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Complete Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 5 Days

Complete Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 5 Days

5 days

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Complete Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 5 Days

5 days
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The ingenuity of the Andean people is demonstrated by each step carved out of the granite rock following the steep geography of the Andes mountains in the Peruvian south-east.

Surrounded by Apus or guardian mountains, the Inka Pachakuteq built this magnificent Inka city, which was forgotten upon the arrival of the Spanish, until it was rediscovered by the explorer Hiram Bingham at the beginning of the last century.
Today, 100 years after the rediscovery of Machu Picchu, we will follow the Inka Trail to one of the most important cities of the fantastic Inka kingdom
 

Your adventure step by step

Day 1: Cuzco – Pisqaycucho - Huayllabamba

We leave the city of Cusco early heading into the Sacred Valley of the Inkas.  We will stop in the town of Ollantaytambo to do some last minute shopping, and then continue on to Piscacucho or Km 82 of the railroad to Machu Picchu, where we will register with the SHMP authorities.  We will then begin our trek along this beautiful path through the mountains of Cusco towards the sacred city of Machu Picchu. 
Our path will follow the flow of the Wilka Mayo River, also known as the Urubamba or Sacred River of the Inkas.  Then we will head uphill into the mountains to find the archaeological site of Llaqtapata, in a magnificent Inka location.  We keep following the Inka trail, appreciating the local flora we see along the way.  We will stop in Tarayoq (2670 masl / 8761 ft), to enjoy our lunch and to have a short rest.
We will resume our walk along a path skirting the mountains through a sculpted geography of granite rock.  Finally we arrive at our campsite in Huallabamba, where we will enjoy our dinner and spend the night.

Meals: lunch and dinner

 

  • Altitude Piscacucho: 2670 masl / 8761 ft
  • Distance: 6.83 km / 4.25 ml
  • Approximate walking time: 2:40 hrs
  • Altitude Tarayoq (lunch): 2670 masl / 8761 ft
  • Vertical variation: + 284 masl / + 933 ft
  • Distance: 4.06 km / 2.52 ml
  • Approximate walking time: 2:20 hrs
  • Altitude Huallabamba camping site: 2954 masl / 9694 ft

Total per day
Total distance: 
10.89 km / 6.77 ml
Approximate walking time: 5 hrs 
Maximum temperature: 25°C / 77°F
Minimum temperature: 15°C / 59°F
 

 

Day 2: Huayllabamba – Abra Warmi Wañusqa – Pacaymayo

After a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast, we begin our walk along the Inka Trail.  We will pass the highest point on the walk today, the mountain pass known as Warmi Wañuska where we will feel closer to the Andean sky.
We will begin our descent along this magnificent stone path to arrive at the campsite of Pacaymayo.  Here we will have dinner and spend the night.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

  • Altitude Huallabamba: 2954 masl / 9694 ft
  • Vertical variation: + 1272 masl / + 4172 ft
  • Distance: 4.65 km / 2.89 ml
  • Approximate walking time: 3:30 hrs
  • Altitude Warmi Wañuska Abra: 4226 masl / 13866 ft
  • Vertical variation:  - 599 masl / - 1966 ft
  • Distance: 2.45 km / 1.52 ml
  • Approximate walking time: 2 hrs    
  • Altitude Pacaymayo camping site: 3627 masl / 11900 ft

Total per day
Total distance:
7.10 km / 4.40 ml
Approximate walking time: 5:30 hrs
Maximum temperature: 25°C / 77°F
Minimum temperature: 0°C / 32°F
 

 

Day 3: Paqaymayo – Abra Runkuraqay – Phuyupatamarka

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we begin our walk towards the archaeological site of Runkurakay, nestled among steep peaks.
Continuing our walk uphill we reach the pass of Runkarakay, the last high altitude challenge on our trek to Machu Picchu.  We enjoy the ecological level known as Puna along this section of the trail, where the high altitude grass known as Ichu dominates the landscape and surrounds small Andean lakes.
On this trail we also find the archaeological sites of Sayaqmarka and Conchapata.
When we arrive at the campsite of Phuyupatamarka, we will enjoy our lunch, and then have a rest.  After resting we can visit the Phuyupatamarka lookout (just 5 minutes from the campsite) and enjoy the sunset amid imposing snow-capped peaks.  

