The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is today one of the most famous treks in the world, and allows to reach Machu Picchu from the Sacred Valley, at the edge of the river Vilcanota in 4 days. The Inca Trail

is paved with stones and has stairs, tunnels, bridges crossing rivers & valleys, cold Andean altitudes and high tropical forests. The Inca Trail & Machu Picchu Sanctuary have more than 250 species of rare orchids we will discover along the route, as well as many species of animals which are endangered species. Including the religious importance as increasing as we approach the sacred site of Machu Picchu. These complex covered by lush vegetation was never discovered by the Spanish, what gives the trekker the impression of rediscovering it each time he/she goes.

Today, it is possible to follow in the footsteps of the Incas through the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in the middle of an exhuberant nature, Inca constructions & History; making the trek one of the most beautiful in the world. It was at the time a network of more than 35,000 km of running roads connecting cities, temples, valleys, mountains and the ocean through all the Tahuantinsuyo, the immense empire the Incas built from Colombia & Ecuador in the North to Argentina & Chile to the South.

• Duration: 4 days/3 nights.
• Starting point: Choquesuysuy-Km.82
• Ending point: Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu.
• Physical Demands Rating: Moderate
• Age Restriction: 12 years old.
• Trip Code: MTS - 001.
• Tour Type: Trekking.
• Accommodation: Camping-3 nights.
• Service Level: Standard-Deluxe.
• Guarantee: Departure is Guaranteed.
• Style: Personalized.
• Carbon Emissions: 360 CO2-E.
• Group Size: 2 Minimum, 10 Max.
• Transport: Train, Walk, Mini-Van.
• Price: From $450 USD.

Highlights:
Explore the impressive Cusco and Machu Picchu route, the famous Inca Trail that once linked the Inca sites. Try to speak Quechua with the locals and discover the Machu Picchu sunrise, amazing mountain scenery and the superb Inca architecture.

Introduction:
The Inca Trail is the most popular trail of the Andes and one of the most famous in the world. What makes this trail so special is that it's rich in culture & biodiversity. Along the trail you can find Inca sites, various unforgettable landscapes from snow-covered mountains to rain forests where the exotic vegetation includes over 300 varieties of orchids. You can also find many ecological zones. Walking the Inca Trail will give you the sense of the incredible history of the most advanced ancient culture in South America. To understand the significance of the Inca Trail, it is important to learn from indigenous people who still practice the same traditions as the Incas. The descendants of the Incas still live in Andean communities today and still speak their language...the Runasimi (Quechua).

Important Information regarding new Inca Trail regulations !
We recommend that you make a trek booking as early as possible. Last year trek permits for some dates sold out more than 4 months ahead. The government has strictly limited the number of people permitted on the Inca Trail since 2010. So if you are sure about your trek departure date Click Here

What makes this trip responsible ?

Environmental Impact:
Qeros Tours Team is a supporter of environmental conservation. We operate a minimal impact policy on our Peruvian trips. This can include different cooking methods, packing out the group waste, taking less invasive routes and never building fires at our campsites. All the guides work together to minimize the group's impact and will speak about the local environment and some of the challenges facing it.  Read more...

Community Projects:
The vision and purpose of Qeros Tours Peru is to promote and sustain the Andean Cosmovision, the indigenous identity & culture of the Q’eros native peoples of Peru for the next seven generations. Our primary goal is to bring life-sustaining relief to the Q’eros People. Read more...

2) Inca Trail trek itinerary:

Day 01: Cusco to Wayllabamba
We will leave Cusco (3,350m/10,990ft) at 5:30AM by tourist bus and head for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Before we reach our starting point at km. 82, we make a short break in Ollantaytambo to have breakfast. The official beginning of the Inca Trail is called Piskaycucho (km 82). Here we will meet the rest of the group and take care of the registration facilities. After crossing the Rio Urubamba (2,200m) we will start the legendary Inca Trail. The first day of the trail is easy to walk and is a good warm-up for the following days. In Miskay we'll have lunch at a small riverbank eatery, getting some information about the archaeological complex of Llactapata. After that, we will continue our hike to Wayllabamba (3,100m/10,170ft) and ascend to Yunkachimpa (3,300m/10,826ft) the camping site we will spend the night in. From here, we have a great view of the mysterious Nevado Verónica.

