Machu Picchu Inca Trail Tour 5 days

Day 2: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayu

This day begins early and you start by climbing up to Dead Woman’s Pass, which is locally known as Abra Warmihuañusca.  You will see breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains and the surrounding cloud forest.  This is the most difficult part of the trek, with an abrupt and steep ascent that is approximately 10 km in length.  Once you accomplish that, you will continue on to Llulluchapampa and it is the perfect place to grab a few purchases of items that you may have forgotten or didn’t know you needed.  You may spot a few deer and falcons prior to leaving this area behind, but be prepared for the dry area, puna, which has very little vegetation and is your next destination.  It is here where you will see llamas and alpacas and it is all downhill from there until you reach the area where you will eat lunch.  The afternoon is spent wandering through the Pacaymayo Valley and the nighttime hours bring Happy Hour and an amazing meal.

Hiking distance: 8.8 km – 5.47 miles / 6 to 8 hours

• Huayllabamba – Wamiwañusca Pass: 6.4 km/3.7 mi
• Wamiwañusca Pass – Pacaymayo: 2.4 km/1.49 mi.
• Highest altitude Wamiwañusca Pass: 4205m – 13796f

Camping Facilities: Tents, sleeping pads, portable camping toilets, no showers and no shops.

Meals included: 1 breakfast – 1 lunch – 1 dinner.

Day 3: Pacaymayu – Phuyupatamarka

On the other side of the valley is the second pass of this incredible journey.  You will want to spend hours at the waterfalls, but we will urge you on, so you can truly appreciate the Inca ruins of Runcuraccay.  It is after you see the ruins that you will reach the second pass and you will once again descend into the cloud forest.  It will not take you long to reach the most incredible Inca ruins on the trail, Sayacmarca.  There is so much to see at these ruins that we spend an hour taking you around and showing you all the details.

You will be more than ready for lunch at this time and you will dine near the dry lake of Chaquicocha.  You are not too far from the campsite for the night, so once you have eaten your meal, you can start off for Phuyupatamarca.  You may be in a rush to reach camp, but make sure you take the time to stare out at the marvelous views of the Vilcabamba mountains.  Once you reach your campsite, you will see Machu Picchu in the distance, as well as the Urubamba River.  You are going to be so intent on exploring the nearby Inca site, but make sure you are back in plenty of time to eat dinner and attend Happy Hour!

Hiking distance: 13.4 km – 8.33 miles / 7 to 8 hours

• Pacaymayo – Runkurakay: 0.8 km – 0.5 mi
• Runkurakay – Runkurakay Pass: 0.6 km – 0.37 mi
• Runkurakay Pass – Sayaqmarka: 1.6 km – 0.99 mi
• Sayaqmarka – Phuyupatamarca: 5km – 3.1 mi

Camping facilities: Tents, sleeping pads, toilets, hot showers available for U$2.

Meals included: 1 breakfast – 1 lunch – 1 dinner.

Day 4: Phuyopatamarka – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

The Royal Highway is where you will start this beautiful day on the Inca Trail, and you will be thrilled that your final destination is so close!  Rare orchids blossom within the cloud forest and you will see many of them before you arrive at the Wiñay Wayna ruins.  The last part of Machu Picchu Mountain is stunning, and you will make a stop at the infamous Gate of the Sun before finally arriving, under the afternoon sun, at the ruins of Machu Picchu, time where there are not so many people inside the park and you will be able to enjoy Machu Picchu by your self.

After your guided tour, your entire group will board a shuttle bus to a hotel. We been running this trip including a hotel at the end of the four day and it had been a success. After long 4 days hiking you will be able to sleep well in a nice comfortable bed, take a nice shower, eat in a nice restaurant and you will be totally ready to enjoy Machu Picchu again but this time will be with your guide. Also you will have the chance to hike Huayna Picchu or Montaña mountain that is already included in the price.

Hiking distance: 8.8 km – 5.5 miles / 6 to 8 hours.

• Phuyupatamarka – Wiñaywayna: 5.4km – 3.35 mil
• Highest altitude: Runkurakay Pass 3950m – 12960f
• Wiñaywayna – IntiPunku:  4.3km – 2.67  miles
• Intipunku – Machu Picchu: 0.37 km – 0.23 miles

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 5: Machu Picchu- Cuzco  

After a good breakfast, you will take the shuttle bus back to Machu Picchu. Our guides are all experts and they will share their knowledge of the history and all unknown wonders of this magical destination.

You will have an option of taking an earlier bus to the ruins and if you choose to do that, you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of the sunrise and more time to hike some of the lesser known trails.

