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HomeInca Trail 4 Days To Machu Picchu
Description
The Inca Trail, a highlight of South America, is undoubtedly one of the most famous trails in the world. The Inca Trail is a stunning trek over the Peruvian Andes that explores the heart of the fascinating Inca culture, cloud forests, and high rainforest which finally reaches the enigmatic archaeological site Machu Picchu.
You’ll be challenged along the way but will be rewarded when you enter through the Sun Gate on the last day to look over mystical Machu Picchu for the first time.
Highlights
Nowadays this trek is just a small part of the thousands of kilometers of trail what the Incas used hundred years ago. The trek is 43kms (26mile), which the government has sanctioned for access to Machu Picchu after 3 incredible days of hiking
The Inca trail is also one of the most regulated treks in Peru and South America because according of the government regulations there is a limited number of permits for trekkers.
Highlight of this Tour: Ancient Inca Trail, Llactapata, Dead Woman’s pass, Sun Gate and Machu Picchu
Hiking distance: 42Km/26miles
Considerations: Permit Required
Season: March through January
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1: Cusco - Ollantaytambo (82 km); Trek to Wayllabamba Camp (7 miles/11 kilometres) expand_more
Your Peru tour guide will pick you up from your Cusco hotel.
Travel to Ollantaytambo for breakfast before you head to Piscacucho, the official start of the Inca Trail.
Pass several archaeological sites as you hike through the Vilcanota River Valley.
Once you reach, have lunch and relax at Wayllabamba camp.
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Day 2: Wayllabamba - Pacaymayo expand_more
After breakfast, embark on a challenging uphill hike to Dead Woman’s Pass.
Go downhill to Pacaymayo Camp.
On arrival at the camp, you will have the rest of the day to eat and rest.
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Day 3: Pacaymayu - Winay wayna expand_more
Spend the day hiking on the ancient undulating Inca stairways during the journey to Winayhuayna High Jungle Camp.
Explore the archaeological sites of Sayacmarca, Pacaymayo, and Phuyupatamarca.
At the end of the day, you will reach a camp overlooking a river valley.
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Day 4: Winaywayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco expand_more
Early in the morning, hike to the gate of Machu Picchu and beat the tourist crowd to explore this UNESCO-listed archaeological site.
Enjoy both a guided tour and free time to explore independently before heading to Aguas Calientes to browse through local shops.
What's Included
At Vidal Expeditions we are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our tours. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.
INCLUDED:
Vidal Expeditions Team Provide:
- Pre-Departure briefing
Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your trekking guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Machu Picchu hike. During this briefing, you will receive important details of the Inca Trail trek. After this time, you will receive your duffle bag for your extra luggage, which will stay with our porter while you are hiking.
- Professional Trekking Guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service. Our tour guides have graduated with tourism career from National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. They have also studied English in a private language institute. Through their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking and proud to have been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our tour guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the Magical Machu Picchu.
- Permits Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Once we receive your details and the deposit for the tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek (subject to availability). These permits will be for a specific date and will be in your name. Unfortunately, this information can’t be modified under any circumstance once confirmed. Only your passport number it can to be updated, however for this change you must to bring both you old and new passport.
- Porters Team
At Vidal Expeditions, we include a personal porter who will be carrying your personal belongings in a duffle bag that we provide during this tour. This duffle bag cannot exceed 7 kg/14lb. This weight includes the sleeping bag and mattress. You will be responsible to pack your duffle bag with your personal items (including sleeping bag and mattress) that you will not be using during the day before breakfast. Items that are packed will not be accessible till we reach the final camp for the evening.
Transportations
- Private Transport
We include all the transportations during your trek. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco, and take you to Piscacucho or Km 82 Trail head. At the end of the trek, the bus returning from Ollantaytambo to Cusco will drop you off at your hotel.
- Train Ticket
For the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we include the returning train ticket after you have explored Machu Picchu on the last day. The train ticket will be one of the available trains scheduled for 14:20hrs, 14:55hrs and 16:20hrs.
- Bus Ticket
The Bus ticket from from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes once you are done exploring Machu Picchu is also included.
Equipment
- Camping equipment
Vidal Expeditions leads tours to Machu Picchu with a suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of the life time. Our tents are Eureka or Doite pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only for 2 people to ensure you comfort and enough place for your luggage. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal along this tour.
- Personal Duffle bag
We included a personal duffle bag for your 4 days Inca Trail. You will get this duffle bag at Vidal Expeditions office during your pre-departure briefing the night before of your trek. This bag will be carried by our porters during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon you arrive to the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag and mattress but the maximum allowable weight is 7kg/17lb. The duffle bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.
