Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Huaynapicchu Mountain 5days

Trek the ancient Inca Trail in Peru to…Machu Picchu…for a trip of a life time! 

The Inca Trail is Peru's best known hike, combining a stunning combination of Inca ruins, magnificent mountains and exotic vegetation. The trail goes over high mountain passes with unforgettable views, through the rainforest, and finally into subtropical vegetation.

The legendary Inca Trail takes you through the diverse wilderness of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, passing numerous Inca ruins on the magnificent stone highway before descending to the famed citadel of Machu Picchu. The 45 km trek is covered in 4 days, arriving at Machu Picchu at daybreak on the final day before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon.

The trek is rated moderate and any reasonably fit person will be able to cover the route. It is fairly challenging nevertheless, you will be carrying your own personal equipment (porters carry group equipment including tents, stoves and food etc…) and altitudes of 4200m are reached. We allow 2 full days in Cusco prior to commencing the trek in order to help you acclimatize sufficiently and give you an opportunity to visit the city of Cusco and near by Inka ruins at Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay. 

Your trip departs from country where you’ll fly to Lima (Peru’s Capital City) and onward to Cusco (about an hour flight). Stay in hotel (3 star) will be your base for the next few days while you acclimatise to Peru’s high altitude and prepare for the Inca trail to machu picchu + huaynapicchu trek ahead.

The 5 day trek is lead by an English speaking professional guide and takes you along the magnificent Inca trail classic to machu picchu. The trail undulates through high mountain passes with spectacular views of Peru’s beautiful landscape and historic sites. You then arrive at the ruins of the Machu Picchu’s Historical Sanctuary at day break giving you a full day to explore. You’ll then be transfer back to your base at the Hotel in Cusco for a good nights rest. You have two full days in Cusco where you can simply relax and enjoy the city of Cusco. However some travellers opt for a days rafting or a jungle tour (not included in the trip cost but we are more than happy to arrange any extra excursions for you). On the final day you be transferred to Cusco airport and fly back to Lima and back to their country of origin

DETAILED ITINERARY - MACHU PICCHU TREKKING

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Huaynapicchu Mountain 5days and 4nights

Trekking Day 1: Cusco – Trek Piscacucho – Trek Wayllabamba (L, D)

Everyone is collected early from their hotels and we all travel by bus for a bit more than three hours, passing by the picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, until reaching the kilometer 82, the actual start of the trail.

We start our trek escorted by native "Quechua" porters going through semi-arid terrain along the Urubamba River valley, with magnificent views of the snowcapped mountain, Veronica (5822 meters).

We cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right as it climbs steeply up from the river. After passing through a small village, the ruins of the Inca hillfort of Huillca Raccay come into view high above the mouth of the river Cusichaca ("Happy Bridge"). It is then a simple descent down to the Cusichaca River.

For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the river up to the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 meters). The name in Quechua means "Grassy plain". We spend the first night here beside some spectacular ruins which, if you have the energy, we have time to explore.

Trekking Day 2: Trek Wayllabamba – Trek Llulluchapampa – Trek Pacaymayu (B, L, D)

After a delicious breakfast, we start our second day of trekking, perhaps the most difficult, as we have to climb to the pass of the impressive Warmihuañusca ("Dead woman's Pass") at 4,200 meters high. In this place, the highest in the Inca Trail, we enjoy a spectacular view of the Andes. The path continues on following a mountain stream up past hummingbirds and amazing stunted cloud forest. We pass by the beautiful grassy area at Llulluchapampa (3680 meters), which also possesses outstanding views down the valley.

After lunch, we start the descent towards the valley of Pacaymayu, where we make our second camp.

Trekking Day 3: Trek Pacaymayu – Trek Phuyupatamarca – Trek Wiñayhuayna (B, L, D)

From Pacaymayu it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay. These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Pacaymayu valley below. Another 45 minutes' hike brings you to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000 meters). At last you feel that you are walking along the trail of the Incas with preserved paving for the most part.

The descent down the steps from the pass is steep so take care. This section of the trail, up till the 3rd pass, is particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and deep precipices. After about 1 hour from the 2nd pass you arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a superbly designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means "Inaccessible Town" and describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. Even though till this very day no one knows the exact purpose of these ruins.

You have to back track a little to rejoin the trail as it passes Conchamarca, a small Inca dwelling situated in the shadows of Sayacmarca, which was probably a Tambo for weary travelers on their way to Machu Picchu.

Trekking Day 4: Trek Wiñayhuayna – Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo) - Trekking to Machu Picchu (B, L, D)

After an early morning chance to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snowcapped mountains of Salcantay and Veronica, we offer a farewell to our porters with a traditional song and dance. Our final day of hiking brings us down the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairs to Winay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. Finally we reach Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We pass through the ruins and catch a bus down to our hotel in the colorful town of Machu Picchu Pueblo (formally known as Aguas Calientes) and celebrate our return to civilization.

