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Itinerary Departure Dates
Prices Included/Excluded
Planning Your Machu
Picchu Trip
FAQs Add-ons
Misc.
Trip length: 5 days
Description: See for yourself why this is the most popular hiking trail
in the Andes! You’ll enjoy spellbinding mountain scenery, unforgettable
Inca sites, and a cornucopia of flowers and hummingbirds. Unlike most other
Inca Trail hikes, on Andean Treks' Inca Trail hike you spend four full days
walking to Machu Picchu, and a fifth day exploring in the famous ruins
themselves -- more time to explore the spectacular site you really
want to see. After more than 25 years operating this route, we know
how important it is to give all participants adequate time to enjoy the
sights at a comfortable pace. Stroll down the Royal Road into the famous
Lost City of the Incas!
Many of our returning passengers tell us they found the trek more strenuous
and challenging than they had anticipated. During four hiking days you cover 45
km/28 miles, starting at 8,400’ and finishing at 7,860’ above sea level. You
must cross two high passes, with a maximum elevation of 13,776’. While trail
conditions are generally good, and indeed the condition of centuries-old Inca
paving stones is astonishing, some steep trail sections require careful footing
and good hiking boots with lug soles. Nevertheless, thanks to our careful
pacing, dedicated guides and professional support staff, the trip is suitable
for novices as well as experienced hikers.
Porters carry the heavy gear; you walk carrying only a day-pack so you're
free to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Cooks prepare wholesome meals from fresh
ingredients and handle all the kitchen chores. You sleep warm and protected in
our high quality tents. Join the most reliable outfitter in the Andes for a trek
you'll never forget!
IMPORTANT: Under current park regulations,
trek permits are sold on a first come/first served basis, and are limited to 500
persons per day, including passengers, guides, cooks and porters.
Book early! Permits sell out 3-4 months prior to
departure on popular dates (May - September)
In order to include you on the trek roster,
we must receive from you:
-- your full name as it appears on your passport
-- your nationality
-- passport number
-- age
-- occupation
-- gender
Permits are sold on a
non-refundable, non-transferable basis. If you are unable to secure a place on
our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, please ask about our excellent alternative
trekking programs in the Andes such as our
Moonstone to Sun Temple trek. Please read our
FAQs on permits at the end of this itinerary.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Huayllabamba We pick
you up at your Cuzco hotel and transfer by van to our trailhead at
Piscacucho, on the Vilcanota River (km. 82 on the train route to
Machu Picchu), a 3-hour drive from Cuzco. Hike along the left bank
of the powerful Vilcanota River, beneath the impressive snowcapped
Nevado Veronica. The valley is dry, with Opuntia and Cholla cactus
common; where irrigation is possible, we see fields of corn. In the
rapids below the trail, you can spot Torrent ducks swimming in the
eddies. We explore the enormous Inca ruins of Llactapata, then
turn south and begin to gain altitude following the Cusichaca
River. We camp near the hamlet of Huayllabamba. L,D
Day 2 Pacaymayo
We climb steeply through fields and forest, then emerge above the treeline and
reach Warmiwañusqa Pass (13,776’). Enjoy magnificent views to the Huaynay Range
snowpeaks and distant Inca ruins. Descend to our camp at the valley bottom. (B,L,D)
Day 3 Phuyopatamarka We cross a second pass (12,661’), and follow a
fine Inca highway down to the exquisite ridge-top ruins of Sayaqmarka. Further
on, we pass through a tunnel amid luxuriant cloud forest vegetation. Camp at the
superb Phuyopatamarka ruins overlooking the Vilcanota River far below.
