INCA TRAIL 5 DAYS


"Classic route to Machu Picchu"

Max Height

4,200 m

Trip Days

5 Days

Type

Trekking

Difficulty

Challenging

Starting From
USD .............
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is appraised among the best trekking trips on the planet due to the wonderful magnificence of its normal environment. It incorporates diverse natural zones from high betrays to the Andean tropical rain-timberland. Following this antiquated Inca Trail, we will stroll past strange archeological locales, half secured by the wilderness excess that appears as though you are finding them out of the blue, lastly touching base to the lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu. Our adventure is directed by experienced aides that will make your outing wonderful and safe. Our administration incorporates local "Quechua" doormen for your baggage and we will give tasty dinners amid the excursion. Extra additional night at Aguas Calientes for a more broad visit to Machu Picchu Citadel on the following day.
  • Day 1:

    Cusco – Ollantaytambo – KM 82 – Hatunchaca

    We will depart from Cusco at 5 a.m. in a private transport and head toward KM 82, the starting point of the Inca Trail. After this beautiful drive, your chef will prepare breakfast before you head out for the hike. We start our hike walking along the left shore of the Urubamba River, following the trail along a flat terrain, to the community of Miskay (2800 m /9184 ft). The first two hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site, Patallacta. This is an Inca checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu. After we arrive to Patallacta, we will make our way down into the canyon to enjoy lunch and the views of Patallacta. From Patallacta, we will continue on the trail at an easy pace, while enjoying the scenery and hearing stories from your tour guide. It's about a two hour walk to reach our camping site at the village of Hatunchaka (3,300 meters).
  • Day 2

    Hatunchaca – Dead Woman’s Pass – Pacaymayo

    We wake up early to begin our ascent to Dead Woman´s Pass. The views of the snow-capped mountains and the cloud forest are fantastic. This first stretch is the most difficult part of the trek. It consists of a steep ascent that stretches for nine kilometers, which will bring us to the first mountain pass in the Inca Trail, Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s pass). We will stop at Llulluchapampa to relax and to buy any last essentials. We may be able to see deer and falcons in this area. From Llulluchapampa, the landscape changes from cloud forest to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). We will have the chance to spot domesticated llamas and alpacas, who graze on ichu (one of the few plants that grow at that altitude). Following, it's a two hour walk up to the pass, where we can enjoy the beautiful panorama and a refreshing cup of coca tea. After we've made it to the pass, it's downhill for the rest of the day. After about two hours, we'll stop for lunch and have a free afternoon in the Pacaymayo valley.
  • Day 3

    Pacaymayo – Runcu Raccay Pass- Sayacmaraca Ruins – Phuyupatamarca

    After breakfast, we will continue our hike up the opposite side of the valley, as we make our way towards the second pass on the trek. Along the way, we will see fantastic views of waterfalls and flora and fauna. Half way up, we will stop and visit the Inca site of Runcu Raccay (an Inca watchtower), and to catch our breath before we continue our climb to the pass (4,000 meters). From the pass, we will once again begin our descent back into the cloud forest. After about an hour, we arrive at Sayacmarca, one of the most beautiful ruins on the Inca Trail, where we'll have a one hour, guided tour. From Sayacmarca, we will continue to our lunch spot at Chaquicocha (dry lake), where you will see some of the fantastic flora and fauna the Inca Trail has to offer. From Chaquicocha onwards, we will walk along Inca flat (gradual inclines), as we make our way towards our final campsite, Phuyupatamarca (3,680 meters). This area of the Inca Trail had stunning views of the Vilcabamba mountain range, as well as abundant flora and fauna. After another two hour walk, we'll arrive to our campsite, where we'll get our first view of Machu Picchu mountain and the Urubamba river. We'll settle in to our campsite, and have the chance to explore the Inca site. As the sun goes down, we can enjoy the beautiful sunset over the snow-capped peaks.
  • Day 4

    Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

    Today, we will have the chance to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises on the Inca Trail, weather permitting. After breakfast you´ll have a guided tour of Phuyupatamarca, and then we will start our way down the long descending stone steps. This will lead us to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m/8, 692 ft), which is where we will camp for the night. As we near the bottom of the staircase, we'll take a side path of the main route to visit the site of Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). This site has beautiful views of the Sacred Valley. It was an important agricultural site for Machu Picchu. We'll spend some time at Intipata, and then continue on to Wiñay Wayna. Wiñay Wayna is the biggest archaeological site on the Inca Trail, besides Machu Picchu. It consists of an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center, with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, offering spectacular views over the already narrower Urubamba River valley. After our visit, we will have our last lunch with the porters. Following, it is a tradition on the Inca Trail to have a thanking ceremony for all the hard work the porters and cooks have provided. If you wish, you may leave a tip for them, at this time. After we've said goodbye to our team, we will carry on to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we'll get our first views of Machu Picchu. It takes about an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones in the highland jungle to reach the Sun Gate. Following, it is about another hour down to the site itself. Upon arrival, we'll have a chance to enjoy the sunset and to see Machu Picchu without crowds, before taking the bus to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
    *Private groups can arrange to camp this evening, instead of staying at a hotel
  • Day 5

