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sales@viglaciers.comHiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 7 Days
Trip Itinerary
The Inca trail hike is a magical adventure in the lost city of the Inca and Machu Picchu. The walk to Machu Picchu is a truly remarkable, enlightening, and stimulating experience in your lifetime. The entire hike requires 4 days to complete and covers 33.7 miles crossing three passes.The best time to hike Machu Picchu is in the months of March through May, and September through November. These months have stable weather conditions and provide the best picturesque view for trekkers.
There are several routes to hike to Machu Picchu, and the gain in elevation depends on the route you traverse. The Inca trail to Machu Picchu elevation starts from 3,400m/11,155ft. at Cusco and goes up to 4,215m/12,631ft. at Abra Warmihuañusca (the Dead Woman’s Pass).Choosing one from either the Salkantay trek or the Inca trail hike would be a baffling task but both the trails are beautiful and historic, and ultimately lead to one of the most amazing wonders of the ancient world. If you wish to do the Salkantay Trek along with Hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, then you have come to the right place!
Inca and Machu Picchu Highlights
- Historical journey high into the Andes
- Cross over three passes
- The ruins and scenery on the Inca trail
- Sunrise view over Machu Picchu from the Inti Punku
- Explore the ancient city of Inca
Overview
Arrival City
Cusco,Peru
Departure City
Cusco,Peru
Lodging Level
3-Star Hotel (Tierra Viva Cusco)
Meals
5 dinner, 5 breakfast, 3 lunch
Trip Grade
Moderate
Maximum Altitude
4,215m/13,829ft
Attractions
Machu Picchu, The Dead Woman’s Pass, Incan sites, Farming in Wayllabamba, The Sacred Valley, Archeological Park
Activity
Trekking and Hiking
Styles
Active Adventures, Family Holiday
Outline Itinerary
| Itinerary | Maximum Altitude | Walking/Hiking |
|---|---|---|
| Day 01 Arrive at Cusco International Airport, Peru | 3,400m/11,155ft | - |
| Day 02 Sacred Valley Tour; Pisac and Ollantaytambo Ruins | 2,972m/9,751ft | - |
| Day 03 Drive to Piscacucho (KM 82); trek to Wayllabamba | 3,100m/10,171ft | 5-7 hrs |
| Day 04 Wayllabamba to Pacaymayu | 4,215m/13,829ft | 6-8 hrs |
| Day 05 Pacaymayu to Wiñay Wayna | 4,215m/13,829ft | 6-8 hrs |
| Day 06 Wiñay Wayna to Machu Pichu; return to Cusco | 2,745m/9,006ft | 4-6 hrs |
| Day 7 Final Departure | 3,400m/11,155ft | - |
- 3 nights in hotel of 3 stars category (room based on double occupancy) includes
breakfast. - Entrance fee for the places to visit during the itinerary
- 1 Dinner in Cusco on DAY 1, and 1 Dinner in Cusco on DAY 6
- Pick-up and drop-off in Cusco airport
- HG – HAT
- HG T-shirt
During the inca trail:
- Briefing in Cusco before the departure
- Professional English-Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Professional Cook
- Porters to carry all equipment
- HG Duffle Bag
- Sleeping Bag
- Personal porter for 5 kg/11.02 lbs per person (1 personal porter is included – up to 5
kilos per duffle bag, which will be provided and must fit all your belongings PLUS
sleeping bag + mattress) - Door-to-door service. Pick-up from your hotel located around the historic center of
Cusco - Transportation by bus to Km 82
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first day of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks (Happy Hour), and 3 Dinners.
If you have a dietary request (vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free, etc) or allergy. Please
advise us upon booking and reconfirm the day of our briefing. - Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Portable private toilet
- Oxygen bottle & First-aid kit
- Inflatable Thermares or REI sleeping mattress (which you must carry)
- Inflatable pillow (which you must carry)
- EUREKA Tents – Comfortable and spacious 4 people (2 people per tent)
- Entrances Tickets to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- International & local flights
- Trekking poles (Rentals are available through us). US $15
- Breakfast on Day 3 & Lunch and Dinner on Day 6. (during the inca Trail).
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu. US $85
- Tips
- Travel Insurance
- Extra tours / nights
- Meals where is not indicated
During your Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu in Cusco, you will be served a welcome dinner upon arrival and will enjoy a farewell dinner before your departure, along with nourishing breakfasts at the hotel where you stay overnight. Throughout the trek, you will have access to three-course meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A professional trekking cook will be responsible for preparing your meals. Additionally, on two separate days during the trek, you can look forward to afternoon snacks, often referred to as ‘Happy Hours’.
(Please let us know ahead of time if you have any dietary preferences or restrictions—vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free—so that we may meet your needs during the trek.)
Throughout your Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu, you will be accommodated at Hotel Moaf Boutique or a similar category of hotel in Cusco. Similarly, as you explore the Sacred Valley, you’ll be accommodated in tented camps, experiencing the unique atmosphere of the Andean outdoors. While hiking the Inca Trail, hotels offer rooms for twin-sharing with attached bathrooms and hot shower facilities. Single supplement rooms are available for an extra charge.
If you want private accommodation, the single supplement cost is US$650.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Incan citadel is located in the Machupicchu District within Urubamba Province above the Sacred Valley, in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru. It lies on a mountain range with an altitude of 2,430m (7,970ft.). Machu Picchu is often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”. The site is actually located on two mountains – Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu. These mountains belong to a chain of high mountains forming parts of the south central Andes. In short, the Machu Picchu site is located in a highly unapproachable part of the upper rainforest region, at nearly 8,000ft., with the Urubamba River flowing past it.
The best time to hike the Inca Trail is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. These months offer clear skies and mild temperatures, making for more enjoyable trekking conditions. However, the trail can be crowded during peak season.
The difficulty of the Inca Trail hike is moderate to challenging, depending on your fitness level and acclimatization to the altitude. The trail involves steep ascents and descents, as well as uneven terrain, but it is suitable for most reasonably fit hikers.
Peru is a legendary country with magical natural attractions, incredible vistas, and majestic temples. This fabulous country has the hugest historical and cultural heritage in the world. Peru is also known to have some of the friendliest people in the world. From the long list of best places to visit in Peru, some prominent destinations are:
- Machu Picchu
- Lake Titicaca
- Amazon River
- Sacred Valleys of the Incas
- Rainbow Mountain
- Inca Trail
- Salkantay
- The Baths of the Inca
Peru is filled with so many things that perhaps, a single visit to this fairy-tale country would not be sufficient. Right from its gastronomy and the cultural heritages to its biodiversity, and mountains, jungles and seas, Peru is suitable for almost everyone in the world.
The government of Peru have introduced various controls to minimize human impact on the trail up to the ancient city. They have restricted the number of people, including visitors, guides and porters to 500 each day. It simply means that if you wish to trek on the Inca Trail, you have to get your permit beforehand. You can get a permit to the Inca trail only through a government registered travel operator. It means that you are not allowed to trek the Inca trail independently. It is quite interesting to know that all of the year’s permits are released in October and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
The distance from Lima to Machu Picchu is 503km (312mi) in a straight line, but when traveling, the total route covers 1280km (795mi). There is no option of reaching Machu Picchu from Lima directly. First, you have to get to Cusco from Lima. You can reach Cusco either by a domestic flight, car, bus, or train. Apparently, taking a flight to Cusco from Lima is the fastest way, which takes just over an hour and a half, to reach the destination.
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