INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

Information

This is the most popular trek in Peru. The classic 4 day Inca Trail takes you over two passes of 4200 m and 3900 m and through the Sun gate to Machu Picchu. The short 2 day Inca Trail is easier and takes you to Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu. Spaces are limited to 500 per day, so advance booking is important! Amazon Trails Peru is an oficial Inka Trail Operator, so you can book the trail directly with us.

All fotos seen on our website and in our programs have been taken on our treks.

Short Inca Trail
to Machu Picchu

2 day trek

This is the short and easier Inca Trail, starting from km 104 and taking you to Wiñay Wayna and the Sun gate. Guided tour of Machu Picchu on day 2.

Classic Inca Trail
to Machu Picchu

4 day trek

The classic 4 day Inca Trail takes you over two passes of 4200 m and 3900 m and through the Sun gate to Machu Picchu. The short 2 day trail is an easier alternative

2 DAY TREK

2 DAY TOUR

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

2 days

Group size: min. 2 persons.

This is the short and easier Inka Trail, starting from km 104 and taking you to Wiñay Wayna. Guided tour of Machu Picchu on day 2. Highest point 2660 m.

Contact us for availability and prices!

Program

Pick up at your hotel at 4:30 am and transfer to the train station, to board the train that takes us to km 104. Throughout the route we can appreciate colourful landscapes, surrounded by mountains and local settlers making their daily labour in the fields. After 3.5 hours we arrive at Km. 104, starting point of our trek. At the beginning our permits are checked and then we visit the archaeological complex of Chachabamba. Afterwards we walk through cloud forest, ascending the footpath towards Wiñay Wayna (2660 m), where we arrive in approximately 4 hours. After a guided visit of the site we continue our route to the sungate, from where we have a first view of Machu Picchu. We then continue to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night at a Hostal (DWB).

Meals: Box lunch

Walking time: aprox. 5 – 6 hours

After an early breakfast (5:00 am) we walk up to the ruins (1 h 15 min) or may take the bus to Machu Picchu (ride takes 25 min). Arriving at the sanctuary we have a tour with our guide for about 2.5 hours. Afterwards you have free time to explore on your own, for example to visit the Inca bridge or to climb Wayna Picchu (extra ticket required). Afterwards, we walk down to Aguas Calientes through cloud forest (50 – 60 minutes) to have lunch (not included) and to take the return train in the afternoon. Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast

Included

  • Hotel pick up & transfer to train station
  • Train ticket to km 104 & return from Aguas Calientes
  • Entrance tickets to the Inca trail & Machu Picchu (2 days)
  • Professional English speaking guide
  • Bus up to the ruins (one way)
  • First Aid Kit, Oxygen
  • Meals: 1 box lunch & 1 breakfast
  • Night in DWB in a hostal in Aguas Calientes
  • Transfer to your hotel (day 2)

Not included

  • Breakfast & dinner on the first day and lunch on the last day
  • Entrance to Wayna Picchu (+ 70 US$ p.p., limited availability)

You should bring:

  • Passport, small backpack, bottle of water (1.5 litre), sun protection, hiking shoes, camera, rain coat or rain poncho, small towel and personal things.

4 DAY TREK

4 DAY TOUR

Click to enlarge

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

4 days

Group size: 4 – 8 persons.

The classic Inca Trail is the most popular and most frequented trek in Peru. Due to the limit (500 persons per day) advance booking with an authorized operator – like Amazon Trails Peru – is necessary. Permits are not changeable or refundable. Highest point 4200 m.

Contact us for availability and prices!

Program

At 6 am we pick you up from your hotel to travel to the Sacred Valley and to km 82, starting point of the trail. Today, after 3 hours by private bus, we walk about 5 hours. During the trek you see ruins of the Inca hill fort of Huillca Raccay and the archaeological site of Llactapata (2600 m), where we stop for lunch. Llactapata means “upper town” in Quechua. Then we descend to the Cusichaca River. From parts of this trail there are great views of the Cordillera Urubamba (Urubamba mountain range) and the snow capped Veronica Peak (5,860m). Following the bank of the river we arrive to our camp at Huayllabamba (3000 m, Quechua for “grassy plain”) or at another camp nearby (the “Unidad de Gestión de Machu Picchu” gives out the camp sites once we get the Trail permit).

At 6 am wake up tea in your tent to then have breakfast and start walking early. Today we walk about 7 hours, first climbing up from Huayllabamba following the bank of the Llulluchayoc river for about 1 hour to “Tres Piedras” (three stones) and a small bridge over the Huayruro river. Further on we enter a beautiful Polylepis forest and pass a waterfall. We climb up for about 3 hours, reaching the tree line and Llulluchapampa (3,680 m). We continue another 1.5 hours climbing to the first and highest pass of the trail, Abra de Huarmiwañusca (“Dead Woman’s Pass”) at 4,200 m. Prepare for the change of temperature! The descent from the pass is steep, following the trail on the left side of the valley and arriving to the campsite at Pacaymayo (3,600 m).

From Pacaymayo we climb up for 1 hour to the circular ruins of Runkuracay that overlook the valley. Another 45 minute hike will bring us to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). The descent is steep; we walk on Inca stone steps up to Sayacmarca ruins (3580 m, “Inaccessible Town”) that are protected on three sides by steep cliffs. The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (3,700m). From the pass we have an excellent view of snow-capped peaks such as the Salkantay (6,180m) and Veronica (5,860m). From here we continue to Puyupatamarca ruins (“Town in the Clouds”); our guide will explain about the ruins and Inca bath before arriving to the ruins. We continue on an impressive Inca staircase. Then, after about one hour of walking through cloud forest, we get to the camp at Wiñay Wayna ruins (2,650 m). It is about 7 hours walking today.

Wake up tea and breakfast at 4:30 am, to then walk down for about 1.5 hours to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) and observe the sunrise above Machu Picchu. The first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu at about 6:30 to 7 am. Then we walk down to the site (2,400 m) where we arrive at about 8:00 am and stow our backpacks away at the entrance. We now do the tour of the ruins (aprox. 2 hours) before more people arrive with the train. After the guided tour you have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own, your can visit the Inca Bridge or if you have some energy left climb Wayna Picchu (extra ticket needed). You later walk down to Aguas Calientes town where you can buy your lunch (economic), alternatively there is a restaurant close to the ruins (buffet 40 US$ p.p.). The return train leaves from Aguas Calientes in the afternoon. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Included

  • Pickup at your hotel
  • Private bus up to km 82
  • Entrance fee to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu for 4 days
  • Official, English speaking guide
  • Camping equipment, cooking equipment, dining tent, tables, chairs etc.
  • Porters to carry food, camping + cooking equipment
  • Oxygen tank, First Aid Kit & Medicine
  • All meals until breakfast of day 4
  • Snacks & drinks every day
  • Water for washing every morning
  • Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy or Ollantaytambo
  • Transfer back to your hotel in Cusco

Not included

  • Sleeping bag (for rent at our office in Cusco)
  • Hiking poles (optional)
  • Tip for the porters & cook
  • Entrance to Wayna Picchu (+ 70 US$, limited spaces)
  • Extra porter for personal luggage
  • Micropur for additional drinking water (optional)
  • Lunch in Aguas Calientes (day 4)
  • Personal things
  • Alcoholic drinks