Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5D/4N

This options offers you the most beautiful views on the Inca trail as you have more time to spend at the Inca ruins and to enjoy the views. The 5 day Inca Trail is a great option for families with kids or anyone who would like be on the Inca trail with less crowds and camp at the best campsites.

PRICES

 Discounts

• Don´t want a personal porter - $35 discount.
• Student Discount (with valid ISIC card) - $25
• Under 15´s Discount - $25
• Under 7´s Discount - $50 

Group Bookings

Bookings of 4 people or over get free sleeping bags or walking sticks.

Extras

• Sleeping Bag (4 season) - $25 (Maximum size 1.95m / 6´4")
• Pair of Walking poles - $20
• Air matresses - $15

Highlights of the 5 Day Inca Trail

• Easygoing and relaxed pace to enjoy the trail to the fullest and spend longer at each Inca site
• Visit Machu Picchu twice


DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN:

Day 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 82 – WAYLLABAMBA.

We depart Cusco at 5.00am in a private transport, which will drive us to km.82, the starting point of the Inca Trail. We start our hike walking along the left shore of the Urubamba River following the trail along a flat terrain to the community of Miskay (2800m/9184ft). 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. After our arrival close to Patallacta we make our way down in to the canyon to a great lunchspot and can enjoy the views of Patallacta. From Patallacta we carry on along the trail, taking things easy and enjoying the scenery and the stories your guide tells you. It´s about a 2 hour walk to get to our camping site at the village Wayllabamba  (3300 meters).

Total distance: 12 km (7.800 miles)
Estimated walking time: 4 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,600 m (8,692 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3000 m (9,842 ft)

Day 2: WAYLLABAMBA - DEAD WOMAN'S PASS - PACAYMAYO.

We wake up early to begin our ascent to Dead Woman´s Pass, the views as we make our way up are fantastic with beautiful views of snow-capped mountains and the cloud forest all around us. This first stretch is the most difficult part of the trek, it consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km and brings us to the first mountain pass in the Inca Trail, Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman's pass). Luckily we only climb half way up the pass as we have plenty of time to get to our destination. We have a stop at Llulluchapampa to relax and to buy any last essentials that you need and if we´re lucky we may see deer and falcons in this area. From Llulluchapampa the landscape changes from cloud forest to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation) and we have the chance to spot domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu (one of the few plants that grow at that altitude). It´s about a 2 hour walk up to the pass where we can enjoy the beautiful panorama and enjoy a refreshing cup of coca tea. After we´ve made it to the pass it´s now all downhill for the rest of the day, after about 2 hours we´ll stop for lunch and then have a free afternoon in the Pacaymayo valley.

Total distance: 10 km (7.376 miles)
Estimated walking time: 6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,215 m (13,821 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,600 m (11,811 ft)

Day 3: PACAYMAYO - RUNCURACCAY PASS- SAYACMARACA RUINS- PHUYUPATAMARCA.

After breakfast, we continue our hike up the opposite side of the valley as we make our way towards the second pass on the trek. Along the way we have fantastic views of waterfalls and flora and fauna all around. Half way up we stop to have a quick visit to the Inca site of Runcuraccay (an Inca watchtower) and to catch our breath before we continue our climb to the pass (4000 meters). From the pass we once again begin our descent heading back in to the cloud forest. After about an hour we arrive to Sayacmarca, one of the most beautiful ruins on the Inca Trail where we´ll have a guided tour for about an hour. From Sayacmarca we continue on down to our lunch spot at Chaquicocha (dry lake) where you can see some of the fantastic flora and fauna the Inca Trail has to offer. From Chaquicocha onwards we walk along Inca flat (gradual inclines) as we make our way towards our final campsite Phuyupatamarca (3680 meters). This area of the Inca Trail is stunning with beautiful views of the Vilcabamba mountain range in the distance and abundant flora and fauna all around. It´s about 2 hours walk to our campsite and on arrival we´ll get our first view of Machu Picchu mountain and the Urubamba river far below us. We´ll settle in to our campsite and have the chance to explore the Inca site and as the sun goes down we can enjoy the beautiful sunset over the snow-capped peaks.

Total distance: 13 km (8.136 miles)
Estimated walking time: 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,000 (13,123 ft )
Campsite altitude: 3,680 m (12,033 ft)

Day 4: PHUYUPATAMARCA - WIÑAYHUAYNA – SUNGATE – MACHUPICCHU - AGUAS CALIENTES.

Today, we might have the chance to appreciate one of the most spectacular sunrises on the Inca Trail, provided we have clear skies the sunrise at Phuyupatamarca is beautiful. After breakfast you´ll have a guided tour of Phuyupatamarca and then we then start our way down the long descending stone steps which will lead us to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft) which is where we will camp for the night. As we near the bottom of the staircase we´ll take a sidepath of the main route to visit the site of Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). This beautiful site has beautiful views of the Sacred Valley and was an important agricultural site for Machu Picchu. We´ll spend some time at Intipata to have a look around and then continue on to Wiñaywayna. Wiñaywayna is the biggest archaeological site in the Inca Trail besides Machupicchu and consists of an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, offering spectacular views over the already narrower Urubamba River valley. After our visit we will have the last lunch with our porters and say good bye to them. It is a tradition on the Inca Trail to have a thanking ceremony for all the hard work the porters and cooks have put in and if you want you can leave a tip for them in this moment. After we´ve said goodbye to our team we carry on to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) from where we´ll get our first views of Machu Picchu. It takes about an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle to reach the Sun Gate and it is about another hour down to the site itself. On arrival we´ll have a chance to enjoy the sunset and to see Machu Picchu without any crowds before taking the bus to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will check in to our hotel.

Total distance: 11 km (6,14 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,680 m (12,033 ft)

Campsite altitude: 2,000 m (6,561 ft)

Day 5: THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY ( THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS) CUSCO.

We wake up early and board one of the first  buses which will take us up to Machupicchu to enjoy the sunrise at the citadel (if the weather allows).  You´ll have a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours and then have some free time to walk around and explore. If you have permits then you can climb up Huaynapicchu Mountain and enjoy the fantastic views, if not then you can choose to visit the Inca bridge and explore the site more. In the afternoon we will meet up again in Aguas Calientes for our last lunch and then take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo where we get our private bus back to cusco.

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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.

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