INCA TRAIL
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Much has changed over the last decade on the Inca Trail.The experience is still unique and exhilarating but with the regulations that have come into place since the year 2000, many constraints have been placed.
A lot of areas of the trail have been reconstructed and the Institute of National Culture, which has financed this work, has replaced steep trail sections with steps. We consider that 30% of the trail has now been replaced by steps.
ITINERARIES AND DURATION
We offer two versions of the Inca Trail program.
The longer Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5D/5N) one starts at Km. 82 of the railroad at Piscaycucho where we arrive by vehicle, walking along the right-hand side of the river until reaching Qoriwayrachina (Km. 88) where we usually have a picnic lunch. In the early afternoon, we cross the footbridge and visit the ruins of Q’ente (if time permits) and the complex of Patallacta before heading to camp at Chamana, a campsite opposite Patallacta, across the Cusichaca stream (in the buffer zone of the MPHS).
The next day we head up the Cusichaca Valley and at Huayllabamba we begin our ascent to Llulluchapampa, below the first pass, where we camp.
Ruins on Inca Trail
On the third day, over the Warmiwanusqa Pass down to the Pacaymayo valley where we snack. Continue over the second pass of Runkuraqay and then past Sayacmarca Ruins to lunch at Chakicocha, a site with toilet facilities and allocated campsites. From here we continue to Phuyupatamarca where camp is set up at an allocated spot above the site.
The fourth day we descend via a visit to Phuyupatamarca ruins along the way to reach Machu Picchu by way of Inti Punku in the early afternoon and take the bus down to a reserved hotel. The fifth day is the guided visit of the citadel and return to Cusco in the afternoon on one of the scheduled trains.
SET DEPARTURE TREK PRICE: US$ 1120.00
The shorter version which we call the Inca Trail Express (2D/1N) is just the last two days of the above itinerary with no camping.
CAMPSITES
Camping on Inca Trail
On the 5-day Inca Trail Trek, the first day we camp in a small community opposite Llactapata ruins, called Chamana where we have set up an exclusive campsite with toilets and a hot shower, as well as a cooking area, small support warehouse and a dining refuge.
The second day we camp at Llulluchapampa (below the first pass) and, depending on the congestion of other groups, we either camp at the entrance of the pampa near the new stand-up toilet facilities or at the higher end of the pampa in a more protected area.
Dining on Inca Trail
The third day we camp above Phuyupatamarca Ruins at a designated camp-site now allocated by INRENA, the National Park Service. On the fourth day, arriving at Machu Picchu Pueblo the village, there are many options of hostels and hotels, depending on price range and availability. So it is important when booking the Inca Trail you let us know what standard hotel you want us to request, book and confirm, we will quote the price and confirm your booking.
At campsites we provide as usual – kitchen and dining tents with stools and tables as well as a toilet tent, a side from two man tents with pads.
TOILET AND WASHING FACILITIES
Permanent bathrooms with wash basins have been established along the trail in certain areas. The only camp-site that we use which has access to bathrooms is Llulluchapampa. Other times where we have access to these facilities are at the lunch spots on the days we trek according to the itinerary we offer (Day 2, Day 3, Day 4). We continue to supply warm washing water in the morning and evening in bowls and, of course, toilet tents. Depending on the size of the group we supply one or two toilet tents. We have two systems available but they both require carry–out procedures and disposal at the end of the trek.
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS
The National Institute of Culture (INC) is the entity in charge of the administration of all archaeological sites, monuments and the public museums in Peru. They are the ones that decide the prices for entrance fees to monuments, archaeological sites and museums. They are in charge of the reservation system which is managed and monitored by them. It is the institution where we purchase the entrance fee for the Inca Trail and the citadel (one or two day visits).
For the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu you have limited spaces (500 daily permits) including tourists and support staff. On their website: http://www.inc-cusco.gob.pe/Kratos/site/ you can check available spaces for the Inca Trail, on specific dates as a direct way of viewing availability, before accepting a booking while you discuss alternatives with clients and with us over e-mail. Click over “Ingresar como invitados”, then click on “Consultas”, next click on “Disponibilidad Camino Inca” and finally choose month and click on “Ver Disponibilidad”. These guidelines will let you know permits availability.
Through the “Intendencia de Areas Protegidas y Fauna Silvestre” (IANPFS), a division of INRENA (Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales) in charge of the National Park System, this entity receives a percentage of the entrance fee to oversee the natural resources and biodiversity conservation of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Soon this division will be integrated into the Ministry of the Environment, recently created.
RESERVATIONS
We recommend you make “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” reservations with at least four (4) months prior to arrival.