Phuyopatamarka is Quechua for “City above the Clouds”. The views toward the
sacred peak of Salcantay are sublime. B,L,D
Day 4 Machu Picchu We descend steeply, following the Royal Highway
through orchid-rich cloud forest to Winya Wayna ruins. The final part of the
trail on the back of Machu Picchu Mountain is a stunningly beautiful traverse
leading to the Gate of the Sun overlooking Machu Picchu. We reach this highlight
in the golden sunshine of late afternoon. Descending into the city, we camp by
the river beneath the ruins. B,L,D
Day 5 Machu Picchu/Cuzco We enter the site early in
the morning for an in-depth guided tour of the ridge-top city. We descend to
the nearby village of Aguas Calientes for return in late afternoon to Cuzco by train, arriving around 8.30PM. Transfer to your hotel. B,L
Departure Dates
Departures:
Sunday to Thursday,
March - December
2007: We depart at 7:00AM from Cuzco every
Sunday from March 25, 2007 - December 30. The last trek of the year starts on
December 30, 2007
2008: We depart at 7:00AM from Cuzco every
Sunday from March 30, 2007 - December 28. The last trek of the year starts on
December 28, 2008.
For acclimation purposes, we strongly recommend that you arrive in Cuzco
two days or more prior to the trek.
This is a 28-mile trek
with a maximum elevation close to 14,000 feet.
Important: at the time we confirm
your participation on this trek, we register your complete name and your
passport number (as these appear on your trip application) with park
authorities on the official trek permit. The trek permit is a legal
document with specific restrictions limiting changes. You must bring this
same passport with you on the trek. If for whatever reason you cannot bring
the passport that is registered on the permit at the time of your original
booking, or if you change your passport and cannot bring the original
document, or if the information you originally supplied differs from what
actually appears on your passport, park authorities may refuse access to
the Inca Trail. For important further detail on trek permits, read the FAQ
section below.
Prices
2007: $575 all year from March 25
- December 30, 2007
2008: $595 all year from March 30 - December 28, 2008
2009: $695 all year from March 29 - December 27, 2009
(group size 2 - 16 passengers).
Included / Not
included
Included in the land cost:
-meals as indicated
-Professional, experienced English-speaking guide
-transport by train and bus
-porterage of up to 10 kg
personal gear
-communal camp gear including tables and camp chairs, heated
dining tent, spacious sleeping tents, Thermarest sleeping pad, water filter and other
amenities.
Not included:
Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
Fee. The current rate is S/.240.50 (Nuevos Soles)
for the 4-day trek (current exchange is approximately S/. 3.2=US$1),
approximately $75 U.S. This
rate is subject to change. At the trek orientation meeting we will collect
from all participants the actual amount paid for the trail fee. Other
Exclusions: personal trekking gear and sleeping bag; tips to guide and
trek staff; city services; air Lima/Cuzco/Lima (currently $268).
Internal air Lima/Cuzco/Lima: $268 (as of Oct. 5, 2006 and subject to change)
Single supplement: No charge. If you are traveling
singly and prefer to share accommodations, we will pair you with another
person of the same gender and there will be no supplementary charge.
Requested Single Tent: If you prefer to have guaranteed single
tent, the surcharge is
$70
Rental sleeping bag (optional): $35 (includes sheet liner).
We provide mummy-style winter-weight synthetic-fill sleeping bags,
with sheet liners. We launder the liners between each trek. Rental sleeping bags should be requested well in advance of your departure.
If you are taller than 6 feet, please request an extra-long bag.
Airport departure taxes: US$5 for domestic
flights in Peru, and US$30.25 for international departures.
Misc.
Pre-Trek Acclimation
So that your body has sufficient time to acclimate
prior to starting the trek, we strongly recommend that you arrive in Cuzco or
similar elevation a minimum of two days prior to the trek. This is a
45-km/28-mile trek with a maximum elevation close to 4,200m/14,000 feet.
Joining Your Group
Once we
receive your final payment, we will send a Confirmation of Service voucher
with your prepaid travel details. Services in Peru are by Peruvian Andean
Treks Ltda. (PAT).
At noon on the day prior to the trek, there is
an important orientation meeting with your guide and other participants in the
PAT office in Cuzco. We review trek arrangements, trail gear and packing
strategies, health and dietary matters, tipping and other cash needs, and trail
documentation requirements. We collect the park fee from you at this time, in
travelers’ checks or cash. If you pay in cash, bills must be in good condition –
no rips, missing corners, or writing on the bills, please. We also distribute
your trail duffel and sleeping pad. If you’ve rented a sleeping bag from us,
we give it to you now so you can pack your duffel, ready for the departure early
next morning.
