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Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

By: Alpaca Expeditions

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$835.00

Duration

4 Days / 3 Nights

Group Size

2-8 People

Physical rating

Challenging

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Tour Map

Tour Overview

  • Day 1: Km 82 – Llactapata- Ayapata (Trekking Distance: 8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours)
  • Day 2: Dead Woman´s Pass – Runcuraccay Pass – Chaquiccocha (Trekking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
  • Day 3: Chaquiccocha – Wiñaywayna (Trekking Distance: 6.2 miles/10km (5 hours)
  • Day 4: Machu Picchu (The most exciting and magical day (early wake up 3.30AM)

Special Offert

Add Rainbow Mountain: $160 USD
Enjoy a full day hike to the striped mountain at a very special rate. This can be done before or after your Inca Trail, arrange with your sales team member.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The Ministry of Culture in Peru is in charge of all regulations of the Inca Trail, including permits and campsites. To enter the Inca Trail, you must have a permit that matches your NAME, PASSPORT NUMBER, NATIONALITY, and AGE issued by the Ministry of Culture. Only licensed Inca Trail tour operators can secure these, and they are not transferable in date or name at any time. If you are unable to start your Inca Trail trek on your start date, you can not transfer to another person. If you need to change your start date, you will need to make sure permits still exist for the new date and purchase a new permit. These are all rules of the government of Peru that we need to follow.

If permits are sold out for your desired start date, there are lots of other roads that lead to Machu Picchu. We can help you find the perfect trek for you.

Highlights

Hiking the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous trek in all of Peru if not South America. This sacred path is packed with history and it’s only a portion of what it used to be during the days of the Inca empire. In modern times, this 26 mile path is the only way to access Machu Picchu directly after 3 beautiful days of hiking.

The Machu Picchu Inca Trail is also the most regulated trek in Peru. The hiking permits, controlled by the government, can only be purchased by licensed operators such as Alpaca Expeditions and we work along with the government rules and regulations.

The Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail tours all include a highly educated tour guide to direct the group and answer all of your questions, a team of porters to transport all the needed equipment and as well as your personal belongings and a trekking chef to provide hot restaurant quality meals at every campsite to guarantee your safety and to ensure you have the energy needed to enjoy your hike.

If this Machu Picchu Inca Trail 4 day option feels like too much of a challenge Alpaca Expeditions also offers a2 day Inca Trail package It has the same attention to detail and service with different features.

Or, if you’d like to see the entire trail but want to do it at a slower pace then there is the Machu Picchu Inca Trail 5-Day trek.

However, there is another option to make it even MORE challenging, which is the 7-day trek that combines the Salkantay pass with the Inca Trail.

No matter which route you choose, we are here to help you find the best match and ensure you have all the permits, equipment and support needed.

Itinerary

Alpaca Expeditions will pick you up from where ever you are staying in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo. Pick-up from Cusco will be from 4 to 4:30 AM, from Urubamba from 5:30 to 6 AM, and if you stay in Ollantaytambo, you get to sleep in a bit with your pick-up from 6:30 to 7 AM. These times will be confirmed at your briefing, as they might fluctuate based on where you are staying. We will take you to the Porter House which is located in Ollantaytambo after a delicious breakfast prepared by your cook, your guide will introduce you to your team of porters.

We will then drive to Km 82, we’ll go through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek. Please make sure you have your original passport with you to enter the Inca Trail. The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site. Patallacta is an ancient Inca checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu.

From Patallacta it’s another 2-hour hike to our lunch stop. After lunch, we will hike for another 2½ hours until we reach the first night’s campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters). On this last stretch, we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drink, snacks, or essential items you may have forgotten such as batteries you can do so here. We’ll arrive at our campsite by 5:00 PM. After settling in for a bit, you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chefs, and guides. By 7:30 PM, your dinner will be ready, and after you can get some well-deserved rest.

Walking distance: 8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours)
Campsite altitude: 3300 meters (high) above sea level
Considered: Moderate day (getting used to the Inca Trail)
Weather: Warm and windy

Your porters will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day. We will have an early start since it will be our longest day. We’ll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 meters/13829 feet). On reaching the pass, we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot, where you will have a chance to refill your water bottles. After lunch, we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It’s 2 hours over the pass where we will stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village).

We’ll stop here to rest and have a quick tour. Afterward, we will be able to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range.  It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After dinner, if you’re not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing, and we’ll point out the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent Southern Hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold!

Walking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
Campsite altitude: 3600 meters (high) above sea level (chilly weather)
Considered: Top day (you will have survived the two highest passes)
Area: Andes and Cloud Forest
Weather: Cold and rainy

Completing Day 2 and beginning Day 3 certainly deserves a pat on the back! We will start early again, waking up at 6:30 am to begin what is commonly felt to be the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. We hike for 2 hours along what we like to call “Inca flat” (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk, we will have the opportunity to see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flats, we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River.  Down the valley, we get our first view of Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself is still hidden. From Phuyupatamarka it´s a 3-hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of its proximity to Machu Picchu.  During the descent, we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun).  We arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM to have lunch.

