DAY 1: CUSCO – WUAYLLABAMBA

Be ready for pick up from your hotel bright and early, between 6:00 to 6:30am. You’ll depart by bus to Km 82 where the walk begins; this point is 82 kilometres along the railway from Cusco. During the journey, you’ll visit two sites, and will see the snowy mountain “Veronica” (Waqaywillka). You’ll also observe the beautiful flora and fauna in your surroundings. The first evening will be spent at the camp Wayllabamba, which is at 2,980m elevation.

DAY 2: WUAYLLABAMBA - WARMIWAÑUSQA - PACAYMAYO

Enjoy your breakfast whilst being amid nature, birdsong, and beautiful scenery. Refuel your energy levels, as from your campsite in Wayllabamba, you’ll climb to the highest point of the trip, Warmiwañusqa. Here, take stock of your surroundings and the wonderful panoramic view, before continuing the descent to your second camp, Pacaymayo.

DAY 3: PACAYMAYO - PUYAPATAMARCA - WIÑAY WAYNA

Wake up and absorb the tranquillity of the landscape. Look out for Andean deer, birds, and other creatures. You’ll continue the journey after breakfast, and after about 30 minutes of walking you’ll arrive at the archaeological ruin of Runkuraqay. It’s situated on a mountain which goes by the same name. After ascending to the high point, you’ll then descend to the archaeological site of Sayaqmarca, which means “Inaccessible Town”. This place is at 3,600m altitude, and is precariously located on a ridge, surrounded by steep cliffs.

After the visit, you’ll continue 15 minutes, and then enjoy a well-deserved lunch in “Ch'akiqocha”. The next stop is Puyupatamarca, known as “The City Above the Clouds”. These Inca ruins and their spectacular surroundings will take your breath away. The site itself is composed of terraces, fountains, and stone baths, is at approximately 3,600m altitude. Spend some time just absorbing the beauty and exploring the area, before the 2.5-hour descent to the Inca citadel of Wiñay Wayna (2650m). You’ll spend your last night here, so get some rest before the big day!

DAY 4: WIÑAY WAYNA - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Wake up bright and early for breakfast, after which at around 5:00am you’ll continue the journey towards the majestic Inti Punku (The Sun Gate). Enjoy the spectacular sunrise, and get a first look at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. You’ll walk for another hour until you reach the entrance to the famous, historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, where you’ll get a 2-hour guided tour. Spend some time exploring, snap some great photos, and absorb the mystic, spiritual atmosphere of this place, named as one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World”.

You will return to Cusco in the afternoon, taking a train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. This will be followed by a mini-bus to Cusco, arriving at night-time.

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DAY 1: 6:00-6:30AM

HOTEL PICK UP IN CUSCO

DAY 1:

CUSCO - KM 82 - WUAYLLABAMBA

DAY 2:

WUAYLLABAMBA - WARMIWAÑUSQA - PACAYMAYO

DAY 3:

PACAYMAYO - PUYAPATAMARCA - WIÑAY WAYNA

DAY 4: 5:00AM

BEGIN TREK

DAY 4:

WIÑAY WAYNA - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

ꟷ Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
ꟷ The following meals: 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 3 breakfasts (vegetarian option available)
ꟷ Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
ꟷ Mini-bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
ꟷ Mini-bus from Cusco to Km 82 (the beginning of the trek)
ꟷ Porters to carry your camping equipment
ꟷ Chairs and dining tables
ꟷ Tents for 2 person occupancy and mattresses
ꟷ Roomy dining tent
ꟷ Private cook and assistants
ꟷ First-aid kit
ꟷ A bilingual professional guide specialized in the Inca Trail

ꟷ Sleeping bags
ꟷ First breakfast, lunch and dinner on the last day
ꟷ Tips/gratuities for the porters and guide
ꟷ Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain

ꟷ 1 lightweight backpack per person
ꟷ Sweater and thick jacket, long and short pants, long sleeve shirts
ꟷ Binoculars
ꟷ Personal care items
ꟷ Sunblock with a UV minimum of 40
ꟷ Walking shoes or tennis shoes
ꟷ Insect repellent
ꟷ Hat or cap
ꟷ Raincoat
ꟷ Bottle of water
ꟷ Toilet paper
ꟷ Lantern/torch
ꟷ Sunglasses
ꟷ Camera with extra batteries and film
ꟷ Some cash in change (Soles)

No booking available at the time.