Dinner and overnight.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

  • Altitude Pacaymayo: 3627 masl / 11900 ft
  • Vertical variation: + 347 masl / + 1139 ft
  • Distance: 1.46 km / 0.91 ml
  • Approximate walking time: 1:40 hrs
  • Altitude Runkurakay Abra: 3974 masl / 13039 ft
  • Vertical variation: - 286 masl / - 939 ft
  • Distance: 4.76 km / 2.95 ml
  • Approximate walking time: 4:20 hrs
  • Altitude Phuyupatamarka: 3688 masl / 12100 ft

Total per day
Total distance: 
6.22 km / 3.87 ml
Approximate walking time: 6 hrs
Maximum temperature: 25°C / 77°F
Minimum temperature: 0°C / 32°F
 

 

Day 4: Phuyupatamarka – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

We will leave after breakfast to visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarka which has a view of the back of the Machu Picchu mountain.
Continuing along this incredible Inka trail, we find ourselves surrounded by native vegetation from the high jungle of the Eastern Andes of Peru.  
Our path takes us the site of Wiñay Wayna, now we are getting close to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.
A short descent along the trail takes us to the Inti Punku and our magnificent first glimpse of the legendary lost city of the Inkas.  We will cross Machu Picchu to take our transport down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where after checking into our hotels, we will have a well-earned rest.

Meals: breakfast and lunch

 

  • Altitude Phuyupatamarka: 3688 masl / 12100 ft
  • Vertical variation: - 959 masl / - 3156 ft
  • Distance: 4.71 km / 2.93 ml
  • Approximate walking time: 3 hrs
  • Altitude Wiñay Wayna: 2729 masl / 8954 ft
  • Vertical variation: + 3 masl / + 10 ft    
  • Distance: 2.57 km / 1.60 ml
  • Approximate walking time: 1:30 hrs    
  • Altitude Inti Punku: 2732 masl / 8964 ft
  • Vertical variation: - 332 masl / - 1089 ft
  • Altitude Machu Picchu: 2400 masl / 7873 ft
  • Vertical variation: - 312 masl / 1023 ft (bus)
  • Altitude Aguas Calientes: 2088 masl / 6850 ft

Total per day
Distance:  
7.29 km / 4.53 ml (to Inti Punku)
Approximate walking time: 4:30 hrs (to Inti Punku)
Maximum temperature: 25°C / 77°F
Minimum temperature: 15°C / 59°F

 

Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cuzco

After breakfast we take the bus up to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu to begin our tour of this important historical sanctuary.
The geographical location of this important site is impressive.  Located in the cloud forest ecological level, we can appreciate the skill developed by the Inkas to dominate this difficult environment.
Here we can see the most important site developed by the Inkas, finding observatories, temples, water fountains and sun dials, the fine Stone-work standing out in a wide variety of architectonic styles.
After our tour we will have lunch and then return to Cusco.  We will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy, where our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.

Meals: lunch

  • Altitude Aguas Calientes:        2088 masl / 6850 ft
  • Vertical variation: + 312 masl / + 1023 ft (bus)
  • Altitude Machu Picchu: 2400 masl / 7873 ft  (guided tour)
  • Vertical variation: - 312 masl / - 1023 ft (bus)
  • Altitude Aguas Calientes: 2088 masl / 6850 ft
  • Vertical variation: + 1312 masl /+ 4304 ft (bus)
  • Altitude Cusco: 3400 masl / 11154 ft
  • Maximum temperature: 25°C / 77°F
  • Minimum temperature: 10°C / 50°F

 

  • Private tourist transportation Cusco - Km 82
  • English – Spanish speaking guide for 5 days
  • Guided assistance (up to 9 passengers)
  • Sleeping bag per person (- 8 °C. - Summit – Doite - Mommy shape) our bags are cleaned after every use. Weight:  2 kg (4.40 pounds)
  • Sleeping liner
  • Self- inflating mattresses (Model Therm A Rest)
  • Cook and assistance
  • Cooking equipment
  • Snacks 
  • Daily tea service
  • Dining equipment including chairs and tables 
  • Portable environmental toilet (The Pett)
  • Food service in the campsites (3 breakfast,  4 lunches, 3 dinners, 4 snacks) – nutritionally balanced menu
  • Lunch on the 5th day at Sanctuary Lodge Hotel
  • 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 authorised by the INC. (To carry our camping equipment and up to 6 kgs (13.23 pounds) per passenger including sleeping bag (2 kgs – 4.40 pounds) 
  • Inka Trail entrance fee, valid for 4 days
  • Inka Trail entrance fee for porters
  • Visit to Machu Picchu on the 5th day – Entrance fee part of the entrance fee to the Inca Trail
  • Camping equipment and basic field equipment for our porters
  • Down bus ticket for passenger – 4th day
  • Down bus ticket for guide – 4th day
  • Round trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu for passenger – 5th day
  • Round trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu for guide – 5th day
  • Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco
  • A Pachatusantrek kit with 100% biodegradable products (toiletries)
  • First-aid kit
  • Emergency oxygen bottle
  • The loan of a waterproof Pachatusantrek bag to carry personal belongings
  • Insurance policy for our porters 
  • Pre trek informative briefing 

Services not included

  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Breakfast – Day 1
  • Dinner -  Day 4
  • Breakfast – Day 5
  • Walking sticks
  • Extra expenses
  • Not detailed meals
  • Excess baggage, if any passengers wish to take more than the limit of 6 kg (13.23 pounds) per person, they will be required to pay the cost of an extra porter.
  • Tips (optional)

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

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.

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