Inca Trail Special Service 5 Days / 4 Nights

Overview

Day 1 Cusco – Km82 – Llactapata
Day 2 Llactapata – Llulluchapampa
Day 3 Llulluchapampa – Phuyupatamarca
Day 4 Phuyupatamarca – Puente Ruinas
Day 5 Machu Picchu!

Day 1 Cusco – Km82 – Llactapata

Today has a relatively relaxed start for the Inca Trail and the walking is easy going to help you settle in to the trek. Beginning at Km82 we slowly make our way along the banks of the Urubamba River with great views of the snow-capped peak Veronica (5900m / 19000ft) and with a variety of native plant and birdlife around us. We’ll have a visit to a small Inca fortress called Vilca Raccay that is off a side spur of the main Inca Trail before heading to our main destination, the extensive Inca site of Llactapata (Patallacta) which is also where we will camp.

Llactapata (2650m / 8692ft) is mostly passed by as it is not on the main Inca Trail. As we are taking the Inca Trail at a relaxed pace further along the trail than most groups go; as we’re camping further up the trail the next day’s trek up to the pass is a little easier for us and with fewer tourists at the campsite we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of this beautiful place

Day 2 Llactapata – Llulluchapampa

Today is another relatively easy day. Most groups would be powering ahead along the Inca Trail today and would be heading over Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point on the trek and one of the hardest and longest climbs on the Inca Trail. We’re going to take things at a more leisurely pace and our goal for today is a campsite just before the pass, Llulluchapampa, this breaks the hardest stretch over two days making the climb significantly easier.

On the way to Llulluchapampa we’ll once again go off the beaten track to visit the least visited of all the sites on the Inca Trail, the Inca fort of Paucarcancha. As we climb up to Llulluchapampa we’ll pass through various biozones including the low sierra, cloud forest and the high puna. There are many opportunities to see a variety of plant and birdlife and if we are lucky we may also spot White Tailed Deer. Our campsite for the night is at 3800m / 12460ft. and just like before it is tranquil and quiet with most trekkers either camping in the valley below or on the other side of the pass.

Day 3 Llulluchapampa – Phuyupatamarca

Today is our longest day and crosses two high passes; luckily for us we’re nearly at the first pass and once we’ve passed the second the walking is easy with very little ups and downs to contend with. Today sees some of the best views and scenery of the whole Inca Trail and includes visits to two Inca sites (Runcuraccay and Sayacmarca); with fantastic views of the high snow-capped peaks for most of the day and the cloud forest all around us today is by far the most visually stunning.

Our campsite for tonight is at Phuyupatamarca (3680m / 12073ft) from where we’ll get our first views of Machu Picchu mountain far in the distance (the site itself is hidden from view). The views of the sunset from here are fantastic and once again the campsite is quiet with the majority of trekkers camping closer to Machu Picchu.

Day 4 Phuyupatamarca – Puente Ruinas

Today is all about the Incas; we visit 3 major sites (Phuyupatamarca, Intipata and Wiñay Wayna) before we finally arrive to Machu Picchu itself late in the day. With only a short distance left to cover you’ll really have the opportunity to see these sites in detail and learn more about the Inca culture and Machu Picchu in preparation for your visit tomorrow. The area around these Inca sites is also rich in wildlife and with only a handful of people around on this stretch of trail at this time of day it is the perfect opportunity to try and spot some of the more elusive species.

The final stretch of the Inca Trail is completely deserted this time of day so our arrival to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) is perfect. With good light and very few tourists about we can get some great photos to the citadel from a distance before carrying on down. After we arrive to Machu Picchu, we’ll head down to Puente Ruinas (the campsite near Aguas Calientes) to be greeted by our porters for our last night camping together. We’ve made i

Day 5 Machu Picchu!

Waking up early we’ll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you’ll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.

Includes

Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9
Chef
Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
Personal Porter to carry 7kg of personal items
Pick-up from your hotel
Transportation by bus to Km82
Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
Dining tent with tables and chairs
4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
Sleeping mattress (you need to carry this unless you hire a personal porter)
Oxygen bottle
First aid kit
Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Return bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

Recommendations

What you need to take

Original Passport
Student Card (if you are a student and have booked in advance to qualify for the discount)
Sleeping bag (can be hired from us).
Walking sticks (can be hired from us).
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
Warm jacket, hat and gloves
T-shirts
Comfortable Trousers
Sun hat & sunglasses
Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
Insect repellant
Toiletries and hand sanitiser
Personal medication
Camera and film
Torch with spare batteries
Optional: Sandals, bathing suit etc.

Private service prices

2 people USD$ 1,250 per person
3 people USD$ 1,070 per person
4 people USD$ 980 per person
5 people USD$ 940 per person
6 people USD$ 920 per person
7 people USD$ 890 per person

Extras (Need to book in Advance)

Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 85.00
Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 85.00

Optional extras

Sleeping Bag US$35
Walking Pole US$12
Inflatable Mattress US$25
Single Tent Supplement US$35

Payment of deposit

1. For the classic Inca Trails: 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 or 7 days (Group or Private Service)

We request a non-refundable deposit per person along with personal details of each member participating in the trek:

Full name
Passport number
Gender
Nationality
DOB

Payment of deposit amount is (no fees applied):

US$300 per person for the Inca Trail only Or
US$385 per person for the Inca Trail Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu climbing

PLEASE: Make sure to add the fees associated with your PayPal / VISA transaction (aprox. 4.5%) sanctuary treks peru will be sending you a receipt indicating the exact amount we received from you and the amount of the balance to be paid upon your arrival in Cusco.

Please confirm if you want to climb Wayna Picchu (the 45 minute climb near Machu Picchu site) or Machu Picchu as they need to be booked well in advance too; there are 2 time sessions:

7 – 8am or
10 – 11am – this also needs to be specified although you need to be flexible to either time.

Please note, if you get the permits for the 7am start you will probably have to miss the Machu Picchu guided tour.

Payment of the deposit can be made through any of the 2 following options:

Go to www.paypal.com and if you have an account, enter your account information (username and password).

Choose the option ´send money´ to: reservas@sanctuarytreksperu.com (IMPORTANT: please ensure you choose the option ‘purchase’ and ‘services’. Do not choose the option ‘personal’).

Click here to Pay by VISA

At the end of the transaction, you will have a screen with an order number. Please send an email confirming deposit and the order number you
have been given.

About the Briefing: The night before your trek there will be a pre-trek talk (briefing) in our office at either 5:00pm or 6:00pm (exact time will be confirmed on your arrival or by email). Your duffle bag will be provided at this time if you have paid for an extra porter for your Inca Trail or if you are doing an alternative trek.
The Local Payment (Payment of final Balance): We require you to pay your final balance in cash (Soles or USA dollars) in our office at least 48 hours prior to tour/trek departure (please advise if you have any delays on arrival).
The Local Payment (Payment of final Balance): can be paid in cash and in US dollars or Peruvian soles (if paying in Soles it will be applied the exchange rate of the day).

Cancellations:

Deposit sent for is Non-Refundable nor transferable to any other date, person or tour (According to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Regulations).
Sanctuary treks Peru must be notified of any changes or cancellations to your trip as soon as you are aware of them, via e-mail so that we do not incur expenses not covered by deposit.
Once final balance has been paid, we will not be able to refund your trek payment in the case of cancellations. There will, however, be parts of your trip that you are able to use (Machu Picchu entrance fee, 1 train ticket, 1 bus ticket).
A claim letter for your insurance company can also be provided by us upon request.
Porter service hired can Not be cancelled (a fee is paid for booking this service).