5 Days - 4 Nights
Trekking
Low
We take small groups, why?
The principal reason to take small groups, is to provide personalized service, in a small group is easy to keep walking together and enjoy the nature of the Inca trail, there is a possibility to make friend and share experiences, interacting more closely with each other. Whereas, in larger groups from (10 – 16) people it trend to split into factions. Moreover, in larger groups tends to be a sizeable difference often over onehour in a section of the trail between the fastest andslowest member, what makes more difficult for the guides, cooks and porters to make their effective labors. In small groups, people are more likely to arrive at roughly the same time to hear the guides explanations. Also our porters are given the same food as the tourists. In larger groups agencies often provide inferior food for the porters. Smallgroups require less space in campsites and this enables the guide to select better locations. In small groups the guide, cook and porters have a more intimate relationship with the tourists and are better able to meet individual needs and attend to environmental issues such as waste disposal, contamination, etc. as the group will be together more of the time. Because of these reason in our standard service we take small groups, only in a group of friends and delegations we manage larger group. So choose small group.
What are the benefits of doing a private tour?
One of the main reasons why the private option is sought after is because you do not need to worry about which dates we have departures set for or if our departures have enough space…Your only concern is whether or not there are permits available…You can choose almost any date that you want if permits are available… In addition to the convenience and flexibility in booking, the private option provides a more personal trip experience for your group. We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel….The guide will focus all of his energy and attention on your group. You can also be more specific about the foods that you would like to be served during the trek. It is a truly wonderful experience to go on such an amazing journey with only your friends and loved ones. Ask at South Adventure Peru Tours how you can arrange your own private tour.
Important new trail regulation MC (Ministry of culture)
Important:
Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. As a result, advance booking is mandatory. A maximum of 500 people per day, including guides and porters, are permitted to begin the Trail every day. As a result, the high season books out very quickly. Note: that the Trail is closed every February for cleaning. If you are a group of 2 – 3 or more people and there is still enough Permits Available in the Park (Ministry of culture MC), then we can open a new departure date according to your required date as long as it is not alongside another group departure date. * If for any reason you miss out on a trek permit you can still visit Machu Picchu by train. See the many options into our web site such as : 2 Day or 2 Day trip to Machu Picchu / 2 Day Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu / 2 and 3 Day hike to Huchuy Qosqo with Machu Picchu so I suggest you get further information from each and let us know which one is great option for your !!
Student permit:
If you are student, send us and scan of your student card (ISIC Card only) through e-mail at the same booking time (valid student cards are the International ISIC cards. Are not valid teachers card, or youth travel card. Notice that only the complete details will allow us to get your permit and save a spot for you, also make sure that if you renewing your passport after reserving the Inca trail what counts in the passport number on which you made the booking. So, bring the old and the new passport in order to avoid problems at the Inca trail check point, which is very strict.
For a valid Booking, you have to send through e-mail the following info:
Confirmed departure dates:
At any time you wish during the whole year but it must be 5 to 6 months in advance, except in February due that is closed for maintenance. Please contact us to check departures to alternative routes.
What to Bring/ Carry:
After your delicious breakfast at your Hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, we will pick you up at 8:30am and then we head in our private transport straight to Km 82 which is the beginning of the 5 Day Inca Trail, as soon as we are ready to walk, we will pass the official control where you have to show your original passport and ISIC Cards if applicable. We will start with our hike keeping the left shore of the Urubamba River, following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive to Miskay located above 2,800 m.a.s.l / 9184 ft to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the Inca City of Llactapata located above 2,750 m.a.s.l / 9020ft from this point, we will start to descend to the ruins, next to which we set our camp after an approximately 3 and half hours of walk. We advise that on this day and the next one specially your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar high and help with altitude sickness. Tonight, you will have tasty dinner and sleep here above 2,650 m.a.s.l / 8,692 ft.
