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| Price | From US$ 690.00 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 04 Days / 03 Night |
| Starting point | CUSCO |
| Ending point | CUSCO |
Inka Wasi Travel Service is an organization aimed for a full attention of all those interested in visiting and getting to know the Andean world. We have more than 23 years of experience as tour operators and directly operating the Inca Trail Expeditions to Machu Picchu.
As experts specialized in excursions to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek, at Inka Wasi Travel Service we count with experienced personnel and qualified guides who have knowledge of languages, Inca archaeology and wildlife of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary turning the trek into a lifetime experience.
We are focused on providing our guests with the best of our people, our country, our nature and ultimately our culture. We invite you to join us walking the Inca Trail Trek into a whole new experience. It's not just another walk through the mountains, it is sharing experiences, meals, knowledge and feelings in four days living together along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek.
PRICE IN PRIVATE SERVICE
1 PERSON $1,500.00
2 PEOPLE $1,100.00
3 PEOPLE $760.00
4 PEOPLE AND MORE $690.00
Climbing up from Wayllabamba following the left bank of the Llulluchayoc river for about 1 hour brings you to 'Tres Piedres' (three stones) and a small bridge over the Huayruro river. There is a small campsite here toilet facilities. The stream is named after the
Huayruro which is an ornamental tree. It's seeds are red and black. Many of the porters from the Ollantaytambo district are also known as Huayruros because of their traditional red and black ponchos! A little further on you'll enter a beautiful cloud forest passing a waterfall.
A further three hours trek through steepening woods and increasingly spectacular terrain brings you to the treeline and a meadow known as Llulluchapampa (3,680m). It is another 1½ hours climb to the first and highest pass of the trail (Abra de Huarmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,200m. During this part of the trail hikers are exposed to the Andean elements: first scorching sun and then, closer to the pass, freezing winds. Once at the top hikers can celebrate having completed the most difficult section of the trail.
The decent from the pass is steep although not difficult, following the trail on the left side of the valley to the valley floor and to the 2nd night's campsite at Pacamayo (3,600m). There are toilet facilities here.
From Pacamayo it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay. These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Pacamayo valley below.
Another 45 minute hike will bring you to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you'll feel that you are walking along the trail of the Incas with paving, for the most part, being original. The descent down the steps from the pass is steep so take care. This section of the trail, up until the 3rd pass, is particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and skirts deep precipices. After about 1 hour from the 2nd pass you'll arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a superbly designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means 'Inaccessible Town' and describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. No one knows the exact purpose of these ruins.
You have to backtrack a little to rejoin the trail as it passes Conchamarca, a small Inca dwelling situated in the shadows of Sayacmarca, which was probably a tambo for weary travelers on their way to Machu Picchu. From then on the path descends into magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the rock, on the way.
The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (3,700m). The view from the pass offers excellent views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (6,180m) and Veronica (5,750m). A few minutes after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds'. Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual worship of water.
Leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase leading from the west side of the ruins (the far end from the baths) you descend a thousand or so steps. Be careful with your knees which will feel the strain by the end of the day. After about an hour of walking through cloud forest you may just be able to see the tin roof of the Trekkers Hostel at Wiñay Wayna, although it probably won't be for another 2 hours until you arrive.
Wiñay Wayna is the last official campsite before Machu Picchu. There is a restaurant where you can purchase drinks and even a well deserved beer, as well as hot showers ($1.5) and toilets.
A short trail leaves from the southern end of the hostel to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. The name in Quechua means 'forever young' and is named after a variety of pink orchid which grows here. The ruins comprise magnificent agricultural terraces set in an impressive location. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10 baths, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship of water. Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the trail to Machu Picchu.
The trail from the campsite to Machu Picchu is clearly marked and takes about 1½ hours. We'll wake early at 4.30am, have breakfast and set off on the trail again by 5.30am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The sky starts getting light by 5:30am and the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu at about 7am. The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloud forest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading
up to the final pass at Inti Punku (Sun Gate). Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you in all its glory - a fantastic sight for all.
When you arrive at the ruins you'll have plenty of time to take photos of Machu Picchu from the classic view point. Most groups wait at this point for a while so most of your photos should be 'tourist free'. When the group is back together again we descend to the main entrance where you can safely leave your large backpacks. You can also go to the toilet and have a quick coffee in the restaurant just outside the entrance. The group will re-enter the ruins with the same guide for a complete tour of the major sectors. The tour takes about 2 hours so by about 10:30am you'll have free time to explore the ruins alone.