• Meals included: Lunch, Dinner.
• Total distance: 12 km (7,47 miles).
• Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours.
• Maximum altitude: 3,300m (9,840ft).

Day 02: Wayllabamba to Pacaymayu
The second day is the 'Free-Hike-Day'(that means 

everybody should walk in his/her own pace) of the course. Early in the morning the trail first leads through the valley of Llulluchapampa (3,850m/12,631ft). The first 3km are steep - enjoy the humid woodlands and the water sounds. From Llulluchapampa follow the way for 2-3 hours until you crest the highest point of this section, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman Pass) at 4,200m/11,378ft. This climb is known as the most difficult part of the Inca Trail. After a short break at the summit, we continue our hike down with a long & steep descent to the river Pacaymayu (Sunrise River) towards the Runturakay Pass (3,050m/10,007ft) until we reach our camping site called Chaquicocha at 3,650m/11,975ft. Here we can relax our bodies from the tough day while enjoying an amazing view over the mountains.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Total distance: 11 km (6,84 miles).
• Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours.
• Maximum altitude: 4,200m. (13,776ft).

Day 03: Pacaymayu to Wiñaywayna
The third day is the most beautiful one. You can notice a change in the ecosystem while walking the Inka Trail, you'll see the tropical forests of Wiñaywayna. We will pass two small lakes at the top of the second pass (3,950m). It’s a gentle climb through beautiful cloud forest and a small Inca Tunnel before the third pass (3,700m), offering a grand view over the rio Urubamba Valley. The nearest settlement is named Phuyupata marca ("Town above the Clouds") at 3,600m (11,811ft). A well-preserved site with a long chain of Inca baths where one can enjoy the impressive ancient engineering. We pass another Inca Tunnel before visiting the ruins of Wiñaywayna-"Forever Young" at 2,650m (8,694ft). The Inca stairs change into a zigzag trail until you reach a red-roofed white building, our last camping site, and also a location with hot waters (S/.5) and bottled drinks.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Total distance: 16 km (9,94 miles).
• Estimated walking time: 8 hours.
• Maximum altitude: 3,950m. (12,792ft).

Day 04: Wiñaywayna to Machu Picchu/Return to Cusco
After our breakfast at 4:30AM, we will head (equipped with our flashlights) to the Inti Punku to get the first glimpse of Machu Picchu and watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu & Wayna Picchu. The last triumphal descent will take us almost one hour before we visit the citadel of Machu Picchu (2,400m/7,874ft) around 8:00AM. You can enjoy its spiritual charm during a guided tour (about 2 hours) that helps you to understand the meaning and ancient use of the different buildings. After this tour you will have enough time to explore the archeological site on your own (for ex.: Go to the Inca Bridge, explore the variety of buildings or climb Wayna Picchu for an amazing panorama). A bus takes you down to Aguas Calientes. Here you can soak away your aches & pains in the town's hot springs (S/.10). We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.

We suggest that after visiting Machu Picchu, you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes by 14:00 at the latest (assuming train departs at 14:55), you need to be in the train station 20 minutes prior departure and the buses depart every 15 minutes. Check with your guide for actual times. This leaves you plenty of time at the ruins to climb Wayna Picchu (the mountain that you see in the background). It takes about 1 hour to climb and 45 minutes to descend. Most people however, leave from the ruins about 13:30 and return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (at the ruins, there is only one restaurant and is very expensive), there are several small restaurants in Aguas Calientes to satisfy all budgets. You can enter in the town's famous thermal springs which feel great after having completed the Inca Trail. (Entrance to the hot springs cost about $3 dollars, allowing 2 hours to really enjoy them).

• Total distance: 5 km (2,55 miles).
• Meals included: Breakfast.
• Estimated walking time: 2 hours.
• Maximum altitude: 2,700m (8,829ft).