Peruvian
Andean Treks Ltda. (PAT) Main Office is at Avenida Pardo 705, Cuzco.
Telephone (51-84) 600-500, 225-701, 235-583.
Passengers who have not contacted the
office by noon on the day prior to trek departure to reconfirm their
arrangements will be considered no-shows and deleted from the roster. In these
situations your tour prepayment is non-refundable.
If your
travel plans change at the last minute due to airline delays, misconnections or
any other reason, you must advise our Cuzco office (use the above number or
after-hours tel 51-84-965-1404) to see if alternate arrangements can be made for
you.
If you are a student 16 years and older with a
valid International Student ID card you may be eligible for a reduced rate for
your trail ticket. In order to qualify for a student trail ticket, we must
receive documentation that you are a student when you register for the trek.
Send us (as an email attachment) a digital version of your ISIC (.JPG is best).
The ID must show the school name, your student status, and a currently valid
expiry date. Passengers who cannot produce student ID judged acceptable to the
INC will pay the full adult rate. While students 15 years and younger need no
student ID, we must present digital images of the passports at the time we
purchase the trekking permit. Again, a digital file sent as an email attachment
is the best way to get this done. In the absence of correct documentation, the
park authority will issue only the adult ticket at the full adult rate.
Conditions for the student discount are subject to change by the INC with no
advance notice. At our orientation meeting, we will collect the actual cost of
the trail ticket, as charged by the INC. Additionally, passengers must bring
their passport and student ID on the trek; failure to do so may result in the
INC confiscating the student ticket and denying you the right to proceed with
the trek.
Optional Extras / Add ons:
Hotels in Lima or Cuzco are available
from $64 per night for a double and $48 in single including taxes and
continental breakfast. Airport transfers in Lima and Cuzco may be arranged upon
request. We are pleased to assist you with additional tour arrangements prior
to and following your tour. If you seek an economic hostel, there are kiosks
at the airports where you can arrange accommodation on arrival.
Additional Expenses
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Currency other than
US$ and € is difficult to exchange in Peru. Bring travelers' checks
and/or cash. Major credit cards are also accepted in hotels and larger
restaurants. You can find ATM machines in major cities but not in towns.
Food and beverages in mainstream restaurants and hotels are comparable
in cost to what you'll pay at home. 19% government value-added tax
plus service charges of up to 10% are added to your bill.
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You’ll pay airport departure taxes of US$5 for domestic flights in Peru,
and US$28 for international departures.
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Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary Fee. As of
Aug 1, 2007, the rate is S/.240.50 (Nuevos Soles) for the 4-day trek
(current exchange is approximately S/. 3.16=US$1), approximately $75
U.S. This rate is subject to change. At the trek orientation meeting we will
collect from all participants the actual amount paid for the trail fee. We pre-purchase these trail tickets and
will collect the fee from you at the trek orientation meeting or bill
you for the fee at the time of registration. Under current regulations,
the trail ticket allows you one day entry into the Machu Picchu ruins.
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Tipping your trek staff is optional but customary. Bring along between
US$25-$50 in local currency for this purpose. On the final trek morning,
trekkers distribute pooled funds among
guide(s), kitchen crew and
porters. Suggested distribution: to the Chief Guide $2.50 per day, Asst
guide $1.00 per day, Cook $1.00 per day, Asst cook $.50 per day. You
will have two porters; allocate a total of $5 per each of 2 porters (for
the trip, not per day.) Porters appreciate receiving donations of
used clothes that are in good condition, including children's clothes.
Due to weight restrictions, if you bring extra clothes for donating to
the porters we suggest you distribute these at the start of the trek.
Please Note: We reserve the right to make minor
changes where necessary for the safety and comfort of tour participants.
Tour charges may vary from those quoted above; please reconfirm the current
rate when you make your reservation. Additional expenses caused by
circumstances beyond the control of the operator will be the responsibility
of the tour participant.
