Classic Inca Trail (Small Group)
5 Days 4 Nights
This is the most famous trek in the Andes, where you will get to witness and walk on the path of the Incas, along the way enjoying many great views of Incan sites and mountains. This is a once in a lifetime experience, where you will arrive at Machu Picchu by the same path as the Incas did hundreds of years ago.
Day By Day Itinerary:
Day 1: 1st Day Inca Trail - Km82 to Wayllabamba (Small Group) (L,D)
Today very early in the morning you will start the mighty Inca Trail. Your private Inca Trail Tour Guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to KM82, 1 hour from Ollantaytambo. Here you will register and meet your chef and porters who will accompany you for the whole duration of the trek. From KM82 (2700m, 8850ft) you will make your way to the Wayllabamba Campsite. The first 2 hours of the trek is a lightly paced climb until you reach Miskay, a picnic area where your chef and porters will have lunch ready and waiting. After lunch, you will have 3-4 hours (depending on pace) of steady uphill climbing. Along the way you will pass the first Incan ruins of the trail Llactapata, where you have a good opportunity to stop and take some photos. Finally when you arrive at Wayllabamba the chef and porters will have set up the tents and even have dinner waiting for you. You will have the rest of the night to relax.
Overnight at Wayllabamba Campsite. (Altitude: 3000m, 9850ft)
Day 2: 2nd Day Inca Trail - Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo (Small Group) (B,L,D)
Early in the morning you will be woken up with a hot coca tea. Then you will enjoy a rich breakfast to get you ready for the very challenging yet rewarding day ahead. Today you will start from an altitude of 3000m, 9850ft and climb for 5 hours to reach an altitude of 4200m, 13800ft at Dead Woman´s Pass, where you will have a stunning panoramic view of the Andean mountains and its surroundings. After the toughest part of the Inca Trail you have an hour descent before reaching the picnic area where your chef and porters will have prepared lunch. After lunch you have another hour descent before reaching Pacaymayo Campsite, where you have the rest of the day to relax. During the evening, you will enjoy a delicious dinner cooked by the chef before relaxing some more.
Overnight in Pacaymayo Campsite. (Altitude: 3600m, 11800ft)
Day 3: 3rd Day Inca Trail - Pacaymayo to Wiñay Wayna (Small Group) (B,L,D)
After an early breakfast you will continue trekking the Inca Trail passing many archeological sites. The first part of today’s trek will take you from Pacaymayo (3600m, 11800ft) to the second pass, Runkuracay (3900m, 12800ft). After reaching this pass, the rest of the day´s trekking is mostly downhill, passing Saqaymarca, an inaccessible old Incan town before reaching a nice area for lunch. After lunch we will continue the trek until we reach the Wiñay Wayna Campsite, where you will have the rest of the day to relax. During the evening the chef will prepare your dinner.
Overnight in Wiñay Wayna Campsite. (Altitude: 3700m, 12150ft)
Day 4: 4th Day Inca Trail – Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu (Small Group) (B)
Another early breakfast to prepare for the Inca Trail, from Wiñay Wayna you will trek for 2 hours until you reach the Sun Gate, ´Inti Punku´, where you have finally arrived at Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at the Sun Gate, you have officially completed the Inca Trail and from here you get a panoramic and breathtaking view of the ´Lost City of the Incas`. After a short walk, you will reach Machu Picchu, where you will enjoy a guided tour allowing you to learn about the history of this truly fascinating Incan sacred site and visit some temples such as the sun and the condor. After this you will have some free time to explore on your own before transferring to Aguas Calientes and to your hotel.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes. (Altitude: 2000m, 6500ft)
Day 5: 5th Day Inca Trail - Machu Picchu to Cusco (Small Group) (B)
Today you have another chance to visit Machu Picchu where you have plenty of time to explore this truly magnificent site on your own. There are many short trek options, such as a the one to the Sun Gate for an impressive view of Machu Picchu or a visit to the Incan Bridge, a secret entrance for the Inca Army. The most adventurous should not miss the Wayna Picchu ´young mountain climbing, which requires a very early start (5.30am) as only 400 people are permitted on this climb each day. If you prefer not to return to the Machu Picchu ruins today, you also have some trekking options around Aguas Calientes such as the easy walk to the Wandor Falls or the really challenging Putukusy Mountain climb for an impressive view of the Machu Picchu citadel. In the afternoon you will take the hour and a half Train to Ollantaytambo, where your private driver will be waiting for you to transfer you to Cusco.
Your Cultural Immersion Peru Package Includes:
- Small and intimate group of 2-8 people
- Return transfers from hotel to train station
- Professional English speaking Inca Trail tour guide
- All entrance tickets to the attraction sites including the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner)
- Snacks and drinks
- Great food throughout the tour
- Bottled water daily
- 3 nights in comfortable double tents
- 1 night at a quality bed and breakfast type hotel
- Equipment: new professional camping tents, comfortable air mattresses, dining tent, tables, chairs, cooking equipment, first aid kit and oxygen bottle.
- Porters to carry camping and cooking equipment
- 2 bus trips from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and 1 bus trip up to Machu Picchu
- Train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
- Local Taxes
Your Cultural Immersion Peru Package Does Not Include:
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Airport taxes ($6 Local $30 International payable on site)
- Extra porter to carry personal belongings (please request – additional payable)
- Tips and extras
- Additional add on activities
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Due to popular demand and limited spaces, we advise that you book this trekking adventure at least 3 months in advance to avoid disappointment.
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