Due to the new regulations for the Inca Trail, we need complete passenger information. You have to be aware that permits once requested must be paid within 24 hours when booking is made and are not refundable and cannot be transferred or modified.
The passenger information required includes:
- Complete names (as they appear in passport)
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Date of Birth
NOTE: If your passport number changes since original booking (renewed), please bring both passports to demonstrate the renewal and new passport emitted. It is best to make a copy of your passport before sending it in to be renewed.
GROUP SIZES
INC regulations allow a limited amount of passengers per group and a minimum amount of guides
per number of passengers:
- 8 passengers: 1 guide
- 9-15 passengers: 1 guide + 1 assistant Guide
The total number of support staff will be the number of clients in a group plus 4-6 staff (1 person would have 5 staff and 10 people would have 16 staff).
WEIGHT LIMITS FOR PASSENGERS AND PORTERS
The weight limit that each porter can carry is 20 Kilos (44 pounds), so that one porter can carry the luggage of two people.
NOTE: On the Inca Trail weight is an important factor, so we ask you to please pack lightly. The weight limit per person is 8 kilos (20 pounds). Sometimes couples choose to share a duffel bag. On Fixed Departures we can supply duffel bags on request the night before departure during the briefing session, so trekkers can repack their belongings if your luggage is too bulky. Depending on the lodging at Machu Picchu Pueblo we can arrange for part of your luggage, packed in a stuff sack, to catch up with you at Machu Picchu.
WALKING STICKS
If you prefer to use and recommend walking sticks, only the ones with rubber tips are allowed, or for that matter a wooden stick if you don’t have one of the modern models. The latter can be acquired in Cusco or Ollantaytambo, on the way to the start of the trek. No sticks with a metal tip are permitted.
MACHU PICCHU SANCTUARY ENTRY FEES
For the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek (5D/5N), price for the permit is US$110. This includes the Inca Trail portion and the Entrance Fee to the citadel, validated for the next day if you arrive at the citadel after 2 pm at the check-point.
For the 2-Day Inca Trail Express (from Km 104-Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu) the price for the permit is of US$70, and includes the visit to the citadel, specially validated for the next day if you arrive at the citadel after 2 pm. The prices are in soles and may change periodically due to US$ exchange rate and other factors.
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For people who are trekking the Salkantay route to Machu Picchu, it should be noted that on the 5th day, you will enter the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and a permit is required! We will keep this in mind and help with the “timing” of the permit.
On all tours that we offer, as full day excursions, either on a full day or overnight extension, staying at one of the hotels in Machu Picchu Pueblo, at least one entrance fee is included. An extra visit is US$40 for the entrance fee and $20 for the shuttle bus.
DEPARTURES
There are set departures on the 5-day/5-night Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, on Sundays and Wednesdays, starting and ending in Cusco.
The 2-day Inca Trail Express can be requested any day according to availability. If no permits are available, we can provide an alternative half-day hike either from Machu Picchu to Intipunku (Gate of the Sun) or a hike up to Wayna Picchu (a limit of 400 passengers per day is permitted).
SERVICES INCLUDED
We will include transportation to start of trek and return train to Cusco at the end of trek, two-man tents, all meals on trek, commissary gear, bilingual guide, full day tour of Machu Picchu citadel with lunch included on Day 5, and lodging in Cusco on the 5th night.
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED
Taxes, tips, dinner in Machu Picchu Pueblo on the fourth night, alcoholic beverages, laundry, and extra entrance fees to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
ALTERNATIVE TREKS TO THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
Remember we have developed different “off the beaten path” alternative treks that offer a similar experience with the plus that adventurers will sense a more pristine environment and a more in depth cultural experience, visiting communities along the way:
Joe Koehly is an experienced guide and group leader, who is taking a group to Peru from September 11 to 25, 2010. You will be hiking the Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek with Joe and a local Peruvian guide! If you would like to join this group, please contact us and we will put you in touch with Joe. This is an awesome trekking experience that you will not want to miss! It is particularly good for one or two individuals who want to have a group leader with them for the entire trip!
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I know it’s hot outside, but believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about the Christmas holiday season! Many of the boats in the Galapagos are already full in December and January and airfares are starting to creep higher and higher. Here are our favorite holiday season destinations that are also great for families.
Choquequirao (“cradle of gold”) is located in the Salkantay range of the Southeastern Peruvian Andes. It is a sister city to Machu Picchu, and like Machu Picchu, was never discovered by the Spanish Conquistadors. It was built by Topa Inca, a successor to the Machu Picchu builder, Pachachuti, and designed along similar lines.
Peru