Then we will relax so that you are ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. At around 4:30 PM your guide will give you a short orientation, and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half there. Your guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek. This way you will be fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day. We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs.  It’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again. This is to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them then you can do so at this time). It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn in the hopes that the weather will give us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins at Machu Picchu.

Walking distance: 6.2 miles/10km (5 hours)
Campsite altitude: 2.600 meters (high) above sea level (chilly weather)
Considered: Easy day – all downhill!
Area: High Cloud Forest
Weather: Warm and very humid

Wake up time is at 3:30 AM. We’ll eat breakfast at 4:00 AM and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking when they open the gates at 5:30 AM. We’ll wave goodbye to our team of porters and chefs and then it’s “Forward On” to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory.  We will reach the Sun Gate by 6:30 am, and then it’s just an hour trek down to reach the Lost City of the Incas. As we hike and get closer to Machu Picchu, the views of the city get better! At about 7:40 AM we’ll reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hours private guided tour. After the tour, you’ll be given your bus tickets to make your way down to Aguas Calientes, and you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the city on your own or climb one of the neighboring mountains – Huaynapicchu (must be arranged ahead of time).

Your guide will offer to meet you down in the village of Aguas Calientes to enjoy your last lunch in a local restaurant.  This is optional and not included. At lunch, your guide will hand out train tickets, so if you choose to skip, please arrange to get these before leaving him at Machu Picchu. Unless you arranged for an upgraded train, we will book the Expedition class train departing Aguas Calientes at 3:20 p.m. or  4:22 p.m. Please make sure you are on the platform at least 30 minutes ahead of time. This will be a 2-hour train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (based on which train you get), where an Alpaca driver will meet you and drive you back to the city on our bus, then drop you off at your hotel.

Considered: The most exciting and magical day (early wake up 3.30 AM)
Area: High Cloud and Subtropical Forest
Weather: Hot and very humid (bring lots of water)