Planning Your Trip
Climate:
Cuzco has well-defined seasons. From June to August, while winter days are
typically sunny and warm, the temperature can drop to below freezing
(27°F/-3°C) at night in our high camps. Rain seldom falls during winter.
From January to March, the summer months offer daytime temperatures to
85°F/30°C, milder nights (typically to 45°F/8°C) and plenty of rain. Despite
some rain, December and April are among our favorite months for trekking, since the
mountains are lush with summer flowers and you enjoy plenty of sunshine.
Departures during Andean spring and fall offer weather patterns intermediate
between these seasonal extremes.
Clothing
Expect a wide range of temperature and precipitation on
your program. In high mountain environments, you must be prepared for
inclement weather at any time. Even at mid-day, if clouds obscure the sun
the apparent temperature cools dramatically. By packing a system of thin,
independent layers, you can easily add or remove layers to remain
comfortable as conditions change throughout the day.
Most trekkers leave camp in the morning
wearing a cold-weather layer over T-shirt and shorts. At the first rest
stop, after you have warmed up a bit, remove a layer and continue in
hot-weather clothing until the temperature cools off later in the day. At
all times, carry rain-gear in your day-pack.
Basic clothing list: underwear,
thermalunderwear (tops and bottoms,) socks, lightweight hiking boots, sneakers for around camp, loose-fitting long
pants or wind-pants, shorts, T-shirts, long-sleeved shirt, Polarfleece jacket,
full rain gear, sun hat, bathing suit, gloves and ski-type hat.
Other
Gear
Essential:
Day pack, sleeping bag, water bottle,
flashlight, sunglasses, sunscreen, toilet kit, insect repellent.
Optional: sewing kit,
pocket knife, camera and film, binoculars, paperback
book, snacks and/or energy bars. Your outfitter provides: a
heavy-duty, 4,100-cubic-inch trail duffel, Thermarest sleeping pad, tents
and communal camping gear. The guide carries a hand-pump water filter.
Weight Restriction: Our porters carry up to 10 kg (22 lb.) of your personal gear. If your packed duffel exceeds
10 kg. in weight (including sleeping bag and pad) at the trailhead, you will
have to transfer excess weight from your duffel to your daypack.
Vaccinations : While no vaccinations are mandatory for entering Peru, and no
official is likely to demand to see proof of your vaccination against any
disease, some protection is prudent. Consult your physician or local
travelers' clinic for the latest recommendations. For general travel,
the most common recommended vaccinations or boosters are for tetanus, typhoid/diphtheria, Hepatitis A,
and polio. The World Health Organization does not recommend vaccination
against cholera. If you're visiting the Amazon before or
after your trek, ask about yellow fever and chloroquine-resistant malaria.
Some countries (notably Brazil) require travelers to show proof of a valid
Yellow Fever vaccination when arriving from Peru.
Important Notice for Vegetarians, Passengers with Allergies and Other
Restricted Diets
In the cities, you will find sufficient vegetarian choices in most
restaurants. We serve a variety of freshly-prepared foods in our camps.
While our trek meals are designed for omnivores, we are able to satisfy most
restricted-diet passengers. Strict vegetarians will have to bring many
food supplements from home, as specialty items are unavailable in South
America.
If you have food allergies you must detail these on your trip application
when you register for your trek. Review these with our guide and operations
staff during the trek orientation meeting.
Our approach in meeting the needs of restricted-diet passengers is the same:
while our cooks concentrate on providing the main meal, they can heat and serve
food supplied by the passengers that the passengers deem safe.
If you have a restricted diet, please ask for our memo detailing our approach
to food service on the trek.
Know What You Are Buying
There are many trek outfitters in Cuzco, offering Inca Trail packages in a
considerable range in quality, reliability, and price. As one of the pioneers
of commercial adventure travel in Peru, we are very proud of our record of
environmental and social leadership. We set the standard of quality among
full-service outfitters. Peruvian Andean Treks has been awarded Best Adventure
Travel Agency by the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism every year since 1997. The
award recognizes the high standards that our guides, cooks, porters and other
employees consistently attain. When purchasing your Inca Trail services from
overseas agents, be certain you are buying the services operated by Peruvian
Andean Treks. Accept no substitutes!