The train back to Cusco departs from Aguas Calientes which is the nearest village to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The train departs at approximately 3.55pm (time can vary subject to ticket availability) and you'll arrive back in Cusco at about 8:45pm. Included in our standard service is the tourist bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes and the train back to Cusco. Sometimes, however, we buy train tickets just back as far as Ollantaytambo and then bring you back to your hotel in Cusco by private bus. The later method usually works out about 30 minutes quicker.
| 01 PERSON | 02 PEOPLE | 03 PEOPLE | 04 PEOPLE AND MORE |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD$ 1,500.00 | USD$ 1,100.00 | USD$ 760.00 | USD$ 690.00 |
Price per person *
ADDITIONALS:
ADDITIONAL PORTERING SERVICE: USD 130.00(07 KILOS MAX)
VISTADOME TRAIN UPGRADE: USD 40.00
ENTRANCE FEE TO HUAYNA PICCHU OR MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN: USD 85.00
EXTRA BUS UP/DOWN: USD 26.00 (USD 13.00 EACH)
AGUAS CALIENTES OVERNIGHT: (REQUEST)
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION AT:
e-mail: info@inkawasicorp.com
The Peruvian Government proposed many changes to the administration of the Inca Trail in a bid to protect its fragile eco-structure from over-use. Most of these proposals have been aimed at reducing the number of trekkers on the trail, improving the quality of the tour operators and offering a reservation system whereby trekkers will be forced to make their reservations many weeks (even months) in advance.
Some of the proposals were introduced slowly throughout 2001 and 2002 but the Government started to enforce the majority of the regulations strictly in 2003. Further regulations have been introduced at the beginning of 2004 with the main aim of eliminating poor quality operators. All trekking companies that operate the Inca Trail must have an operating license which is issued every year at the end of February.
In 2005, the main changes made the booking process even more restrictive. Now, the entrance permits have to be totally paid at the moment of the purchase. This forced the travel agencies to start the booking once all the payment has been made.
The Inca Trail is part of the Machupicchu Sanctuary, a protected area managed by the Peru National Institute of Natural Resources, INRENA.
All visitors must obey park regulations prohibiting littering, cutting or damaging trees, removing or damaging stones of ruins and the Trail, removing plants, killing animals, lighting open fires or camping in the archeological sites (only authorized campsites can be used).
The following procedures must be followed:
1. Payment of entrance fees:
a. The only valid document granting the right to walk the Inca Trails Network - the Machupicchu Historical Sanctuary Network RED or SHM - is the ticket issued by the Instituto Nacional the Cultura (INC). This ticket is personal, non-transferable and includes the entrance fee to Machupicchu.
b. Payment for the right to use the RED can only be made in the city of Cusco, usually included in the quote an authorized agency provides.
c. Under no circumstances, payment for the use of the RED will be accepted at its registry and entry control points.
d. Payment for the right to use the RED must be made a minimum of thirty (30) days before beginning the trip and the acquisition must be made under your name.
e. The reimbursement of payment for the right to use the RED is not possible under any circumstance.
2. Reservations
a. Reservations will be made in the offices of the Departmental Headquarters of the Instituto Nacional de Cultura in Cusco, receiving confirmation with corresponding reservation code.
Note: Reservations will be subject to the daily capacity emitted by the UGM (500 people, including guides, porters, helpers and visitors), therefore we recommend you to reserve your place far in advance.
b. The entrance permits can be bought even 360 days before the trip begins.
c. To buy the entrance permits, the Tour Operator must pay 100% and provide full names, passport numbers, ages, nationalities and passport photocopies of all those going on the trip, to the relevant authorities. The traveler must send this information and documents to us from his or her home country.
d. Wrong information on travelers will result in the non-acceptance of their entrance permits, and no reimbursement of fees will be made in this case.
e. Only people under 28 years old with valid International Student Identification will be considered as a student, entitling them to a discount on the RED entrance fee.
Day 1: CUSCO - Chilca - Wayllabamba
The first day of the trek is relatively easy and serves as training for the days to follow. Travelers are collected early from their hotels (5-5:30am) and travel by bus, past the picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, for the 2½ hour scenic trip to kilometer 82 (the start of the trail). Buses normally stop at the town of Urubamba or Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley for about an hour to give people the opportunity to have breakfast.
Having arrived at km 82 hikers cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right as it climbs steeply up from the river. After passing through a small village, the ruins of the Inca hill fort of Huillca Raccay come into view high above the mouth of the river Cusichaca ('happy bridge'). The Incas, when they conquered the area, built a fort here since the site commanded an excellent view up and down the Urubamba valley and controlled the entrance to the Cusichaca valley. It is a simple descent down to the Cusichaca river. From parts of this trail there are great views of the Cordillera Urubamba (Urubamba mountain range) and the snow capped peak of Veronica 5860m.
You'll also get a good view over the extensive Inca ruins of Llactapata (also known as Patallacta on some maps). Llactapata means 'upper town' in Quechua and was first discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and was primarily an agricultural station used to supply Machu Picchu with maize, the staple crop of the Incas. The settlement comprised over one hundred buildings, houses for the workers and soldiers, including five baths.
For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the river up to the small village of Wayllabamba (3,000m). The name in Quechua means 'grassy plain'. We will probably spend the night here depending on the speed of the group. This is the last place along the trek that you can buy snacks and drinks.