Hiking the inca trail to Machu Picchu is a life changing experience when you do it with the number one ethical travel company of Peru.
Trek Details:
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What you get:
Important: Our porters carry cooking and camping equipment only. YOU NEED to hire an EXTRA PORTER if you don't wish to carry your own belongings on the trail. We recommend this as the best thing to do when booking a tour with us. There is no such thing as a 'free porter'. Companies that offer this complimentary service are usually engaging in exploitative practices that force them to carry extra unpaid weight. Do not fall for of this fishy marketing scheme |
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PRICES:
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Number of people |
Price |
2 People |
$750USD |
3 people or more |
$690USD |
* Join a group and get a discount.
See chart below
**Permits must be secured at least six months ahead of your departing date.
***Prices are valid from October 2019 through January 2021.
**** final cost of tour will be know as soon as you receive your receipt
*****ISIC Student card holders get $25 USD discount (numbers and scans have to be presented at the time of the booking, late notices won't be accepted)
See chart below
**Permits must be secured at least six months ahead of your departing date.
***Prices are valid from October 2019 through January 2021.
**** final cost of tour will be know as soon as you receive your receipt
*****ISIC Student card holders get $25 USD discount (numbers and scans have to be presented at the time of the booking, late notices won't be accepted)
ITINERARY
Start time
Between 4:30 am and 5:00 am
Travel
Two hours by bus from Cusco to Piskacucho or the famous 82 Km.
Highlights of the day
We will get across the Urubamba river, one of the most important tributaries of the Amazon river. View the Inca Fortress of Huillca Raccay and the Inca city of Llactapata (patallacta). Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Urubamba mountain range and the snow capped peak of Wakay Willca (Veronica) which stands at 5860m/1922ft.
Difficulty level
Moderate. The trail starts at 2720m/8923ft climbing to 3000m/8984 ft, this is a gentle day on Inca Flat.
Meals
Breakfast on way to Piskacucho.
Lunch during hike and dinner at campsite. Vegetarian options are available. Please advise us if you require this option.
Accommodation
Camping in tents at a campsite in the small village of Wayllabamba. The temperature at night is usually around 10°C/50°F.
Other information
Entrance tickets, passports and student ID’s will need to be shown at the start of the trail.
Between 4:30 am and 5:00 am
Travel
Two hours by bus from Cusco to Piskacucho or the famous 82 Km.
Highlights of the day
We will get across the Urubamba river, one of the most important tributaries of the Amazon river. View the Inca Fortress of Huillca Raccay and the Inca city of Llactapata (patallacta). Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Urubamba mountain range and the snow capped peak of Wakay Willca (Veronica) which stands at 5860m/1922ft.
Difficulty level
Moderate. The trail starts at 2720m/8923ft climbing to 3000m/8984 ft, this is a gentle day on Inca Flat.
Meals
Breakfast on way to Piskacucho.
Lunch during hike and dinner at campsite. Vegetarian options are available. Please advise us if you require this option.
Accommodation
Camping in tents at a campsite in the small village of Wayllabamba. The temperature at night is usually around 10°C/50°F.
Other information
Entrance tickets, passports and student ID’s will need to be shown at the start of the trail.
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Why Us? Because You Believe in Ethical Tourism. |
Start time
6:00 am
Highlights of the day
The flora and fauna on this part of the trek is incredibly varied and you will see many birds such as hummingbirds and plants and trees such as the 'Polilepys ' or Q'ueuña tree which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650/11972m! You will feel a real sense of achievement reaching the top of the pass today.
Difficulty level
Very difficult. A steep and difficult ascent from our campsite at 3000m/10700ft to the highest pass (Abra de Huarmihuañusca/'Dead Woman's Pass’ at 4200m/13779ft. After a rest we have a 2 hour descent to our campsite at Pacaymayu.
Meals
Breakfast at campsite, lunch on trek and dinner at campsite in evening.
Accommodation
Camping in tents at a campsite at Pacamayu 3550m/11646ft. Temperature around 6°C or 42°F.
