
Pool & Private Service
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
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:
* 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:
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.
(*) 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. This does not apply for the Hiram Bingham luxury train service
WE RECOMMEND YOU TO BRING
APPROPIATE 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.


Prices per person 2012: US$ 530.00 + US$ 74.00 (Expedition Train)
Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative):
All Inca Trail departures are subject to government space availability, please check the following website: www.machupicchu.gob.pe
Maximum 12, no minimum required
Prices per person depend on the group size, the larger the group the lower the price per person.
Daily 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 Inca Trail departures are subject to government space availability, please check the following website: www.inc-cusco.gob.pe.
To suit group requirements


Responsibility
T. +51 (0)84 234591