Very Important Note:
The above trek itinerary is typical of the 96% majority of our Inca Trail, 4-day group service. However, campsites used during the trek may be subject to change depending on availability of spaces as issued by the UGM. (Main government authorities that control access to the Inca Trail) the UGM are responsible for allocating the campsites to the various trekking companies. Although we try to make in Wiñaywayna our last campsite (from here, it is only a 2-hour trek to Machu Picchu) we cannot guarantee this to be the case and on occasions we have been allocated space at Phuyupatamarka (nearly 5 hours from Machu Picchu). These matters are the same for all trekking companies & travel operators, and are outside of our direct control.

3) Inca Trail dates & prices

Included: Group Service   

• Pre-departure briefing.
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
• Private bus to the start of the trail.
• Inca Trail & Machu Picchu entrance fees.
• English-speaking professional guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons).
• 4-person Dome Igloo tents (2 persons per tent with plenty of space for your backpacks)
• Double thickness foam sleeping mattress.
• Cooking equipment, experienced cook, Meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners) - food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including: coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Teatime everyday (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn).
• Porters (to carry the tents, food & cooking equipment), Dining tent, Kitchen tent.
• Accommodation for our porters and cooks.
• First-aid kit, including emergency Oxygen bottle.
• Bus from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes (many companies don't include this), tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Backpacker/Cerrojo).
• Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco and your hotel.
• Free transfer from the airport if you need.
• The price of the trek includes all local sales taxes.

Not included:

• Breakfast on the first morning.
• Some hotels offer an early morning breakfast service.
• If not, we stop in Ollantaytambo on the way to the start of the trek, where you’ll have the opportunity to buy your breakfast.
• Meal (lunch) in restaurant in Aguas Calientes on the final day.
• Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes (optional) US$3,00.
• Sleeping bags can be hired in our office for the 4-day trek (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use); tips for the guide, cook & porters.
• The optional night in Aguas Calientes.
• Along with accommodation, meals, entrance fees, bus tickets, etc. are not included.
• This can be arranged easily, independently (we can change the date of your train ticket, if you advise us before paying the deposit).
• Additional nights in case of bad weather/flight cancellations.
• Alcoholic Beverages.
• Personal expenditures.
• Laundry.
• Personal equipment.

Optional Services:

• Personal porters can be hired to help carry your personal items such as clothes, sleeping bag, etc. The services of a third porter (maximum 9kg/20lb per person) can be hired for US$40. If you hire the services of a third porter, we will provide you with a lockable porter bag to safeguard your equipment (you will need to supply the small padlock). However, even with this service, you will still need to take a day pack.

• Change your train service with VistaDome (First Class) addit. US$ 40,00.

Discounts:
US$35 discount on the above prices to students with a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and to children under 16 years old (scans of your ISIC card or child's passport must be provided at the time of paying the trek deposit in order to qualify for the discount). International Youth Travel Cards (IYTC) or other forms of student identity are not acceptable.
Price:
For promotional prices, contact us:  Click Here

4) Inca Trail essential Info

What you need to take ?

Frequently Asked Questions about Inca Trail, 4-day.

5) Book Now for Inca Trail:

Step 1: Ensure you are making your reservation in advance and Check Online the Inca Trail availability.

We recommend that you make a trek booking as early as possible. Last year, trek permits for some dates sold out more than 4 months in advance. The government has strictly limited the number of people permitted on the Inca Trail during 2011 in advance. So if you are sure about your trek departure date, send us an E-mail: Click Here

Check Online the Inca Trail availability:

Step 2: Fill in the Inca Trail reservation form:

E-mail it to us (cut out the following information, paste it into your email and fill in the missing details). Details should be filled in for each group member. Please, do not make a reservation until you have all the details below. We cannot accept a booking without all the names, nationalities, passport numbers & ages. We can only guarantee your reservation after receiving the payment deposit and each person's information, and if applicable ISIC student card and other details by E-mail.

You must fill-in a Reservation Form for every person

'Exactly as indicated in your valid passport, reservations can only be confirmed without exception'.

Fill out the form with personal details and tours details.