INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICHU: 5 Days 4 Nights
- Details
- Category: Trekking Hits: 422
We have the city tour of Cusco Inca archaeological sites. Also the sacred valley of the Incas full day tour
The Inca road system was the most advanced and intricate transportation system in pre-Colombian South America. The network covered a territory of over 5,000,000 square kilometers with approximately 60,000 kilometers of primary and secondary trails. The most essential roadway was theCamino Real (Royal Road), which spanned 5,000 kilometers and traversed the Andes mountain ranges of Peru. Along this important trail, the Incas built countless religious retreats and military stations, in addition to multiple reststops and administrative areas. Only people on duty, or with the permission of the government, were able to travelover this critical route.
The one and only way to enjoy the original Inca trail! Have an adventure to remember, touring the city of Machu Picchu, exploring ancientInca remains, and observing one of the world’s most bio diverseareas.
ITINERARY- DAY ONE: CUSCO, PISCAYCUCHO TARAYOC
- DAY TWO: TARAYOC, LLULUCHAPAMPA
- DAY THREE: LLULLUCHAPAMPA TO PHUYUPATAMARCA
- DAY FOUR: PHUTUPATAMARCA, MACHU PICCHU
- DAY FIVE: MACHU PICCHU
- ITINERARY
- TRIP ITINERARY:
The one and only way to enjoy the original Inca trail! Have an adventure to remember, touring the city of Machu Picchu, exploring ancientInca remains, and observing one of the world’s most bio diverseareas.
DAY ONE: CUSCO, PISCAYCUCHO TARAYOC
We depart from Cusco at 8:30 am, driving northeast for about 2 hours until we reach the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, we will see the archeological site of the once great city of Ollantaytambo. After this stop, we’ll continue driving for an hour until reaching the kilometer 82 marker (Piscaycucho,2,570 meters), where we’ll have lunch and prepare our kits. The local porters will be helping
us carry the hiking gear, camping equipment, and commissary goods. Now we are all set and ready to enter the National Park. From this point onward, the Inca Trail is noted for having beautiful archeological sites and an abundance of orchids, bromeliads, and humming birds. The rich Andean vegetation is also home to the Chilca (bacharis peruviana), Molle (Schinus molle), and Tara (Caesalpina spinosa) plants: frequent sources of many local medicines. After a three-hour hike, we will arrive at the beautiful site of Patallacta (alt.2,740 meters) where we will stop for lunch and a tour of the remains. Then, we will resume our hike by following the gorge of the Urubamba River(one of the main sources of the Amazon River). Overall, the hike will last about 4 hours and cover approximately 7 kilometers. Along the way, we’ll come across incredible views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the surrounding valley. We’ll end our hike in Tarayoc (2,850 meters),where we’ll set up camp and settle in with a hot meal over the beautiful scenery.
DAY TWO: TARAYOC, LLULUCHAPAMPADay two begins with a hot breakfast and the chance to watch the sunrise between 6:30 and 7:30 am. Because we are camping in the middle of the mountains, it does take the sun a bit longer to emerge from the surrounding peaks. Prepare for a breathtaking experience as this majestic landscape is brought back to life in the morning light.
Today, we’ll be hiking for about six hours and coveringnearly 8 kilometers of mostly uphill trails. As we make our ascent, keep an eye out for the changing ecosystems that surround you, for the interandean valley is known for its
diverse ecological landscape. The first ecosystem you will notice is the Andean semidry forest with its unique scrub bush vegetation of asteraceas, bromeliads, and muss. Observe the rich birdlife as finches, seedeaters and hummingbirds flutter past you. After a few hourson the original Inca trail, we will break at Yuncaypata (3200meters) to take in theincredible view of the snow peaks of Huayanay (alt5,188meters).
Later on, we will encounter another ecosystem as we head into the Unca woodland (Myrcianthes oreophyla). This area marks the beginning of the cloud forest and is rich in ferns, orchest, bromeliads, and muss. After another two-hour hike, we will arrive at the Andean Páramo (alpine tundra) called LLulluchapampa (3,650meters), where we’ll be setting up camp for the night. Before dark, get in some bird watching with the abundant finch and hummingbird populations; they’re everywhere. Then, enjoy a hot dinner and a good night’s rest before another long day of hiking. (B,L,D)
DAY THREE: LLULLUCHAPAMPA TO PHUYUPATAMARCA
Today, we have an early start as it is our longest day. We’ll be traveling about 8 hours on 15 kilometers of trail that will take us through a succession of different valleys and ecosystems. Once we arrive at the Warmi Wañusta pass (alt 4,201meters), the highest point of the trek, we’ll begin our descent towards Phuypatamarca. On our way down, we’ll stop and visit several archaeological sites before reaching our second pass of the day at Runkurakay (alt 3,780meters).
