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The trail route lies within the 32,592 hectare Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, which was created by the government in 1981 to protect the natural beauty and the archaeological sites of this extraordinary area.
This spectacular trail runs from high mountains down to cloud forest, passing through a number of diverse ecological zones filled with an enormous variety of plants and birdlife. The route is also studded with archaeological sites which leads the visitor to the remains of Machu Picchu itself.
Before Booking: make sure your preferred departure date and back up date are available:
Real Time Inca Trail availability 2016 – 2017
Live the INCA TRAIL Experience in Vidéo !
GROUP SIZE: Small Groups from 2 – 8 people (could be 2, 4, 5…), a small group will make your experience different with a personalized attention from the whole team, where you can also enjoy the route according to its rate hike.
Private transport Cusco-Km 82, bilingual guide, cook, porters, entrance fees to the national park & Machu Picchu remains, camping equipment (double-, dining-, kitchen tents, mats, etc.), meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners and snacks), bus ticket Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes, train ticket Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo and bus ride back to Cusco.
Sleeping bag, meals not mentioned, tips, optional upgrades and entrance fee to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
We pick you up early at your hotel and take you with our private bus to Ollantaytambo for breakfast. Afterwards we drive by bus to Piskacucho (82km) where begins our trek. After crossing the Urubamba River we follow the left bank before ascending to the Inca remains of Llactapata (2,565m/7,505f). From there we will continue our hike as far as the village of Huayllabamba (2,743m/8,997f) where we will have lunch. From the village the trail climbs steadily through high Andean woodlands to a plain called Llulluchapampa just before the Inca Trail’s first pass, where we will set up our first camp.
From Llulluchapampa we climb to the highest pass on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, from where there are excellent views of the Huayanay mountain chain (Warmiwañuska Pass 4217m/13,907f). After that we will descend to the Pacaymayu River. From here the trail now climbs to the second pass at Runcuracay where we will be able to see both the Vilcabamba and Urubamba mountain ranges. After a short rest we will descend slowly along a paved Inca road to the restored remains of Sayacmarca. Here we enter to the cloud forest and in the afternoon the trail descends via a stone stairway to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, where we will camp for the night.
From Phuyupatamarca (3,700m/12,136f) we hike to the stunning archeological site of WiñayWayna (2,699m/8,853f). After visiting these fascinating remains, we will hike along a section of the trail renowned for its subtropical flora and fauna for about two hours, arriving at Inti Punku (Sun Gate). From there we will get our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Once inside the citadel, we provide a guided 3 hours tour with plenty of free time for further exploring and taking photos or climbing Wayna Picchu (optional). We then take our bus to Aguas Calientes and in the evening we return by train to Cusco.
The Inca Trail 3 days is available on any date that is best suited to you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers
***This price includes the extra porter who will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs, we provide you with a duffle bag.
“Please read carefully the following informations; it will help you clarify all your queries and questions about our services and the treks to Machu Picchu”
WELCOME TO CUSCO: You will be welcomed at Cuzco airport, please ensure that you advise your full flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to trip start. Look out for our representative holding an orange board with your name at the arrival terminal.
The rest of the day is at your leisure until 6pm, when your SAM Travel Peru representative will meet you at the lobby of the hotel, who will give you all the information about your trek or tour.
DEPARTURE: Any day that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 trekkers
GROUP SIZE: Small Groups from 2 – 8 people (could be 2, 4, 5…), a small group will make your experience different with a personalized attention from the whole team, where you can also enjoy the route according to its rate hike.
NOTE: Big group can be organized by request.
TRAIN SCHEDULES: At the end of the Trek or Tour we will take the 2:55pm or 6:35pm train leaving Aguas Calientes. It takes 2 hours till Ollantaytambo and then we will transfer you back to Cusco and your hotel. Train tickets depends on availability.
HOTEL: For treks that include accommodation at Aguas Calientes, we stay at “Hostal Machu Picchu or El Presidente Hotel” which is a very nice place to rest after several days of walking! In comparison to other companies, we will not be staying in basic shared rooms or sharing showers. Our hotels depend on availability.
However, if you would like to have a better accommodation just let us know the accommodation of your preference and we will let you know how much the extra fee will be.