After our wake up early and breakfast, we will continue with the hiking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing until we reach the farming community of Wayllabamba located above 3,000 m.a.s.l / 9840ft all along the way we will enjoy the spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range on the opposite side of the Urubamba River where the impressive Veronica peak reigns to 5,832 m.a.s.l / 19133,86 ft Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley. Continuing through the trail, we leave Wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consist of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km and reaches the first mountain pass in the Inca Trail, the Abra Warmihuañusca or Abra Warmihuañusca or Dead Woman´s Pass located above 4,200 m.a.s.l /13,780ft. We only climb half up the pass and we will stop at Llulluchapampa where we will camp and spend the night over here. While you will take rest inside of your tent, our cook will be preparing the delicious and tasty dinner. Along the climb, the landscape changes from Sierra to Pune a dry and high area with little vegetation. We will also cross an area called cloud forest which is the habitat for many different kinds if birds such as hummingbirds and sparrows and the Andean bear which is also called the spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus) We advise that on this day and the next one specially your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar high and help with altitude sickness. Tonight, you will have tasty dinner and sleep here above 3,850 m.a.s.l / 12631.23 ft.
After your delicious breakfast, we continue our trek up the highest point in the Inca Trail, reaching the mountain pass of Abra Warmihuañusca of Dead Woman´s Pass located above 4,200 m.a.s.l /13,780ft. After about 2 and half hour, immediately after the pass, we start to descend into the Pacaymayo valley located above 3,600 m.a.s.l / 11,808ft from which we then start to climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay located above 3,970 m.a.s.l / 13,022ft Half way up, we visit the archaeological complex with the same name, this site is located above 3,800 m.a.s.l / 12,464ft, consist of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtover. After going over the pass, we will descend towards Yanacocha or Black lagoon and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca located ablve 3,624 m.a.s.l / 11,887 ft. This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we arrive to the third pass which is Phuyupatamarca located above 3,700 m.a.s.l / 12,136 ft along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Inca ancient craft, by walking along paths – semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the train from the multileveles Andean geography. We will go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phuyupatamarca means town over the clouds. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley. We will camp at Phuyupatamarca and enjoy our delicious buffet dinner.
Today after your buffet breakfast, we will have the chance to appreciate one of the most spectacular sunrises in the Inca Trail, provided the sky is clear as Phuyupatamarca´s location offers awesome views at this moment of the day. We then start our way through the long descending stone steps which will lead us to Wiñayhuayna located above 2,650ma.a.s.l/ 8,692ft this is the biggest archaeological sites along the Inca Trail besides Machu Picchu and consist of an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerious terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, offering spectacular views over the already narrower Urubamba River valley. After our visit, we leave Wiñayhuayna to climb to Intipunku or Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along the train of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle, from this fabulous spot, we will enjoy spectacular views over the Sacred Valley citadel of Machu Picchu , weather permitting . From Intipunku, a short walk brings us down to the entrance from where we continue with a guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take aprrox. 2 hours.The GUIDED tour basically includes walk through the different sections such as: The Urban sector, the agriculture sector, and the religions zone was used by the Inca Culture. After the guided tour in Machu Picchu, you will have free time to explore by yourself, walk at your own space, a lot of selfies and to meet other tourists into the sanctuary. After the guided tour, our guide will give you all the instructions for your bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will enjoy the lunch and spend the night at the Hotel.
This day, is one of the most important and interesting days during your whole trip, you will be able to get in again Machu Picchu and then climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu montaña, so we recommend you to take the first early bus up (BEFORE the BIRDS SING) once you get off the bus, show your original PASSPORTS and ISIC Cards (If applicable) at the check point and then try to be the first visitors inside of the wonder of the world Machu Picchu and the archaeological sites of this spectacular mystical place. As soon as you are into the santuary, you will climb to HUAYNA PICCHU or Machu Picchu Mountain from where you can have the best panoramic view for photos of all Machu Picchu and of deep green canyon surrounding the sacred Inca Citadel. Do not forget that this entrances, must be booked in advance and pay US$ 75 extra. Afternoon and depending on your train schedule back to Cusco, you will have to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cusco…Upon your arrival to Poroy station, you will be meeting again by our staff and then transfer back to your Hotel.
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