Classic Inca Trail Trek to Machupicchu 4D / 3N

The Inca Trail is by far the most famous trek in South America and is rated by many to be amongst the top 5 treks in the world. Over just 26 miles (43 Km) the Inca Trail combines beautiful mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest, subtropical jungle and, of course an outstanding mix of Inca paving stones and ruins and tunnels. The final destination of the trail can not be beaten: Machu Picchu, the mysterious "Lost City of the Incas."

PRICES

Discounts

• Don´t want a personal porter - $35 discount.
• Student Discount (with valid ISIC card) - $25
• Under 15 Discount - $25
• Under 7 Discount - $35

Extras

• Sleeping Bag (4 season) - $20 (Maximum size 1.95m / 6´4")
• Pair of Walking poles - $15
• Air Matress - $15

Highlights of the 4 Day Inca Trail with Alpaca Expeditions

• We´re a locally owned company and organise all our own tours
• Personalised service for all our guests
• We never sell our groups on to other agencies, even if we just have 2 people
• We use the best campsites and avoid the crowds
• We treat our porters with respect and provide them with everything they need
• Brand new and top quality equipment
• Native and knowledgable tour guides
• Homecooked meals with fresh, organic ingredients

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN:

Day 1: CUSCO - KM 82 - AYAPATA:

We'll pick you up from your hotel between 4:30-5:00am and travel to Km 82. You'll arrive to Km 82 at about 7:00am and you´ll stop for a breakfast prepared for you by your guide. After a delicious breakfast we'll go through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek (please make sure you have your passport with you to enter the Inca Trail). The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site, Patallacta which was an Inca checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu. From Patallacta it's another 2 hour hike to our lunch stop. After lunch we will hike for another 2 and a half hours until we reach the first night's campsite (Ayapata, 3300 meters). On this last stretch we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drinks or snacks you can do so here, you can also buy any essential items such as batteries that you may have forgotten. We'll arrive to our campsite by 5:00pm and after settling in for a bit you can relax and have a drink and something to eat with your porters, chef and guide. By 7:30 your dinner will be ready, afterwards you can get some well deserved rest.

Walking distance: 8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours)
Campsite altitude: 3300 meter high above sea level.
Considered: Moderate day (get used to the Inca trail)
Weather : Warm and windy

DAY 2: AYAPATA - DEAD WOMAN´S PASS - RUNCURACCAY PASS - CHAQUICCOCHA:

Your porters will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day. Today is our longest day and we will start with an early wake up. We'll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman's Pass (4215 meters). On reaching the pass we'll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It's another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot and a chance to refill our water bottles. After lunch we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It's 2 hours to the pass and along the way we'll stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the 2nd pass, it's another hour downhill to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (unaccessible village). We'll stop here for a rest and have a quick tour of the site and then watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. It's then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After dinner, if you're not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing.

Walking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
Campsite altitude: 3600 meter high above sea level (chilled weather)
Considered: Top day (we will survive two passes)
Area : Andes and the cloud forest
Weather : Cold and rainy

DAY 3: CHAQUICCOCHA - WIÑAYWAYNA CAMP:

Completing day 2 and beginning day 3 certainly deserves a pat on your back! We begin early again, waking up at 6:30am to begin what is commonly believed to be the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. We hike for 2 hours along what is known as Inca flat (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the peak of the jungle, which is also known as the cloud forest. As we walk we will have the opportunity to see the beauty of the Salkantay snow capped peak and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flat we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we get great views overlooking the Urubamba river. Down the valley we get our first views of Machu Picchu mountain but the site is still hidden from view. From Phuyupatamarka it´s a 3 hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of it´s proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (The Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the sun). We arrive at our campsite around 1:00pm to have lunch and then relax for the entire afternoon so you're relaxed and ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. Your guide will give you a small talk at around 4:30pm and you will visit the inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna spending about an hour and a half there. We will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek so you're fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day.

We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs. It's an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again and to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them then you can do so now). It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time in order to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn.

Walking distance: 6.2 miles/10km (5 hours)
Campsite altitude: 2.600 meter high above sea level. (Chilled weather)
Considered: Easy day (Just down hill)
Area : High cloud forest
Weather : Warm and very humid

DAY 4 : THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY MACHU PICCHU (THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS)

Wake up time is at 3:30am. We'll eat breakfast at 4:00am and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking when they open the gates at 5:30am. We'll wave goodbye to our porters and chef and then it's all steam ahead to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here we have spectactular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory. We reach the Sun Gate by 6:30am and then it's just another hour´s trek down a stairway to reach the lost city of the Incas. As we approach Machu Picchu the views of the city just get better and better and at about 7:40am we reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hour guided tour. After the tour you'll be given your bus tickets to make your way down to Aguas Calientes and you'll have between 3-4 hours to explore on your own. At about 1:30pm we'll meet at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes to have our last lunch together and you'll be given your train tickets for your return journey to Cusco. We´ll arrange to meet 30 minutes before your train departs and then all go together to the train station. If you like there is an optional hike up Huayna Picchu mountain which takes about an 45 minutes to reach the summit. From here you can enjoy fantastic views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding scenery. If you're interested in this, please book it in advance for $65.