In the late morning we have Machu Picchu virtually to ourselves for a full guided tour, after which you have a couple of hours for more exploring on your own, or just collapse under a tree in the central plaza area. If you are exhausted from so much walking just stay in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo) and enjoy its hot springs as you have a second opportunity to see all of Machu Picchu well rested the day after!

Machupicchu is officially open from 6 am to 5:30 pm so could also soak in the hot springs in the afternoon or evening after you Machu Picchu tour.

Trekking Day 5: 2nd entrance to Machu Picchu / Free time to climb Machu Picchu or Huaynapicchu Mountain (B) - Cusco - Peru

After an early breakfast you can walk or take the bus back up to explore more of Machu Picchu and of course go for your climb of Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. If you were tired yesterday then this is the right time to really capture Machu Picchu today so better start out early as buses are available from 5:30 am and depart every 10 minutes.

You can store your backpack in your hotel and make sure you get back down to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo) at least an hour before your train departure which is generally at 6:45 pm but you should recheck this with your guide on day 4. Grab some snacks and drinks before boarding the train as the journey back to Cusco is about 4 hours long!.

End of services Trekking Machu Picchu

Included in Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Huaynapicchu Mountain 5days:

• Transfers In / Out for inca trail to machupicchu.
• Transportation from Cusco to Km 82/Piscacucho (where we start walking).
• Professional bilingual tour guide for the inca trail (English/Spanish).
• Guided visit to the Sacred Valley of the incas (for groups of 9 or more people).
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu and the ruins along the trail.
• Entrance Fee to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
• 2nd entrance fee to Machupicchu and Machupicchu or Huaynapicchu Mountain.
• Bus tickets to Machupicchu Inca City and to Machupicchu town.
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day.
• Professional Cook: all our fresh vegetables are washed in iodine water prior serving and we provide only boiled, filtered or iodized water for drinking. Vegetarian food on request at no extra cost! All dietary requirements from vegans, lacto-allergies and general dislikes can be catered so long as prior warning is given when booking the trip.
• Porters service (to carry the tents and cooking equipment only).
• Drinking water along the Inca trail.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs.
• First Aid equipment for trek.
• 1 Oxygen Tank for trek.
• 1 night in a basic hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo).
• One way bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo).
• Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to your Hotel in Cusco.

Not Included in Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Huaynapicchu Mountain 5days:

• Sleeping bags para el trekking inca trail.
• Extra porter for personal items.
• Tips are not included but it is optional.

Extras for your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu + Huaynapicchu Mountain:

• Walking sticks (10 $ for a pair of sticks)
• Extra porter for personal items (60$ for 7 Kilos – max. 7 Kilos)
• Upgrade to Single room in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo) (35$)
• Upgrade to Vistadome train for machu picchu (80$ )
• Entrance ticket to Huaynapicchu (65$) – There is only a limited space at Huaynapicchu (400 persons per day), so it is a good idea to book in advance.
• We can help you to book hotels (standard and luxury) in whole Peru.

What You Need on your inca trail Hiking to Machu Picchu:

• You should bring your original passport (International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain jacket
• Warm jacket, hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers for trek
• Sun hat for trek
• Sunglasses
• Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
• Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags
• Water for the first day, but on the way it is possible to buy bottles of water from local families.
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries
• Personal medication for trek
• Camera and films for Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Huaynapicchu Mountain 5days

Optional items to bring for Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Huaynapicchu Mountain 5days:

• Shorts for trek
• Walking stick (with rubber tip)
• Plasters and bandages
• Sandals
• Baiting suit for the hot springs
• Extra money for personal expensive, tips and entrance fees for hot springs (entrance fee for the hot spring is: 4 US $ / 10 Soles), (recommended 200 Peruvian nuevos soles for extra money)

Discounts: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu + Huaynapicchu 3 Days / 2 Nights:

• With an ISIC card you can get a discount (20$) of the Inca Trail; you need to scan and send it to us at the time of your booking.
• If you are under 17 years old, you can get a discount (20 $) of the Inca trail; you have to scan and send you passport to us at the time of your booking.

NOTES FOR THE TRAVEL:

• The Itinerary can change according to the Peruvian government, climate and health status of the trekkers.
• The train schedule can change according to availability of the train company.
• The train that we provide is the expedition train to Ollantaytambo – if someone books a train ticket in the last minute it is not sure that they can come in the same train as the other group.
• If you would like to change your train schedule or tickets, you have to pay more for the transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco and for the price change of the train.