Peru – Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was connected to the capital city of Cusco and other cities across the continent by well constructed paths. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous of these routes in South America. We choose an alternative to the traditional Inca trail as it has lost its charm due to the crowds of tourists who hike it daily. Our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is just as beautiful as the traditional Inca Trail, however you will feel a heightened sense of adventure along this remote trail, with the advantage too of fewer tourists and less pollution.

Cusco is the place to start your exploration of the Inca culture. Cusco was the Incan capital, the centre of their empire. For many, trekking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu is the most important element of a trip to Peru. But there is a wealth of exciting places on offer the visitor, this itinerary embraces a few.

Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or take the easy option of a bus ride through the Sacred Valley. For the less active traveller there is an alternative of a bus ride most of the way through the Urubamba valley and then a bus ride up the hill to Machu Picchu.

If you want to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu but are not wanting it too difficult, this is the trip for you as we use mules to carry your main backpack, whilst you carry a day pack only.

Machu Picchu was connected to the capital city of Cusco and other cities by well constructed paths.

The climate is relatively mild all year round, with heavy rains from November to March, and dry, hot weather from April to October. The average annual minimum temperature ranges between 5°C and 11°. In the months of June, July and August the temperature can drop below zero, at higher altitudes overnight. The annual maximum temperature generally ranges between 20°C to 26°. In late June there is the annual Sun Festival (Inti Raymi) - book early if you want to include this period.

The wildlife in this area is abundant and includes puma, Andean fox, river otter, taruka (unemul deer), wildcat, ferret, as well as birds like the cara cara, hummingbird, torrent duck, parrot, wild turkey and many other smaller birds.

The terrain in this area is fairly rugged, with many gullies and streams fed by glaciers which eventually pour into the Urubamba River. The river has formed a deep valley which runs through the granite base of Vilcabamba for more than 40 km providing a variety of ecosystems. The natural surroundings are impressive and the balance achieved between nature and the Inca architecture is striking.

There is abundant wildlife such as puma, Andean fox, river otter, taruka (unemul deer), wildcat, ferret, as well as birds like the cara cara, hummingbird, torrent duck, parrot, wild turkey and many other smaller birds.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Lima.  Arrive and transfer to your hotel.  If your flight schedule does not warrant a stay in Lima the cost of the hotel can be deducted (GB£16 / US$25 single, or GB£19 / US$30 double).

Day 2  Lima to Cusco.  We transfer you to the airport and fly to Cusco (3,330m).  After settling into your hotel we take you on a tour of the town, including the Temple of the Sun, the most important building when the city was the centre of the Inca world.

Day 3  Cusco.  During the morning we go to the ruins of  Sacsayhuaman, once an impressive military complex, which may have housed as many as 5,000 Inca soldiers.  After lunch we visit the ruins of Pisac, famed for it's ritual baths which were once fed by the now dormant aqueducts.  The Inca cemetery here is one of the largest known.

Day 4  Cusco to Pisac and back to Cusco.  Excursion to the Incas Sacred Valley: 1st day, we will visit the town of Pisac, from where we will do a short hike of 3 hours to reach the ruins on the top of a hill.

Day 5  Cusco to Chinchero and Ollantaytambo and back to Cusco. Chinchero is well positioned at the mouth of the Rio Vilcanota with wonderful views of the snow-capped mountains as well as the river. The Inca royalty must have been so captivated by the area for it was here that a large palace was constructed.

Day 6  Cusco to Huayramachay   We leave Cusco at 6 am, heading North. The first part of the journey is a bus ride of 2 hours to Mollepata, with amazing views of  Salkantay's snow-capped peak. Once in Mollepata, you can have a second breakfast. Then you will continue with the bus ride for 2 more hours to Soraypampa. The dirt road gets narrower and bumpy but the scenery is so spectacular, so you do not notice too much.

In Soraypampa (3,500 meters / 11,550 ft) we will start the hike with our porters and mules (loaded with tents, cooking gear and supplies for the next days). You can not start hiking without first taking a picture of Umantay (6,000 m / 20,000 ft), another snow-capped peak that is almost near enough to touch. The first section takes about 4 hours to reach the highest point of the trail, the Salkantay-Umanatay pass (4,600 m / 15,180 ft). There is a section where the trail zig zags known as "7 turns", it is the hardest part of the day, but fortunately it isn't a long section. Finally we reach a lagoon, from where you will have a great view of Salkantay as we have our lunch.