Inclusions

    • Professional Guides:All of our guides studied English and tourism at Cusco National University. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. They are fun yet professional, and will ensure you are safe and happy.
    • Permits and Machu Picchu:In order to hike the Inca Trail, you must have a permit to enter the trail. This can only be obtained by licensed Inca Trail tour operators, like Alpaca Expeditions. As soon as we receive your details and deposit we will purchase your permits. These permits are given for a specific date and in your name. They can’t be changed, once they are confirmed. The only thing that can be updated is your passport number. The permit includes entrance to Machu Picchu.
    • Briefing:The night before your trek, you will have a trek briefing at our office with your guide and other trekkers in your group. At the briefing, you will receive your duffel bag, that will be with the porters while you hike. This bag should not exceed 7kg/14 lbs and needs to include your sleeping bag and air mattress, if you have chosen to rent or bring one. Remember, layering your clothes is key.
    • A Porter for your Personal Belongings:We include a personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this. You will not have access to your duffel bag until your evening campsite. The duffel should not exceed 7kg which will include 4kg of clothes, 3 kg for your sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
    • Green Machine Porters: The men and women that make up our porter team are the most loyal, hardest working on the planet. They make magic happen, always with a smile and a helpful hand. They are responsible for carrying all the camping equipment and food, setting up and breaking down each campsite, assist the chef with all food preparation. By law, they can carry up to 20 kg max, which is a rule we take very seriously. For example, with a group of 8 trekkers there will be 15 porters.
    • Trekking Chef and Food: Our Porters are not the only ones making magic on the mountain. There is nothing comparable to what the Alpaca Expeditions chefs do on the mountainside. They will make prepare amazing meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, often starting with a nutritious soup and mostly serving family style. There will always be a protein, salad, assorted sides, and even amazing desserts. They will cater to all food restrictions and make sure everyone has enough to make it up the mountain. Please make sure that your Alpaca Expeditions booking agent knows of any food restrictions at time of booking.
    • Water: Water is the key to feeling good on the trek. Hydration helps battle any effects of the altitude, so be prepared with something that can hold at least 3 liters of water. We will provide water at each meal – boiling it, filtering it and then cooling it down to make sure all water is clean and ready to drink.
      * Water will not be provided until your first lunch when our porters will have the ability to prepare clean water. Please bring enough water for your first morning on the trail.
    • Equipment: Alpaca Expeditions uses the best equipment on the market including Eureka Timberline 4 person tents shared by only 2. Single tents are available ($30US). We have large dining tents for clients to enjoy their meals. Every client will receive a pillow for sleeping and foam sleeping pad to insulate you from the cold ground. All dining equipment including chairs and dishes are provided.
    • Hotel to Hotel Service: You will be picked up from your hotel the morning of your trek and driven to KM 82 in our comfortable, Alpaca Expeditions van. After the trek, we will drive you from the train station back to your hotel or Air BNB.
    • Transportation and Train Service: All your logistics are included in this trek including the bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes as well as your tourist class train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. This is a 2 hour trip and it will be another 2 hours by car back to Cusco. If you wish to upgrade to the Vistadome train, a train with larger windows and more comfortable seats, it will cost $75 per person.
    • First Aid:Your safety is our number one concern. All our guides are trained and re-trained every February by a medical doctor. They all carry first-aid kits and full oxygen tanks. If needed, we will get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible to be taken directly to a clinic for treatment. While these situations are rare, we prepare for them.
    • Satellite Phones: While our guides can handle most first aid issues that happen on the trek, there are some that need a bit more attention. Every guide has a fully charged satellite phone with them when they leave for a trek. Being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured that they are safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach, so Alpaca Expeditions includes this feature to make sure that we can connect no matter where we are on the mountain. And they can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they are not cheap to use, they are available just in case you need to check in on the puppy you left at home with grandma.
    • Extras: We believe it´s the attention to small details that separates us from other tour companies. As we wrote earlier, every trekker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mattress for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking, and a rain poncho. We provide hot water bins each day to help our clients clean and feel good at night. We enjoy happy hour each evening to relax and unwind and discuss the days events. We will work very hard to create your best vacation.
    • Taxes and Fees:  All taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in our price. There are no hidden fees.
    • The Alpaca Difference: While the below list is less tangible, its equally important and part of everything we do and include at Alpaca Expeditions.
      • Ethical and Responsible Treatment to our Porters: Most people would not be able to handle the challenges of these treks if it wasn’t for the porters helping with all the lifting, preparing and cheering. They are the backbone of our company and the reason why Raul Ccolque created Alpaca Expeditions to begin with. He began in this industry as a porter and understands their needs better than anyone. We are dedicated and promise a better life to every member of our Green Machine. This includes better salaries that they can live from so they do not need to beg for tips to make ends meet. This is our job. We provide all their gear including warm, down jackets, proper hiking boots, backpacks, hats, headlamps, sleeping bags and pads and tents for them. We have a Porters House for our porters to sleep in the night before and after their trek since they often travel far from home. We include a medical doctor to work Monday through Friday at the Porters House to tend to our team and make sure they feel good and are looked after. And we support their families with helping their village schools, bringing doctors and dentists to visit with the families, planting trees in their valleys. We are committed to our social projects and it is appreciated by the more than 300 porters on our team.
      • Porters Trip: We love meeting all our clients, but our favorite trips are when our porters and their families become our clients. While our porters hike to Machu Picchu dozens of times per year, they never make it inside our famous citadel. We take 4 trips a year to bring our team inside and spend two days travelling around the important ruins and letting them touch and see the history of their ancestors.
      • Equality Matters: Another big difference is that we believe that we are all equal and every person contributes something different and beautiful to our team. We have always had female guides and have had female porters and chefs on our team since 2017. While the number are not equal yet, we are hoping for the day when we have 50/50 men and women working on the mountains as part of the Alpaca Expeditions team.
      • Sustainable and Responsible Tour Operator: Alpaca Expeditions is far ahead of our competitors on being a sustainable tour operator. We honor our planet by making sure there is no trace behind on any of our treks. We even include an extra porter to make sure they help clean the trash left from other groups. We use local products that are biodegradable and organic whenever possible.

  • Rentals
    Every trekker needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent:
    Sleeping Bag: $20
    Inflatable Air Mattress: $15
    Walking Sticks (Pair): $15
  • Huayna Picchu
    Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.

Price

  • $695 per person

  • $35 off per person

Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a University Student Card our under 17-years-old, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.

Please send all to info@alpacaexpeditions.com.

More Information about STUDENT CARD

Additional Items

* Only possible to do if you have an extra day to visit Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu mountain is the other mountain that stands above the Machu Picchu ruins. It offers even more stunning views than Huayna Picchu but takes an hour and a half to reach the top. For this trek, it will be an additional entrance ticket that we can secure for you.

Tickets for Machu Picchu Mountain are now also within a timeframe of when you can begin – which is between 9-10 AM. Due to this limited time frame, it is not possible to hike the Inca Trail and hike Machu Picchu Mountain. You can, however, schedule a second visit to the citadel on the next day.

  • This ticket is $75 per person.

All our tours include the Expedition Train. This train is usually booked at 4:22 p.m., leaving from Aguas Calientes. The Vistadome Train is an upgraded train that offers slightly larger seats, windows, and even some entertainment. Usually, the Vistadome train is booked for 4:43 p.m. and travels to Poroy, a train station closer to Cusco. While this is an upgraded fee, we will still include your transportation back to your hotel.

  • This train is $75 per person.
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