Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days Hike

Machu Picchu, Inca Trail

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Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tours over the mountains, on a path of landscapes of indescribable Andean beauty that runs, throughout the days that this adventure lasts, archaeological centers that can only be reached by it; that’s the Inca Trail. With a controlled capacity of visitors, per month and per year, there is no visitor who does not want to visit it.

Machu Picchu was communicated with the city of Cusco and with the rest of the Inca empire through roads of excellent structure, with ergonomic design, they were built in strict harmony with the natural environment and have great aesthetics in their construction. Many of the paths are ledges on the edge of the abyss and are surrounded by beautiful landscapes with lush and varied vegetation. In some sections the path is carved directly into the rock. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is considered one of the most spectacular trekking routes on the planet and is the best known of the Inca trails.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tours has been divided into several routes and several sections, most of them start from: Km 82, and Km 104 of the Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu Pueblo railway route.

The most important sections of the Inca trail run through slopes, peaks and banks of the Vilcanota river basin.

What is the Inca Trail and what is its history?

The Inca Trail is one of the oldest pilgrimages and one of the 10 most beautiful walks in the world. To date, scientists do not agree on the role of Machu Picchu. Some say it was a defense fortress of the Inca Empire, while other scientists assume it was a refuge for the kings. What we do know for sure is that the Inca Trail leads to the city of Machu Picchu, built around 1440. Today, the Inca Trail is one of the most popular treks in the world, at least the most popular in Peru. Every year Machu Picchu attracts about 400,000 tourists. Each day a maximum of 2,500 people can enter Machu Picchu, of which a total of 500 are authorized to walk the classic Inca Trail. These 500 are divided into 200 tourists who walk the Inca Trail with the support of 300 porters.

Can you do the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tours by yourself?

First of all, let’s get rid of this question. No it can not be done. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tours can only be traveled on foot and with an authorized guide who knows the way. To be able to do the Inca Trail, a permit granted by the Ministry of Culture of Peru and the accompaniment of a professional guide is necessary. The archaeological site of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are two treasures of Peru and they take great pains to preserve it in the best possible way, that is why they do not allow tourists to go unaccompanied along the routes.

Inca Trail Permits

Inca Trail Permits will be available in October. However, trekking companies are already making reservations. If you want to do the Inca Trail in 2020, you can reserve a date of your preference and inform your trekking company about a second option. Trekking companies will always try to get the permits for the preferred date, but as there are only a limited number of permits available, it is good to have a second option in mind. There are 500 Inca Trail Permits available per day. Because this number is divided between tourists and staff (guides, porters, and cooks), there are only 200 Inca Trail Permits available for tourists, as the other 300 are for staff. There is a shortage of permits especially in the months of May to September. As summer approaches in the northern hemisphere, thousands of people prepare to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Are you one of them or do you prefer the short Inca Trail? For the short Inca Trail (two days), there are 250 permits available per day.

Itinerary:

The following itinerary of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days hike is the most classic. In 4 days and 3 nights, you can get to Machu Picchu, following the most beautiful path that exists, crossing the dead woman’s pass and passing through Inti Punku, known as the door of the sun.

The team will pick you up at your hotel between 4:30 – 6:30 a.m. m. (depending on your location) and it will take you to KM 82 (arrival around 8 am). After a delicious breakfast we will go directly to the control point to begin the trek to Machu Picchu. We will do a relatively easy 2-hour walk to Patallacta, the first Inca site along the way. From a unique and isolated location we will enjoy the breathtaking views of this ancient city. We will walk another 2 hours to Hatunchaca, located in the heart of the Inca Trail, where lunch will be waiting for us. We will walk for another 2 hours to the first camp, located in Ayapata. We will arrive around 5 p.m. The tent, a snack and a hot drink will be waiting for us. Then you will have time to rest and enjoy the view of the mountains before dinner.

  • Camp altitude: 3300 m – 10 826 ft
  • Maximum altitude: 3300 m – 10 826 ft
  • Distance: 13.5 km / 8 miles
  • Duration: 8 hours
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Accommodation: camp Difficulty: Moderate

We will wake you up early with a cup of hot coffee or cocoa tea. This is the most challenging day of the trek to Machu Picchu. After breakfast, a 4-hour hike awaits us uphill to the pass of the dead woman. At 4215 m (13 829 ft), this is the highest point on the Inca Trail. Once there, we will take some time to appreciate the serenity of the place, while the guide performs a traditional offering ceremony to the Apus (local gods). After 2 more hours of walking towards the Pacaymayu valley, we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch. The second step is an easier climb of 2 hours. Along the way we will take the time to explore two Inca sites: Runkuracay and Sayacmarca. 20 minutes later we will find the second camp in Chaquicocha (dry lagoon, 3600 m / 11 811 ft), where you can admire a beautiful sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range before dinner. With an unobstructed view of the constellations, this is the perfect place for stargazing!