We receive frequent inquiries from travelers desperately seeking Inca Trail
trips at the last minute after the companies with which they originally booked
“cancelled” their treks. This appears to be yet another example of lowball trek
operators attempting to capture market share without backing it up with reliable
trail permit management. Unfortunately, in these last-minute circumstances we
can do little since the supply of trail permits is strictly limited. We invest
substantial manpower toward ensuring that our rosters and permits are in good
standing.
Conditions of Employment for Porters
Minimum Age: No porters under the age of 18 should be employed.
Trek Leader Behavior: The local trek leaders, chief porters, and other
staff, should not exploit their positions and in particular must not ask for or
accept any form of bribes from porters. Any person found to be doing this should
be dismissed. Porters are able to report problems in absolute confidence to the
Peruvian Andean Treks (PAT) management. A field supervisor, who reports only to
the office, will randomly check on activities in the field.
Wages: All staff will receive a fair wage and payment should not be left
solely to the local leader but should be supervised by PAT. Tips will be
distributed openly and fairly. Stoves, fuel, pots and pans for food preparation
as well as food will be supplied. Transport to where the trek begins, and from
the point it ends to their homes is paid for or provided.
Loads: No one shall ever be asked to carry more than 20 kg of trek load, and
no more than 27 kg including their own personal items. Clients will be told the
maximum luggage they can take with them which is to be carried by porters is 10
kg.
Sleeping: Sleeping tents will be provided. Porters will not sleep outside.
Medical Care: Staff will have access to first aid equipment sent out on the
trek. If a porter becomes ill during the trek he will be paid full wages for the
trip and he will be given assistance reaching the health care center. Life
insurance with medical care coverage will be provided.
Responsibility on the trek: The local leader will be responsible for the
welfare of his staff.
Tipping: Clients should be given advice on how much to tip and the procedure
for tipping.
Availability: These guidelines will be made available to local trek leaders,
porters and to clients.
Environmental Policy
Andean Treks supports the efforts of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
Authority (UGM) to protect the environment within the park by measures which
include limiting the daily capacity of the route, and enforcing a policy of 100%
carry in/carry out. We were the first to introduce a system whereby all the
camp waste is hauled out of the park. Our system includes portable chemical
(biodegradable) toilets, with no holes in the ground and no solid waste left
within the park boundaries.
Add-ons
You can add any of our trips to this trek,
before or after.
FAQs
FAQ:
Trail Permits for the Inca
Trail To Machu Picchu
To help our passengers
understand the new permit regulations for hiking the Inca Trial to Machu Picchu,
we have written up some frequently asked questions. Please read carefully.
Q: Do
I need to buy a trail permit to hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
A: Yes. All who use the hiking trails in the Machu Picchu Historic
Sanctuary are required to purchase a trail permit. Companies which claim to
offer you a trek that does not require a permit are offering a trek which does
not enter the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
Q:
How do I buy the permit?
A: As part of confirming you on one of our treks, we purchase permits not
only for you but for the porters and other trek crew who haul your gear and look
after trek operations. In the following discussion, we use “permit” in both the
singular sense (“you need a permit to trek in the park”) and in the collective
sense (“we purchase a permit for 8 passengers plus trek crew”). Before we can
purchase your permit, we need: your full name as it appears on your valid
passport (IMPORTANT: check the passport expiry date!), your passport number,
your date of birth, and gender. This information appears in the official trail
documents and is checked carefully against your passport when you are on the
trail. If
the information does not match, you may be refused access to the park and lose
your trek.
Q: I need to renew my passport.
How can I get a permit without a valid passport?
A: We can purchase the permit using your expired passport number. You then
must bring both the expired passport and your new passport with you on the
trail, and present both documents at the checkpoints. If you have no passport
at all, then you cannot join a trek until you obtain a passport. If your name
or passport number varies from what you supplied to us for the permit
application, then you may be denied access to the trail. Therefore, it is
essential that you supply accurate passport data, and bring this passport with
you to the trek.
