Overview
Embark on the journey of a lifetime with a 5-day hike over Peru’s glorious landscapes to one of the ancient wonders of the World, Machu Picchu!
Follow the original Inca Trail as it meanders around mountains, valleys, through ancient Inca ruins and lush tropical jungle before reaching the magical Sun Gate at Machu Picchu.
Itinerary
- Today we visit the town and the fortress of Ollantaytambo, and learn about how the Incas moved boulders of nearly 60 metric tons from one mountain to another and across the river and valley.
- After exploring Ollantaytambo and having some snacks you have a short drive to the hike’s trailhead at Piscacucho (km 82). Here you meet up with the porters and cooks that will support you on the five-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
- Passports, ID and Inca trail permits have to be shown at check points.
- We will hike through populated rural areas and villages, passing through corn, potato fields and avocado orchards.
- Easy two-hour walk down to Llaqtapata (Inca site), the largest archaeological site on the Inca trail.
- Today’s highest point elevation 2800 meters / 9240 feet – trailhead and campsite
- Hiking time: 2.5 hours
- Distance covered: 6 km / 3 miles
- Today’s hiking level: Easy
- Walk along Cusichaca valley and enjoy the view of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcanota mountain range while climbing up to our next campsite.
- Experience different ecological zones while adapting to the altitude.
- Distance covered: 11 km / 7 miles
- Hiking time: 4 hours
- Today’s hiking level: Moderate
- Today is the hike’s most challenging day and also the most exciting; we reach the hike’s highest point on the Dead Woman’s Pass “Warmiwañusca,” 4215 meters / 13,909 feet.
- Learn about the Inca civilization while exploring Inca sites along the way.
- Today’s lowest point of elevation 3700 meters / 12,210 feet at Phuyupatamarca campsite.
- Distance covered: 16 km / 10 miles
- Hiking time: 8 – 9 hours including lunch
- Today’s hiking level: Challenging
- Today we begin our descent through the cloud forest and rainforest, where warm air starts rising from the jungle.
- We will reach the Sun Gate in the afternoon and have a spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the Southeast flank, a view just few travelers ever get a chance to admire.
- We will walk through Machu Picchu, but we save the tour for the following day (Day 5), after you have enjoyed a hot shower and have had a good night’s rest at a hotel.
- Head down to Aguas Calientes town (25-minute ride).
- Distance covered: 10 km / 6 miles
- Hiking time: 6 hours including lunch
- Today’s hiking level: Easy to moderate
- Early shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu (25-minute ride).
- Today you will feel much more relaxed after resting in the hotel, so you will be able to really enjoy the Machu Picchu tour and take it all in.
- We will have an early start in the morning before it gets too crowded, we begin with an introductory two-hour guided tour of the Inca site, after which you can climb up to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain known as “Montaña” (ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED – Check availability).
- Bus back down to Aguas Calientes (25-minute ride).
- Board the train and bus to your hotel.
Inclusions
- Pre-departure briefing of your tour.
- Transfer to hike’s trailhead “KM 82” & to hotel on final day.
- Camping equipment (tents, stools, tables, etc).
- Sleeping pad.
- Inca trail permits and fees.
- Machu Picchu entrance fees.
- Bus tickets down (x2) and up (x1) to Aguas Calientes.
- Train tickets back to either Ollantaytambo or Poroy town depending on train availability.
- Professional English-speaking tour guide (Additional tour guide for groups of 9+).
- Duffle bag.
- Hotel accommodation for a night (at chosen hotel).
- Support staff (professional cooks and porters).
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners (If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian or gluten free, PLEASE let us know).
- Emergency First-Aid kit and oxygen bottle.
BRIEFING: Before the hike, you will meet your hiking guide and the other members of your group. Your guide will explain to you all about the hike route and all the necessary recommendations will be provided to you for a great hiking experience.
×Not Included
- Backpacks.
- Hiking poles (You can bring your own from home or rent them locally in Cusco city).
- Sleeping Bag (You can bring your own from home or rent them locally in Cusco city).
- Breakfast on Day 1, lunch and dinner on Day 5.
- Entrance fees to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain known as “Montaña” (ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED – Check availability).
- Tips for cooks, guides and porters.
- Travel Insurance (you are strongly recommended to take out a travel insurance for the duration of your trip).
NOTE: The itinerary above is a sample. Hiking times, campsites and lunch spots are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria, weather conditions, availability, evolution of the group and on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Government.
Ξ Packing List:
- Original Passport
- ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun cream (SPF 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer
- Spare coins
- Sandals
- Personal medication
- Camera and chargers
- Headlamp with spare batteries
⇒ Considerations:
- Due to Government regulations, only 500 people are allowed on the Classic Inca trail each day, among hikers, cooks and porters.
- To ensure the Inca trail permits and the Machu Picchu entrance fees, government regulations require full and CURRENT PASSPORT INFORMATION of all the hikers.
- Inca trail permits are non-transferable and are sold out months in advance, we recommend our clients book it out asap (at least 3 months in advance).
- Hikers are in charge of carrying their own personal gear and should make an honest assessment of their physical condition. If a personal porter is desired, it is very important to request one at time of booking, as they are included in the 500 people/day limit.
- Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain known as “Montaña” or Huayna Picchu Mountain is a terrific add-on experience since they both offer outstanding views of the Inca citadel, but the entrance fees are limited (400 people a day) and at scheduled times. If you consider climbing either of them YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR A SPOT IN ADVANCE.
BUSINESS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Peru Machupicchu Tours S.A. is committed to traveling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. With your participation we can help conserving the area we visit and bring positive benefits to our host communities.
What you need to know on how to be a responsible traveler:
- The natural environment is very important. If in nature you need to go to the bathroom, be sure it is buried away from waterways. Burying or carrying out used toilet paper is a must. Tampons and sanitary pads must also be taken out of the area and disposed of appropriately. Minimize use of soap or shampoos in rivers and lakes – your local guide will let you know when using soap is unsuitable.
- When hiking, many travelers take an extra plastic bag to pick up any rubbish that they see to improve the area and for their own rubbish. Rubbish may have to be carried until a suitable disposal opportunity in the next town.
- Please try and minimize the waste of plastic water bottles. Consider using a water filter, camelbacks or canteens.
¶ Types of Service:
Our trekking programs are available in 2 types of services:
Group Service: This is a high quality, shared service with a maximum of twelve people (hikers) in the group. Groups up to eight people will have one guide, whilst over eight will have two — a great opportunity to have fun and make new friends. Our GROUP SERVICES have set departure dates.
Private Service: These services are arranged just for you and your party, and offer the possibility to choose the departure date, the group size and the duration of the trek. This not only has the advantage of adapting the pace to your physical condition, but also usually means enjoying quieter campsites and meeting fewer travelers along the route. All private groups include additional services, such as extra porters/wranglers to carry your personal gear, among other benefits.
| Hike duration | 5 days /4 nights |
| Hike level | Moderate to challenging |
| Hike style | Active |
| Type of hike | Archaeological, cultural and adventure |
| Distance | 42 kilometers / 26 miles |
| Hiking time | Day 1: 2.5 hours / Day 2: 4 to 5 hours / Day 3: 8 to 9 hours / Day 4: 5 hours |
| Elevation | Lowest point 2800m (9240 feet) – Highest point 4215m (13909 feet) at Dead Woman’s Pass |
| Accommodation | 3 nights in camping tent and 1 night at hotel |
| Group size | Group service up to 12 hikers maximum – Private service (as requested) |
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