THE ROYAL INKA TRAIL 4 DAYS

HISTORY

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Perú is part of an extensive Inca system of trails of more than 23,000 kilometers that integrated the Tahuantinsuyo Empire “The Inka Country” (which means four regions) that covered many South American countries such as Colombia, the west of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru ,Bolivia, to the center of Chile and the north of Argentina. These trails tended to be principally on the coast or in the mountains but in a few cases they reached the tropical edge of the jungle at the Amazon Jungle.

The Inka Trails is called in Quechua “the Inka Language” Qhapaq Ñan - refers to the network of trails) were without a doubt is one of the marvels of Tahuantinsuyo, according to the Peruvian historian, José Antonio del Busto, who explains that the Inka “King” Huayna Capac most increased the network of trails in order to quickly mobilize his army.

The trails varied in quality and size, they could be 6 to 8 meters wide on the coast but, in the mountains the paving was only one meter wide but the path was audaciously steep and climbed over the difficult Andean mountains.

… The Royal Inka Trail to Machupicchu

The Royal Inka Trail to Machu Picchu “The Famous Inka Trail” still existed and was re-discovered by Hiram Bingham when he realized his clearing work between 1913 and 1915. The Inka trail was a royal route to Machu Picchu used by the Inka (or Emperor/King) in the 15th century. There are different sites between Ollantaytambo Inca City and Machu Picchu Inka City where one can note the variety in architectural resources that give rationality, importance and mysticism to the Royal Road. It did not have a commercial use; there were other, more simple, trails to transport products, llamas and people to Machu Picchu. The purpose of the Inka Trail to Machupicchu was religious and ceremonial that included rituals to honor the mountains and peaks of the route, like Veronica Mts or Wakaywilka Mts.

*IMPORTANT

Is this tour for me?

Experience: Royal Inka Trail to Machupicchu

Duration (days): 04 Days including Machupicchu

Duration (nights): 03 nights in camping along the

Inka Trail Campsite “Included in final price”

Language: English & Spanish

“Other Languages on request”

Close Airport: Cusco /Perú

The attraction: The Royal Inka Trail is the most famous hike in South America; the four-day Inka Trail is walked by dreamers every year. Although the total distance is only about 26 miles (45km).

Travel Style: Active hiking, trekking, biking, rafting, and kayaking adventures all over the world, made for outdoor types.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 8, Avg 6 “Be in mind small group size means more authentic experience”.

Age requirement: 12+ all travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Physical Rating/ Grading: 1 2 3 4 5

4 - Demanding

Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travelers.

STRENUOUS: Full-day hikes (6-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many hikes. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 14,500 feet are in this category.

Machupicchu Face

The Distance: The Inca Trail difficulty starts with the distance. It’s 45 km (26 miles) in total, covered over 4 days and 3 nights. The hike is generally broken down into:

Day 1: 11 km (6.8 miles).

Day 2: 12 km (7.5 miles).

Day 3: 16 km (10 miles).

Day 4: 4 km (2.5 miles)

Price: Prices will vary according service level and inclusions.

Activity: Trekking, Adventure

Country: Perú

City: Cusco

Acclimatization: Please allow a minimum of 2 days in Cusco before your hike begins to Machupicchu.

Highlights: Royal Inka Trail, Wiñayhuayna “for Ever Young”,

Inti Punku “Sun Gate” and Machupicchu

Limited Spaces: YES. To protect the historical trail of the Inkas, the number of people allowed to hike the Inka Trail each day is limited to 500. That is why, you should reserve your space as soon as possible. Spaces can be filled up three to six months in advance. Spaces fill more quickly in the high tourist season, from May to September.

More about the experience: The ancient trail laid by the Incas from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu winds its way up and down and around the mountains, snaking over three high Andean passes in route, which have collectively led to the route being dubbed ‘the Inca Trail.’ The views of snowy mountain peaks, distant rivers and ranges, and cloud forests flush with orchids are stupendous – and walking from one cliff-hugging pre-Columbian ruin to the next is a mystical and unforgettable experience.

You Book, You Go…Don’t Worry… We Won’t Cancel: While other tour companies generally cancel their trips due to low participation of travelers or pass their travelers to other big groups tour operators, we guarantee that we will never cancel a trip because of low signing-up or participation for the departure date neither get our travelers to other tour operators! This makes to our travelers the assurance and peace of mind to know their travel plans are insured and guaranteed.

Request a Quote: We can customize this private trek just for you. Any detail can be tailored – activities, length, hotels and other destinations.

