Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Wayllabamba

At 07.00 am, you will be collected from your hotel with private transportation and driven to Piscacuchu (2,700m/8,856ft), a village located at Kilometer 82 between the Cusco and Machu Picchu railroad. This is the starting point of the Inca Trail.

The hike begins by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and walking along its far shore through the Sacred Valley.  Following the trail along flat terrain, you will arrive in Miskay (2800m/9184ft) where you will then ascend to the highest point of the overlook, from which you will be able to see the impressive Inca city of Patallacta (2,750m/9,020ft).  You will continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until you reach the community of Wayllabamba (3,000m/9,840ft), where the first camp will be set.

During the ascent you will be surrounded by the wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley. In addition, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5,832 meters above sea level.  

At your arrival you can start with your selected activities or your daily therapic at the  Spa Tent  specially designed for you.

Activity of the Day :  Trekking (Private)
Level :  Moderate
Meals :  Lunch - Dinner
Estimated Time :  5 - 6 hours
Total Distance :  12 km (7.47 miles)
Maximum Altitude :  3,000 m.a.s.l. / 9,840 ft.
Campsite Altitude :  3,000 m.a.s.l. / 9,840 ft.
Average Temperature :  Min. 5°C / 42°F | Max. 23°C / 73°F

Day 2: Wayllabamba - Pacaymayo

You start off your day by waking up at around 06.00 am and after breakfast, you will leave the camp to hike back to Wayllabamba. From this point, you will begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km. Along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass – 4,200m/1,3776ft), you will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at high altitude. 

You will also travel through a section of the so-called “cloud forest”. The forest is home to many different species of birds, such as hummingbirds and sparrows, as well as the Andean bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear (tremarctus ornatus).

It is advised that on this day especially your daypack is well stocked with sweets and chocolates that will keep your sugar level high, and coca leaves to help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, you will descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3,600m/11,808ft), where you will camp after approximately 7hours of hiking.

At your arrival you can start with your selected activities or your daily therapic at the  Spa Tent  specially designed for you.

Activity of the Day :  Trekking (Private)
Level :  Moderate
Meals :  Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Estimated Time :  6 - 7 hours
Total Distance :  11 km (6,84 miles)
Maximum Altitude :  4,200 m (13,776 ft)
Campsite Altitude :  3,500 m (11,480 ft)
Average Temperature :  Min. 5°C / 42°F | Max. 23°C / 73°F

Day 3: Pacaymayo - Wiñaywayna

This day is the longest but also the most impressive and the most interesting, due to the number of archaeological sites and the lush forest areas rich in Andean wildlife. From Pacaymayo you will climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3,970m/13,022ft).  Halfway up, you will stop to visit the archaeological complex with the same name.  This site, located at 3,800m/1,2464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower.  After going over the pass, you will descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest again to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3,624m/1,1887ft).  This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios, and irrigation canals.

Continuing up an easy climb, you will move towards the third pass, the Abra Phuyupatamarca (3,700m/1,2136ft). Along this climb you can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multi leveled Andean geography. You will go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the afore mentioned pass and down to the complex of the same name.  This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phuyupatamarca means ¨town over the clouds¨. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley. You will continue your trek down the long descending stone steps that lead us to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft), an impressive Inca complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector, and an urban sector, close to which our camp is located. 

This campsite hosts a trekker lodge, a bar and bathrooms with hot shower facilities. After visiting the impressive archaeological site, we will enjoy our farewell dinner at our camp.

At your arrival you can start with your selected activities or your daily therapic at the  Spa Tent  specially designed for you.

Activity of the Day :  Trekking (Private)
Level :  Moderate
Meals :  Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Estimated time :  8 hours
Total distance :  16 km (9,94 miles)
Maximum Altitude :  3,900 m (12,792 ft)
Campsite Altitude :  2,650 m (8,692 ft)
Average Temperature :  21°C / 70°F

Day 4: Wiñaywayna - Sun Gate Spiritual Healing Ceremony - Machu Picchu - Cusco

On this fourth and last day you will arise at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna an hour later and hike along a trail of flat stones on the edge of cliffs in the highland jungle. After an hour you will reach the Intipunku, or the Sun Gate. From this fabulous spot, you will see the sun rise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. A shaman will perform the sun gate spiritual healing ceremony, used long ago to connect the Inca people entering Machu Picchu with the spiritual energy that is said to flow from there. 40 minutes later you will enter the citadel from its highest point through the ¨House of the Guardians¨. Then, you will descend to the control point where we register ourselves and begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours.

