Trip introduction
Hiking the Inca Trail 5 Days is an experience which should inspire excitement, invoke a little bit of fear, stoke jealousy amongst your friends, and stir a sense of wander in your soul.
One of the most popular things to do in South America - and one of the world’s most famous hikes - the Inca Trail is the sort of singular adventures for which we all travel. The hike itself, which brings you along ancient narrow paths deep into the Peruvian countryside and high into the Andean mountains, is gorgeous; perfect Incan ruins, cloud forest, and majestic valley views laid out like breadcrumbs along the way to perhaps the greatest end-point of any multi-day hike on earth, the iconic Machu Picchu.
Overview
We will make the way in a quieter way, making shorter journeys during the day to have enough time to explore each of the buildings that are located along the way, we will have the opportunity to sleep in the most exclusive camp of the walk As it is in the Phuyupatamarca sector where we will enjoy an unparalleled view of the entire valley near Machu Picchu, the 5 days on the Inca trail will allow us to visit the Inca city at dusk on the 4th day and visit and explore together to our guide the morning of the 5th day.
Day 1: CUSCO – PISCACUCHO KM82 - LLACTAPATA
We start the day with the pick up of our passengers from their hotels to start our adventure heading in our private transport to Piscacucho or also known as km82 where it is the beginning of our walk and the first control point from the government to show our passports together to the permits obtained to carry out this walk.
Once the control processes are finished, we will start the tour together with our team of porters who are in charge of transporting part of our equipment in the expedition, the first part of the walk is considered easy since there are no drastic elevation changes along the way. or technical ascent if not, on the contrary, the path is mostly flat following the course of the Urubamba river until reaching the archaeological complex of Llactapata, this will be the first place to explore of the 6 in total that we have to know during the 5 days of route.
Our walk on the first day will be approximately 3 hours in total, it will be a walk as part of a training for the following days, we will take advantage of this place to have lunch and in the afternoon to explore every detail and finally spend the first night in our tents.
Day 2: LLACTAPATA – HUAYLLABAMBA – LLULLUCHAPAMPA
The second day the intensity of our walk will change little by little, we will wake up early to have a breakfast prepared by our team which will give us more energy to overcome the obstacles of the walk.
We will leave Llactapata and continue in the direction of Huayllabamba, this first part of the road is relatively simple since some parts are still flat with the presence of lagoons that are still not steep until we reach the town of Huayllabamba, which is the last town where you will be able to see houses and people developing their daily life with total normality, it is precisely here where we will have lunch and you will have some time to rest before continuing with the second stage of our walk.
We will continue the route for approximately 3 hours of constant ascent, this second stage will be much more technical since the path changes quickly and there will be steps all the time as we cross the native forests of the area making the weather a little colder and wet.
Finally we will arrive at our camp that is located at 3600 meters above sea level, here we will spend the rest of the afternoon observing some animals in the area such as Llamas and enjoying the views of the mountains that surround the place.option of enjoying a buffet lunch and then continue the trip to Cusco, arriving at 5:00 pm.
Day 3: LLULLUCHAPAMPA – WARMIWAÑUSCA – PACAYMAYO – PHUYUPATAMARCA
It will be the longest and most exhausting day of our entire journey. We will wake up early with a coca tea served in our tents and then go to the dining room and enjoy a breakfast that will give us all the energy to continue our ascent to the Warmiwañusca pass that is Located at 4,200 meters above sea level, this will be the highest point of our entire journey. Once there, we will be able to visualize the entire landscape that surrounds us from the top of the mountains and as part of the journey that we have to continue in hours. pm.
We will descend for an average of 2 hours until we reach Pacaymayo where our team of porters is ready to receive us with a buffet lunch in the middle of the mountains in order to recover our energy, since in the afternoon we will continue the hike going up again for an hour. until we reach the archaeological site of Runkuraqay where our guide will explain the details that make this place unique, later we will continue the journey until we reach Sayacmarca whose name means inaccessible place, we will have the opportunity to explore the place and finally we will continue our journey crossing part of what is the cloud forest until we reach Phuyupatamarca where we will spend the night but not before enjoying one of the best sunsets you will ever see.Day 4: PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAYHUAYNA- MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES
We recommend you wake up early to enjoy the surrounding landscape, since we will be in the highest part of the mountain from where you can already see the location of Machu Picchu.
After our breakfast we will start descending towards Wiñayhuayna (forever young) for 3 hours we will go down by stairs through the vegetation of the place, this part of the path is one of the most attractive due to the architecture of the path and how it blends in With the natural shape of the mountain, we will arrive at Intipata where its agricultural terraces will welcome us, showing us part of the valley from the top of the mountain.
At noon we will arrive at Wiñayhuayna where we can rest and have a buffet lunch, later we will visit the archaeological center of the same name where we can see fine architectural finishes and water fountains that are still in operation.
Finally we will continue our journey towards the Puerta del Sol or also known as Inti Punku, from here we will have the first view of the Inca city since this was the original entrance in the past, we will descend to the official viewpoint of the city to take pictures and we will have time Enough to appreciate how amazing this place is. And to end the day we will board the bus to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in a local hotel.
Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
The fifth day we will make our main visit to the sacred city of the Incas, this day will be very important since our guide will show you the city from its terraces, houses, temples and will explain the history of this place and the reasons why it was so important to this day.
Then we return to the town of Aguas Calientes to board the return train to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:30 p.m.
WHAT IS INCLUDED FOR THIS TREK?
- Briefing at your Hotel one day before the trek an aproximatly 6:00pm
- Hotel pick up for leave the city and go to Km 82
- Private tourist transportation from Cusco to km 82 (Piscacucho)
- 4 season Doite Kaylas tents
- Sea to Summit Comfortable foam mattresses
- Professional English / spanish speaking guide
- Meals along the Trail ( 3 breakfast , 3 lunches , 3 dinners + tea time every afternoon). (optional: vegetarian, celiatic option upon request)
- First-aid kit, including emergency oxygen tank
- Porters team to carry tents, food and cooking equipment
- Boiled water to fill in your water bottles or Camelback since second day to the last day after lunch
- Hot water early in the mornings for personal cleanliness
- Expedition Tourist ticket Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transportation From Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Permit to the Classic Inca Trail & entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
- Two hours guided tour in Machu Picchu the last day
- Bus ticket Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs for a group
- Chef and cooking equipment
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED FOR THIS TREK?
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: + $75 USD – you have to book mínimum 3 months in advance
- Last lunch at Aguas Calientes. (You can choose different options at the towm)
- VISTADOME Train – + $67 USD per person
- Tips for the Guide, Porters, cook and porters
BENEFITS OF TRAVELING WITH TERRA PERU AVENTURAS
- Assistance 24/7 a week in English.
- Qualified professionals on all tours
- Professional Guides in English on all tours
- Free transfer from the airport to the hotel
EXTRAS
- Walking Poles – +$15 USD per pair per trek
- Personal tent- +$30 USD
- Personal Porter for carry your personal belongings - +$100 USD
**HuaynaPicchu is optional trek in Machu Picchu which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following information carefully. This will help you resolve your doubts and/or questions about our services
ARRIVAL IN CUSCO
All our services start at the airport of the city of Cusco where our driver will be waiting for the arrival of your flight to be able to drive you to the hotel of your choice, this service has no additional cost.
For which it is necessary that you provide us with your flight details and confirmation 1 or 2 days before your arrival in the city, our staff will be waiting with the Terra Peru Aventuras sign which you have to locate.
THE BRIEFING
The briefing is the information that is provided to our clients prior to a trip, this will be done one night before the selected activity at the hotel of their stay. In general, the schedule will depend on the other activities that you have planned to carry out, but many times it usually takes place between 6 and 7 at night.
HOW CAN I BOOK THE 5 DAYS INCA TRAIL TOUR?
To start a reservation, the first thing we request is your personal data along with the details of the date you would like to do the walk or trip, then we will request an advance payment of 40% of the total value of the walk in order to generate the purchase of the necessary tickets for the tour.
After the deposit, our reservation staff will send you the confirmation of the reservation of the Tour which will include the DATE, NAME OF THE TOUR, PERSONAL DATA OF THE CLIENT, AMOUNT DEPOSITED AND AMOUNT PENDING PAYABLE UPON ARRIVAL IN THE CITY.
Terra Peru Aventuras offers you different payment methods depending on your needs, from bank deposits, transfers via Wester Union, as well as PayPal (consider +8% to the deposit to be made for reasons of bank commissions)
WHEN DO I MAKE THE FINAL PAYMENT OF THE TOUR?
In general, the total payment must be made upon arrival, we recommend making the payment in cash, due to commission issues from international banks that may be unfavorable to you in case you want to make a payment with your credit card. Our staff gives you more details about it.
CAN I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER I HAVE PURCHASED THE TICKETS?
For all our tours with the exception of Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Salkantay, yes! is possible to modify the date without any cost, this must be communicated to our staff as soon as possible in order to carry out the procedures for the modification with a new date.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Any good experience will depend on a good physical condition, if you practice any physical activity regularly you should not worry about a possible altitude sickness, however as an additional recommendation we suggest acclimatizing, in this sense you should consider spending at least 3 days to do some walk and 1 day to be able to carry out some activity or cultural tour.
There are medications that could achieve better acclimatization, but since we are not doctors, we suggest you drink plenty of water and coca infusions to achieve better acclimatization.
WHEN THE TOUR ENDS, DO YOU TAKE US TO THE HOTEL?
Everything will depend on the style of travel that you chose. Our clients who travel in a private service have the option of ending the tours at their hotel. However, those who opt for a group tour, our tour ends in the Plaza Regocijo or close to it so that you can walk without any worries to your hotel.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
- Original passport (the same used for booking the trek)
- Good daypack or backpack
- Water storage: 2-3 L (Camelbaks are encouraged)
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Headlamp
- Toilet paper
- Good rain jacket and pants
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Fleece/ Thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite its the higher and temperture drop to 2 Celius
- degrees
- Sandals
- Quickdry towel
- Battery Charge
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- Personal First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Sun glasses