and a half hour, down the side of the valley willl take you to our lunch spot and a chance to refill your water bottles.

After lunch, we begin ascending again (for approx. 2hours) to the second pass of the trek. On the way, we will stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay). An hour of downhill hike after the pass to reach another magnificent Inca site: Sayacmarca. 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. Your second campsite, Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters), is only 30 minutes, away. After dinner we will plan the next day with the guide, if you are not too exhausted, starwatching is fascinating in this area of clear skies: observe the Inca constellations.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Total distance: 11 km. (6,84 miles).
Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours.
Maximum altitude: 4,200 m. (13,776 ft).

Day 03: Chaquiccocha to Wiñaywayna

Once again, we begin early, 6:30am, to start the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. From now on, the route becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders and you begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest. You will have the opportunity to observe the majestic Salkantay peak, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the area, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flats, we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3,600 meters) from where we’ll have great views of the Urubamba River. A 3 hours walk down a flight of steps later, arrive at our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). During the descent we visit 2 Inca ruins: Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We arrive at our campsite around 1pm to have lunch and then relax for the entire afternoon, so that you’re relaxed and ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. At around 4pm, our guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek. The ruins comprise magnificent agricultural terraces set in an impressive location. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10 baths, suggesting that the site was probably a religious centre associated with the worship of water. Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the trail to Machu Picchu.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Total distance: 16 km. (9,94 miles).
Estimated walking time: 8 hours.
Maximum altitude: 3,950 m. (12,792 ft).

Day 04: Wiñaywayna to Machu Picchu/Return to Cusco

Our team wakes you up at 3:30am for breakfast, to head off on the trail by 5:30am and get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. Wave goodbye to our team of Chef and porters, and “forward on” to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here, we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory. We reach the Sun Gate by 6:30am and just an hour later, the Machu Picchu Citadel. As we approach Machu Picchu, the views of the city just get better and better, and you'll have plenty of time to take photos of Machu Picchu from the classic viewpoint. At about 7:50am, we will reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hour private guided tour. After the tour, our guide will provide every trekker with the bus tickets to Aguas Calientes, and you will have plenty of free time to explore on your own the Inca citadel or climb the Wayna Picchu peak. Our guide will offer to meet you down in the village of Aguas Calientes to enjoy your last lunch in a local restaurant. This is optional and is not included. Before lunch, he will hand out train tickets to return to Ollantaytambo, and then on to Cusco. Please, make sure you are on the train station at least 30 minutes ahead of time. The train ride to Ollantaytambo is approx. 2 hours in duration. At your arrival, a Qeros Tours Transfer will meet you and drive you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private van.

Important Note for the Huayna Picchu climb: if you booked the Inca trail trek including this additional short hike in the Machu Picchu area, you need to ask to our guide to provide you facilities and help.
The Huayna Picchu permit needs to be booked well in advance (several months), and its not included on the trek.

Suggestions:

Take the bus (departures every 15 min.) to Aguas Calientes, at no later than 3pm (assuming that train departs at 15:55). You must be at the train station 30 minutes prior to departure.
Check with your guide for train schedules, so you can have time to visit Wayna Picchu (climb/descend 1hr, 45 min.), explore Machu Picchu, dip in thermal waters, or have lunch before departure from Aguas Calientes.

Total distance: 5 km. (2,55 miles).
Meals included: Breakfast.
Estimated walking time: 2 hours.
Maximum altitude: 2,700 m. (8,829 ft).

Very important Note:
The above trek itinerary is typical of the majority of our services on this 4-day trek. However, campsites used during the trek may be subject to change depending on availability of spaces as issued by the UGM (government authorities controlling access to the Inca Trail). The UGM is responsible for allocating campsites to the various trekking companies. Although we try to make Wiñaywayna our last campsite (from here, a 2-hour hike to Machu Picchu) it is not guaranteed as on occasions we have been allocated space at Phuyupatamarka (nearly 5 hours from Machu Picchu). These matters, unfortunately beyond our control, apply to all trekking companies and travel operators.

