CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4DAYS-3NIGHTS

OVERVIEW

The legendary Inka Trail or Qapaq Ñam crossed South America from Quito in Ecuador all the way to La Paz in Bolivia, traversing the Andes mountain range. The section of this trail that we will cover will take us to the magnificent sacred city of Machu Picchu, in a trip where history, geography, local flora and the environment will fill our senses and take our breath away. With each step we will appreciate the ingenuity of the Andean people, to survive in this harsh environment and to work the granite rock forming this incredible path through the mountains. Leaving behind them evidence of their greatness.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Pisqaycucho – Huayllabamba

We leave the city of Cusco behind us and begin our trip into the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, following the river downstream to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we will stop to stock up on some last minute supplies, before continuing on to Km 82 of the railroad to Machu Picchu.  In this area, also known as Piscacucho, we will register with the SHMP authorities, as we will be entering the famous Qapaq Ñam or Great Inca Trail.

We begin our trek following the Wilka Mayu or Rio Sagrado (Sacred River) downstream to get inside the mountains, where we will find archaeological remains, such as Llaqtapata for example, left by the Inkas on their path to the sacred city of Machu Picchu.  We will walk through different ecological levels allowing us to observe a variety of local flora and fauna, which were used by the Inkas in different ways.  We will stop to enjoy our lunch on the way.
Continuing our trek to Huallabamba we arrive at our campsite, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Meals: lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 2954 masl / 9694 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 2670 masl / 8761 ft 
Distance Travelled: 10.89 km / 6.77 ml 
Approximate Walking Time: 5 hours   

Day 2: Huayllabamba – Abra Warmi Wañusqa – Pacaymayo

We leave our campsite, ready to face our first high altitude challenge – the Warmi Wañuska pass.  On our way we will appreciate the different ecological levels which dominated the Inka world and led them to build this marvellous path.  

From the pass we will be able to see the magnificent geography of the Southern Andes, and we will stop a moment to rest and appreciate the view.  Then following a beautiful path we will make our way down to our campsite at Pacamayo, where we will eat and spend the night.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 4226 masl / 13866 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 2954 masl / 9694 ft 
Distance Travelled: 7.10 km / 4.40 ml 
Approximate Walking Time: 5.30 hours  

Day 3: Paqaymayo – Abra Runkuraqay – Phuyupatamarka

Early in the morning we will leave our campsite to complete our second high altitude challenge, the Runkurakay pass; but first we will pass through an archaeological site of the same name, which will surprise us with its beauty and simplicity.

The path up to the high pass will take us through a beautiful high-Andean landscape, where the main ecological level is “Quechua”.  Small lakes surround our path in this part of the trail.

After the pass, we will descend to a lower ecological level, observing the challenging environment which the Andean people had to overcome to develop their civilization. When we arrive at Phuyupatamarka we can visit the lookout, where we will be met by a powerful landscape, surrounded by sacred mountains including the back of the Machu Picchu mountain.  

Once we have settled into our campsite we will enjoy a well-deserved rest.  Dinner and overnight.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 3974 masl / 13039 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 2729 masl / 8954 ft 
Distance Travelled: 10.94 km / 6.80 ml 
Approximate Walking Time: 8.40 hours 

Day 4: PHUYUPATAMARCA – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

After breakfast, we will visit the small but complex archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, to later follow the Stone path to the lunch place at Wiñay Wayna.

This was an archaeological site where Andean people developed their highest level of intellect and wisdom, building here their greatest work. Temples, water fountains, astrological observatories, places of worship, places to study; all provide evidence of what this marvellous place used to be, filling it with a special magic and spirit.
Without a doubt, Machu Picchu was the heart of Andean civilisation under Inca rule.

After this fantastic adventure we will return to the city of Cusco, Capital of the Inka kingdom.
We will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy Station, where our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.

Meals: breakfast

Maximum Altitude: 2732 masl / 8964 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 2088 masl / 6850 ft 
Distance Travelled: 7.29 km / 4.53 ml 
Approximate Walking Time: 4 hours

PRICE

Group Service – Price per Person
1	2	3	4 – 10
USD 2890	USD 1840	USD 1620	USD 1400
Private Service – Price per Person
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
USD 3760	USD 2375	USD 2030	USD 1865	USD 1695	USD 1645	USD 1515	USD 1515	USD 1490	USD 1430

Services included

• Tourist transportation Cusco –  Km 82
• English – Spanish speaking guide for 4 days
• Guided assistance (up to 9 passengers)
• Sleeping bag per person (-10 ºC – Summit – Doite) our sleeping bags are cleaned after every use – available in private service
• Sleeping liner – available in private service
• Pillow – available in private service
• Inflatable sleeping pad (Therm A Rest) – available in private service
• Cook and assistance
• Cooking equipment
• Snacks
• Daily tea service
• Dining equipment including chairs and tables (Travel Chair)
• Cooking, eating and bathroom (The Pett) tents
• Portable environmental toilet (The Pett)
• Food service in the campsites (3 breakfast,  3 lunches, 3 dinners, 4 snacks) – nutritionally balanced menu
• Vegetarian menu at no extra cost
• Personal trekking food  – nutritionally balanced menu
• Two person tents (3-people capacity tent used as doubles – National Geographic – Tacoma III)
• Single tents available for extra cost (USD$ 15.00 per night)
• Porter Service. As detailed in the table authorized by the INC. (To carry our camping equipment and up to 6 kg (13 pounds) per passenger including sleeping bag (2 kg – 440 pounds)
• Inca Trail entrance fee, valid for 4 days
• Inca Trail entrance fee for porters
• Visit to Machu Picchu on the 4th day
• Camping equipment and basic field equipment for our porters
• Down bus ticket for passenger – 4th day
• Down bus ticket for guide – 4th day
• Lunch 4th day – available in private service
• Return train ticket to Poroy – Expedition/ Transportation from Poroy train station to Cusco
• First-aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle
• One Pachatusantrek kit of 100% biodegradable products (toiletries) – available in private service The loan of a waterproof Pachatusantrek bag to carry personal belongings
• Pre trek informative briefing
• Insurance policy for our porters

Services not included

• Extra food
• Optional tip for field staff
• Extra costs
• Evacuation costs
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes

DETAILS

We recommend that you bring

• Water-resistant trekking shoes and sandals
• Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
• Waterproof clothing (poncho)
• Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts)
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Sun cream and insect repellent
• Water bottles such as Nalgene
• Basic medications
• Walking sticks
• Swimsuit and towel
• Personal items
• Personal snacks
• Previous acclimatization in Cuzco city, for at least 2 days and general good health. Pachatusantrek offers easy one day and half day routes which can be completed before the main trek
• DNI / Original Passport

Please note

• For the group prices
• We apply the 4 – 10 range price when we open a group
• We need 4 persons to open one group
• In case you are less number of persons and there is no any group open we will apply the price according to the number of persons.

Camping equipment for rent

• Please check the difference between a group and a private service
• Group service does not include the following services
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping liner
• Pillow
• Inflatable sleeping pad
• Transportation of your personal belongings
• Pachatusantrek biodegradable toiletries, please ask for our camping equipment and extra services to rent.

Important Environmental Note

Pachatusantrek is committed to following the principles of ecotourism in our operations, and request the understanding and cooperation of trekkers, especially by not contaminating the waters and in the adequate disposal of non-biodegradable waste.  We must also respect the customs and traditions of the local people.