6:00 am
Highlights of the day
The flora and fauna on this part of the trek is incredibly varied and you will see many birds such as hummingbirds and plants and trees such as the 'Polilepys ' or Q'ueuña tree which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650/11972m! You will feel a real sense of achievement reaching the top of the pass today.
Difficulty level
Very difficult. A steep and difficult ascent from our campsite at 3000m/10700ft to the highest pass (Abra de Huarmihuañusca/'Dead Woman's Pass’ at 4200m/13779ft. After a rest we have a 2 hour descent to our campsite at Pacaymayu.
Meals
Breakfast at campsite, lunch on trek and dinner at campsite in evening.
Accommodation
Camping in tents at a campsite at Pacamayu 3550m/11646ft. Temperature around 6°C or 42°F.
Start time
6:00 am
Highlights of the day
Visit the archaeological site of ‘Runcuracay’. Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains from Runkurakay pass. Explore the Inca site of ‘Sayacmarca’ and gazet at the magnificient scenery as you pass through the lovely cloud forest. Visit the Inca site of 'Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning town in the clouds) and then walk through the impressive agricultural Inca site of ‘Intipata’. This is the most amazing day of the trek.
Difficulty level
Difficult. Climb from 3550m/11646ft to 4000m/13123ft to the second highest point on the trail and then a steep descent to the archaeological site of Sayacmarca and then a further ascent to 3680m/12073ft.
Meals
Breakfast at campsite, lunch on trek and dinner at campsite in evening.
Accommodation
Camping in tents at a campsite at Wiñay Wayna 2680m/8792ft.
Other information
A short distance from this campsite is the Inca site of the same name ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are tired after your day’s trek, don’t miss out on visiting the most impressive site on the trail.
6:00 am
Highlights of the day
Visit the archaeological site of ‘Runcuracay’. Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains from Runkurakay pass. Explore the Inca site of ‘Sayacmarca’ and gazet at the magnificient scenery as you pass through the lovely cloud forest. Visit the Inca site of 'Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning town in the clouds) and then walk through the impressive agricultural Inca site of ‘Intipata’. This is the most amazing day of the trek.
Difficulty level
Difficult. Climb from 3550m/11646ft to 4000m/13123ft to the second highest point on the trail and then a steep descent to the archaeological site of Sayacmarca and then a further ascent to 3680m/12073ft.
Meals
Breakfast at campsite, lunch on trek and dinner at campsite in evening.
Accommodation
Camping in tents at a campsite at Wiñay Wayna 2680m/8792ft.
Other information
A short distance from this campsite is the Inca site of the same name ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are tired after your day’s trek, don’t miss out on visiting the most impressive site on the trail.
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Start time
On this last day the wake up time is at 3:30AM. We start the day early in order to allow our porters proper time to pack all our campsite and head down to their train stop to catch their train to Cusco. After a quick early breakfast, we will head to the last checkpoint of the Inca trail where we will wait for about an hour until the gate of the check point opens at 5:30AM.
Highlights of the day
A visit to ‘Inti Punku’ (‘Sun gate’) 2730m/8792ft before sunrise and your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu 2400m/7873ft with the sun rising over it! Please read more about the sunrise at Machu Picchu below.
From the trail a chance to take the famous picture postcard photograph of Machu Picchu. A walking tour (2 hours) of Machu Picchu by your guide. Optional climb of Huayna Picchu 2720m/8923ft (a 45 minute climb to reach the top).
After the tour you are free to wander around the stunning site for yourself and then return by bus or foot to Aguas Calientes. From there you will take the scenic train back to Cusco.
Difficulty level
Moderate. A gentle one hour ascent to Inti Punku and then a 40 minute descent toward Machu Picchu 2400m/7873ft
Meals
Breakfast at campsite. Lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation
You will be back in Cusco in your own accommodation for this evening.
Other information
What is the sunrise at Machu Picchu? For over 5 decades people visiting Machu Picchu have wanted to arrive there to watch the sunrise. The best time of the year to watch the sunrise at Machu Picchu is during the winter solstice on June 21st of every year. Watching the sunrise is a beautiful thing reserved mainly to the people hiking the Inca Trail during that particular time of the year. However, this event is conditioned to season (summer annand weather changes that might prevent people from doing it. Evolution Treks Peru does not guarantee that you will watch the sunrise at Machu Picchu.