INCLUSIONS

Inca Trail Inclusions

Group Service includes:

Pre-departure briefing.
Pick-up from your hotel on the first day.
Private bus to the start of the trail.
Inca Trail & Machu Picchu entrance fees.
English-speaking professional guide (two guides for groups of over 8 people).
4-person Dome Igloo tents (2 persons per tent with plenty of space for your backpacks).
Double thickness foam sleeping mattress.
Cooking equipment and experienced cook
Meals: (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners) - food includes pancakes, omelettes, soups, fresh fruits, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking; hot drinks including: coca leaf tea, which is excellent for altitude sickness. Teatime everyday (tea, coffee, biscuits, pop-corn).
Porters (to carry the tents, food & cooking equipment), Dining tent, Kitchen tent.
Accommodation for our porters and cooks.
First-aid kit, including emergency Oxygen bottle.
Bus from Machu Picchu complex down to the village of Aguas Calientes, tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Backpacker/'Cerrojo').
Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
Free transfer from/to the local airport if requested.
The price of the trek includes all local sales taxes.

Services Not included:

Porter to carry your clothing, sleeping bag, etc. You can hire your personal porter (6 kg) for US$ 55 per person and a third porter (maximum 9 kg/20 lb per person) for an additional US$ 40. We will provide you with a lockable porter bag to safeguard your equipment, but you will need to supply the small padlock).
Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer an early morning breakfast service. If not, we stop in Ollantaytambo on the way to the start of the trek, where you'll have the opportunity to buy breakfast.
Entrance ticket to Wayna Picchu (Optional).
Meal (lunch) in restaurant in Aguas Calientes on the final day.
Upgrade your train service to VistaDome (First Class) - additional US$ 40.
Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes (optional) - US$ 3.
Sleeping bags can be rented from our office for the 4-day trek for US$ 20 per person (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use), all sleeping bags are synthetic (easy-to-wash). Weight: 2,5kg; rated to -12 degrees below freezing.
Extra night in Aguas Calientes, along with accommodation, meals, entrance fees, bus tickets, etc. are not included (we can make all the arrangements at an additional cost. Please, let us know at the time of booking or at least 1 week before the trek, so we can change the train departure date).
Additional nights in case of bad weather / flight delays or cancellations.
Alcoholic beverages.
Personal expenditures: laundry, phone calls, etc.
Travel insurance.
Personal equipment.
Gratuities, extras, tips, etc.

PRICES

TRIP NOTES

What you need to take on the Inca Trail ?

Original passport.
Original International Student Identity Card (in case of student discount).
Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites).
Small towel.
Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
Cash in Soles and/or US $.
A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.
Rain gear (jacket & pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco).
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp.
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
Flashlight/headlamp and extra batteries.
Camera, films and extra batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold weather).
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain, wind & cold.
Sunblock.
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face & body.
Insect repellent – minimum recommended 25% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported.
Handkerchiefs.
Toilet paper.
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, Muesli, etc.
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the day.
Optionally: water-sterilizing tablets or pump, in case you pick up water from streams/rivers along the route.
Personal medication.

Step 1: Ensure you are making your reservation in advance and Check Online for the Inca Trail availability dates.

If you are sure about your trek departure date, send us an E-mail

Check Online for the availability

Step 2: Fill-in a Reservation Form for every person

E-mail it to us (cut out the following information, paste it into your email and fill in the missing details). Details should be filled in for each group member. Please, do not make a reservation until you have all the details below. We cannot accept a booking without all the names, nationalities, passport numbers, genders and ages. We can only guarantee your reservation after receiving the payment deposit and each person's information, and if applicable, your ISIC student card and other details by E-mail.

'Exactly as indicated in your valid passport, reservations can only be confirmed without exception'.Fill out the form with personal details and tour details.

Environmental Impact:

Qeros Tours Peru's Team is a supporter of environmental conservation. We operate with a minimal impact policy on our Peruvian trips. This can include different cooking methods, packing out the group waste, taking less invasive routes and never building fires at our campsites. All the guides work together to minimize the group's impact and will speak about the local environment and some of its challenges and threats.

Community Projects:
The vision and purpose of Qeros Tours Peru is to promote and sustain the Andean Cosmovision, the indigenous identity & culture of the Q’eros native people of Peru for the next generations. Our primary goal is to bring life-sustaining relief to the Q’eros People.