Then, we’ll continue down to visit the remains of Sayacmarca( a former religious retreat) with the chance to see some beautiful orchest (odontuglosun myanthum) and Aya zapatillan(Calceolaria cypripediiflora).We’ll take a break for lunch and resume our hike on one of the most beautiful sections of the trail, well known for its incredible views of the surrounding snow peaks and the misty cloud forest that lies below. After about an hour, we’ll reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (“place above the clouds”) (alt 3,620meters), where we’ll be putting up camp.Enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range, the Urubamba gorge, and the surrounding mountains of Machu Picchu as you settle in for the evening. (B, L, D)
DAY FOUR: PHUTUPATAMARCA, MACHU PICCHU
Today, we set out towards Machu Picchu on a 9-kilometer hike that will take about 5 hours. Along the way, we’ll see more fascinating Inca remains and unique cloud forest species, such as the orchest and bromeliad plants, and tanager and wren birds.After an hour or so, we’ll arrive at what is probably known as the most
beautiful archaeological site on the entire trail: Wiñay Wayna. Wiñay Wayna means “forever young” in Quechua and is also the name of the epiphytic orchid (Epidendrum secumdum) that is prevalent in the area. Take a minute to behold the bird population… it is undeniably impressive… and
beautiful. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch shortly after we come to the Sun gate (Intipunku 2,950 meters) to give you a better chance to absorb the beauty around you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take pictures of the city of Machu Picchu from above. These will be great mementos for the future. After lunch, we’ll continue down with frequent stops for more opportunities to see Machu Picchu from above. Once we arrive atthe beginning of the Machu Picchu site, we’ll go exploring for some time before taking the bus down to the town of Aguas calientes, where we can enjoy a hot meal and relaxing evening in a local hotel. (B; L; D)Hotel.
DAY FIVE: MACHU PICCHU
Wake up early for a sunrise tour ofMachu Picchu that will last about two hours. Gain an intimate perspective on what is often referred to as
the “Lost City of the Incas.” Afterwards, choose between climbing one of the
nearby mountains, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu (about a 2 to 3 hour hike), or exploring Machu Picchu on your own. Later in the afternoon, we will have one last lunch together before catching ourtrain back to the imperial city of Cusco. - Include
- Included
- Sleeping bag(under 10 centigrades)
- Tents(eureka and mattresses.
- Meals,snacks,cook,assistance
- Lunch and dinner tent.
- Hotels(optional 3 stars)
- Portable toilets.
- Transportation in and out
- Bus up and down to Machu picchu
- Train round trip
- Tours in the Inca cities
- Porters(2 per person)
- Ticketsentrance to the trail and Inca city)
- Treks(optiona hike in Machu picchu or Huayna picchu mountain)
- Guides (historical, natural)
- First aid kit, bottle of oxygen · Radio communication
- Prices
- Prices
2 pax $800 for each person
3 to 5 pax $750 for each person
6 to 8 pax $700 for each person
9 to 16 pax $650 for each person
- What to bring
- What to bring
This is a list designed to advise you what equipment is appropriate to bring according to the weather conditions predominating at the time of your trip:- Flashlights (at least one headlamp among them).
- Sun Block; Insect Repellent.
- Towels (Small; cotton and hygienic).
- Rain Gear (Pants and Jacket) though not necessary during the months of July and August.
- A couple of pairs of socks, perhaps even an extra pair.
- One pair of trousers for the evening plus two more pairs for trail use (zipp-offs).
- Sandals for River use (Teva types).
- Low ankle height hiking shoes or regular hiking boots (check the season).
- Reading material.
- Binoculars (always useful regardless of season and activity).
- Bathing Suit.
- Water Bottle (I liter capacity).
- Good Sun glasses, perhaps two sets.
- A bandana for neck protection.
- A couple of sets of underwear (perhaps an extra pair).
- Camera and plenty of film.
- Passport (plus a couple of Xerox copies).
- At least one short sleeve shirt and one or two long sleeve shirts (dark colors, depending on the place and destiny chosen).
- And your regular medium to high altitude outer trekking clothes (Anorak-Wind Breaker, Pile or Down Jacket, Wool Hat, Gloves).
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