Q: I noticed that I gave you an
incorrect passport number when I applied to join the trek. Can you fix that?
A: So long as permits are available for your trek date, we can purchase a
new permit with the new passport number to allow you to participate in the trek.
The cost of the original permit is non-refundable. At the trek orientation you
will have to pay for both the old permit and the new permit. If no more permits
are available, then park authorities may refuse to grant you access to the Inca
Trail if your passport number does not match that listed on the permit.
Q: I lost my passport which I
gave you to purchase the permit. I’m applying for a new one. What happens
now?
A: So long as permits are available for your trek date, we can purchase a
new permit with the new passport number to allow you to participate in the trek.
The cost of the original permit is non-refundable. At the trek orientation you
will have to pay for both the old permit and the new permit. If no more permits
are available, then park authorities may refuse to grant you access to the Inca
Trail if your passport number does not match that listed on the permit.
Q: What does the individual
trail permit cost?
A: A four-day trek permit costs 240.50 New Soles for 2007,
approximately US$77 at current rate of exchange. While most low-budget treks are offered in this
four-day format, we operate a five day/four night trek. This allows our
passengers an additional day on the trail and a full tour at Machu Picchu. We
have been operating at this pace for 25 years, and it remains the best way to
see all that the trail offers. Park permit costs are subject to change without
prior notice.
Q: Is it possible to join a
trekking group close to the trek departure date?
A: For all dates but those very early and very late in the trekking
season, the answer is a resounding NO. Trekking permits sell out typically two
months or more ahead of the trek date. The park authorities allow only 500
people to enter the park for any given day, including guides, cooks, porters,
and paying customers. Each person who enters that day needs to be listed on a
permit. From the end of March through the end of October, if you’re not on a
roster three months prior to your trek, you’ll likely find that no permits are
left. When that happens, you have two options – change your holiday dates, or
trek outside the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary. For an excellent alternate
route, we suggest our Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek.
Q: Do other companies have
allocations of permits that I can purchase after your supply is sold out?
A: No. The park authority sells the permits on a first-come, first-served
basis. The permit must specify for each trekker the full name, nationality,
passport number, date of birth, and gender. Permits are not transferable, and
the only change allowed on the permit is a full cancellation of one or more
passengers. The result is that outfitters can buy permits only for passengers
actually on their rosters; and once the 500 permits are issued, no more are
available from any source.
Q: What about late
cancellations?
A: Current regulations do not allow us to replace cancelled passengers with
new passengers. Trek permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Q: If I give you my deposit now,
do you buy my permit immediately?
A: Not necessarily immediately, but we customarily purchase the permits
within a few days of receiving your deposit.
Q: Can I enter Machu Picchu
ruins at night on my trek permit?
A: No. Night-time entry to the Machu Picchu ruins is currently prohibited
by the INC.
Q: Are there student discounts
for the trail permit?
A: For students 16 years and older, we must receive a digital version of
your International Student Card
(ISIC), showing the institution, student status, and date of validity. A .JPG
file sent to us as an email attachment is the best format to achieve this. For
those who will be younger than 16 years at the time of trekking, send a .JPG of
the passport ID page. We submit the documentation when we purchase the permit.
If the park authority accepts the documentation, then they will issue the permit
at the student rate of 50% of the adult rate. If the park authority rejects the
documentation, their decision stands and we purchase the adult-rate ticket.
Either way, we charge you the actual amount we pay for the permit. The June 18,
2005 regulation specifies that ONLY an ISIC will be accepted; and that the
original ISIC must be brought on the trek. Trekkers on student rate tickets who
cannot produce ISIC at the trailhead will be charged the difference between
student rate and adult rate tickets.
Q: When do I pay for the trail
permit?
A: You pay the 4-day trek fee at the trek orientation meeting in Cuzco. We
bill you in advance for our trek outfitting services, from Cuzco to Cuzco,
except for the local payment of the trail fee.
Q: If I change trek dates can I
transfer my permit?
A: Both your trail permit and your trek
deposit are non-refundable and non-transferable. To join a new trek date, we
have to start the permit process all over again.
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