3 Days - 2 Nights
Trekking
Low
Appropiate clothing along the 3 Day Inca Trail:
For this 3 Day Hike, we suggest you to bring hiking pants, T-shirt which are very recommendable during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleece and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light rain gear available in the daypack (Rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required in the first two campsites, down jackets can be useful, otherwise fleece and jacket. During the 3rd Day, it will make sun and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are very useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu Picchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The climate in Cusco and Inca Trail is divided into 2 differentiated seasons such as, the rainy season is from November to March (The heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January to March) and the dry season from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.
Along the Inca Trail, temperatures range from 15-20 ºC during the day if it´s sunny, to 05-10 ºC during the day if not sunny or 0-05 ºC at night in the first 2 campsites. At Wiñayhuayna and Machu Picchu, at lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clotes are still recommended at night.
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, you will be picked up from your Hotel at 4:00 am and then you will be carry in our comfortable transport straight to Km 82 which is the beginning of the classic Inca Trail. We will start our hike after pass the official control where will keep the left shore of the Urubamba River, following the trail along a flat terrain, we will get in Miskay located above 2,800 m.a.s.l / 9,185ft from where , we will descend and finally see the Inca complex of Llactapata located above 2,750 m.a.s.l / 9,020ft . We continue with our own paced walking along the Valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing until we reach the farming community of Wayllabamba located above 3,000m.a.s.l / 9840ft, along the way, you will be able to observe spectacular views of Vilcanota mountains range on the opposite side of the Urubamba River from where we will see the impressive Veronica peak located above 5,832 m.a.s.l / 19133.86, we leave Wyallabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek which consist of an abrupt ans steep ascent that stretches for 9 Kilometers and reaches the first mountain pass in the Inca Trail, the 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 enjoyed our buffet breakfast, we continue with our hike up the highest point in the Inca Trail where you will reach the Dead´s Woman Pass 4,200 m.a.s.l /13,780ft after around 2 and half hours and exploring the mountain, we will descend into Pacaymayo valley located above 3,600m.a.s.l / 11,808ft from which we then start o climb to the second pass which is Abra Runcurakay located above 3,970m.a.s.l/13,022ft half way up, we will visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site is located above 3,800 m.a.s.l /12,464 ft consist pf a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower, after going over the pass, we will descend towards Yanacocha or black lagoon and enter the cloud – forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca located above 3,624 m.a.s.l / 11,887ft. This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular contrusction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we will arrive at the third pass which is Abra Phuyupatamarca located above 3,700m.a.s.l / 12136ft and along this climb, we can appreciate the magnitude of the Inca´s ancient craft by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in prefect order, saving the trail from the multileveled 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 spend the nigh here 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. According with the time and to your physical conditions, you can coordinate with the tour guide to 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. After the guided tour, our guide will give you all the instructions for your bus down and 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.
Cuzco is a city in southeastern Peru, near
Cuzco is a city in southeastern Peru, near
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a
Maras & Moray, Peru has one of the