HUAYNAPICCHU MOUNTAIN: Please, if you are thinking of climbing Huayna Picchu mountain you must book this at the same time as your trek or tour to Machu Picchu. Only 400 people can hike Huayna Picchu per day. You will climb it on your own after the tour in Machu Picchu around 10 .00 am. The price is $25 per person.
Note: For the Inca Trail trek hikers, the Huayna Picchu mountain entrance tickets cost US$67 per person and it has to be booked in advance.
HORSES, COOK & ASSISTANT COOK: On this trek we provide horses and mules to carry the food, the camping equipment and your belongings up to 7 kilos.
NOTE: We included an emergency horse for the group, which can be ridden if you’re feeling exhausted or are ill (only for alternative treks)
OUR GUIDES: They each speak English fluently and of course all of them speak Spanish and Quechua (the Inca Language). They are all able to communicate with natives from around the area and of course they will have lots of history to share with you.
MEALS: The food provided by the porters and cook is nothing short of amazing. Trekkers can expect a breakfast of omelettes or pancakes, a ‘takeaway’ snack pack of fruit or chocolate to eat mid morning, a two course lunch of soup and meat with pasta or rice, afternoon tea on arrival at camp with biscuits and popcorn and a three course dinner. Breakfast and dinner is accompanied by hot drinks (tea, coffee, chocolate) and lunch usually by cordial (other drinks e.g. soft drinks or beer are at your own expense and can be pricey on the trail). All food is prepared, served and cleared away by the cook and porters and the quality of the meals is quite something when you consider that all the ingredients and basic cooking equipment has been carried in. Trekkers will certainly not go hungry and special dietary requirements can be catered for if specified in advance. You will be able to buy bottled water on day 1 and 2 of the trek at various points along the way, after this you will refill your empty bottles from boiled water provided by the porters. Boiled water will be provided during the trek when it is possible to make camp.
OUR EQUIPMENT: We provide 4 man tents for only 2 people and INFLATABLE MATTRESS for everyone. Our dining equipment includes a spacious dining tent, tables and chairs, plates and utensils.
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.
CULTURE SHOCK RATING: The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English isn’t common and the food will be quite different to home. It’s important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals’ standards of living may be confronting.
SPENDING MONEY: Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities, and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
TIPPING: If you’re happy with the services provided a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations.
Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
WEATHER: The wet season in this region is from December to March when heavy rains can cause disruptions to ground transport. SAM Travel Peru will monitor any situations that arise, and may need to change itineraries or activities in response to natural weather occurrences.
TRANSPORT: Train, Minibus
EMERGENCY CONTACT:
Telephone: (+51) (84) 630690, Telefax: (+51) (84) 630690 Cell Phone:(+51) (84) 992 126 224 (in english and spanish)
Address in Cusco:Calle Santa Teresa n°308 Oficina 303 3er Piso– Cusco – Peru
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday: (From 9:00am to 12:00pm) – ( From 15:00 – 20:00):
HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU: The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFLE BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is 7kg/15p max. While you hike, the bulk of your luggage will be stored at your hotel in Cuzco.
Your team of porters will carry your duffle bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffle bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group.
For during the trek, you need a day pack big enough to carry personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sun cream, snacks, water, etc. Usually a 30 to 50 litres capacity back pack is big enough.
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.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
When travelling on a trip, you won’t be permitted to join the trip until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by our local representative.
If you have credit card insurance our local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact telephone number rather than the bank’s name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? Yes, We are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principle of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. To this end, we have trained all our local staff that know, understand, feel and respect the place and the people.
ARE WE RESPONSIBLE?: Yes, We try to treat our hikers, our porters and all the local people from the villages with the upmost respect. We travel in small groups to give personalized tours to each traveller, we pay good salaries to our porters and follow the porters law. We provide all our porters with their hiking gear such as shoes, pants, jackets, t-shirts, hats, sleeping bags and most importantly, with health insurance.
STORAGE DURING THE TREK: During the trek to Machu Picchu 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.
BOOKING: The Inca Trail Trek is very successful so you must book it 5-6 months ahead during the high season and at least 3 months during the low season.
