Classic Inca Trail - 4 Days

This is the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The trail winds through substantial archaeological ruins surrounded by dense vegetation and astonishing landscapes. The four-day trek takes you over amazing peruvian paths of large stones with carefully made stairs in the steeper parts, passing through impressive tunnels, valleys and high passes. It finally crosses the mountain at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, for your first glimpse of the magic and splendor of the Machu Picchu citadel below.

The Inca Trail is one of the most popular & amazing hikes in Peru. In order to protect and preserve the heritage of the trail, access to the trail is regulated by the Peruvian government, the INC (National Institute of Culture) and the INRENA (National Institute of Natural Resources). There is a limit of 500 people per day allowed on the trail, including 300 porters and guides. Foreign visitors total no more than 200 per day. If you are planning to hike the Inca Trail, we recommend booking several weeks or months in advance. Feel free to contact us any time to check on availability. It is our intent to provide our hiking groups limited exposure to other hikers to ensure a quality hiking experience. Our groups are limited to 8 people.

The Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance.

Itinerary - AHC-02 - 4 days/3 Nights

Day 1

Hotel in Cusco - Wayllabamba
Our team will arrive at 6:00 am to pick you up for your departure from Cusco to Km 82 in Piskacucho, with a brief stop in Ollaytaytambo, where you can buy last minute gear and personal items. We arrive in Piskacucho where the hike begins on a strolling, flat path along the Urubamba River and then shifts upward until our lunch stop. Along the way, we will get a close-up view of the archaeological ruins of Llactapata before we arrive at our campsite for the night.

Day 2

Wayllabamba - Warmiwanusca - Paqaymayu
We'll start the day early with a healthy breakfast prepared by our chef and then hike up to the highest point of the Inka Trail (Dead Woman's Pass). We may notice several ecological zones and be able to discern between the different microclimates. The chef will have lunch ready and waiting at midday prior to passing the highest point, Warmiwañusca Pass at 4,200 meters/13,780 feet above sea level. Our descent will eventually take us to the campsite Pacaymayo, where will enjoy our dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Day 3

Paqaymayu - Chaq 'icocha - Winaywayna
Our day begins with a nutritious breakfast and then a 45 minute hike up to the second pass on the Inka Trail (3950 meters/12,959 feet above sea level). Along the way we are able to visit Inka ruins including Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, and Puyupatamarka. Your guide readily provides additional information about the history and signaficance of ruins, wildlife and plants throughout the hike. After lunch we hike to the Wiñaywayna Camp site, for our last night on the Trail.

Day 4

Ancient Inca Stone Path Winaywayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
After an early breakfast, we begin the final trek to the lost city of Machu Picchu. We cross over the top of the mountain at Inti Punku “ the Sun Gate”, where we get our first inspiring and panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Then we descend to Machu Picchu where we will register at the check point and enjoy our private, guided tour of the ancient Inka ruins. After the tour you can choose to rest or explore the ruins on your own before we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to board the train back to Cusco.

Contact us for pricing. Please include the title of the tour, the number of people in your group and the time of year you plan to travel. We try to reply the same day. Our prices include the tickets for entry to Machu Picchu and the train ride back to Cusco.

Included:

Transportation from: Hotel - Km. 82 (Piscaycucho)
Bus Ticket: Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes.
Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
English-speaking guide (2 guides if group is more than 9 people)
Cook: meal preparation.
Porters: Carry tents and cooking equipment
Personal Porter: Carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 8 kilos/ 17.4 lbs per person)
Meals: 3 Breakfasts/4 Lunches/3 Dinners
Snacks and afternoon tea
Tickets for the Inca Trail & Machu Picchu
Equipment: tents (2 people in each, 3-person-capacity), sleeping pad, dinner tent, special biodegradable bathroom tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings
First aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
Minimum 2 people
Maximum 8 people for each guide (9 or more requires another guide)
Does not include tips

Thanks again for an amazing trek. Below this is our testimonial. Please use it on your site or wherever you think it help. I will also post this on Frommers.com for you. Hope all is well!
After searching through all of the tour operators for weeks and weeks to decide whom to go with for our trek to Machu Picchu thankfully we chose Adventure Holidays Peru. We try to abide by a certain code of ethics when we travel and choose companies that reflect our values and feelings about responsible tourism. This organization treats their porters with respect and dignity and pays them well. They are environmentally sensitive and they also make an effort to give back to the local community through volunteering and other altruistic programs. We were lucky to have Vidal the owner as our guide. Vidal is passionate about what he does, he has a great sense of humor, and knew all the necessary historical details to make it a learning experience for us all. Plus the food was not just good, it was fantastic! Adventure Holidays Peru exceeded our expectations in every conceivable way. If you are searching for a unique customized trek in the Andes mountains with a reputable company, look no further. Over the course of our three month trip in South America doing this tour was the highlight of it all!
- Matt and Lyss 2009