During your free time you could climb up the Huayna Picchu Mountain, available by reservation only every morning at 7am and 10am, where one can appreciate spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu and the valleys and mountains that surround it. Or you could visit the Temple of the Moon, or the impressive Inca Bridge.

We suggest you stay overnight in Machu Picchu and organize a full day visit of the Sanctuary for the next day.

In the afternoon, we will meet in the village of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can explore and visit its hot springs. From here you will be transferred to the train station to take your train back to the city of Cusco.Once you arrive, you will be transferred to your selected hotel.

However, if you continue with the EXTENSION, you will spend the night in your selected hotel in Machu Picchu and prepare yourself for a full day experience at Machu Picchu the next day.

Activity of the Day :  Sun Gate Healing Ceremony - Hiking (Private)
Level :  Easy - Moderate
Meals :  Breakfast
Estimated Time :  4 hours
Total Distance :  4 km (2,49 miles)
Maximum Altitude :  2,700 m (8,829 ft)
Average temperature :  21°C / 70°F

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What is included:

• Pre-departure briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to km. 82 (starting point of the trail)
• Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fee (days 1-4)
• Huayna Picchu entrance fee for day 4
• Activities a la carta during Trek such as Yoga, Massage services are in the afternoon upon arrival to the campsite.
• Visit to Machu Picchu Sanctuary (Day 5 or Day 4)
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-person-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and more safety for backpacks. Our tents are 4-season and highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in the field.
• One inflatable sleeping pad per person (luxury Therm-a-rest)
• One sleeping bag per person: our sleeping bags are -25ºC comfort (-10ºF) and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
• One pillow per person
• Battery lamps for tents
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities
• English-speaking professional guide (two guides for groups of over eight people)
• Professional chef and cooking equipment
• Porters to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment
• Porters to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 10kg per person
• Accommodation for all our staff
• Chinese porcelain and silver cutlery
• Gourmet meals (03B, 04L, 03D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost.
• Extra drinks upon request: soft drinks, wine, pisco sour, and champagne
• Amenities kit including biodegradable soaps, hand towels, and snack textile bags
• Camping hot shower facilities and towels
• 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 runs down to the village of Aguas Calientes – 4th day
• Round trip bus ticket: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – 4th day  or  5th day
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco – 1st Class V iistadoma  ( Hiram Bingham service, upon request)
• Transfer Ollanta train station/hotel in Cusco

What’s Not Included:

• Personal expenses
• Drinks during meals
• Services not specified in the program, e.g. extras and tips
• National flight tickets: Lima / Cusco / Lima.

The structure of the meals is as follows:

Coca Tea wake-up call

Breakfast

• Wide selection of coffee, mates, chocolate, milk, tea, etc. We provide Italian coffee or Peruvian-style coffee upon request.
• Fruit juice
• Bread
• Butter and jam: try the exceptional sauco or ahuaymanto jams, original natural recipes from Cusco’s Sacred Valley
• One hot dish: pancake, omelets, etc.
• One hot drink: hot chocolate, porridge, etc.
• Snack
• Piece of fruit
• Cookies or crackers
• Fruit juice in individual pack
• Sweets

Lunch

• Appetizer: try our Peruvian causa, a delicious potatoe-made cake, or palta a la reina, an excellent Peruvian recipe with avocado
• Soup: criolla, quinua and wheat soups are some of the preferred among our clientele
• Main dish: try our exclusive lasagna recipe, baked trout or alpaca filets, among others
• Wide selection of coffee, mates, chocolate, milk, tea, etc.

Teatime Service

• Wide selection of coffee, mates, chocolate, milk, tea, etc.
• Crackers or soda
• Butter and jam
• Popcorn
• Others (varying every day): chinese wantan, empanadas, Bolivian salteñas, etc.

Buffet Dinner

• Soup
• Main dish – several buffet options
• Dessert: our apple pie and our chocolate cake are our most successful so far
• Wide selection of coffee, mates, chocolate, milk, tea, etc.

Drinks

• Red wine
• White wine
• Beer
• Bottled fresh drinks
• Pisco

Clients will be asked about their preferences so that we can better adapt our meals. Please let us know if you have any special dish which you would like to enjoy along the Inca Trail; we will be glad to prepare it for you.  Special meal requirements are guaranteed if arranged in advance, minimum 15 day prior to departure. At request, a list of restaurants will be provided with your booking.

Packing List:

• 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 more comfort while at camp
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces – thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera, film, 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 fruit, 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. Optional: 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 caused any reported 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 $
• Passport
• 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 the Inca Trail)

Clothing items

• Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the fourth day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as they can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu Picchu has a warm climate, getting cold only at night. Other necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend you bring” list.
  

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