Inca Trail 4 Days
The spaces for the Inca Trail are quickly reserved. If youa��re considering on doing the Inca Trail to Machu picchu, make sure that you can get previously the permission, on the contrary, you would have to postpone your travel one more year, it is advisable in order to ensure your Inca Trail trek, you will pay in advance for the permission and then you can organize your trip to Cusco.
Very Important:
The exact information provided by you will be submitted to the governmental institution in charge of regulating the access to the Inca Trail and will be included in the official permit to enter the Inca Trail on the requested date. Should there be any change in the above-mentioned data (ie. New passport number), we kindly request you to inform the Reservation Department at Saywas Expeditions Tour Operator via email as soon as possible. The government reserves the right not to allow the entry to any visitor whose data are not the exact ones as those in the official permit. Saywas Expeditions Tour Operator excludes any responsibility for a no entry in case the passenger information has changed without prior notice to us
Day 1 a�� The Andean adventure begins a�� a�?almost flata�?!
- Total distance to be covered on day 1: 12km (5 to 6 hours more or less)
Pick you up from the Hotel around 4:30 (to be reconfirmed) and travel by bus to Piskacucho (you will hear this be called kilometer 82) where the trail Begins. There will be a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo (06:30-7am) to load up on energy (breakfast a�� not included).
Ita��s is necessary to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) the student card at the trails 1st control point.
To start the trail (2720m/8923ft), we cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy (a warm-up on the a�?Inca flata�� terrain) and we will have great views of the vast and incredible Inca site a�?Llactapataa�� (officially called a�?Patallactaa��), the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle and the Andes and the beautiful snow-capped peak of a�?Wa��akay Willcaa�� (5860m/19225ft), known in books as Veronica
Day 2 a�� The real Trial! We feel the adventure..!!
- Total distance to be covered on day 2: 16km (8 to 9 hours more or less)
After waking up at 5:30am (maybe at 05:00-depending on your Guide) and having breakfast, we will start a steep ascent towards the highest pass (Abra de WarrmihuaA�usca/a��Dead Womana��s Passa�� a�� 4200m/13779ft). On this day a real sense of achievement is felt on reaching the top! After a rest here, we begin the descent to the lunch stop which is located at Pacaymayu (3550m/11646ft).
On the way up to the pass we will be able to see lots of hummingbirds and other birds. Also we will have the time to appreciate an incredible variety of native plants and trees such as the A?PolylepisA? or Qa��ueuA�a trees which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650/11972m!!
Day 3 a�� Short walk to the camp!! Beautiful landscapes along the way!!
- Total distance to be covered on day 3: 10km (5 hours more or less)
This is the most impressive and wonderful day (in our opinion!!!). We wake up for breakfast at 6am, and start the day with a climb to visit the archaeological site of a�?Phuyupatamarcaa�� (meaning a�?Town in the Cloudsa��) and to reach the third highest point on the trail (3680m)). The views from here of the mountains, canyons and surrounding area are spectacular.
The Inca site, a�?Phuyupatamarcaa��, is located a few minutesa�� walk from the third pass and after visiting this, we continue walking (3000 steps!) through the cloud forest and the impressive agricultural Inca site of a�?Intipataa�� until we arrive at our third campsite WiA�ay Wayna (2680m/8792ft). Today we have only walked about 4 to 5 hours and have arrived to camp by lunch time!
A short distance from this campsite is located the Inca site of the same name a�?WiA�ay Waynaa�� (a�?Forever Younga��). Even if you are tired after your daya��s trek, dona��t miss out on visiting the most impressive site on the trail. Temperature during the night is around 12A? C
Day 4 a�� Machu Picchu! You got it!!!
- Total distance to be covered on day 4: 5km (2 hours more or less)
We leave the last campsite at about 5:30am on the final day (breakfast 3.30-4:00am). It is an early start in order to get to a�?Inti Punkua�� (a�?Sun gatea��) (2730m/8792ft) before sunrise. This is the place from where you will have your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft) with the sun rising over it! After some time there, we will walk down the last part of the trail to the spot where you can take the classic photo (picture postcard shot) of this ancient city. Finally we visit Machu Picchu itself!
A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves.
You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. Train included in all tours is until Ollantaytambo and then bus to Cusco. If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged. You can also go to the thermal springs in the town a�� a real treat after finishing the trail!!! Allocations or Itinerary are subject to change depending on time of booking and campsites provided by INC (institution that runs the Inca Trail).
The exact locations where you will have lunch and camp is subject to change depending weather conditions, current Inca Trail regulations and the abilities of the group.