After lunch we continue for about 45 minutes before reaching the pass. From there it is downhill to the campsite at Huayramachay (3,500 / 11,550 ft), the same altitude as the beginning of the trail. You will really enjoy dinner after this first day and afterwards a nice sleep dreaming of the mountains you saw today.

Day 7 Huayramachay to Playa  From our camp we have wonderful views of the Umantay and Salkantay as the sun comes up. After breakfast, we hike down for about 3 hours then take lunch at Colqapampa. The trail takes us through forest and you will feel the increase in temperature and humidity. We have more great views from our lunch site, this time of the "Rio Blanco" (white river).

After lunch we will hike for about 4 hours to Playa and our campsite. This section of the trail is very interesting as we pass through a tropical forest with orchids, wild-berries, and we also see small plantations where coffee is grown amidst the forest. There are many waterfalls along this section of the trail.  Once at our campsite you can refresh yourself in the river or drink a cold beer in the village before dinner.

Day 8 Playa to Aguas Calientes  After breakfast we hike uphill for about 3 hours until we reach  Llaqtapata lookout point, from where you will be able to see Machu Picchu for first time as we eat our lunch. Then it is downhill for 2 hours to the bottom of the Urubamba valley to take the local train to Aguas Calientes. We stay overnight in a hotel and enjoy a real bed.

Day 9  Machu Picchu
Early in the morning you will take the bus up to Machu Picchu. Once at Machu Picchu we take a fascinating tour of temples, houses, terraces for growing crops and even gardens. All the words and pictures will never do this place justice, truly a magical place.  The bus takes 25 minutes to reach the top, once there you will have a guided tour and then you will have free time to explore the site by yourself. You will be among the first to visit on this day, as the crowds arrive on the train (11 AM). In the afternoon (4 PM), you will take the train to Cusco.

Day 10 Cusco, a day free to explore the town at will.

Day 11 Cusco to Lima.  Transfer to Lima airport by plane to depart on your international flight.
 

Trip Ref: IECMP11

Dry Season:  April through to early September. Landslides are fairly common during the wet season.

Scheduled start dates - 2005: 1 Apr, 15 Apr, 29 Apr, 13 May, 27 May, 10 June, 24 June, 8 July, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sept. No departures in the wet season.

Scheduled start dates - 2006: 31 Mar, 14 Apr, 28 Apr, 12 May, 26 May, 09 June, 23 June, 07 July, 21 Jul, 04 Aug, 18 Aug, 01 Sept. No departures in the wet season.
 

let us know when you would like to go and we will check availability and give you the current price.

Favoured periods: Late June (Sun Festival) and July. Book early if you want this period.

Price Indication per person in GB£ / US$ - 2005 / 06      
3 - 4 people in the group - GB£690 - GB£820 / UD$1390
5 - 6 people in the group – GB£580 - GB£670 / UD$1260
7 - 12 people in the group -  GB£530 - GB£620 / US$1130

Single Supplement: GB£38 / US$70

The base currency is the US Dollar.  A fluctuation in exchange rates could involve a change in the amount payable if not paid in US Dollars.

What is included
The price allows for joining in Lima and includes, Tented Camping - fully supported with all food, non alcoholic drinks for 4 days and group camping equipment led by a local crew. Hotels in Lima (1), Cusco and Puno all with breakfast only. A tour guide for every day except the first and last. Internal flights, transfers to hotels / airports. Train fare - Machu Picchu to Cusco. Transport to Puno.

What is not included
International airfare, lunch and evening meals while in hotels. Porter to carry your personal items during the trek only (available as an extra). Personal insurance. Visa fees (if required). Vaccination costs. Personal clothing and equipment. All items of a personal nature. All drinks, except those provided whilst trekking.

Airfare (From the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be in the range £560 - £700 for economy class. 

Visas
A visa is not required for passport holders of most First World countries.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.