Royal Inca trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Overview
Trip Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Optional Service
Essential Info
Book On Line

Overview

Highlight:

Machu Picchu, LLactapata, Wayllabamba, amazing mountain scenery, High Mountain passes, quieter trails, local villages, Phuyopatamarca, Sun Gate

Begin from: Cusco / Km 82

End in: Machu Picchu / Cusco

Duration: 05 Days/ 04 Nights

Physical Rating: Moderate/Challenging

Accommodation: Camping service & Mattresses

Difficulty degree of this hike: Moderate/Challenging due to the altitude: we recommend a period of at least 2 days for acclimatization in Cusco or over 3000m/9840ft.

Trek the famous Inca Trail, with a full day at Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail is a spectacular trek through the high Andes on an original Inca highway with a chance to visit extraordinary ruins, enjoy beautiful mountain views, walk through strikingly different climatic zones and finally experience the unique feeling of arriving at Machu Picchu by foot. The return to Poroy is by train. This is an exciting way to view the mighty Urubamba River and where you have just trekked. A bus then speeds us back to Cusco for a celebration meal.

“We strongly recommend that you make your trek booking as soon as possible because permits for certain days has now sold out, then you should have a look and take one of our best alternative option “

The Inca Trail Closed throughout the month of February. Machu Picchu opens as normal

Important

Trip Itinerary

Day 01 - Cusco – KM 82 – Llactapata

Our Inca Trail guides pick us up this morning at 07:00 at the Hotel for a drive past the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and a chance to buy any last minute supplies. After an interesting drive to the end of the road at Chilca we meet our support team of traditional porters before embarking on the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu. The trek undulates along the banks of the Urubamba River and we camp the night at Llactapata (2650m/8692ft) beside some spectacular ruins which, if you have the energy, we have time to explore. This is camping and trekking in style. Whilst walking all you need to carry is a daypack, all camping equipment is carried by the porters. All camp chores are done for us and delicious food is served by a cook and his helpers.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 02 - Llactapata – Lluluchupampa

We trek up the Cusichaca valley to the small hamlet of Huallyabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail. The path continues on up past humming birds and stunted cloud forest. Our camp is the beautiful grassy area at Llulluchupampa (3600m/11808ft), this has out-standing views down the valley.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03 - Lluluchupampa – Phuyopatamarca

Possibly the hardest day of the trek, we rise early and head to the highest point of the trail - the impressive Warmiwanusca (Dead woman’s pass 4200m/13776ft). We then descend into the Pacasmayo valley and then climb again passing the Inca ruins Rucuracay. Our second pass of the day (3970m/13022ft) gives us spectacular views of the Vilcabamba range. Walking on incredibly well-preserved Inca pathway we pass Sayacmarca ruins with plenty of time for an in depth tour and explanation. We continue along the ridge, passing through tunnels and fantastic views and a slight ascent brings us to Phuyupatamarca ruins (the place above the clouds), where we camp (3700m/12136ft).

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 04 - Phuyopatamarca – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

After an early morning chance to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snow capped mountains of Salcantay (6200m/20336ft) and Veronica (5800m/19024ft), we say a farewell to our porters with a traditional song and dance. Our final day hiking brings us down into the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairway to Winay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. Finally we contour through cloud-forest to 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 hostel in the colorful town of Aguas Calientes and celebrate our return to civilization. (2000m/6560ft)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 05 - Visit Machu Picchu full day / Back to Cusco

Breakfast at your hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu, early transfer to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you'll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure.

Opportunity to climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary, returns in the afternoon by train to Cusco and transfer to your hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Departures: Any date you want

Price per person:

No people	2 people	3-4 people	5-6 people	7-9 people	Up to 10 people
Rates:
Prices per person:	US$930	US$ 837	US$ 753	US$ 678	US$ 610
First Class	Add US$ 40 per person
() Price based in sharing one tent 2 people and double room in the Hotel Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class: add US$ 25 If you prefer to have guaranteed Single tent, the surcharge: add US$ 25 Sleeping bag* during the tour ( -10°C): add US$ 20 Single Room with Superior Tourist Class: add US$ 25 Single Room with First Class: add US$ 45

City	Superior Tourist Class	First Class
Hotels to use:
Aguas Calientes	- Presidente - Pequeña Casita	- La Cabaña - Inti Punku

Private Group means:
A private service trek is organized just for you with private transport and your own personal guide. We don't add other people to your group. This enables us to provide the best service possible with personal attention and added comfort.

