TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrival to Cusco

• On arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transport to your hotel, where the rest of the morning is free time to rest in hotel in order to avoid altitude sickness.
• There are no planned activities so check into your hotel and enjoy the city.
• Your pre departure meeting will also provide you with some information on the Inca Trail Trek. We will have a briefing to prepare for the next few days.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
• Meals included: None.

Day 2 – Full day to Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo & Chinchero)

• Pick up from your hotel at 07:45AM.
• We then will then embark on a journey back in time to the Incan´s Sacred Valley beginning in Pisac, 31 km from Cusco. The ancient Incan archeological site and city is located on the top of a mountain. There you will have the chance to firsthand witness the impressive stonemasonry skill of our ancient ancestors.
• Afterwards, you will go down into the quaint little town and wander through its colorful market where you can buy intricate, beautifully crafted locally hand-made products.
• After this, lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
• Then, you will continue to Ollantaytambo, a military, religious, and agricultural center of the Incas located at the top of a mountain. Note: unlike other small towns, this one has maintained its original Incan design including outstanding stone buildings and narrow streets. It was once used as a fortress and administrative and urban center.
• Finally, we will stop in Chinchero, a place where the townspeople are famed for their preservation of traditional Andean spinning and weaving techniques. For this reason, they set up a market in the town square to sell their handmade crafts.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 3 – Start the Inca Trail; Transfer to Km 82, Hike to Huayllabamba

• Pick up from the hotel at 05:00AM and transfer to Piscacucho Km 82 head of the trail (2,850m/9,350ft) where we meet with the porters. Our vehicle usually stops at the town of Ollantaytambo for about an hour so that people can have breakfast.
• The car trip from Cusco to Piscacucho takes around 3 hours; we begin touring the Inca Trail by crossing the overhead bridge on the Urubamba River. We then hike on the shore, left of the Urubamba River as it runs northwest towards the Sacred Valley. Staying on this Inca trail, which is on a flat surface, we reach Miskay, and proceed further and eventually see Llactapata from the highest peak, an inspiring Inca city.
• Resuming our trek on this trail through the valley, carved out by River Kusichaca, slowly climbing and after five hours we arrive at the Huayllabamba (3,000m/9,840ft), to camp for the night. Throughout the journey we take joy in the extravagant sights of the fantastic Vilcanota ridge, which is located on the far side of River Urubamba, where the imposing Veronica peak stands tall at (5,832m/19,134ft) over sea level. The first day of the Trail is simple and offers good training for the days ahead.
• Dinner and overnight in camp.
• Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4 – From Huayllabamba to Paqaymayu (Crossing the highest point)

• Breakfast, this day is without doubt the toughest and highest in terms of altitude on the trail, which includes a sudden and sheer ascent that goes on for about 11 km, so inexperienced hikers are allowed time to settle in. At the start of your journey at Inca trail, you can see ahead the zigzagging path up the mountain.
• The trek is demanding to say the least, with a sharp climb to the Warmiwañusca Pass, also called the Dead Woman´s Pass (4,200m/13,776ft). Along this path, the setting transforms from Sierra on the way to Puna we may see local alpacas and llamas grazing on the Ichu grass. We go downhill from here using a winding path that bypasses a valley beside next campsite. We also go by an area supposedly known as the cloud forest, a habitat for various species of birds such as sparrows and also hummingbirds, and also the Andean bear, better known as the Spectacled Bear.
• We recommend that on you make special preparations and pack a bag filled with chocolates or candies to keep your blood sugar level high as well as curb the threat of altitude sickness. After crossing the pass, the path descends into the valley of Paqaymayu (3,500m/11,480ft). Here the camp is set up after almost 6 to 7 hours of Inca trail hiking. You will eat a meal and rest after an exhausting day of travelling on this trail.
• Dinner and overnight in camp.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 5 – Paqaymayu to Wiñayhuayna (Descending into the Cloud Forest)

• Breakfast; this is the beginning of the longest part of trail however, it is the most remarkable and the most appealing, due the presence of numerous archaeological sites as well as the green cloud forest that we bypass, and a rich presence of Andean flora and fauna. We move on from Paqaymayu to Abra Runkurakay, the next pass (3,970m/13,022ft).
• Midway along the Inca trail, you shall come upon the remains of Runkurakay, an Inca tambo, a semi-circular structure overlooking the Paqaymayu valley. We then leave the pass and descend to the Yanacocha, entering the cloud forest and at last reach Sayacmarca.
• Continuing the hike, you will finally approach the third mountain pass, at Abra Phuyupatamarca. Later, the trail descends further leading to Phuyupatamarca, an archeological site known as “The Town in the Clouds”.
• Next, we proceed and trek down long stone steps that guide us to Wiñayhuayna (2,650m/8,692ft), an inspiring Inca center comprising of a thriving agricultural complex, an urban sector and a religious hub, in close proximity of our camp. Wiñayhuayna becomes the last official camp before Machu Picchu.
• Ensure that you are well rested so that you to wake up in time to catch the marvelous sunrise at Machu Picchu. Remember to always form a tip pool, to be later given to the group (porters, cook, and guide). Generally a sufficient tip ranges from US$ 10 to US$ 40 per tourist. Keep in mind that these are voluntary tips, so tip as you feel depending on the service you got.
• Dinner and overnight in camp.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6 – Hike to Sun Gate, Visit Machu Picchu Sanctuary & Back to Cusco