    The Most Important Day (The Lost City of The Incas) – Cusco

    We will wake up early and board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, to enjoy the sunrise at the citadel (if the weather allows). These buses are first come, first serve, starting at 5:30 a.m. You'll have a two hour tour of the Inca citadel, and then some free time to explore. If you have purchased permits for Huayna Picchu, your guide will show you where this climb begins. It will take you 45 minutes to the top and another 45 back down. This needs to be booked in advance, and costs $75 per person. When you are done with the citadel, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, and meet for our last lunch in town. Lunch with your group is optional and is not included in the trek cost. Following, you will take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private bus will be waiting to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.

  • Professional Guides
    All of our guides studied English and tourism at Cusco National University. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. They are fun yet professional and will ensure you are safe and happy.
  • Permits
    As soon as we receive your details and a deposit, we will purchase your permits (pending availability, check our Inca Trail Availability link). These permits are for a specific date and in your name. They can’t be changed, once confirmed. Only your passport number is allowed to be updated. The permit includes an entrance to Machu Picchu.
  • Briefing
    The night before your trek, you will come to our office for your briefing. You will receive your duffel bag that will stay with your porters, while you hike. This bag should not exceed 7kg/14 lbs and does need to include your sleeping bag and air mattress.
  • Porters
    We include a personal porter, who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this. You will not have access to your duffel bag until your evening campsite.
  • Transportation
    All your transportation is included in this trek. You will be picked up directly from your hotel around 4 a.m. (unless you are staying in Ollantaytambo) and brought to KM 82, to begin your trek. The train back from Aguas Calientes is included. This is Expedition class but can be upgraded to the Vistadome train for $75 per person. Once you arrive at the train station, you will be brought back to your hotel in Cusco. Your bus down ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is also included.
  • Equipment
    Cusco Explora has the best equipment. We use Eureka Timberline 4 tents that are shared by only two people. You will have a spacious dining tent to enjoy your meals in.
  • Food
    The Cusco Explora chefs cook delicious meals that many previous trekkers have raved about. We honor all food restrictions. Be sure to remind your tour guide of any food restrictions at the beginning of your trek. Food is typically served family-style.
    You will enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the trek, along with a happy hour of tea and snacks. You will also be provided a snack each morning, for you to enjoy along the hike. Your last meal with your chef will be after breakfast on day four. Lunch the last day is not included.
  • Water
    Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, Cusco Explora will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.
  • First Aid
    Every Cusco Explora guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training sessions every February, which every single Cusco Explora tour guide must attend. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. We will get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible, if needed, and ensure you get directly to a clinic for treatment.
  • Extras
    We believe it's the attention to small details that separates us from other tour companies. Every trekker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mattress for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking and a rain poncho. We will work hard to create your best vacation.
  • Satellite Phones
    Our top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While we are prepared and all our guides are trained for most of the issues clients have on the mountain, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital or friend helps everyone feel assured that they are safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach, so Cusco Explora has added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. And they can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they are not cheap to use, they are available just in case you need to check in on the puppy you left at home with grandma.
  • Rentals

    Every trekker needs a sleeping bag, when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional, but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent:

    Sleeping Bag: $25

    Inflatable Air Mattress: $20

    Walking Sticks (Pair): $20



    Huayna Picchu

    Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45 minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep, if you are scared of heights. This is done after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance, due to popularity. Please understand that weather is out of our control.
Trip Dates Availability Discount Price
12 July to 18 July 2017 Yes 3% USD ..... Book Now
12 July to 18 July 2017 No 3% USD ...... Book Now
12 July to 18 July 2017 Yes with Promotional Code USD ..... Book Now

  • Kim L. Burney

    "We did the Inca Jungle Machu Picchu trek and it was fantastic! The guides were lovely, fun and helpful and we got a very good price for the tour. There was no hidden costs, everything that was included was very clear and there was things like zip lining that were included in our tour which wasn't included on other peoples. Food and accommodation was good for the price as well. Would highly recommend this company!"

  • Shing Ch'in

    "I did the 5d/4n Salkantay Trek and the 3d/2n Manu Tour with Cusco Explora. They were very professional throughout the booking process and explained the itinerary of each day fully. They write down everything promised to you on the receipt. They were very honest about everything and I experienced no surprises through my travelling. The guides they set me up with were extremely competent and knowledgable."