ALL TREKS MACHU PICCHU INCA TRAIL CLASSIC Peru’s best-known hike visited by thousands of tourists every year. The classical Inca Trail, 43-km trek leading to the Sacred Inca City of Machu picchu combines the visit of mysterious archaeological sites, amazing mountain scenery and lush cloud forest rich in Andean flora and fauna. Machupicchu is reached at sunrise on the fourth day.  Package: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights Type: Cultural and Adventure Group Size: Maximum 12, no minimum required Difficulty degree of this hike: Moderate to challenging Departures Day: - Fixed departures are available along the year. Exception: one-month closing period of all Inca Trail routes in February. Please contact us to check departures to alternatives routes. -  All private service departure dates are adapted to your request.           DESCRIPTION Day 1: cusco - Ollantaytambo - Huayllabamba Between 04.00-04.30am our private transport and staff will pick you up from your hotel. We drive to Piskacuchu (2700m/8856ft), a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco – Machu picchu railroad, which is the starting point of the Inca Trail. We begin our hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and walking along its left shore as it flows northwest along the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay (2800m/9184ft), to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the impressive Inca city of Llactapata (2650m/8692ft). We continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach the community of Wayllabamba (3000m/9840ft), where we set our first camp. All along the way we enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5832 meters above sea level. Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley. Meals: B, L, D Total distance: 12 km (7,47 miles) Estimated walking time:  5-6 hours Maximum altitude point: 3,000 m (9,840 ft) Campsite altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)   Day 2: Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo We wake up at around 6:00 am and after breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km. Along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass – 4200m/13776ft), we may see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at high altitude. We also cross an area of the so called cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and sparrows, and the Andean bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus). We advise that on this day specially, your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600m/11808ft), where we camp after approximately 7h of hiking. Meals: B, L, D Total distance: 11 km (6,84 miles) Estimated walking time:  6-7 hours Maximum altitude point: 4,200 m (13,776 ft) Campsite altitude: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)   Day 3: Pacaymayo to Wiñaywayna This day is the longest but also the most impressive and the most interesting, due the number of archaeological sites and the lush cloud forest area that we cross, so rich in Andean flora and fauna. From Pacaymayo we climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3970m/13022ft). Halfway up, we stop to visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800m/12464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624m/11887ft). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we arrive at the third pass, the Abra Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu picchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phuyupatamarca means ¨town over the clouds¨. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley. We continue our trek down the long descending stone steps that lead us to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft), an impressive Inca complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, close to which our camp is located. This campsite hosts a trekker lodge, a bar and bathrooms with hot shower facilities. After visiting the impressive archaeological site, we enjoy our farewell dinner at our camp. Meals: B, L, D Total distance: 16 km (9,94 miles) Estimated walking time:  8 hours Maximum altitude point: 3,900 m (12,792 ft) Campsite altitude: 2,650 m (8,692 ft)   Day 4: Wiñaywayna to Machu picchu On this fourth and last day we get up at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna an hour later and climb to the Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we may see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu picchu. From Intipunku we descend into Machu picchu, and 40 minutes later we enter the citadel from the highest point through the ¨House of the Guardians¨. We then descend to the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall. Meals: B Total distance: 4 km (2,49 miles) Estimated walking time:  2 hours Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (8,829 ft) Machupicchu altitude: 2,400 m (7,872 ft)   WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR Pre-departure briefing ollection 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 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 performance in field English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people) Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) Meals (04B, 03L, 03D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle Bus ticket from Machu picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes Backpacker train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco. Should there be no train tickets available in the direct route Aguas Calientes – Cusco, a train ticket Aguas Calientes – Sacred Valley with an additional private transportation from the Sacred Valley to your hotel in Cusco will be provided Transfer train station-hotel included only if returning on day 4  WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machu picchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machu picchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Sleeping bag Drinks Tips WHAT WE RECOMMENDED 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. 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. Small towel Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes) Cash in soles and/or US$ Original passport 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) Options and Rentals: Extra night in Aguas Calientes $35 (or email us for alternate options). We will just need to arrange your train back to Cusco for the following day. Please tell us before final booking process. Sleeping bag rent: US$ 5.00 per day. Our sleeping bags are –18ºC-comfort (0ºF) and mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips. Personal porter carrying extra personal belongings while on the trek. Extra cost is $80 for the trek. Therm-a-rest inflatable sleeping pad rent: US$ 5.00 per day Students: Take advantage of our $20 USD discount for students if you hold a valid International Student Identity card (ISIC). You must send us a scanned copy of this when making your reservation and present the original to the entrance control office. Failure to do so will result in a loss of permit and denied entrance to the Machu Picchu. Prices Information: Trek prices are not stated on this website due to forever changing government and park fee prices. Please email us for more information.