  • Camp altitude: 3600 m – 11 811 ft
  • Maximum altitude: 4217 m -13 835 ft
  • Distance: 16 km / 9 miles
  • Duration: 10 hours
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Accommodation: camp
  • Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

With the difficult part of the Inca Trail already completed, you can relax and enjoy the calmest and perhaps the most interesting day of the tour. Today’s route is very varied and it only takes 5 hours to reach the final camp. Along the way you will pass through several different ecosystems, discover the cloud forest and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of Mount Salkantay (the second highest in Cusco). We will visit two Inca sites: Puyupatamarka (City in the clouds), with spectacular views of the Urubamba river and Machu Picchu mountain, and Intipata (Terraces of the sun). In Intipata, there will be time to rest and enjoy the magical surroundings. We will arrive at the camp around 1 pm. m. for lunch and then you can enjoy free time to relax and unwind. In the afternoon we will visit another impressive Inca site, Huiñay Huayna, where the guide will explain the history of this remarkable place. Then we will return to the camp for tea, dinner, and a special surprise!

  • Camp altitude: 2600 m – 8530 ft
  • Maximum altitude: 3600 m -1181 ft
  • Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
  • Duration: 6 hours
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Accommodation: camp
  • Difficulty: easy

On the last day of the Inca Trail, we have to get up very early to prepare for the culminating point of the Trexperience: knowing Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. We will go straight to the checkpoint and wait until it opens at 5:30 a.m. m .. As the sky brightens, we will walk for 1 hour to Puerta del Sl, while enjoying the impressive views along the way. On a clear day you can see the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu from Puerta del Sol, which is truly an unforgettable sight. Then we will begin the 1 hour descent to Machu Picchu and we will arrive at the final checkpoint around 7:30 a.m. m .. Your guide will take you on a detailed 2-hour tour of the city. Then you can explore Machu Picchu on your own, climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible). The guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then take the train and bus back to Cuzco. The Trexperience team will pick you up at the train station and take you back to the hotel.

  • Maximum altitude: 2700 m – 8858 ft
  • Distance: 6 km / 3 miles
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Difficulty: easy

It includes:

  • Information Talk: One day before the start of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days hike we give you an information talk about this walk.
  • Pick up from your hotel: We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco (If you are located in a place where our mobility cannot reach, our guide will go to your hotel and take you to where our mobility is).
  • Transportation: Transportation for our group from Cusco to Piscacuchu (Km 82) (2 and a half hours), this will be a private car only for our passengers and support staff.
  • Camping Equipment: 4 Seasons Tents. Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs and inflatable mats.
  • Food: 03 Breakfasts, 03 Lunches, 03 Dinners + Coca tea every morning in the camps (Vegetarian and vegan options at no additional cost)
  • Professional Tour Guide: All our guide staff speak English.
  • First Aid Kit: Our guides carry basic medication with an oxygen bottle as a precaution.
  • Support Personnel: Auxiliary Guide when we go more than 12 people, Cook and Assistant.
  • Porters: They are people who carry the Camping Equipment and food supplements.
  • Admission Ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu: We reserve and have ready the income for this important trek, this will also serve to enter Machu Picchu.
  • Return Train Tickets: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Return Transportation: From Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
  • Taxes: All taxes are included.

Does not include:

  • Entrance to the Mountain of Waynapicchu: This is an extra 2 and a half hour hike from the citadel of Machu Picchu. This has an extra cost of US $ 70.00.
  • Entrance to the Machu Picchu Mountain: This is an extra 3 and a half hour hike from the Machu Picchu citadel. This has an extra cost of US $ 70.00.
  • Bus ticket to descend from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes: The whole group is walking. If you want to take one, you can buy your ticket there (US $ 12.00).
  • Sleeping Bag: US $ 20 Rent for the entire tour.
  • Walking sticks: US $ 20 Rent for one pair.
  • Food not mentioned: First breakfast, last Lunch and special snacks.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Tipping: They are very well received.
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Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days Hike
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