Best Inca Trail Package 7 Days: Trekking to Machu Picchu

Why will you love Best Inca Trail Package?

• This trip gives hikers the opportunity to reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate and follow the original ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
• While you acclimatize to the altitude, travel through the Sacred Valley, known for its rugged and dizzying landscapes, its mystical significance to the Incas, and the indigenous cultures that still reside there.
• Explore the greatest icon of ancient Inca in South America, Machu Picchu on a guided Informative tour.
• Explore the city of Cusco, the oldest inhabited city in South America. The city has ancient foundations, an interesting mix of Inca and colonial influences, and seemingly endless things to do and see.

Short Trek Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Cusco. Explore the city and take a guided city tour.
• Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour. Visit the Inca ruins of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo, as well as the local markets. Stop for lunch in Urubamba. Explore Ollantaytambo with a local guide.
• Day 3: Start the Inca Trail Trek. Travel from Ollantaytambo to km 82, the beginning of the trail.
• Day 4: Dead Woman’s Pass. Climb the steep Warmiwañusca Pass, the highest point of the trail. Continue hiking over the second pass.
• Day 5: Cloud Forest Hike. Walk through the cloud forest, passing by Inca constructions. Enjoy stunning views over the Urubamba River/Valley.
• Day 6: Explore Machu Picchu. Start early to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu and have free time to explore. Optional visit to Puente del Inca or climb Huayna Picchu.
• Day 7: Transfer Out. After breakfast, transfer to the airport.

Detailed itinerary for 7-Day Best Inca Trail Package

Day 1: Arrive to Cusco:

On your arrival at the airport in Cusco, we will wait for you with a sign with your name and duly identified, to transfer you to the selected hotel. Arriving at the hotel you can taste the famous coca tea; this plant has properties that will help your body against altitude sickness (The city of Cusco is situated at 3,400m/ 11154ft); then you can rest and acclimatize a little in the hotel or if you want to take a gentle stroll through the main streets of the city. Optionally you can do city tour in the afternoon.

• Hotel Prisma (o similar) – ( 3-star hotel )

Day 2: Cusco to Ollantaytambo: Sacred Valley Tour:

On this second day, the Inca Trail Tour package will begin with a hearty breakfast in the hotel. At 7:30 a.m. We will pick you up from your hotel and start by visiting the archaeological center of Pisac located 45 minutes from Cusco by private transport. Pisac will give you an idea of the advanced knowledge that the Incas acquired in architecture as in other Inca constructions, some studies reveal that it was not a fortress, but rather a kind of “royal hacienda ” belonging to the Inca Pachacutec, composed of agriculture terraces, domestic and ceremonial structures and aqueducts that provided water for the agricultural exploitation. Another good reason to visit Pisac is its artisan market, where you can find unique and authentic souvenirs.

Continue the trip we’ll travel through the Sacred Valley observing picturesque mountain scenery. At noon we will stop in the town of Urubamba where we will taste the buffet lunch, which is a sample of the delicious Peruvian cuisine. Urubamba was one of the main agricultural centers of the Inca Empire. Currently the best corn in the world is harvested here and in the rainy season the fruits of the valley abound, such as peaches, “Capulí”, quince, premium strawberries, among others.

In the afternoon, we will visit the fortress of Ollantaytambo which was a strategic military, agricultural and religious center to administer and control the Sacred Valley; This is deduced from the constructions which are supposed to be for agricultural warehouses and for military use as walls and watchtowers (probably to protect themselves from the ethnic groups of the jungle). This archaeological site includes a series of superimposed terraces, showing the impressive large, intricately carved stone blocks located on the upper terrace.

The tour of the day ends here and you’ll have over night in the hotel. Here you can purchase some items for the Inca Trail.

• Hotel Tunupa Lodge (o similar) – ( 3-star hotel )
• Meals included: breakfast in the hotel

Day 3: First walking Day – Hike 13km

Today is the first walking day of the Inca Trail Package. Get you breakfast in the hotel at 6:00am and at 6:30am we leave the hotel and drive for one hour to the zone of “Pisqhakuchu” known as the km 82. Here we’ll meet our porters, after we give then our duffle bags, we begin the adventure. We will pass through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek (make sure you have your original passport with you to enter the Inca Trail). The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site, Patallacta, which is an ancient Inca control point for access to Machu Picchu. From Patallacta it is another 2-hour hike until our lunch. After lunch we will walk for another 2.5 hours until we reach the camp of the first night in Ayapata (3300 meters). In this last section, we cross 2 small communities. If you want to buy energy drinks or snacks, you can do it here, you can also buy essentials like batteries that you may have forgotten. We will arrive at our campsite at 5:00 PM and after you have settled in a bit you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chef and guide. At 7:30 p.m. your dinner will be ready and then you can have a well-deserved rest.

• Walking distance: 13 km (7-8 hours)
• Altitude of the campsite: 3300m/ 10827ft
• Considered: Moderate day
• Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4: Dead woman’s pass (4,200m/13779ft) – hike 16km.