Private departures: Any date that you want; depending of the Inca Trail availability

Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative):

Students: US$ 40 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid)
Teenagers:US$ 40 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
Children: US$ 80 (up to 7 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)

Payment Details:
We will require a non-refundable trek deposit of US$ 200 per person payable Sun Gate Tours. The deposit is to be paid by our VISA & MC Payment On-Line.

What is included?

Not included is:

Pre-departure briefing
Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
Bus to Km 82, head of the Trek
Entrance fee to the Inca Trail & Machu Picchu
English Speaking Professional Guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
4 Season tents, 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tent
Thermal Rest Mattresses
One pillow per person
Chef and cooking equipment
One extra porter each two people (to carry up to 9kg/20 pounds per person)
Dining tent with tables, chairs and Kitchen tent
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food)
Toilet tent
Accommodation for all our staff
First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Train back to Cusco (Backpacker, Vistadome Class upon request)
Transfer from the train station to your hotel.

Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer an early morning breakfast. If not, we stop at the town of Ollantaytambo to have breakfast
Lunch on the last day: after the guided tour at Machu Picchu
Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes US$ 3
Sleeping bags (can be hired in our office for US$ 20 for the 4 day trek).
Tips for the guide, cook and porters (A good rule of thumb is anywhere from US$ 5-10 dollars per day).

Optional Services:

Single Room with Superior Tourist Class: add US$ 25
Single Room with First Class: add US$ 45
Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class: add US$ 25
If you prefer to have guaranteed Single tent, the surcharge: add US$ 25
Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C): add US$ 20

Optional Service

(1) Overnight in Aguas Calientes on 5th night add US$ 30 (Hotel Presidente/La Pequeña Casita) with variety or train return and breakfast included, double basis with private bathroom.
(2) Personal porters can be hired to help carry your personal items such as clothes, sleeping bag etc. They can be hired for US$ 150 for all 4 days and will carry up to a maximum of 18kg (usually 1 porter between 2 persons is more than sufficient). You can hire the services of a half a porter to carry up to 9kg for US$ 60. However, even with a personal porter, you will still need to bring a day pack for essential items. Please note that due to new government regulations the maximum number of porters that we can use in each group has now been capped.
Important note: You must decide if you want to hire the services of a personal porter in advance when making your trek reservation since we need to purchase the porter's trekking permit. You cannot decide to hire an additional porter at a later date or once you arrive in Cusco.
(3) Vegetarian Meals. We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days prior to trek departure.
(4) Sleeping bag hire. If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags in our office for rent. The price is US$ 20 per person for the 4 day trek.

Other information:
(1) Luggage storage. When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco. Free and safe Storage for your belongings while you are on tours in our office

(2) Time of arrival in Cusco after returning from the trek. Unless you plan to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you will return to your hotel in Cusco for approximately 8:30pm on the 4th day of the trek.

Essential Info

What we recommend that you bring:

A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
Sun block
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
Handkerchiefs
Toilet paper
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
Small towel
Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
Cash in soles and/or US$
Original passport
Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)

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conserving ecological tourism

THE INCA TRAIL

Royal Inca trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Highlight:

Trek the famous Inca Trail, with a full day at Machu Picchu

Day 01 - Cusco – KM 82 – Llactapata

Day 02 - Llactapata – Lluluchupampa

Day 03 - Lluluchupampa – Phuyopatamarca

Day 04 - Phuyopatamarca – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

Day 05 - Visit Machu Picchu full day / Back to Cusco

Rates:

Hotels to use:

What is included?

Peruvian Vacations

Destinations

Inca Trail Treks

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