Fully Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Cuzco Tours and Travel

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Fully Inca Trail to Machu Picchu bronce service 4d/3n   

The Inca Trail is Peru's best known hike, combining a stunning mix of Inca ruins, mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest and rich subtropical jungle.

Over 250 species of orchid have been counted in the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, as well as numerous birds such as hummingbirds, waterfowl and the majestic Andean Condor. The star of the Sanctuary is the spectacled bear - a shy, herbivorous animal that is extremely rare and close to extinction.

Essentially the Inca Trail is a mountainous jungle hike leading to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu. The 45km trek is usually covered in 4 days, arriving at Machu Picchu at daybreak on the final day before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon.

Day 1. Cusco - Wayllabamba

After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to km 82  by bus where you will meet with your Quechua porters and prepare for the Inca Trail with a session of yoga from your personal instructor.

After some relaxing, breathing and stretching techniques, you will be ready to embark on the four day trek that awaits you. You will cross over the turbulent Vilcanota River, with magnificent views of Nevado Veronica (5,900m/19,000ft) and continue along the trek admiring the Llactapata archaeological site, and stopping at the wayllabamba River for lunch.

All meals are in very large dining tents with outstanding three course meals freshly prepared by your chef. After lunch, we will visit the archeological sites of Patallacta, Qente, and the valley of Cusichaca along with the magical Polylepsis forest before continuing the hike. To help us focus on the true nature of our trek, our destination and our very location, our personal porters will be playing the Quena, or ancient Andean flute.

We also encourage to talk with our porters to learn a little about their ancient customs and ways or life. Our hiking today will last approximately 7 hours. Upon arriving to our campsite, we shall enjoy relaxing massages and a warm shower to help sooth away any aches and pains. Dinner before listening to the intriguing stories and legends from our Quechua porters. Overnight camping on the trail.

Day 2. Wayllabamba -Paqaymayu

An early start today as this is the most demanding day of the entire trek and we shall gain considerable altitude. We will see outstanding views to the east of the Huayanay peaks and to the west of the rugged Vilcabamba Range.

After breakfast, we shall begin the climb up through the first pass at 4200 m/13,750 feet at Warmiwanusqa. Passing 3 ecological zones such as the Yunga, Quechua and Puna, we shall ascend 1000 metres in 5 hours.

Our porter's enticing music will help us to marvel at the views rather than the difficult ascent. Lunch will be taken before the final two sections of ascent. Upon reaching the summit of Dead Woman's Pass, we shall celebrate our achievement by paying homage to the Apus or mountain gods, before descending into camp.

Massages and a warm shower before a welcoming dinner near Pacaymayu. More secret myths will unfold tonight as the porters explain the significance of the Apus, or mountain gods. Overnight camping on the trail.

Day 3. Paqaymayu-Wiñaywayna

After breakfast, we shall begin the ascent of the second pass, although still demanding, this is easier than the previous day's ascent. A visit to the famous archaeological site of Runquraqay. We will continue on to the restored town site of Sayaqmarka ("Town in a Steep Place") and explore the Sayaqmarka Ruins, admiring at the same time the fabulous cloud forest which is now all around us.

The third pass of the Inca Trail in this section is a long white granite roadway, with some ascents and descents traversing a thickly forested mountainside. We will finally descend to the magnificent archeological site of Phuyupatamarka ("Cloud Level Town") where a fine lunch will await us.

After lunch, we will then begin the decent to Winaywayna, an outstanding Inca complex built into the mountainside. A visit of the ruins before our last massage and trail shower. After relaxing, we shall enjoy dinner carefully prepared by our chef. We shall also meet with our porters for the very last time and exchange thanks and talk about the ancient paths upon which we have trekked for the last few days. Overnight camping on the trail.

Day 4. Wiñaywayna –Machupicchu-Cusco

Early morning wake up at 4:30 AM for breakfast and to begin the final trek to Intipunku, and the first site of the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu.

We will descend rapidly from cloud forest into high jungle habitat. Orchids and hummingbirds are commonly seen along this spectacular section of the trail high above the river. We will arrive at Intipunko "Gate of the Sun" to observe the sunrise over Machu Picchu from an elevated vantage point. We will then continue down to the royal road and at last the "Lost City of the Incas".

We then immediately begin our tour of Machu Picchu. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape.

There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants and a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city holds houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square and all connected by narrow roads and steps, which is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture.

We shall visit the Main Plaza, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of Three Windows, the Circular Tower and the Sacred Sun Dial and Burial Grounds. After the guided tour, you can enjoy an afternoon of self-exploration and discovery. Then return to cusco.

Inca Trail Bronce Service (4 days, 3 nights)

Daily departures with quality service....

Our groups are designed to be comfortable and we ensure you have the best Inca Trail experience! Our new camping equipment, efficient chefs, amazing food and professional bilingual guides will make this Inca pilgrimage the crowning experience of your south american trip!

In this Inca Trail service very well treated porters (family  porters, red army, commando, as our tourists often describe them ) carry cooking and camping equipment while tourists (unless a extra porter is hired) carry personal belongings, including sleeping bag, sleeping mattress and clothes.

Please Note: Difficulty level depends very much on your fitness and aclimatation

Includes:

•          transafer airport hotel  1 way   

 .           Professional, bilingual Tour Guide

•          Assistant Guide (for groups of 9 or more people)

•          Collection from hotel

•          Return transportation;bus to kilometre 82 and train back (Backpacker cerrojo service) and bus.

•          Collection from train station (on day 4th)

•          Water (only for first 4 hours of trek, then we will provide you with drinking -previously boiled- water).

•          Entrance fee to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

•          3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks, 3 dinners and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day

•          Dining tent with tables and chairs      

•          Cook

•          2-man tent

.           Sleeping mattress

•          Porters (they carry cooking and camping equipment)

•          Bus trip from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes

•          Oxygen bottle

•          First Aid kit.

Vegetarian food on request at  no extra cost!

What you need to take:

•          Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)

•          Travel Insurance is essential

•          Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired from us)

•          Walking boots

•          Waterproof jacket/rain poncho

•          Warm jacket

•          Hat and gloves

•          T-shirts

•          Comfortable trousers

•          Sun hat

•          Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)

•          Insect repellent

•          Water (only until lunch time on day 1)

•          Toiletries

•          Personal medication

•          Camera and films

•          Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)

*To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a valid ISIC card

Optional items to take:

•          Shorts

•          Walking stick (with rubber tip)

•          Plasters and bandages

•          Sandals

•          Extra money

•          Bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes)

Optional services Not included.

•          Hire of sleeping bag - 5 seasons ($20) (can be hired from us)

•          Walking stick -single- ($8). (can be hired from us)

•          Inflateable mattress ($15)

•          1 porter $100 (can be shared between 2 people).

•          Half porter up to 7 kilos***  ($50) for new  bookings from the 7th April.

•          If you require an extra porter or a half porter, please advise us when filling in booking form.

•          Single tent suplement $25

Category: Tour Operator