You will be given your train tickets by your guide. The train usually leaves about 2:55 pm and arrives back in Cusco at 7:45 pm although this may be subject to change. You can opt to have an extra night in Aguas Calientes to explore Machu Picchu further and visit the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes.
On this last day the wake up time is at 3:30AM. We start the day early in order to allow our porters proper time to pack all our campsite and head down to their train stop to catch their train to Cusco. After a quick early breakfast, we will head to the last checkpoint of the Inca trail where we will wait for about an hour until the gate of the check point opens at 5:30AM.
Highlights of the day
A visit to ‘Inti Punku’ (‘Sun gate’) 2730m/8792ft before sunrise and your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu 2400m/7873ft with the sun rising over it! Please read more about the sunrise at Machu Picchu below.
From the trail a chance to take the famous picture postcard photograph of Machu Picchu. A walking tour (2 hours) of Machu Picchu by your guide. Optional climb of Huayna Picchu 2720m/8923ft (a 45 minute climb to reach the top).
After the tour you are free to wander around the stunning site for yourself and then return by bus or foot to Aguas Calientes. From there you will take the scenic train back to Cusco.
Difficulty level
Moderate. A gentle one hour ascent to Inti Punku and then a 40 minute descent toward Machu Picchu 2400m/7873ft
Meals
Breakfast at campsite. Lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation
You will be back in Cusco in your own accommodation for this evening.
Other information
What is the sunrise at Machu Picchu? For over 5 decades people visiting Machu Picchu have wanted to arrive there to watch the sunrise. The best time of the year to watch the sunrise at Machu Picchu is during the winter solstice on June 21st of every year. Watching the sunrise is a beautiful thing reserved mainly to the people hiking the Inca Trail during that particular time of the year. However, this event is conditioned to season (summer annand weather changes that might prevent people from doing it. Evolution Treks Peru does not guarantee that you will watch the sunrise at Machu Picchu.
You will be given your train tickets by your guide. The train usually leaves about 2:55 pm and arrives back in Cusco at 7:45 pm although this may be subject to change. You can opt to have an extra night in Aguas Calientes to explore Machu Picchu further and visit the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
- Travel Insurance is essential
- Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired from us)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
- Insect repellent
- Water (only until lunch time on day 1)
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer.
- Personal medication
- Camera
- Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
Optional items to take:
- Shorts
- Walking stick (with rubber tip)
- Plasters and bandages
- Sandals
- Extra money
- Bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
Optional services not included.
- Optional services NOT INCLUDED:
- Hire of sleeping bag (4 seasons) - $40
- Walking stick x 2 (single) - $ 20
- Inflatable trekking sleeping pad (Therm a Rest) - $35
- Camping Pillow (therm a rest) $20
- Rent our TREKKING COMFORT PACKAGE (all of the items above) for only $100 USD
- Full porter (up to 14kg or 30 pounds. Can be shared between 2 people)*** - $180
- Half porter (up to 7 kg or 15 pounds. Can't be shared) $100
- If you require an extra porter or a half porter, please advise us when filling in booking form.
- Single tent supplement - $55
- Huayna Picchu mountain $90
- Machu Picchu mountain $90
- ***NOTE: Total weight includes sleeping bag and pads (Sleeping bags and pads weight approx. 3kg)
Some of the reasons that our price may be higher than that of other agencies are the following:
We ALWAYS book the maximum number of porters possible (according to Inca Trail regulations) so that our porters are not overloaded.
We are the only tour operators hiring women to work as porters on the Inca Trail. We believe that THERE IS NO such thing as SUSTAINABILITY without women's Inclusion. Hiring Women porters demands more spendings on operational costs. We pay our women and men porters the same salary for their work.
Also, We are the only travel operator in Peru that supplies porters with proper tents, sleeping pads and adequate food for this type of activity. This increases the weight we carry on the trail and demands that we hire more porters.
Our guidelines for tipping our staff is the following:
We ALWAYS book the maximum number of porters possible (according to Inca Trail regulations) so that our porters are not overloaded.
