CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU 4D/3N

Inca Trail Description: Overview

Visitors come from all parts of the world to Peru, not only to see Machu Picchu but to walk
the Inca Trail, the most famous hike in South America. They come to see the ruins and the
scenery which makes this trail so famous. The total distance of the Inca Trail is
approximately 43 kilometres, departing from the place known as Kilometre 88. To begin the
trip, one crosses the narrow bridge at Kusicancha, and afterwards heads towards the left
hand side of a forest of Eucalyptus trees. Camping on this night is either in Wayllabamba or
Llullucha. The second day is more difficult, as you have to climb to 4200 metres at the Pass of
Warmiwañusqa (Dead Woman’s pass). The third day is the longest, but also the most
interesting for many people as you can visit impressive ruins like Runkuracay and Sayaqmarca.
Camping is either in Phuyupatamarca or Wiñayhuayna. On the final day many groups leave
early to see the sun rise over Machu Picchu from the Inti Punku (sun gate). The remainder of
the day is spent exploring this fabulous ancient city .
HEThe famous Inca Trail to Machu picchu is now on your way, hike with us and enjoy
the nature dominated by mountains and your satisfaction will be complete visiting the ruins
of the Inca Trail such as: LLactapata, Runkuraqay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay
wayna.You can feel a great experience arriving to the Sun Gate of Machu picchu, from this
point you will enjoy the lost city of the Inkas: Machu picchu. The Inca Trail is beginning with
an arid cactus zone on the Urubamba valley floor, rising through native Polylepis forest to
bleak high-altitude grassland, and ending in mossy cloud forest draped with orchids and
bromeliads for the next days you will walk throuth the andean mountains….our Inca
Trail groups are operated by a team of professionals with a tremendous wealth of experience
in the Inca Trail trek and are capable of fulfilling every needs of our clients requirement
while trekking with us the famous Inca Trail
First day – Kilometre 88 to Wayllabamba Campsite
This day begins early as passengers are collected from their hotels between 6.30am and 7am.
We travel for about 3 hours in the bus with a one hour stop in Urubamba to buy provisions,
continuing onto Kilometre 88, which is past the village of Ollantaytambo. Here the passengers
must register at the check point in order to begin their hike. From there, there are just 42
kilometres of mountains, Andean valleys, rivers and tropical forests that separate you from
Machu Picchu. The first section, heading to the campsite of Miskay, where we can lunch,
takes just one hour and is mostly flat with light climbs. After lunch, we cross a canyon. Once
out of the canyon, we can see the ruins of the small city of Llactapata. The Inca
Trail descends to enter the valley of the Kusichaca river, and from there the Inca Trail has a
light climb to the campsite of Wayllabamba, where we arrive after 2 or 3 hours after the
lunch break. The campsite is at 3,000 metres and one can feel the cold at night. After dinner,
and before going to bed, it’s great to observe the stars. On nights without stars, it is possible
to see the Milky Way.
Second day – Wayllabamba Campsite to Pacaymayo Campsite
The Porters wake up the passengers at 6am so that they can pack their things and have
breakfast. The second day is considered by many the most difficult because one must climb
1200 metres to the highest point on the Inca Trail, the Warmiwañusca Pass (or Dead Woman’s
Pass) at 4200 metres. This climb will take about four or five hours. When you arrive at the
pass, you may feel like a rest. It can get quite cold at such an altitude so it is necessary to
have lots of warm clothes. If you have contracted a porter to carry your things, don’t forget
to have a thick jacket and long pants on hand for the pass. Once we have conquered the pass,
we continue with a descent to the campsite. The descent takes about two hours, however,
some groups like to stop and prepare lunch in the middle of the descent, in order to rest a
little. Other groups like to have lunch in the campsite for the night – at Pacaymayo. In this
form, you can rest for the whole afternoon. There are cold showers available at this
campsite. Advice: It is possible to contract the services of porters to carry your backpacks for
the whole journey. Alternatively, you might like to contract them to carry them to the Pass or
to the campsite of Pacaymayo. This is recommended if you don’t feel prepared for the
altitude and the long hike, it is more important to enjoy the walk than suffer under your
backpack. You can coordinate this with your guide and pay your porter directly.
Third Day: Pacaymayo Campsite to Wiñaywayna campsite
The third day is considered the most interesting, but it is also the longest. We begin with an
ascent of an hour and a half to the Pass of Runkurakay, at an altitude of 3950 metres. On the
trail we visit an ancient control post of the Incas, as well as a lagoon where it is possible to
occasionally see deer drinking. Once we have climbed the pass, the rest of the trail is mostly
downhill. While on the trail we visit four more ruins, the first being Sayacmarca which in the
Inca period was a control point for the Inca Trail that headed toward Machu Picchu. After
visiting these ruins, we will continue to Phuyupatamarca where groups often lunch. From
here, the descent is inclined and tiring because it is mostly stairs. Finally, we arrive at the
ruins of Intipata, a complex of terraces and andenes constructed in the middle of the slope of
a heavily vegetated mountain. The Inca Trail winds finally to the campsite of Wiñaywayna
where one can camp, buy a well deserved beer, or take a cold shower. You should also visit
the ruins of Wiñaywayna which are similar in type to those of Intipata, but more impressive.
Fourth day Wiñaywayna campsite to Machu Picchu
This day begins earlier than normal, at 5.30am, as the groups begin their walk towards Machu
Picchu. It is important to carry a torch because it is dark at this time and the path is narrow.
We arrive after an hour and a half of hiking at Inti Punku – or the sun gate, where it is it
possible to see for the first time the majestic Inca city of Machu Picchu. From here it is only a
half hour more to arrive at the ruins where you will have plenty of time to explore. It is
recommended, if you have the energy, to climb the peak of Huayna Picchu from where you
can have a spectacular view of the lost city.
Our Services include:
• Pick up all participants from different hotels, then transfer by bus to 82Km.
(start of the trail).
• Entrance Fee, Inca Trail and Machupicchu city.
• Large tents, each for 2 persons occupancy.
• Mattresses, one per person.
• Kitchen tent.
• Dining tent.
• Tables and chairs.
• Toilet tent (This is used in case the campsite does not have toilets).
• English speaking professional tour guide (over 8 members, 2 guides).
• Expert cook.
• Porters (only to carry tents, food supplies and kitchen equipment)
• Train Ticket (Backpacker train from Aguas Calientes village to Cusco).
• Full meals during the trek.
• Daily snack bag.
• Daily afternoon tea service.
• Daily wake up call tea, and warm water for washing.
• Daily morning boiled and cold water to refill water bottles.
• Emergency oxygen bottle and first aid kit.
• Transfer train station / hotel
Our services does not include:
• Breakfast the first morning (you can order an early breakfast at your hotel)
• Lunch and Dinner the last day (on your own).
• Hot springs pools visit (on your own).
• Bus Ticket from Machu Picchu Inca city to Aguas Calientes village.
 • Tips for the crew (guides, cooks and porters).
Bring with you:
• Water
• Mosquito Repellent
• Sun block and sunglasses
• Trekking boots
• Hat or cap
• Towel
• Toilet paper
• Rain poncho
• Warm but light Clothes
Inca Trail Availability 2009 – 2010