INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the best known hike in South America and with good reason. This spectacular trek passes through rugged mountain terrain, lush cloud forest and subtropical jungle, all the while tracking ancient Incan roads and visiting stunning Incan ruins.

This 45 km trek is usually completed in 4 days (although shorter and longer versions are also available), arriving at Machu Picchu (the lost city of the Incas) at sunrise on the fourth day and returning to Cusco by train that afternoon.

The hike is moderate to difficult and can be completed by any reasonably fit person.

Here's a sample of what you can expect on the classical 4 day trek.

Day 1 - The trek begins as we cross the river and head up the trail. We will gently ascend through pretty gardens and eucalyptus groves until we reach the ruins of Patallaqta ("Town on the Heights"). There are a large number of agricultural terraces at this site, and the urban sector includes more than one hundred buildings.

Day 2 - The second day of the Inca Trail is certainly the most difficult and perhaps the most rewarding. We start out early to ascend Abra de Warmiwaniusca (Dead Woman's Pass - pictured left), the highest point on the trail at 4200 m. You will appreciate the change in geography and flora (as well as spectacular views) as we climb through remnant cloud forest to the rugged mountain pass and back down to treeline in the Pacasmayo valley. 

Day 3 - As we continue along the trail today, we'll be hiking on exquisitely paved Inca road, passing through moss-laden and orchid-filled cloud forest and exploring several Incan ruins along the way. Towards the end of the day we reach Winay-wayna, a site discovered in the 1940s. It is the most impressive site we have reached so far. 

Day 4 - After a very early start, we will hike the final 2-3 hours of the trail, arriving at Intipunku (Door of the Sun) in time to see Machu Picchu in the early morning light. We will then have a comprehensive tour of this amazing citadel. You will discover the residential and industrial sectors, in addition to the temples, plazas, ceremonial baths and, of course, IntiHuatana, the shrine designated to astrological purposes. Machu Picchu is surrounded by mystery, and we will explore the many theories about its purpose and its abandonment.  We will then take the afternoon train back to Cusco, where we'll transfer back to your hotel .  

Prices for the classic 4 day trek start at $360 US and include:
 

- Transportation by private bus to the start of the trek (km 82). Pick up at your hotel.
- Meals: 3 breakfasts / 3 lunches / 3 dinners /3 afternoon teas.
- Camping Equipment: double tents, sleeping mat (pad), cooking equipment, utensils, etc.
- Communal dinner tent, cooking tent, toilet tent.
- Stools and tables.
- Entrance fee to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- Porters to carry food, tents, cooking equipment, food, etc.
- One cook.
- English speaking professional tour guide. (Group of 10 pax one guide, more than 10 people two tour guides)
- Drinking water for the 2nd and 3rd day.
- Return transportation (train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and private bus from Ollantaytambo - Cusco). Drop off at your hotel.

Both shorter and longer versions of the trek are also available. Please write info@eco-innovationtours.com for more information.