A few of the spectacular sights that you will see include:

• Temples of the three windows and the sun
• Inca Bridge
• Sun Gate
• Sacred Plaza
• Intihuatana Stone, which is the hitching post of the sun

At a specified time, you will rejoin your group to descend down to Aguas Calientes.  Before departing by train, you will have a little time to visit the local hot springs for a cost of 10 soles.  This will allow you relax those sore muscles before traveling by train to Cusco.  You will arrive at your final destination around 9:30 pm and then transported to your hotel.

What’s included?

The Machu Picchu Inca Trail tour includes meals, train and bus tickets, porterage for up to 8 kg of personal gear, camp gear including tables, chairs, dining and sleeping tents, therma-rest sleeping pad and a water filter. You will not be short of any equipment or amenity with our tour.

• Permits: Entrance fee for admission to the Inca Trail National Park, entrance fee to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Sanctuary, permits and fees for the tours porters and cook.
• Porters: Porters to carry equipment (tents etc.). The cost of portage for a maximum of 8 kg of personal gear, communal camp equipment, including camp chairs, tents, a comfortable inflatable mattress.
• Camping tent gear: Spacious 4 season – 2 men tents, pillows, sheets, sleeping bag liners, 5 cm 2 inches inflatable mattress, sleeping bag according the weather condition (North Face), personal duffel bag.
• Dining and a  kitchen tent: camping tables, chairs, eating and kitchen ware.
• There are portable toilet tents for only your group to use, these are very private.
• Meals: There are 4 breakfasts, 4 dinners and 4 lunches, morning and afternoon snacks during the trek. All of these meals are prepared by our cook and assistants.  Delicious coca tea is brought to you each morning, so you can start the day on the best footing. We provide you with boiled water after every breakfast, lunch and dinner for your water bottles
  Happy hours, you receive a mate de coca and some local coffee which is prepared by the cook. Nutritious snacks every morning for the trek day ahead. Special foods are available on  request.
• Guides: We have 2 guides when there are 8 or more guests. They are graduates who have studied tourism and the Inca history at the university. They are also English speaking. A two hours guided tour of the wonders of Machu Picchu
• Transportation: A bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes village, train to Ollantaytambo and then by bus to Cusco City, private transportation from your hotel to the Inca Trail and back.
• Hotel: Hotel in a 3 star category in a single or double classic room. Hotel are rated with 4 to 5 points put of 5 in TripAdvisor and Booking.com.
• (Local Taxes included).

What’s not included?

• Huayna Picchu, or Montaña Machu Picchu entrance fees (U$20)
• Hotel in 4 or 5 stars. Available upon request.
• Trekking poles
• Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes, also known as “Machu Picchu town” (10 soles)
• Final lunch/meal at Aguas Calientes
• It is recommended that you bring the following
• Passport and ISIC student card (if eligible)
• Trekking boots, that are light with good ankle support
• Trekking poles metal tips are prohibited by law.
• Warm clothes especially at night when temperatures can fall.
• Thermal underwear for the cold nights or mornings.
• Gloves, mittens, a scarf, woolen socks, hat for the cold at altitude.
• Some t-shirts and trekking pants that can be turned into short pants.
• A flash light, head torch, and of course some extra batteries
• Camera and Binoculars- for the wonderful views and to capture your memorable experiences.
• A hat with a broad visor to protect your eyes and face.
• Sunscreen/ sunglasses
• Personal medical kit fir cuts and bruises, it is advised that you bring some insect repellent.
• Rain Gear: waterproof jacket and a rain poncho to keep you dry.
• Toiletries, toilet paper and a small towel for personal hygiene
• 2 liter water bottle, plastic bottles are prohibited in Machu Picchu and the adjacent area.
• Water purifying tablets, but we also provide boiled water that is safe.
• Bathing suits if you wish to visit hot springs at Aguas Calientes
• Money for tips for guides etc. (USD$30-40)
• Money for emergencies/unexpected events (200-350 soles) (USD$ 120)

Single supplement tent

If traveling alone you have the option of sharing a tent, we will pair you with another trekker of the same sex and you will not be charged. If you want a tent to yourself, the surcharge is US$98. 

Hotels in Lima or Cuzco 

Hotels are priced at $70 per night for a double, and $60 for a single, this includes taxes and breakfast. There are many hotel options available. We can book you into a hotel. Please contact our Trip Consultant at Andean Treks to learn more about our options and how we can help you to have an experience of a lifetime.

Rates can vary.

*INSURANCE:  It is highly recommended that you obtain comprehensive Travel Insurance, including Medical Problems, and cover for baggage loss or damage.