- Medical First Aid Kit
All tour guides of Vidal Expeditions are very well trained in First aid. They received training courses every 6 months how to assist to someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon oxygen in the case if someone requires it.
Meals
- Meals
At Vidal Expeditions, we know food is such an important part of any vacation and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial. For your trek, we include 3 breakfast, 3 lunch and 3 dinner. We cater to all dietary restrictions Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free and others – just let us know your dietary restrictions at the time of your booking. Our team is well-trained to prepare the best food ever you’ve had with local and organic ingredients.
- Water
Vidal Expeditions will provide you water from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water will be filtered, boiled and cooled by our Chef. You must bring your own water container, bottle or camelback that can hold water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.
- Snacks
Our team will provide snack every morning before leaving each campsite so you can enjoy it during your hike along the day. There will be many breaks where you can enjoy the delicious local fruits, biscuits, caramels.
What's Excluded
NOT INCLUDED:
- Sleeping bag
Every trekker along the Inca trail needs a proper sleeping bag which has to be for -15°C / 5° F. We recommend you bring your own, but if you don’t want to bring your own or you don’t have one you, can rent a sleeping bag from us.
- Walking Sticks/Trekking Poles
Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits – protect your knees while you are hiking downhill. Specially on ancient Inca trail which are many stairs up and down, trekking poles help you during the ascent, increase stability. If you don’t have a pair of trekking poles, you can rent them from our office.
- Breakfast on the First day
We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotel offers breakfast during your stay there. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near to Ollantaytambo where you will be available to purchase a breakfast.
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes
Lunch on the last day at Aguas Calientes is not included in the trek. However, you and the group can enjoy the last lunch together in a restaurant recommended by your tour guide.
- Travel Insurance
We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happens during your visit to Peru.
- Tips for our team
Tips are not included. Tipping the team is typical on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.
- Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the mountain which stands next to Machu Picchu. It is really famous hike normally takes 45 minutes hike up to the top by narrow steps steep with a great view of Machu Picchu citadel. If you would like to hike Huayna Picchu after your tour to Machu Picchu there is an extra cost of USD 75.00. Also, this booking must be done at least 3 months in advance due the popularity.
What to bring
Suggested packing list: Bring or rent in Cusco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sunblock, sunglasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitiser, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, Gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail.
Don't forget the essentials: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.
Know before you go
The Inca trail often gets booked months in advance.
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.
Not recommended for travellers with back problems.
The minimum age is 7 years.
Note: There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at the Cusco office on the evening before your trek. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details
Typical Meals on the Trek: On all of our Treks to Machu Picchu we search for great cooks who provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain, with speciality menus and the freshest local ingredients available. Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek. *Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request (please advise at least 2 days in advance).
Breakfast: Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, omelette or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk.
Lunch and dinner:
First course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado or potatoes.
Second course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken) or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew).
Desserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk.
Snacks: Boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers.
Important: No more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek at km. 82; This number includes all support staff (ie. porters, cooks and guides) and is very tightly controlled; Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the Trail is effectively closed off for the day and no further bookings can be made; Reservations are not held on the Trail and all permits to trek must be bought as far as possible in advance with complete and correct passport information, to which no modifications can be made; Any attempts at modifications will result in a loss of the permit and any money paid
Accommodation options: During the trek single travellers will share a tent with another traveller of the same sex and couples will have a tent to themselves
Physical Requirements: This hike is demanding, it’s important to be in good physical condition; The Inca Trail elevation changes make the hike strenuous as there are three passes during the hike and you will have 1.2 miles (1,950 meters) of uphill and 1.4-miles (2,250 meters) of descent
Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration, which must be valid for at least 6 months past the date of travel; Without this information, the local tour operator will be unable to make the booking
You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers, you will not be accompanied by a guide.
Daily departures with a group of 4 or more.
No departures in February due to unfavourable climatic conditions.
Not wheelchair accessible.
Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
The complete service includes a thermal sleeping bag, foam sleeping mat, duffel bag & porter to carry a total of 7 kgs of personal gear for each trekker (3kgs sleeping bag & mat + 4kgs personal items). The reduced basic service only includes a basic foam sleeping mat and excludes the thermal sleeping bag, duffel bag & porter to carry personal gear. You will carry your own backpack, sleeping bag, mattress & personal gear.
Extra items for rent in Cusco: Inflatable Sleeping Mattress, professional trekking poles.
Cancellation Policy
No refund in case of any cancellation.
Price Details
| Per person | |
| 1 To 10 | USD 850 Per Person |
This is a group tour | |