• At around 04:00AM you get up, have breakfast and move on the Inca trail to get to Machu Picchu. This is the last part of the journey so arrive by 06:00AM to reach Inti Punku or The Sun Gate (2,700m/8,829 ft).
• Out of the blue every part of Machu Picchu is in front of your eyes stuttering its immense beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. The sight is overwhelming and you can picture in your mind what those Incas must have sensed after their taxing expedition to this expansive temple. At this point we move downhill towards Machu Picchu (2,430m/7,972ft), after a period of 40 minutes we enter the citadel from the top point through the “House of the Guardians”.
• We then proceed to the control point where we register and leave our stuff. Your guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can then wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered as the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. Once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own, to relax, or to meditate.
• You will then have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own (not included in the price)
  • Climb up Huayna Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.
  • Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or to the hot springs.
• Back to Cusco: You will descend back down to Aguas Calientes and, later on, board the train for the return trip to Cusco. You will stop at the Ollantaytambo Station and then be picked up and driven to your hotel in Cusco.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
• Meals Included: Breakfast.

Day 7 – Departure from Cusco – International Departure

• Breakfast at hotel; at the scheduled time our representative will meet with you at hotel lobby, transfer and assistance on your departure.
• Meals Included: Breakfast.

PRICES PER PERSON

Extra Optional Services

• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain US$ 90 per person.
• Extra porter to carry your personal items (maximum 14 kg / 31 lb) US$ 140.
• Lunch at the Aguas Calientes Restaurant US$ 20 per person.
• Upgrade train to Vistadome return to Ollantaytambo US$ 18 per person.
• Upgrade train to Vistadome return to Cusco US$ 44 per person.
• Sleeping bag suitable minus 10 ºC for the whole trek US$ 20.
• Walking stick with rubber feet (one pair) for the whole trek US$ 20.
• Single tent supplement (if you don’t want to share tent) US$ 20 per person.

Is there any additional cost for Solo Travelers?
Yes, there is an additional cost for single travelers; make an inquiry about it.

INCLUDED IN TOUR PACKAGE

• Accommodation: 3 night(s) in hotel(s) in Cusco, 3 night(s) camping.
• Excursions: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu.
• Entrance fees to parks and cultural sights: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Tour.
• Transfers: All airport transfers, Hotel pickup and drop-off, all transfers are assisted by English-speaking staff.
• Transport: bus, train, minivan, on foot, walking.
• Meals: According mentioned in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food).
• 4 day Inca Trail hike.
• Local top quality English-speaking guides to accompany visits and excursions.
• 24 hour support by our local staff.

INCLUDED FOR THE INCA TRAIL

• Pre-departure briefing, the night before your trek.
• Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to Km. 82 (starting point of the trail).
• Inca Trail Permit (includes entry to Machu Picchu, but not to Huayna Picchu Mountain).
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 4-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field.
• One inflatable sleeping pad per person.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs.
• Kitchen tent.
• Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities.
• English speaking professional and official tour guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people).
• Chef and cooking equipment.
• Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment).
• Extra porter to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 7kg per person (including sleeping bag and sleeping pad).
• Accommodation for all our staff (guide, cook and porters).
• Meals (3 breakfast, 3 lunches, 3 dinners + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special diets are available at no extra cost.
• A bag for your daily snack per person, to avoid using plastic bags and reduce pollution to the environment.
• Boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards.
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff.
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead.
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes.
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Expedition service) – we can upgrade to Vistadome service upon request.
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station-hotel in Cusco.
• 24 hour support by our local staff.

NOT INCLUDED

• International airfare, domestic airfare within Peru.
• Airport departure taxes (Approximate cost US$ 31.00 international flights, and US$ 7.40 for each domestic flight).
• Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items.
• Pre & post tour accommodation.
• Spending money – allow approximately US$ 35-50 per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras.
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain and Sleeping bag for Inca Trail.

SELECTED HOTELS FOR THIS TOUR PACKAGE

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOTEL CATEGORY

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