trip
NEW Trip – Ladakh Mountain Biking AdventureView Trip Details

6 Days$1650USD

Activities
  • 4 day trek
Accommodation
  • 2 nights hotel
  • 3 nights camping
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 3 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts
3
Introductory

Traveller Rating

 

 
 

Trip highlights


  • Trek the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with magnificent mountain views
  • Visit incredible Machu Picchu
  • Spend to days in the Sacred Valley to explore Inca culture and acclimatise to the altitude
  • Journey on the train from Machu Picchu to the Sacred Valley
  • Enjoy three hearty meals a day on trek prepared by our cooks

Why Book With Us

  • Stay energised with three hearty meals a day during the Inca Trail freshly prepared by our trained cooks. Water on trek also included.
  • Receive a duffle bag for the four day Inca Trail and save money by using our gear pack during the trek including sleeping bag, fibre filled jacket, thermarest and more.
  • Carry a day pack only during the Inca Trail. Personal gear and camping equipment will be carried by our crew.
  • Extra acclimatisation days built in while exploring the wonders of the Sacred Valley.

This classic trek along the Inca Trail is considered by many to be one of the great short treks of the world, and is a superb introduction to trekking in the Andes. We ascend the jungle trails and cloud forests to appreciate the panorama of Andean peaks that would have inspired the Inca people as we make our way to Machu Picchu. Words cannot describe the exhilaration of the first sighting of these enigmatic ruins. Our trip culminates with a guided tour of Machu Picchu before heading back to Cusco.

Trip Code: IJS

This morning you will be collected from your hotel in central Cusco at 9am (please ensure you advise your reservations consultant of your pre tour hotel details if you have not booked this with World Expeditions). A first trip briefing will be conducted during the drive to the Sacred Valley. We leave Cusco and head to the Chinchero Plateau to explore Chinchero, an important town in Inca times. The most striking remnant of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza which has ten trapezoidal niches. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salcantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Next we discover the mysterious concentric circular terraces of Moray which, according to some scholars, could have been an agricultural research centre. From here we head to the salt mines of Maras. This village is a salt-producing centre that dates back all the way to pre-Inca times. There are over 3000 salt pools all carved into the mountain side. Due to a change in regulations, visitors are not allowed to walk through the salt mine anymore to avoid contamination of the salt. We will go to a lookout point from where we have stunning views of the salt pools. From here we will walk for about 1 hour mainly downhill to Pichingoto. Enjoy this rarely walked path and soak up the incredible setting of the Sacred Valley. Our car will be waiting for us in Pichingoto and we drive to our hotel in Ollantaytambo. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the beauty of this famous town. Overnight: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar

Meals:  Nil

Today we enjoy another day in the beautiful Sacred Valley with a tour of Ollantaytambo. During our time in Ollantaytambo we visit its remarkable temple/fortress set high on a ridge above the village. We also explore the quaint village itself with a fascinating mixture of Inca and Colonial architecture.This evening we have a pre-trek briefing with our trekking guide at our hotel and prepare for the trek. Here you will receive your kitbags and jackets for your trek. Overnight: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar.

