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The four day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is definitely the most famous trekking route in Peru. During this hike we will enjoy amazing views of a contrast of different landscapes, going from the meager pastures of the high mountain passes, to the rich vegetation of the cloud forest. Meanwhile our guide will explain us all about the different Inca ruins scattered throughout the trail. Our final reward comes on the fourth day, when we arrive to the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu.

Day 1 - Cusco – Llulluchapampa

• Max. Elevation: 3850m / 12630f
• Min. Elevation: 2600m / 8530f
• Difficulty level: Moderate to Challenging
• Average distance: 17km
• Estimated time: 7 - 8 hours

Our bus picks us up very early to take us in a two and a half hours drive to Piscacucho, the starting point of our trek. We start our way following the left margin of the Urubamba River. At a certain point we leave the river’s trace, and start following the Kusichaca creek towards Wayllabamba village (3100m/10170f), where we may stop for lunch. From this point we start the steep ascent towards Llulluchapampa (3850m/12630f), our campsite. During today’s hike we enjoy spectacular views of the impressive snow peaked mountains accompanying our way.

• Meals: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 2 - Llulluchapampa – Chaquicocha

• Max. Elevation: 4200m / 12630f
• Min. Elevation: 3500m / 11480f
• Difficulty level: Challenging
• Average distance: 12km
• Estimated time: 7 - 8 hours

After a nutritious breakfast we start walking to continue with the ascent on our way to the first mountain pass, the Warmiwuañusca Abra or Dead Woman’s Pass (4200m/13780f). Along this climb we may see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at that altitude. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3500m/11480f). From here we will climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3950m/12960f). Half way up, we visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After the pass we descend to Chaquicocha (3680m/), tonight’s campsite.

• Meals: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 3 - Chaquicocha – Wiñaywayna

• Max. Elevation: 3670m / 12040f
• Min. Elevation: 2700m / 8860f
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Average distance: 10km
• Estimated time: 5 - 6 hours

Today’s hike is special because of the large amount of important archaeological sites we visit. As we walk, the vegetation starts to change turning into cloud-forest. We arrive at the Phuyupatamarca pass (3670m/12040f) and straight after, to the archaeological complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best preserved archaeological sites along the Trail, and is located on the highest point of a mountain, making honor to its name, ¨town over the clouds¨. From here we start our long descent towards our last campsite, Wiñaywayna (2700m/8860f). The campsite has the same name as the complex located only five minutes away. Wiñaywayna is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector.

• Meals: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 4 - Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu

• Max. Elevation: 2700m / 8860f
• Min. Elevation: 2400m / 7875f
• Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate
• Average distance: 4km
• Estimated time: 3 hours

This morning, the wake up call is at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna an hour later and climb to The Sun Gate. The spectacular site of Inti Punku is the spot where we have our first glimpse of the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. From here we descend towards 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. After the tour we can continue visiting the ruins on our own, or take the bus down to the Aguas Calientes town. In the afternoon we meet in Aguas Calientes, where we take the train to the city of Cusco.

• Meals: B
• Difficulty degree of this program: Moderate to challenging

Inca Trail – Important Notice

According to the Resolution #002-2004-UGM-CD, published in El Peruano on Nov 12, 2004, modifying chapter III of the Inca Trail Regulation which refers to Inca Trail space bookings, bookings will only be guaranteed by the governmental institutions when providing full names, nationalities and passport numbers of passengers, and when having paid the full amount of passengers’ and agency staff’s (chef and team of porters) entrance fees.

THEREFORE:

TANIT TRAILS will guarantee the spaces booked provided:

1. The booking has been first confirmed by our Reservations Department by e-mail, this meaning that spaces are available on the Inca Trail for the requested date at the moment of the booking.
2. The full passenger data have been provided and the required deposit has been paid for.

• Since the Inca Trail has a maximum allowance of 500 people per day (including passengers and agency staff), we strongly recommend to make your bookings as much in advance as possible to make sure you will find spaces on the desired departure date. TANIT TRAILS receives bookings for departures scheduled as far as one year prior to the trek departure date so if you wish to travel with us to the Inca Trail, please make sure to confirm your booking as soon as possible. Otherwise, we have also available alternative routes of equally awesome beauty and interest to offer to you.

VERY IMPORTANT:

The following client information is requested for any Inca Trail booking:

• Complete names and surnames
• Nationality
• Passport number
• Date of Birth
• Gender

The exact information provided by you will be submitted to the governmental institution in charge of regulating the access to the Inca Trail and will be included in the official permit to enter the Inca Trail on the requested date. Should there be any change in the above-mentioned data (ie. new passport number), we kindly request you to inform the Reservations Department TANIT TRAILS via email as soon as possible and no later than 30 days prior to the Inca Trail departure date. The government reserves the right not to allow the entry to any visitor whose data are not the exact ones as those in the official permit. TANIT TRAILS declines any responsibility for a no entry in case the passenger information has changed without prior notice to us in due time.

We recommend you to 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
• Sleeping bag (please inform our Reservations Department if you wish to book this extra service at the moment of your booking)
• Sleeping pad: will be provided by us but is to be carried by you
• 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)
• 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)

Appropriate clothing along the Inca Trail

Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended 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 in the first two campsites, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machupicchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machupicchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.

Climate

Cusco’s climate is divided into two differentiated seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.

Along the Inca Trail, temperatures range from 15-20ºC during the day if it’s sunny, to 05-10ºC during the day if not sunny or 0-05ºC at night in the first 2 campsites. At Wiñaywayna and Machupicchu, at lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clothes are still recommended at night.

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