Considered :The most exciting and magicical day (Early wake up 3.30 am)
Area : High cloud and tropical forestWeather:Hot and very humid (requires a lot of water)

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*****IMPORTANT NOTES *****

*NEED A PERMIT .-The Inca trail is located in the Machu Picchu National park which is controlled by the Peruvian government. Due to crowds, only 500 people can do the Inca Trail per day (this includes tourists, tour guides , cooks, and the porters) For this reason, you must book at least 3 months in advance to avoid disappointment. Please click this link below to see each month´s availability in real time or contact us.

*HUAYNA PICCHU .- Only 400 people can climb this mountain so it needs to be booked in advanced and the price is $ 65. It is recommended to climb Huayna Picchu in the 10-11am time slot as otherwise you miss your guided tour. Contact the company at least one month in advance if you choose to hike this trail.

*EXTRA NIGHT .- If you want to stay longer at Machu Picchu then you can book an extra night at Aguas Calientes village. Just let us know that you plan to stay an extra night so we organize your return train for the next day. You can either organize your accommodation by yourself or we can assist with making bookings. If you were thinking of going back to Machu Picchu the next day then you will have to buy a new entrance fee to Machu Picchu and the bus tickets around $70.

Optional Hotels

Wiracocha Inn - 2 Star

• Standard Single or Double (twin or matrimonial) - $70
• Triple - $80

La Cabana - 3 Star

• Standard Single or Double room (twin or matrimonial) - $130
• Superior Single or Double room (twin or matrimonial) - $150
• Standard Triple room - $150
• Superior Triple room - $170

Rupa Wasi Ecolodge - 3 Star

• Standard Single or Double (twin or matrimonial) - $86
• Suite Single or Double (twin or matrimonial) - $148
• Additional bed -$31

Sumac - 5 Star

• Superior Double - $602
• Superior Triple - $778

*RETURN TRAIN TO CUSCO .- The return train is the Expedition train which departs either at 2.55, 4.20, 4.42 or 6.40 pm. The train that is booked depends on availabilty and is confirmed at your briefing. There is an option to upgrade your train to the Vistadome train which is an extra $65 per person. Please let us your preference at the time of booking. None of the trains go straight to Cusco, they only run either to Ollantaytambo or Poroy but in either case we will transfer you back by bus to your hotel.

*FOOD ON THE TREK.- Definitely one of the highlights of the tour is the food. It is always fresh and most of it is organic. There is always a lot to eat and lots of options including vegetables, meat, chicken, fish and other types of protein and carbohydrates. Everyone sits down to eat together and we go out of our way to accomodate all dietary requirements including vegetarian options and any food allergies. We do not provide any alcoholic drinks on the trek but if you would like you can bring your own.

*OUR EQUIPMENT: We provide 4 man tents for only 2 people and foam mattresses for everyone. Our dining equipment includes a spacious dining tent, tables and chairs, plates and utensils. We do NOT supply sleeping bags, air mattresses or walking sticks, but all can be rented from Alpaca Expeditions. We bring an extra blanket for all our hikers for those especially cold nights. Just ask and your guide will provide you with this.

Please note that if you are over 1.95 meters / 6´4" tall then you won´t be able to rent a sleeping bag in Cusco. In this case it is recommended to bring your own.

*OUR GUIDES, COOK AND PORTERS.- All of them are amazing, helpful, caring, and great people to be around with. Our guides speak good English and are patient and very informative. Our cooks provide amazing family style food for you and our porters and everyone is impressed with what they can whip up in the middle of the mountains. Your porters will carry everything for you which makes your trek as easy and comfortable as possible, thanks to them you will finish your trek and have a great time. Our porters are called ´Green Machine´ on the Inca Trail.

We make sure that all our team are well looked after and we provide all the equipment that they need so that they can do the trek in as much comfort as possible.

*FITNESS .- The Inca Trail is certainly not easy but you do not need to be an athlete or a trekking expert to complete it. Fitness is naturally important but the Inca Trail is the kind of trek that anyone with a positive attitude and determination can do. Obviously the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the trail and the more chance you will have to take in the scenery and appreciate the Inca ruins dotted along the way. If you do not exercise regularly, it is advisable to do some extra walking or some kind of aerobic activity in the months leading up to your trip.

Many people worry whether they will be able to cope physically but complete failure is rare and would usually only result from severe altitude sickness or a person lacking even a basic level of fitness. People of all ages (from teenagers to pensioners) complete the trek and age itself is no barrier if you are positive minded and live an active lifestyle. Before departing for your tour, we recommend visiting your doctor who will be able to provide you with more information.

*STORAGE DURING YOUR TREK.- During the Inca Trail trek your main luggage will be stored in Cuzco and you will receive a small duffle bag at your Inca Trail briefing (briefings are normally set for the evening before you start the trek) to pack clothes for 3-4 days. Your team of porters will carry these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the porters will always be ahead of the group, you should therefore bring a day pack in which you can carry personal belongings such as your camera, water and sun screen etc. By Peruvian law the duffle bag carried by the porters must not weigh more than 7kg (14pounds). You can either store your luggage at your hotel or you can leave it with us.

THE INCA TRAIL IS THE MOST FAMOUS MAN-MADE TREK IN THE WORLD: 45KM/26MILES OF HISTORY AND BEAUTY COMBINED IN ONE TRIP: TREK WITH ALPACA EXPEDITIONS AND YOU WILL HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.

EDITED 2013