1. I cannot find my accommodation listed in the operator pick up locations when making my booking. What should I select?

   This operator only offers pick-ups from the hotel and hostel accommodation listed, this covers over 90% of the accommodation providers in the area. They do not provide pick-ups or drop-offs at private residences, Airbnbs, bus terminals etc. Select an alternative close by and be ready there for pick-up at the time on your booking confirmation

2. How physically fit do I need to be?

   The Inca Trail Trek can range in difficulty however, most are classified as a moderate level. The Machu Picchu complex itself is not difficult, most people do not have any problems.

3. How do I avoid altitude sickness?

   Take Soroche (Diamox) pills, eat small meals, drink coca tea, drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol (it’s a dehydrator). The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to acclimatize yourself. The recommended approach for acclimatization is to ascend gradually, spending at least 24 hours at every 2,000ft increase in altitude.

4. What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?

   Common symptoms of altitude sickness (sometimes called acute mountain sickness) can be similar to a bad hangover, and may include headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. A severe headache (that is not relieved by medication), nausea and vomiting, and increasing fatigue or shortness of breath may indicate more serious problems – seek medical attention.

5. Are there any student discounts?

   Yes, there is a student discount. These discounts are only valid if you have an ISIC card and it matches your passport. They are very strict with this. You must bring your original I.D. to enter Machu Picchu.

6. Where is Machu Picchu?

   Machu Picchu is near a town called Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Town. From there, it is a 1.5 hour hike up steps, or a 20-minute bus ride to the complex itself.

7. Where is Huayna (Wayna) Picchu?

   Huayna Picchu Mountain is the peak located to the north of Machu Picchu citadel. It is the backdrop to the classic image of Machu Picchu. The peak offers inspiring views of the ruins and 360° views of the area. The climb to the summit takes 45 minutes, it is a challenging trek and is very steep in parts. Limited to 400 a day, tickets must be purchased as a combo ticket at the same time as your entrance to Machu Picchu. This ticket cannot be purchased separately and is always in high demand. It costs approximately $10 extra.

8. What is Machu Picchu Mountain?

   Machu Picchu Mountain is the peak located to the south-west of Machu Picchu citadel. The trek offers unparalleled sights of the ruins and panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. The trek is wide and well-marked. It is a moderate/challenging trek and takes 90 minutes to ascend. Limited to 800 a day, tickets must be purchased as a combo ticket at the same time as your entrance to Machu Picchu. This ticket cannot be purchased separately. It costs around $5 extra.

9. What are the hours of operation?

   The site is open daily from 6am until 5pm. It’s open every day of the year, including public holidays, Christmas and New Year.

10. Why is the train so expensive?

    Peru Rail and Inca Rail, the two operators have a duopoly on the route, so they can maintain very high prices.

11. Where can I leave my bags?

    You can leave your bags at your Cusco hostel/hotel. Note, if you take the train there are bag restrictions.

12. Is the bus from Agua Caliente to Machu Picchu worth it?

    The walk up to Machu Picchu can be seen as part of the experience. However, the bus is an option for those who are tired after a long trek or who just want to save their energy for all the walking at the top.

13. What kind of weather can we find in Machu Picchu?

    Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude level than Cusco. It contains part of the jungle, and the rains are present during all seasons. During the hottest days, the temperature can reach approximately 26° Celsius (79ºF), and during the cool, early mornings, the temperature can drop to -2° C (-36ºF). The best months to visit Machu Picchu are May and June, since they are the mildest ones.

14. Will I have problems with altitude sickness on this tour?

    Altitude sickness can catch many travellers a little bit off guard. Not everyone gets sick in high altitudes, and it is difficult to predict who is likely to be badly affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time, 1 to 2 days for most people. If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, do not fly directly into high altitude - proceed slowly, allowing your body time to acclimatise as you ascend gradually. However, for many that is not possible, so it’s important to drink lots of water, and to slow down! This sounds simple, but both of these things are very important. Your body is struggling because you don’t have enough oxygen, so avoiding any strenuous activity is a good idea. Chew some coca leaves - the native people of South America have been chewing coca for centuries, thanks to its ability to alleviate mild altitude sickness symptoms. Coca leaves can be bought in any supermarket, and even souvenir shops or street stalls. Take altitude sickness pills (Soroche): these are sold over the counter all over Peru and Bolivia, and are just a few dollars. If you are flying straight into altitude over 2500metres without spending any time at an intermediate elevation, and you’re worried about getting sick, you can ask your doctor for more specific and stronger altitude sickness medication in advance. In the rare case that your symptoms are more severe than a headache and mild dizziness, you should descend in altitude and seek medical assistance.