Day to Day Itinerary

DAY 1|Transfer by ITEP Van from Cusco to Km 82 “Inka Trail Entrance”.

Trekking Km 82 “Piscacucho to Wayllabamba”

Today begins your adventure of a lifetime. We will pick you up from your hotel in our private van very early in the morning at 5:30am. You will be transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, where our van going to take us to Piskacucho, which is called kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins. On the way, we stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo at 6:30-7am to load up on energy for our start of the trail. (Breakfast is not included). Upon arrival at kilometer 82 at 11:30am, we will have some time to organize ourselves, At the Inka Trail first control point be ready to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) your student card.

At the start of the trail (2720m/8923ft) we cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy, a warm-up along the Inka flat terrain. There are great views of the Incan Fortress (‘Huillca Raccay’), the vast and incredible Inka site of Llactapata, (officially called ‘Patallacta’), and the beautiful snow-capped peak of ‘W’akay Willca’ (5860m/19225ft) known in books as Veronica. Our first campsite is in Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft) in the temperate green valley with the same name. Temperatures at night are around 5ºC depending on the month.

During the day, we will enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains Veronica, (5,860m/19,337ft), the lush green valley around us and a myriad of flora and fauna.

Meals: Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner.

Accommodation: Camping facilities.

Distance: 11kms/6.8 miles (6 hours more or less of hiking)

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.

Walking Time: Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch in route)

Walk and Terrain: Walk, canter on open roads, some steep ascending.

DAY 2|Trekking “Wayllabamba to Pacaymayuc/ Runkuraqay”

After waking up at 5 to 5:30am and enjoying a hot breakfast, we start a steep ascent towards the highest pass, abra de Warmihuañusca or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4200m/13779ft. On this day, you will feel a real sense of achievement upon reaching the top! After a well-deserved rest, we begin the descent to where we stop for lunch, which is located at Pacaymayu (3,550m/11,646ft).

On our way up to the pass, we will be able to see an arrange of hummingbirds and a combination of other species of bird life. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and the ´Polylepis´ or Q’ueuña trees which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft! After lunch, begins the second two-hour steep climb to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4,000m/13,123ft). We arrive at our campsite by 5:00 pm. Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night.

Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping facilities.
Distance: 16kms/10mls (9 hours more or less of hiking time)
Difficulty: Moderate/challenge.

DAY 3|Trekking “Pacaymayuc to Wiñayhuayna”

This is the most impressive day so far; keep this in mind as you ascend on day three! We wake up for breakfast at 6am and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’). Here we reach the third highest point on the Inka trail (3680m/). The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular! The Inca site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’, is located a few minutes’ walk from the third pass. After visiting this site, we continue walking down 3000 stairs through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Incan site of ‘Intipata. After taking some time to visit this site, we continue until we arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna. (2680m/8792ft). Today, we will only walk about 4 to 5 hours. We arrive at camp by lunchtime! Temperatures during the night are about 12º C. A short walk from our campsite is the famous Incan site of ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are feeling tired after your day’s trek, it´s a moment you cannot miss, the most impressive site on the Inca trail.

Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping facilities and cold showers.
Distance: 10kms/6.2mls (5 hours more or less of hiking)
Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 4|Trekking “Wiñayhuayna – Inti Punku & Machupicchu guided Tour”

At around 4:00am it´s time to wake up, have breakfast and start day 4 on the Inka trail to get to Machu Picchu on time. This is the final part of your journey, arriving by 6:00am to reach Inti Punku or The Sun Gate. At that point, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel is in front of us with its intense beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. The reality of what the Inca people must have encountered on their taxing journey to this expansive temple of Machu Picchu. At this point, we walk downhill towards the Machu Picchu Citadel. (2400m/7872 ft.) After walking 40 minutes, we enter the citadel from the top through the “House of the Guardians”. From there we proceed to the control point where we register and leave our belongings. Your professional guide will direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made from stone. Machu Picchu is considered as the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. Once the guided tour is over, you will have free time to explore the site on your own.

You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price)

Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.
Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs.

Back to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes and later board the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo Train Station “Train departure time can vary according train schedule and availability”. In Ollantaytambo Train station you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast

Distance: 8.9kms/5.5mls “By Bus in 25 minutes”

Difficulty: Easy

*** Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains hike depends on availability; please let us know if you want to add one of these extra hikes at the time of your booking.

*** We only take clients in our vans / cars – We do not use public transport.