We are the only tour operators hiring women to work as porters on the Inca Trail. We believe that THERE IS NO such thing as SUSTAINABILITY without women's Inclusion. Hiring Women porters demands more spendings on operational costs. We pay our women and men porters the same salary for their work.
Also, We are the only travel operator in Peru that supplies porters with proper tents, sleeping pads and adequate food for this type of activity. This increases the weight we carry on the trail and demands that we hire more porters.
Our guidelines for tipping our staff is the following:
- Two people (minimum group size) should have a maximum of 6 porters and 16 people (max group size) should have 22 porters.
- Tips for our porters, cooks or guides are optional and are NOT included in our price. However, our advice is that you tip our staff based on their performance, service, and knowledge.
- Each porter gets 100 Soles.
- Each assistant cook 150 Soles.
- Each main chef gets 300 Soles.
- We usually multiply the number of porters in a group by 100 soles. Then we add to that number 150 soles for the assistant cook and 300 for the cook. Then we divide that number by the number of tourists. That final number becomes the amount each tourist should contribute for tipping our porters. Below is a chart with guidelines for how this operation works.
- We understand that people who travel in small groups require more money for tipping. However, we recommend that people tip based on what their heart and their pockets feel. In no way we want our clients to feel pressured to tip exactly according to our guidelines.
- Assistant Tour guides can be tipped collectively by the members of the group, we suggest 5% of the total cost of the tour.
- Main guides are tipped on a one on one basis and based on their performance. Tour guides are professional people who spend a lot of time training in different other fields such as archaeology, history, and WFA. We suggest people to consider tipping our guide a 10% to 15% of the value of your tour.
Number of Toruists |
Number of Porters |
Number of assistant chefs |
Number of Main Chefs |
Total Tip in Soles |
Total contribution per tourist |
2 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
850 soles |
425 Soles / 128USD |
4 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
1250 |
312.5 Soles / 94.5 USD |
8 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
2000 |
250 Soles / 76 USD |
Suggested tip per porter |
100 soles |
150 soles |
300 soles |
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RESOURCES
- Sleeping bag (3 seasons) - $40
- Trekking Poles x 2- $ 20
- Inflatable trekking sleeping pad (Therm a Rest) - $35
- Camping Pillow (therm a rest) $20
Rent our TREKKING COMFORT PACKAGE (all of the items above) for only $100 USD
- Full porter (up to 14kg or 30 pounds. can be shared between 2 people)*** - $180
- Half porter (up to 7 kg or 15 pounds) $100
- If you require an extra porter or a half porter, please advise us when filling in booking form.
- Single tent supplement - $65
***NOTE: The total of weight of a sleeping bag and and sleeping pads is approx. 3kg.
Why Us? Because You Trust The Opinions of Hundreds of Other Hikers Who Have Joined Our Tours. Evolution Has the Best Organic Trip Advisor Reviews. Spotless! |
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RESOURCES
You might be wondering about how you are going to get in your best shape for your Inca trail hike. Maybe you think you will not be able to do it. Trust us; we do this every day. If you follow the information below, then you will have a fantastic Inca trail adventure.
First, Prepare your mind
The success of your trip depends on it. Preparing for a trip could be time-consuming, stressful and exhausting. Most likely you might feel like you are not ready enough, fit enough, etc. The fact is that when it comes to traveling, there is not such a thing as being 100% ready. In the words of my dear friend Marinel from Brown Gal Trekker, “You learn best by just doing it. Be mindful of your fears and anxieties. Learn the means to pacify them. But also remember that despite preparation, imperfect scenarios will still creep in on you.”
In Peru, we have a common saying which is “The nature of a wanderer (traveler) is to make her path along the way." One cannot be in control of everything as we do in our daily lives at home. The fact is that traveling offers us the opportunity to let go of the need to want to control everything, and lets us enjoy the beauty of traveling whatever challenges it might pose us.
Your resilience and open-mindedness will be put to the test no matter how experienced a traveler you are. The world is full of differences that you need to be prepared to embrace. Finally, looking back on your trip, you will be proud of the impact it had on you mentally and physically.
Now, Prepare your body.
