Inca Trail

The offering of the Inca Trail by a tour operator must be previously checked since many operators are not credited to offer this route because they lack all the permissions granted by govermental institutions. So with the aim of getting you aware of the Tour Operators that fill all the requirements for giving a proper service on the Inca Trail, next we let you know the listing of the 183 operators approved and authorized by the three institutions the DDC-Cusco (Decentralized Culture Directorate of Cusco) SERNANP (Natural Resources Institute)and GERCETUR 2022 (Regional Direction on Exterior Commerce and Tourism of Cusco) which comprise the U.G.M (Unity of Gestion of the Historical  Sanctuary of Machu Picchu) that grants the licenses for providing the Inca Trail service. Great care has to be taken when choosing a tour operator since many companies have great looking websites but operate out of a bedroom on the outskirts of Cusco!! There are really only a handful of reliable tour operators that offer the Inca Trail with fixed-date departures throughout the year.

You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo (inform yourself about this while you make your reservation so that you can organize your pick-up). If you're in Cusco, we will pick you up at 5:00am. You will travel for 2 hours by bus to Ollantaytambo, where you will have breakfast (not included). Later you will continue your trip onto the 82nd kilometer called Piscachuco where your porters will be waiting for you, as well as where you will pass through the first security control of the Inca Trail (don't forget your original passport!) On this day we will hike along an easy trail which will allow you to train for the following days. You will visit the archaelogical site of Llactapata which was the Inca control center to enter Machu Picchu. After, we will hike for 4 hours until an Andean style lunch. During the hike, you will have the opportunity to see the grand veronica mountain, native plants, and various bird species. You will continue your hike for two and a half hours more until our campsite called Ayapata (3300msnm). We will camp a bit away from other groups so that you can rest well in a more tranquil place, as we will hike to the highest mountain pass of the Inca Trail the following day. You will arrive at the campsite at 5:00pm. Before dinner, we will have a hot snack and then at 7:00 we will have an Andean style dinner. Finally, the time will arrive to have a well-deserved rest.

Distance of the first day: 14 km (5-6 horas)

Altitude of the campsite: Ayapata (3300 metros sobre el nivel del mar)

Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

Climate: Warm and windy

The Llama Tours Peru team will help you wake up early will a mug of coca tea. This day is considered the most difficult day of the Inca Trail for its tall passes such as the "Paso de la Mujer Muerta" (Dead Woman's Pass) which is the highest (4,200 meters above sea level) and the second pass which is 3,900 above sea level. You will walk around 4 hours towards the tallest mountain pass of the entire trek. Upon arrival, you will have a brief rest to enjoy the views before we begin going downhill towards the second valley (Pacaymayu Valley). You will go downhill for an hour, with the valley at your side towards the place where we will have lunch and the opportunity to fill up our bottles of water. After lunch, we will begin ascending again towards the second mountain pass, which is about 2 hours away. We will stop for a short break at a small archaeological site called "Runku Raccay" to see two enormous waterfalls that fall on the opposite side of the valley. After the second mountain pass, which is another hour of trekking downhill to arrive to the magnificent archaeological site called "Sayacmarca". There is a brief break here where we can have a quick walk around the site. During the trek, you will see a great amount of native plants, life in the Quehunas Forest which covers this area and is possible to see some deer at the highest point. We will descend for 30 minutes more until we arrive at the campsite called "Chaquicocha" (3,600 meters above sea level). This campsite is also very relaxing, offering you fantastic views of the mountains which bring about a contemplation of the Incas' sky as well as the fascinating Inca constellations. At night, we will have dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Distance of the second day: 16 km (8-9 hours)

Altitude of the campsite: Chaquicocha (3,600 meters above sea level)

Difficulty: Moderate / Difficult (This day you will put your spirit to the test, but not to worry because Llama Tours Peru will be there for you during this entire ascent.

