5 Day Inca Trail Hike

Early morning, we pick you up from your hotel and take you by our private transport to the starting point of this Inca Trail hike - Piscacucho, also called Km 82 (2,350 m). There, your Tour Guide gives you a briefing about the following Machu Picchu tour and after that, you cross the checking point of the Inca Trail hike. Then you hike along the Urubamba River visiting the Incan archaeological sites of Willca Raccay and the enormous Llactapata. Later on, you continue up to the Cusichaca River Canyon offering magnificent views of the Cordillera Oriental; particularly, the Veronica Mountain (5,850 m). You have lunch in Chamana to later continue the Inca Trail walk along the Cusichaca River observing several Incan agricultural stepped terraces and irrigation channels until reaching the picturesque village of Wayllabamba. Thereafter, you start ascending while appreciating various eco-systems along the way. Later in the afternoon, you get to the village of Llullucha Pampa, a place of your first campsite (3,850 m). There you have dinner and a rest afterward.

Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours
Trekking distance: 17 km
Max. elevation: 3,850m (12,630 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,600 m (8,530 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Early after breakfast, you continue your Machu Picchu hike ascending towards the highest point of the trail - Abra Warmiwañusqa (= Dead Woman´s Pass) at 4,200 metres passing through the cloud forests of Yunkachimpa and Corral Punku offering excellent views of surrounding snowcapped peaks. From Warmiwañusqa, you descend to the Pacaymayo Valley (3,300 m), where you have a lunch break. Then you walk the Inca Trail through the valley until you get to the Inka´s ruins of Runkuracay where a guided tour follows. Afterwards, you climb up and get over the second pass - Abra Runkurakay (3,860m) walking on this "Royal Inca´s Highway" down to the next Inka site - Sayacmarca. On the way, you pass the Yanacocha Lake. In the end, we get to our second campsite - Chaquicocha (3,670 m).

Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours
Trekking distance: 12 km
Max. elevation: 4,200 m (12,630 ft)
Min. elevation: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
Difficulty: Challenging

Today, we start hiking passing through lovely subtropical vegetation and many important archaeological sites. Before we reach the first site, we get over Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,670 m) and just behind it, we can see the Phuyupatamarca Inka complex (3,600 m), one of the best preserved and most completed sites of this 5 days Inca Trail. The complex is located on the top of a mountain and it corresponds with its Quechuan name that means the "Town above the Clouds". After a guided tour, we have lunch there. Then, we start a steep descent via a cloud forest offering an opportunity to see beautiful orchids and different bird species on the way to our last campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m). There, we have a guided tour of the same-named impressive archaeological complex consisting of a religious sector, urban sector and an agricultural centre with lots of stepped terraces. Afterwards, we are served dinner and then we go sleep to get ready for hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!

Estimated trekking time: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 10 km
Max. elevation: 3,670 m (12,040 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate

We start trekking the Inca Trail early morning after breakfast. We first climb antique steps to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) to see the sunrise above the long-expected citadel of Machu Picchu! Then, we spend the rest of the morning exploring the Inka citatel on our own. For those interested, we meet up in the below town of Aguas Calientes to have lunch together. To get to Aguas Calientes, you can either take a slow descend (recomended to take some lovely panoramic photos; it takes about an hour) or a shuttle bus (approx. 20 minutes; it costs $9.50 which is not included in the Inca Trail package). Afterwards, you can visit the local hot springs (entrance fee of 10 Soles is not included in any of our Inca Trail packages). You spend the night in a comfortable hostel where you can enjoy hot shower!    

Estimated trekking time: 3 hours
Trekking distance: 4 km
Max. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,400 m (7,875 ft)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

No Inca Trail hike expects is today, just a walk and a ride as we take a shuttle bus after very early breakfast. The bus leaves us in front of the gates of the mysterious city of Machu Picchu that we enter for the early morning best photo opportunities! Then, you enjoy a 2 and half an hour guided visit of the so called "Lost City of the Incas"!! Afterwards, you have an opportunity to climb either the peak of Huayna Picchu (45 minutes up and the same time back) or Machu PicchuMountain (1 hour, 30 minutes up and down) on your own to take some panoramic pictures of Machu Picchu!! This Machu Picchu tour finishes by afternoon's descend to the town of Aguas Calientes where we take a train back to Cusco. Arrival in the evening.
End of the service! Hope you have enjoyed this one of longer Inca Trail tours!! 