At 5:30am your porters will wake you up with a cup of hot coca tea to get you ready for the day. Today is our longest and the hardest day so it is very important to start very early. We will hike for approximately 4 hours to the highest pass called “Warmiwañusqha” or dead woman’s pass (4200 meters / 13,779 feet). Upon reaching the pass, we will stop for a short break to enjoy the view before descending to the next valley of “Pacaymayu” (3600m/ 11811ft). Will take us 2:30-hours to reach the Valley where we’ll stop for lunch and the opportunity to fill you water bottle. After lunch we’ll have a little siesta and then continue the ascent toward the second Pass (4000m/ 13123tf). It is 2-hours from the valley to the pass and on the way, we will stop at a small Inca site (Runku Raccay – 3800m/ 12467ft) here you’ll receive information from your guide.

After the second pass, it is another hour of descent to reach the magnificent Inca site of “Sayacmarca” (a beautiful small Inca town). We will stop here to rest and quickly visit the site, then watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. We still have 20 minutes to wlak to our second campsite in the zone of “Chaquicocha” (3600m/11811ft).

• Walking distance: 16 km (8-9 hours)
• Altitude of the campsite: 3600m/11811ft
• Considered: Top day (we will survive two passes)
• Landscape: Andes and cloud forest
• Weather: cold – hot and rainy doe to the altitude
• Meals included: breakfast | Lunch |Dinner

Day 5: Short But Beautiful – Hike 11km.

Today is a short day and you’ll have more time for enjoying the Inca Trail. After breakfast, we start walking at 7:00am. We walk for 2 hours through original Inca trail and short ups and short downs (undulates); we’ll begin to enter to the Amazon Jungle; this zone is known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk, we will have the opportunity to see the majesty of Salkantay Mountain (6271m), the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range.

We’ll arrive to the zone of “Phuyupatamarka” (3600m/11811ft) from where we will have excellent views of the Urubamba River. In the valley we have our first views of Machu Picchu mountain but the site itself is still hidden. From Phuyupatamarka, 3 hours of hiking down a flight of stairs to our last camp, near “Wiñay Wayna” (Forever Young). “Wiñay Wayna” is the most spectacular Inca site on the road after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite due to its proximity to Machu Picchu.

On the way down, we visit 2 Inca ruins: “Phuyupatamarka” (city in the clouds) and “Intipata” (sunny terraces). We arrived at our camp at around 1:00 p.m. for lunch and then we’ll rest all afternoon so you are relaxed and ready for your last day in Machu Picchu. At around 4:30 p.m. Your guide will give you a brief orientation and you will visit the Inca ruins of “Wiñay Wayna”; which is to 10 minutes from the camp. Your guide will explain the importance of the site and combine all the information provided during the trek so that you are fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

It is a tradition of the Inca Trail to organize a ceremony at night to introduce the team again to the tourists and thank them for the excellent work they have done (if you want to give them some advice, you can do it now). It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time to be able to get up early in the morning to arrive at Machu Picchu at dawn in the hope that the weather will bring us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins of Machu Picchu.

• Walking distance: 11 km 5-6 hours.
• Altitude of the campsite: 2,600m/ 8530.
• Considered: Easy day (descent only).
• Landscape: high cloud forest.
• Weather: hot and very humid.
• Meals included: breakfast | Lunch | Dinner.

Day 6: Explore Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

Today the wake-up call will be at 3.30am. We will have breakfast at 4:00 a.m. and wait at the checkpoint that will be open at 5:30am. Once we pass the checkpoint, we’ll hike up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its splendor. We will arrive at Puerta del Sol at 6.30am, then it will only take an hour of walking to reach the lost city of the Incas. As we walk and get closer to Machu Picchu, the view of the Inca citadel is better. At Around 7:40 am we will arrive at the final checkpoint and enter to Machu Picchu to begin our 3-hour informative guided tour. After the tour, you will be given bus tickets to get to “Aguas Calientes” town, and you will have plenty of free time to explore the town on your own or to climb one of the nearby mountains: Huaynapicchu (must be scheduled in advance).

Your guide will offer to meet you in the town of “Aguas Calientes” to enjoy your last lunch at a local restaurant. This is optional and is not included. At lunch your guide will give you the train tickets, so if you choose to jump, make arrangements to get them before you leave Machu Picchu. Unless you have made arrangements for an upgraded train, we will book the Expedition class train leaving “Aguas Calientes” at 3:20 p.m. or 4:22 p.m. Make sure you are on the platform at least 30 minutes in advance. It will be a 2-hour train to Ollantaytambo, where our driver will meet you and take you back to Cusco.

• Walking distance: 5 km 2-hours.
• Altitude of Machu Picchu: 2,400m/ 7874ft.
• Meals included: breakfast

Day 7: Transfer Out.

After a good breakfast, we will pick you up from the hotel where and we will take you to the airport of the city of Cusco, which is a few minutes from the center of Cusco, we must be at least two hours before for carry out the flight confirmation procedures, After checking in with the airline that will fly and paying the airport tax, we will say goodbye and take the flight from Cusco to Lima.