In our tours, we often have different categories of people. There are those experienced hikers who hit the trails at least once a month, those who hike every once in a while, perhaps a few day hikes a year and maybe some overnight camping trips too. Finally, there are those who have never done anything like this but are willing to try it anyway. And what better opportunity than on your way to Machupicchu! No matter what category you fall into, consider the following tips:
Get into the countryside or a park often. This will allow your mind and your body to familiarise with the outdoors.
Take a hike. If you are new to hiking, the best way to do this is by walking one to two hours outdoors every weekend.
Build up from there. Gradually, start adding more time to your hikes. If you can walk for a maximum of 3 hours or longer, then you are in a good place to perform well on one of our hikes.
Learn to drink enough water while you hike. Consider drinking 2 liters of water a day, whether you are hiking or at work in the office.
Choose harder hikes every weekend, search for information about hikes that involve climbing. A hike with a 30-minute climb is an excellent start.
Carry up to 12 pounds in your daypack to speed up your training. Fill up your backpack with weights, snacks, water, and books when you go hiking outdoors.
Hit the gym if you can’t make it outdoors. Start with a 20-minute warm-up routine on the elliptical machine, then a 20-minute jog or fast-paced walk on the treadmill, and finish your workout with a 10-minute climb on the step master machine. These three elements will get you to a good place. It is better if you do this routine carrying a backpack and gradually adding weights to it. If you can train for a full hour on the step master, then you are ready to climb Machu Picchu.
A small back pack is required for the days that you will be hiking. Please make sure that this backpack is comfortable, spacious (preferably between 20L and 30 L), and waterproof. In it you will need to carry the following items:
- Headlamp or flashlight. We usually get to our campsites before dark. Sometimes, slow hikers arrive to our campsites shortly after the sunset, in the early evening. Whether you are a fast or slow hiker, carrying your headlamp in your daypack is a matter of safety in case walking at night is necessary.
- Medicines. If you are taking any kind of medication, whether that is altitude pills or an asthma inhaler, keep these items with you at all times.
- Rain gear. Keep this with you at all times, especially if you are hiking between September-April.
- Water bottle. Remember to drink at least 2 litres of water per day.
- Toilet paper or tissue
- Sun screen
- Insect repellent. Yes, there are mosquitoes at high altitude and they can be nasty at times.
- Hand sanitizer
- Small first aid kit. Our guides and porters carry our own first aid kit, but it is never a bad idea to have an extra one.
- Snacks. Trail mix or power bars are recommended.
- Camera
- Fleece, in case it gets cold.
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Money. We recommend always having cash available.
- Trash bag
By unanimous vote, we have comprised here in this page, a collection of our best reads and videos about the most important topics we touch on all of our trips. Astronomy, Ecology, Human history, Peru, the Incas and current affairs are included in this list. No matter which of these items you read, we hope that you enjoy this collection and that you are able to share with us a bit of what you know about these topics. We think it is important for our concept of sustainable tourism to engage in all of the topics mentioned above. Enjoy Our Collection Here
Before the hike:
- Make sure you have all that you need in your daypack.
- Always check that your backpack is properly attached to your body.
- Most new backpacks have a safety whistle located in the chest buckle.
- Test the emergency whistle. Remember the following guidelines for how to use a whistle in case of emergency. One blast means hi! or where are you? Or you can interpret that as a call-back signal if you hear anything that sounds like an emergency request. Two Blasts of the whistle mean "Come here” and Three blasts mean SOS! Emergency! Help!
- Make sure you wear hiking boots and hiking socks. They reduce the risk of injuries.
- Check that your hiking boots straps are well tied.
- Always use trekking poles.
- Start well hydrated. It is best to start any hike after you have had a good amount of electrolytes. We suggest that you drink gatorade or any other hydrating salts right before you start hiking. Do this especially if the day is hot.
- Avoid heat exposure by wear a cap during the day if the temperatures are hot.
- Avoid Hypothermia by wearing a warm hat if the temperatures are really low.
- Make sure you are wearing the right layers of clothing based on the weather conditions. You don’t want to be sweating profusely if it is a warm day and you don’t want to be cold if it is freezing out there.