Premium Inca Trail 5D/4N

Day 1 – Km 82 Piscacucho to Llactapata,

Early morning we will drive from Cusco to the trailhead at Piscacucho (km 82). Here you meet the porters and cooks that will support you on the five days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Here we will begin the trek along the Urubamba river seeing along the way some archeological sites with spectacular views of the snowcapped mountains till we get to the Inca city Llactapata where we have lunch and in the afternoon a visit to the Inca city.

With the crowds now long gone, you hike an undulating trail above the Urubamba River to camp beside the spectacular ruins of Llactapata (2,788m / 9,146ft).

Your luggage is carried by the porters, your tents are put up for you and your food is prepared for you. All you have to do is shoulder your daypack and enjoy the walking.

 

Included: lunch, dinner,

Day 2 – Llactapata to Llulluchapampa,

After a hearty breakfast, you climb gently up the Cusichaca valley to the small hamlet of Huayllabamba.

This is the last inhabited place on the trail.

A little steeper now, you head up the beautiful Inca path, past hummingbirds and stunted cloud forest to your camp at Llulluchapampa (3,680m / 12,073ft).

This beautiful grassy area has outstanding views and you may even see the Andean deer that come to feed here.

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner,

Day 3 – Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca.

Today is the most challenging day but also the most exhilarating.

You climb to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,212m / 13,819ft) the high point of the trail before dropping into the Pacasmayo valley.

Climbing once more you pass the Inca control post of Runkuracay to the second pass of the day (3,998m / 13,117ft).

On a clear day there are spectacular views towards Pumahuanca Mountain in the Vilcabamba range.

You continue on well preserved Inca trail to Sayacmarca.

Located at the junction of two old Inca roads, historians still argue over its exact purpose.

A few more gentle ups and downs and you arrive at your stunning campsite for the night, Phuyupatamarca, or ‘the place above the clouds’ (3,650m / 11,975ft).

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner,

Day 4 -Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu

This is the day you finally reach Machu Picchu.

As you step out of your tent the views are stunning.

Perhaps you will see the sun rising over the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay (6,200m / 20,341ft) and Veronica (5,800m / 19,029ft).

Or perhaps you will have an investment, with clouds filling the valleys beneath you.

After saying a fond farewell to your porters it is time to put on your boots and head to Machu Picchu.

You descend beautiful Inca stairway through cloud forest to Wiñayhuayna, a vast set of Inca terraces full of swallows and orchids.

A final contouring walk and you arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gate-way, Machu Picchu appears, laid out before your eyes.

Stop here and enjoy the view before heading to take the twenty-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower.

Included: breakfast, lunch, bus ticket, hotel

Day 5- Explore Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

Now more relaxed after your hotel night, you will arrive early, allowing you to explore the ruins in the company of your guide, the pinnacle of Inca engineering Machu Picchu!

The guided tour takes around two hours leaving you a few hours free to wander and explore more of the Inca city by yourself.

For those who want to explore more, take a shorter trail to visit the Inca Bridge which once spanned a sheer cliff face.

Later you will take the bus down to Machu Picchu Pueblo and board your train back along the Urubamba River.

For this train ride, the scenery is beautiful going through the jungle and later go through the highlands along the Urubamba river.

Included: breakfast, bus ticket, Machu Picchu entrance, train ticket, transfer

Included:

• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to km.82 (starting point of the trail)
• Inca Trail and Machupicchu entrance fee (days 1-4) + Machupicchu entrance fee (day 5)
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent pe

Price 2023:

• 2 people USD$1,350 per person
• 3 people USD$ 1,295 per person
• 4 people USD$ 1,240 per person
• 5 people USD$ 1,140 per person
• 6 + people USD$ 1,040 per person

Include hotel “Intipunku” or “President” or similar for the 4th night. optional upgrading under request.

• Appropiate clothing along the Inca Trail
• Hiking pants and T-shirts are commonly used during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the fourth day (if sunny) and in Machupicchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, and can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machupicchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of the necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.

What we recommend that you bring:

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu town)
• Cash in soles and/or US$
• Original Passport, YOU NEED TO BRING THE SAME PASSPORT THAT YOU USED FOR BOOKING THIS TREK. (plus the new one in case it has expired)
• Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)