Meals:  B

You will be picked up early from your hotel in the Sacred Valley for the drive to Chilca or Piscacucho where we start our first day of trekking. At this point we meet our cooks, porters and camp staff before setting off on this famous ‘Royal Highway of the Incas’, built more than 500 years ago. The first day involves approximately five to six hours of walking. During the first few hours of walking we follow the course of the famous Urubamba River before stopping to admire the archaeological site of Patallacta 2750m (9,020ft) – an ancient Inca city built on a series of terraces below the trail. From here we continue to follow the narrow valley of the Cusichaca River to camp at one of two sites near the village of Huayllabamba 3,100m (10137ft). This means we avoid the very crowded camp sites within the village used by most of the trekkers on the Inca Trail. We will walk approx 12km (5-6 hours). Overnight: Campsite. *Important: Please be aware that, because of the Peruvian authorities' rules on the Inca Trail, there may be changes in the actual trek itinerary and the campsites we use.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek. We continue up this narrow valley on the left bank of the river - whose source is one of the great glaciers of Mt Salcantay. We then start the steep climb up our first pass, Warmihuañusca, which is also the highest point of the journey at 4,200m (13,700ft). After a rest at the pass and time to take in the spectacular views we descend steeply into the Pacamayo Valley 3,500m (13,700ft) where we spend our second night on the Inca Trail. We will walk approx 11km (6-7 hours). Overnight: Campsite.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is the longest day (eight to nine hours of walking) but also the most impressive and interesting because of the amount of archaeological complexes and cloud forest we will find as we walk. After breakfast in our campsite in the verdant Pacamayo Valley we start ascending towards the small but impressively set ruins at Runkuraqay and on to Cochapata set just below the second pass at 3,900m (12,800ft). From here we walk the short distance to the pass and then descend past a mysterious small green lake to the large ruins of Sayacmarca and on to the last pass at 3,800m (12,450ft) which is more like a low ridge-line than a true pass. From here we get a great view down into the forested gorge of the Urubamba River set more than 1700 metres below us. A short hike from here takes us over the Phuyupatamarca Pass at 3,700m (12,140ft), aptly named the ‘City in the Clouds’. We walk down along an incredibly well preserved section of the Inca Trail with great white granite slab walls and staircases all impressively set in high jungle to our final campsite at Wiñay Wayna 2,679m (8,790ft). We will walk approx 16km (8-9 hours). Overnight: Campsite.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we walk the last few kilometres to finally reach Inti Punku (The Gateway to the Sun) awe-inspiringly set above the ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu 2,400m (7,900ft). We will walk approx 3km to the Gateway of the Sun (2 hours). Your first view of the ruins really does take your breath away! We will enjoy a guided tour of the sanctuary. We return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (at your own expense). In the afternoon or early evening we depart from Machu Picchu for the train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco where the trip concludes. NB - depending on train schedules, we may arrive into Cusco very late at night. We can arrange post tour nights in Cusco, please ask your reservations consultant for details. *Important: Peruvian authorities have implemented entry restrictions to protect Machu Picchu from the impact of its immense popularity. There are three time slots in which patrons can enter Machu Picchu for a maximum of four hours and must follow one of three predetermined routes. Admission is not allowed after 4pm. Additionally, all visitors must be accompanied by a guide at all times. These changes have been made to improve the visitor experience and in an effort to deal with overcrowding. World Expeditions endeavours to ensure you get the most of your Machu Picchu experience regardless of these restrictions.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.


Inclusions

  • 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Pick up from Cusco hotel on day 1
  • Expert bilingual guide for each section
  • Inca Trail Permit (please check availability with us at the time of booking)
  • Expert bilingual guide for each section
  • The use of a gear pack for the trek including sleeping bag, fibre filled jacket, thermarest and head torch
  • Porters to carry personal gear on the trek
  • Group camping equipment
  • Private internal transportation
  • Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed (including Machu Picchu entrance fee)
  • Group medical kit

  • International flights and taxes
  • Internal flights and taxes
  • Airport transfers
  • Cost of laundry and alcoholic beverages
  • Excess baggage costs
  • Medical treatment
  • Visa costs
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)

About Your Leader

Our Inca Trail guides are bilingual and many of our Inca Trail Treks are conducted in English as well as Spanish.


Accommodation


Departure dates

Weekly every Sunday and Thursday from March to December

Notes

Note:
As our journey will commence early on day one, it is imperative you arrive the day before the trip commences. We can assist with hotel bookings, ask us for details.
Note:
Christmas, New Year and Easter surcharge may apply.

Dates don't fit?
Create a Private Trip

If you have your own group, talk to us about turning this itinerary into your own private adventure.

Priceper person from

$1650USD

Your trip price includes:

  • Park Fees valued at USD$165
Options & Supplements*
  • Single Supplement Tent Only - Inca TrailUSD$90
  • Single SupplementUSD$160
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Inca Trail Adventure trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


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Why travel with us

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Enhancing your journey with authentic experiences, genuine cultural exchange and real exploration are the focal points on all of our adventures. In 2019, we were crowned by our peers as the best in adventure travel at The Travel Awards in Sydney.

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Our vision is to leave the world a better place by following our sustainable active outdoor travel charter. All our adventures are 100% carbon offset and our Regenerative 2030 Project aims to integrate ‘regenerative’ projects into every one of our global operations by 2030.

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 When you book one of our adventures, you will receive quality services at the best prices with plenty of inclusions. There are no hidden costs, single travellers don’t pay more and you’ll enjoy many ‘extra touches’ that ensure your holiday is excellent value for money.

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