Hiking the inca trail to Machu Picchu is a life changing experience. at Evolution Treks Peru, We make memories that last forever.
Don take the train, take the trail!
Trek Details:
Join one of these groups departing on:
January 4, January 10 March |
Includes:
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Itinerary:
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Day One
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. Willca (Veronica) which stands at 5860m/19225ft. |
Day Two
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. |
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Day Three
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. |
Day Four
Start time 4:30 am 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! 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 ascent to Inti Punku and then a descent down to 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 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. |
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Optional services not included.
Rent our TREKKING COMFORT PACKAGE (all of the items above) for only $100 USD
***NOTE: Total weight includes sleeping bag and pads that you might hire from us (Sleeping bags and pads weight approx. 4kg) Train included in all tours is the Cerrojo backpacker (to Ollanta). Train times will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 1:37 PM and the 9:20 PM being the last train (high season June to September). We will organize the transport back to Cusco (by taxi or by bus). Please Note: train times are subject to change depending on Peru rail time table and availability. If organized in advance, the train can be upgraded to Vistadome (larger windows than the backpacker cerrojo train) for an additional price. |
Prices:
Please remember, permits are needed for the inca trail expedition. 2017 price (March 2017 through January 2018). All prices quoted are in $USD The Classic Group Inca Trail Machu Picchu is available as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers
$680 per person Student Discount: $25 per person Student discounts applies to students holding a valid Green ISIC card. Children under 16 qualify for student discount. Please send all student information to: evolutiontreksperu@gmail.com *To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a valid ISIC card scanned and e-mailed to us.
Train included in all tours is the tourist train (to Ollantaytambo). Train times will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 1:37 PM and the 9:20 PM being the last train (high season June to September). We will organize the transport back to Cusco (by taxi or by bus). Please Note: Train times are subject to change based on Peru rail time table and availability. |
What you need to take:
- 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)
TIPS FOR HIKING THE inca trail trekBefore the hike:
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how to train for THE inca trail trip
You might be wondering about how you are gonna get in your best shape for your hike in Ausangate Peru. Maybe you think you will not be able to do it. Trust us, we do this every day. If you follow the information below. You will have an amazing 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. “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 of preparation, imperfect scenarios will still creep in on you.” In Peru we have a common saying which is “The nature of a wanderer (traveller) 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 travelling offers us the opportunity to let go of the need to want to control everything, and lets us enjoy the beauty of travelling whatever challenges it might pose us. Your resilience and open-mindedness will be put to the test no matter how experienced of a traveller 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 |
inca trail trip map
inca trail trek weather information
trekcomparison:
Classic Four-day Inca Trail versus Five-day private Inca Trail and Short Inca Trail.
Many people believe that there is only one way to hike the Inca trail, but that is not entirely accurate. Some trails differ from one another regarding campsites, attractions, access points, and itineraries depending on the type of tour a person takes and the travel operator they choose.
Classic Four-day Inca Trail
Almost all tour operators (including Evolution Treks Peru) take their clients along the four-day classic Inca trail that starts at the 82km or Piskacucho.
The trail they walk along starts at the 82km or Piskacucho.
The Park rangers station is located in this area; People must present passports to check in with the park rangers before they enter the park by crossing the bridge that leads to the left bank of the Urubamba river.
Almost every single person hiking this part of the Inca trail share the same path, visit the same Incan sites and use the same campsites. Usually, these campsites are overcrowded and lack one of the best ingredients of trekking, which is solitude and silence.
Especially the Huayllabamba, Pacaymayu and Winaywayna campsites, where most people camp.
Evolution Treks Peru's groups walk further along the trail on days one and two to get campsites at Ayapata and Chakicocha to avoid the crowds.
Private Five-day Inca trail tour
Our five-day Inca Trail trek differs substantially from the Classic four-day trek in almost all of these things.
The access point for this trek is located at Qoriwairachina or Km 88. We check in with the park rangers at this location.
The first part of the path that we take runs through a different area than that one of the four-day Inca Trail.
In our case, the road we take runs on the right bank of the Urubamba river.