Climate: Cold and rainy

After the difficulty of the previous day of climbing two mountain passes, today will be a relaxing day along the most beautiful stretch of the Inca Trail for 2 hours, known as the "Inca flats". To continue, you will enter the cloud forest. Through the course of this trek, you will have the opportunity to see the majesty of the Apu Salkantay and the Pumasillo that belongs to the Vilcabama range, including its incredible views. After hiking an average of 2 hours towards the third mountain pass, Phuyupatamarka, where we will have a short break before we start our descent for 3 hours toward our lunch in Winaywayna, where our campsite will be for the night. After lunch, we will have the afternoon free to visit the Winaywayna ruins and enjoy our last dinner in the mountains and be able to rest more for the following day where we will begin our trek very early. At night, the entire group will come together to say goodbye and thank our porters that were a great pillar in our completion of the Inca Trail. A tip would be greatly appreciated (optional) or you may give them something that no longer has any use for you, as it would be of use for them.

Distance of the third day: 10 km (5-6 hours)

Altitude of the campsite: Wiñaywayna (2,600 meters above sea level)

Difficulty: Medium

Climate: temperate-tropical

We will get up very early in the morning and have a light breakfast and begin to form a line to begin the trek at 5:30. The walk is about an hour towards the Puerta del Sol (Sun gate) which lies at an altitude of approximately 2,600 meters above sea level on a wavy path going up and down until we arrive at the Sun gate. We will be able to appreciate the abundance of the majestic city of Machu Picchu to take a lot of pictures and enjoy the panoramic view to then later descend 45 minutes until the place where the popular post card picture of Machu Picchu is taken, with Huayna Picchu in the background. After taking pictures, we will visit the ancient city of Machu Picchu for an approximate 2-3 hour guided tour of the most important spots of the Inca Sanctuary. After, you will have free time to explore and take pictures as you wish. After this, the bus will take us to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) where we will be able to find restaurants to enjoy a delicious lunch. Finally, we will board a train from Aguas Calientes to the town of Ollantaytambo (train leaves at 18:20). Our transfer will be waiting to take us to the city of Cusco.

Distance of the fourth day: 5-6 km (2-2:30 horas)

Altitude of the campsite: Wiñaywayna (2,600 meters above sea level)

Difficulty: moderate/easy

Climate: warm

**Note: Campsites can change as told we are told by the government regulation of the Ministry of Culture.

If you wish to include Huayna Picchu or Montana Viejo with the Inca Trail, you have to reserve another entrance ticket to Machu Picchu which includes Huayna Picchu or Montana Viejo which costs an extra $75 per person. This is an obligation of the Cultural Ministry entity in charge of the administration of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.

Group Service: You will be grouped with other participants and should be prepared to adapt to

the needs of the rest of the group – 10 participants per group max.

**Our special group rates when booking together with 2 or more people

• 2-3 people   US$ 750 per person
• 4-5 people   US$ 730 per person
• 6-7 people   US$ 710 per person
• 8-10 people US$ 690 per person

Gallery; Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Included:

• Hotel pick-up in Cusco
• Private transfer from your hotel in Cusco to km 82 (Piscacucho)
• Professional guide authorized by the Inca Trail Professional cook with assistant
• Porters to carry complete camping equipment
• Our Porters will take 7 kilos of personal items per person, your sleeping bags.
• Food during the Inca Trail: we offer Andean style food during the entire trek, 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. 4 healthy snacks and 3 Tea and snack before every dinner
• Boiled water to fill your water bottles (1-2 liters) from the second day on
• Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail which also includes entrance to Machu Picchu Guided tour in Machu Picchu (approximately 2-3 hours).
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
• A portable oxygen tank that will be available to you during the Inca Trail.
• A First-Aid Kit (we recommend that you bring your own personal first-aid kit authorized by your doctor).
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Poroy)/or Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
• Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco Hotel transfer.

Not Included:

• Personal Porter to carry 6 kilos of your personal items, including your sleeping bag and mat (80 USD$). 
• Extra drinks such as soda, mineral water, and beer Extra drinks such as soda
• For it to be more affordable, you can hire one between 2 people, but keep in mind that the extra porter can only carry 17 kilos
• Lunch and dinner the final day of the Inca Trail
• Tickets to the hot springs (price: 10 soles per person)
• Sleeping bag: We have clean sleeping bags that can withstand 5 degrees. You can rent them for $25 for 4 days.
• Ticket to Huayna Picchu or Montaña vieja (old mountain) ($75 per person)