• Meals included: breakfast.

Our 7-Day Package Includes:

In the price are Included all necessary things for the tour:

• TRANSPORTATION: transfer in / out airport / hotel / airport, private bus for the Sacred Valley Tour, the same bus will transfer you from “Ollantaytambo” to Km 82 starting point of the Trek, bus down from Machu Picchu to “Aguas Calientes”, tourist train Expeditions class from “Aguas Calientes” to “Ollantaytambo”, transfer to Cusco hotel.
• INCA TRAIL PERMITS
• ENTRANCE FEES: For the Sacred Valley tour, Inca Trail Trek and Machu Picchu.
• MEALS: All breakfasts in the hotels, delicious meals on the Inca trail prepared by professional chefs. Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, also hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Teatime every day (tea, coffee, cookies, popcorn), (3 breakfast- 3 lunches- 3 dinners- 3 afternoon tees), we always offer a vegetarian option upon request; we provide available boiled water each morning for your water bottles.
• GUIDE: Licensed bilingual tour guide (2 guides over 8 people).
• GENERAL PORTERS:For camping equipment, food and kitchen gears.
• EXTRA PORTER: To carry your personal items (7kls) in duffel bags that we provide. With items that you’ll use during the day like. Water, camera, snacks, rain gear and one jacket. You won’t have access to your duffel back until the camp.
• CAMPING EQUIPMENT: We provide brand new 4 season four people capacity tents for two people, Therm-a-rest, dinning room tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, seats, tables, tent for the guides and porters, kitchen gear. Backpacks, warm clothes and life insurance for our porters.
• ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel based on double occupancy: 2 nights in Cusco *** Hotel, 1 night in Ollantaytambo *** Hotel, If you would like a single room there is an additional cost of US $ 25.00 per night. 3 nights in camping tents.
• OTHER ITEMS: Local guide for permanent assistance, first aid kit, oxygen bottle.

Not Included

• MEALS: Lunch and dinner on day 1, 2 and 6; You must consider a budget from US $ 15 to US $ 25 for each meal. We will assist you at this issues.
• SLEEPING BAG: Can be rented in our office for US $ 20 for the entire trek.
• Tips for the staff and Airport taxes.

The Packing List

For the Inca Trail Trek you’ll need the following things:

ESSENTIALS

• Original Passport
• STUDENT CARD, valid (If you booked as a student)
• Migration card (delivered at the airport upon entering Peru)
• Backpack (the smaller the better) 30ltrs is recommendable.
• Container for water: Containers such as Camel-bags are recommended, but sufficient for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable trekking boots (light with good soles)

IN YOUR DUFFLE BAG

The duffle bag provides at the briefing time, which will be loaded by your porter.

The porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This should include your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you bring / rent one). In our case, these two items weigh 3 kg.

• 3-4 t-shirts
• 2 Trekking pants
• 4 sets of underwear.
• 4 sets of trekking socks
• 1 windbreaker
• 1 Warm jacket: it gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Head torch
• Waterproof gloves (even if they’re ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for the camp
• Shoes for the camp
• Raincoat / rain poncho
• Towel. We provide a small one, you may enjoy a little larger one.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water every day for cleaning – it could make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery charger: There is no place to connect during the hike
• Large Plastic Bags – To help organize and separate clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: We recommend bags for -10 ° C minimum.

TOILETRIES

• Sunscreen
• Facial moisturizer
• Insect repellent
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet tissues
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• First aid box

BACKPACKS

Backpacks can be any size for the hike, but we always suggest that the smaller the better. Inside the citadel of Machu Picchu, backpacks of more than 25L will not be allowed. If it is larger, you will have to store it outside the gates of the citadel. But don’t worry, they have a secure storage facility.

• Water: we supply clean water at every meal. You are responsible for bringing water for the first morning because we will not have time to filter the water until its
  first lunch.
• Sun hat
• Rain gear
• Polar jacket
• Camera
• Gel alcohol
• Toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips

Price info:

PRICE: US$ 980

PRIVATE TOUR Daily Departures:

2 person (minimum) US$ 1,250.00 p/person.
3-4 person 1,150.00 p/person.
5-9 person 1.000.00 p/person.
10+ person 980.00 p/person.
* Guided tour with expert English speaking guide.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

We can hire the following to you.

• Walking stick lightweight aluminum ($ 10) two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
• Single tent supplement (if you don’t want to share a tent) $ 30 per person
• NOTE.- If you hire equipment and break it – you are responsible for price of replacement / or repair. (Please do the right thing!).

PAYMENT DETAILS

To secure your spot on the 7-day Best Inca Trail Package, we kindly require a non-refundable tour deposit of US$350 per person. The deposit can be conveniently sent via Western Union or through online payment to our bank account.

Please ensure that the money transfer is made in the name of SUNRISE PERU TREK OPERATOR E.I.R.L. Upon your arrival in Cusco, the remaining balance must be settled in cash prior to the commencement of the tour. We gladly accept both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles (local currency).

Essential information About 7-Day Best Inca Trail Package.