During this first section, we are the only travel operator using this path.
Also, the path that we follow is the same path that the other groups take; especially during days two, three and four.
Although, due to our itinerary, our group will remain away from most people as we camp in different, less crowded campsites.
In our campsites, we get to have a lot of quietness and spectacular views.
Furthermore, The itinerary we have for this five-day hike enables us to visit many different attractions and archaeological sites that other people cannot visit due to the tours they take. Some of these places are off the beaten track; other tourists barely visit them.
Finally, one of the benefits of taking this hike is that it allows people to see Machu Picchu twice. First when they get there in the afternoon of the fourth day, and again the next day when they come back to take the tour of Machu Picchu.
Short Inca Trail
The short Inca trail differs from the other two itineraries in almost everything. For instance, its access point to the sanctuary is located at the 104 km or Chachabamba. People who hike this trail use a different path than that one of the Classic 4 day trek. They are not allowed to camp at all and only walk on the last part of the original Inca trail from Winaywayna to Machu Picchu.
Moreover, there are only two archaeological sites to be visited on this hike. Perhaps the most beautiful one of them is Winaywayna.
Finally, Just like the five-day Inca trail trip, one of the benefits of taking this hike is that it allows people to see Machu Picchu twice. First when they get there in the afternoon of the first day, and again the next day when they come back to take the tour of Machu Picchu.
Many people believe that there is only one way to hike the Inca trail, but that is not entirely accurate. Some trails differ from one another regarding campsites, attractions, access points, and itineraries depending on the type of tour a person takes and the travel operator they choose.
Classic Four-day Inca Trail
Almost all tour operators (including Evolution Treks Peru) take their clients along the four-day classic Inca trail that starts at the 82km or Piskacucho.
The trail they walk along starts at the 82km or Piskacucho.
The Park rangers station is located in this area; People must present passports to check in with the park rangers before they enter the park by crossing the bridge that leads to the left bank of the Urubamba river.
Almost every single person hiking this part of the Inca trail share the same path, visit the same Incan sites and use the same campsites. Usually, these campsites are overcrowded and lack one of the best ingredients of trekking, which is solitude and silence.
Especially the Huayllabamba, Pacaymayu and Winaywayna campsites, where most people camp.
Evolution Treks Peru's groups walk further along the trail on days one and two to get campsites at Ayapata and Chakicocha to avoid the crowds.
Private Five-day Inca trail tour
Our five-day Inca Trail trek differs substantially from the Classic four-day trek in almost all of these things.
The access point for this trek is located at Qoriwairachina or Km 88. We check in with the park rangers at this location.
The first part of the path that we take runs through a different area than that one of the four-day Inca Trail.
In our case, the road we take runs on the right bank of the Urubamba river.
During this first section, we are the only travel operator using this path.
Also, the path that we follow is the same path that the other groups take; especially during days two, three and four.
Although, due to our itinerary, our group will remain away from most people as we camp in different, less crowded campsites.
In our campsites, we get to have a lot of quietness and spectacular views.
Furthermore, The itinerary we have for this five-day hike enables us to visit many different attractions and archaeological sites that other people cannot visit due to the tours they take. Some of these places are off the beaten track; other tourists barely visit them.
Finally, one of the benefits of taking this hike is that it allows people to see Machu Picchu twice. First when they get there in the afternoon of the fourth day, and again the next day when they come back to take the tour of Machu Picchu.
Short Inca Trail
The short Inca trail differs from the other two itineraries in almost everything. For instance, its access point to the sanctuary is located at the 104 km or Chachabamba. People who hike this trail use a different path than that one of the Classic 4 day trek. They are not allowed to camp at all and only walk on the last part of the original Inca trail from Winaywayna to Machu Picchu.
Moreover, there are only two archaeological sites to be visited on this hike. Perhaps the most beautiful one of them is Winaywayna.
Finally, Just like the five-day Inca trail trip, one of the benefits of taking this hike is that it allows people to see Machu Picchu twice. First when they get there in the afternoon of the first day, and again the next day when they come back to take the tour of Machu Picchu.