• Pre-trek briefing with your Tour Guide;
• Transfer by private vehicle to the initial point of the trail at Km 82;
• Accommodation: Camping (3 nights), Hotel (1 night);
• Inca Trail Permit and 2 entrance fees to Machu Picchu;
• Meals: 4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner, 3x afternoon´s hot beverages (If you are a vegetarian, please advise us in advance. A vegetarian meal option is for NO extra cost!);
• Experienced bilingual Tour Guide (a group up to 10 participants has 1 Tour Guide, and a group over 10 participants receive 2 Tour Guides);
• A professional trekking chef;
• Porters to carry food, camping, and cooking equipment;
• Personal Super porters for your personal belonging (7 kg)
• Camping equipment: Personal double tents, Term-a-rest mattress, tables, chairs, cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining, toilet tents, and bottled gas;
• A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C);
• Air sleeping roll mattress (Thermarest);
• A blanket per person;
• Rain poncho;
• A T-shirt of the Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu;
• A shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town;
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo;
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco;  
• A duffel bag for your personal belonging;
• First aid kit;

• Breakfast on the first day and last lunch in Aguas Calientes Town
• A shuttle bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town ($12 one way, $24 - round trip)
• Travel Insurance
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain
• Extra Porter to help you carry up to 15 kg of your personal belonging (USD 130; the Extra Porter can be shared between 2 persons)
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru, however, it is not obligatory)
• Other extras are not mentioned.

Meal budget: Please allow USD 20-50 for meals not included.
Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this trek, you also receive your own single tent.
Local flights: No local flights are included in any of our Inca Trail packages!

PORTERS WORKING CONDITIONS

Every year, thousands of people do the Inca Trail. They usually complete the 43-km trail in 4 days. For most of them, the trip is their lifetime experience and fulfillment of their personal ambitions. The satisfaction of having completed the trek and visiting the spectacular Incan city of Machu Picchu is hard to beat. Although, this feeling is even better if you know that all porters helping you along the way have been treated well and with the respect they deserve.

OPTIONAL SERVICES TO BE HIRED

• Backpack 45 Lts USD 20
• Walking sticks or trekking poles USD 20 for both
• Personally shared Porter. It is very recommended to hire a personal half porter for 7 Kg US$75.00 for the entire trek. Salkantay Trek Machu provides a porter duffle bag for your belongings/equipment at the briefing time the night before of your tour. A foam pad roll mattress is provided to each trekker and needs to be carried by your porter or you in case you don't hire an extra porter. 

Important note: Personally shared porter must be reserved in advance at the time of booking your trek.

The camping equipment for Inca Trail will be returned to Cusco on day 4th, you need to give to chef the sleeping bag, and mattress.

• Camping (double tent) provided in 1st, 2nd, 3rd nights
• Hotel provided in 4 night

The hike to Inca Trail no included the extra porter. You will need to carry with you a daypack with your clothes, sleeping, Camera, water bottle, snacks, cold weather and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season May to October)- but as a precaution.

Important note: Personal shared porter must be reserved in advance at the time of booking your trek.

BACKPACKER FOR YOU TREKKING

Is very important to take the best cover backpacker, because the weather on Inca Trail changes every date, and we can’t predict it raining or not. If you don’t have one, we recommended putting your clothes, sleeping bag and other personal equipment inside the plastic bag.

APPROPRIATE CLOTHING ALONG THIS HIKE

Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light rain gear 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, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, 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 the necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.

What to Bring on the 5-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

• Passport original
• Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
• Cash in soles
• 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 and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• 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
• Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into Machu Picchu. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
• 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
• Toilet paper
• Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)

A lot of people include the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in their “Things to do”, although what most people don’t know is that there are various Inca Trails Trips to Machu Picchu to pick from in the Cusco region.

In case the Classic Inca Trail is fully booked, you can still enjoy one of our amazing alternative treks:

• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu (4 days / 3 nights)
• Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu (4 days / 3 nights)
• Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (5 days / 4 nights)
• Ausangate Trek Peru (7 days / 6 nights)
• Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu (9 days / 8 nights)