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Inca Trail 4d/3n

This is the classic four-day trek along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.This magnificent hike is for travelers who are in condition to hike up to ten hours, with breaks, in a single day. The pace may be daunting for some, but the beauty and history of the area surround the hiker every step of the way. On the last morning we arrive at Machu Picchu with plenty of time to explore the ruins before returning to Cusco by train.

Program itinerary

Day 1: Cuzco - Piskakucho (Km. 82) – Huayllabamba

A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 of the Machu Picchu railroad. After getting acquainted with our trail crew we set out, crossing a footbridge to hike a gentle two hours down the Urubamba canyon, and then visit imposing sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. We then climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Huayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we camp.

Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayo

We climb the steep-sided Llullucha valley past a rushing stream and through enchanted native polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the puna, the treeless grasslands of the high Andes. The trail traverses an open slope opposite mighty mountain crags as we ascend to the first and highest pass, Warmiwañusca (4,200m/13,776ft). Here we encounter spectacular views of the trail ahead to the second pass, and look back to the sweeping snowpeaks and valleys of the Huayanay massif.
The trail to the floor of the forested Pacaymayo valley, where we make camp

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Wiñay Wayna

We pick up an Inca stairway and ascend again past the small Inca site of Runkuracay. As we reach the second pass, the landscape opens onto spectacular new views to the snowpeaks of the Pumasillo range. We descend to the ruins of Sayacmarca (Inaccessible Town), an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley. The Inca trail, now a massive buttressed structure of granite paving stones, continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns. At the third pass pinnacles topped with Inca viewing platforms overlook the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town).

Pausing to explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways that spillins down the mountainside here, we begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us finally to our camp by the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu - Cusco

An early morning hike takes us across a steep mountainside through lush, humid cloud-forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry –a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu.

We complete the final leg down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings and into the heart of Machu Picchu, where we spend the rest of the morning with a guided tour of the highlights and some individual exploring among Machu Picchu’s multitude of hidden nooks and corners. In the early afternoon a bus takes us to the small town of Aguas Calientes, where we board our return train to Cusco.

Meals: breakfast and lunch

Services included

• Transportation to and from the city of departure
• A predeparture information meeting and valuable Inca Trail map
• Overnight in new The North face tents including comfortable sleeping pad
• A duffle bag to store your luggage during the trek (please return upon your arrival in Cusco)
• Train ticket back to Cusco (Vista dome)
• Meals according to the itinerary and a last lunch in a restaurant before returning to Cusco
• Bottled water to refill your canteen
• The accompanying staff includes bilingual guide on the trek and in Machu Picchu equipped with a first aid kit, an oxygen tank, and excellent cartographies
• Porters
• Kitchen crew
• Commissary gear.

Services not included

• Meals in the cities
• Alcoholic beverages
• Extras
• Tips
• Taxes
• Laundry service
• Additional tours
• Insurance and airline tickets (where applicable)
• Sleeping bags
• Hiking boots and other personal gear or items
• Entrance fee to Inca Trail USD$ 95.00 per person.

We recommend that you bring

• A small day pack to carry your sunglasses, sun hat, sun and insect lotion, camera, water bottle, a wind jacket and rain gear
• Sleeping bag
• One complete change of clothing per day (trousers, socks, T-shirts, and underwear)
• Sweater and jacket for cool days or nights, gloves and winter hat recommended
• Warm sweat pants for evening around camp and in tent
• Trekking shoes (please break them in well ahead of time), a pair of sneakers to hang out around camp and a pair of flip flops if you choose to take a shower on the last night in Wiñayhuaina. Coramina (Glucose)
• Original passport
• A flashlight and batteries
• Personal toiletries and medications
• Medium sized towel
• Peruvian currency (soles) for tips and small purchases along the way (cold colas, shower fee for last night in Wiñay Wayna, etc)
• Camera gear (ASA 50, 100 and 200 recommended), with enough charge/battery power for the duration of the hike
• Original passport or ID card

Please note

• Note: park authorities may occasionally designate different campsites than those indicate

More information

In each booking please indicate the following information:

• Complete name of the passengers, gender, age and date of birth. IMPORTANT: the names provided must be the same as shown on passport
• Passport number and Nationality.
• Occupation.
• Any special food requirements (Vegetarian, low salt, low fat, diabetic or other)
• Any special medical requirements.
• Any special interest (birds, plants, stars, etc)
• PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING.

Booking and information

• Booking and information

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.

“With the protection of mother earth and the permission of the apus …”