LUXURY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 5D
Experience the best Adventure trekking to Machu Picchu on Luxury Inca Trail with your family and friends! Limited availability, book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Luxury Trekking
From/to: Hotel to Hotel-
Guaranty Departure
-
Small Group
-
All-inclusive
Time
5 Days /4 Nights
Difficulty
Moderate to Challenging
Accommodation
Camping Tents.
Tour Language
English, Spanish
Important Details About 5-day Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Trekking to Machu Picchu is a dream of many people around the world. Exploring the legendary Inca trail has always been a priority for visitors to Peru. Now, you can experience this adventure escorted by expert guides and porters who will take care of the equipment and allow you to trek in comfort.
Our Luxury Inca Trail is one of the most beautiful and fascinating treks in Peru. This trail offers spectacular views of Mt. Salcantay, the Vilcabamba Mountain range, and the great “Aobamba” valley, along with amazing mountain scenery. The trail features striking vegetation changes ranging from forests, grasslands, heath, to moorlands. The fast ascent by walking to 4,200 m / 13,977 fts will require additional acclimatization, after which it will be possible to reach Machu Picchu.
During the 5-day Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, everyone can take their time and visit every Inca site along the route. This trek is highly recommended for inexperienced customers and families interested in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The TREKKING to Machu Picchu is considered one of the seven most beautiful treks in the world. It leads through the protected wild nature of the Peruvian Andes and the cloud forest, passes several Inca archaeological sites, and offers impressive views.
The 5-day Luxury Inca Trail initiates when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and drive for four hours to the village of Pisqhakucho, also known as km 82. The adventure continues with four days of trekking over mountains and through the cloud forest, with one full day dedicated to exploring the stunning Machu Picchu.
Highlights
- Hike the 45 km or 26 miles of the famous trek to Machu Picchu
- Beautiful and special Inca ruins along the way
- Guided tour at every Inca archaeological site along the Inca Trail
- Your first sight of Machu Picchu from Inti Punku (the Sun Gate)
- Many photo opportunities
- Experience the sunset and sunrise over Machu Picchu (if weather allows)
- Top quality service
At a Glance
- Location: The trek begins about 3 hours from Cusco in the zone of Pisaqhakucho known as Kilometre 82, near Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- Timing: 5 days/4 nights
- Level: Moderate, though still difficult if you have average fitness.
- Departure Dates: Any date with two people.
- Acclimatization: Minimum 2 days at the recommended altitude.
- When to go: The best time to visit is from April until November, which is the busy season (especially June to August), but it’s also the dry season.
- Altitude: The Inca Trail begins at 2,750 masl/8,875 ft and the maximum altitude is 4,200 masl/13,818 ft. “Warmiwañusqha” or Dead Woman pass.
- Temperatures: From minus 4ºC to 28ºC.
Short Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Easy trekking day:
4-hour bus journey from Cusco to Km. 82 (starting point) and trek 11 km through a stunning valley. Today, we will visit Patallacta Inca ruins.
Day 2: The hardest day because of the highest pass – 4,200m
Enjoy the most puzzling section of the Inca trail because we will arrive at the highest point: Dead woman pass (4,200 m / 13,779 ft).
Day 3: Beautiful trekking day
13 km of trekking over the Andes with spectacular landscapes; we will visit Runkuraqhay and Sayacmarka Inca ruins.
Day 4: Reach Machu Picchu for sunset
Enjoy trekking through the cloud forest observing different types of flowers, birds, and hummingbirds.
Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
Very early, we’ll visit the stunning Machu Picchu; in the afternoon, we will return to Cusco.
Day to Day Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Piskacucho (km. 82) – Patallacta – Huayllabamba
The Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu starts once we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and we travel in our private bus to km 82 (the starting point of the Trek); the bus journey will be approximately 4 hours; we will stop in the town of Ollantaytambo to purchase some items for the trek like water, cookies, etc. Then, we’ll continue to the control point.
From Piskacucho or Km 82, the Inca trail crosses the bridge and starts with a short up by the left side of Urubamba river; then, we’ll continue through a spectacular Andean valley passing small communities where people maintain their traditions.
After 3 hours of trekking, we will arrive at Llactapata (Up city) a very impressive Inca town with 100 rooms located on top of Inca terraces which probably was used by one of the Inca’s Curaca or local representative of the main Inca.
From the Inca ruins of Llactapata, the route turns to the left and continues gradually up on the right side of the Cusichaca River (tributary of the Urubamba). We’ll continue the trek and arrive at Huayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,840 ft); here we will set up our camp.
- Meals Included: L & D.
- Accommodation: Double occupancy camping tent.
- Maximum Altitude: 3,000 m / 9,840 ft.
- Minimum Altitude: 2,750 m / 9,022 ft.
- Distance Travelled: 11 km / 6.8 mi.
- Approximate walking time: 6 – 7 hours.
Day 2: Huayllbamba – Dead Woman Pass – Pacaymayo
After breakfast in the camp, we start walking at 7:30 am; we’ll continue walking towards the challenging point of Dead Women’s Pass (Warmiwañusca 4,200 m / 13,997 ft), the highest point. This is our longest day, but one rewarded with spectacular views down several valleys and up the surrounding snow-covered peaks like “La Veronica” (5,750 m /18,860 ft), “Wayanay” (5,640 m / 18,500 ft), “Qesqa” (5,570 m / 18,270 ft).
From Huayllabamba camp the trail continues up to Yunkachimpa, which takes you 1:30 hours, where you can stop to purchase some water or energy drinks; then, the trail continues zigzag up through “Wayruru” Valley where you can enjoy a mountain forest with impressive waterfalls, this mountain forest is formed by native trees called Qeuñas or polylepis; the trail ascends steeply uphill through the “Wayruru” Valley to the Llulluchayoc Zone where you can see several species of birds with luck; we’ll see hummingbirds, falcons, and black-chested buzzard eagles; here our lunch will be served.
After lunch and well-deserved rest, we’ll continue the trekking for two hours along a large number of steps, some of them newly laid to protect the mountain from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catch your breath whenever you like. This last hard climb brings us to Dead Woman’s Pass 4,200 m / 13,997 ft. Once the full group arrives at the pass, we’ll take a rest break before starting a steep descent into the Paqhaymayo Valley on the other side where our camp will be set up.
- Meals Included: B, L & D.
- Accommodation: Double occupancy camping tent.
- Maximum Altitude: 3,000 m / 9,840 ft.
- Minimum Altitude: 4,200 m / 13,997 ft.
- Distance Travelled: 11 km / 6.8 mi.
- Approximate walking time: 7 – 8 hours.
Day 3: Pacaymayo – Rukuraqhay – Phuyupatamarca
Exceptionally beautiful day because there are many XV century Inca ruins to explore, and incredible stone paved Inca trail is for today, also a lot of birds and flowers to see.
At 07:00 am will be our breakfast, and we continue the second ascent; we will stop at the ruins of Runkuraqhay (Round-shaped balcony) which probably were used by the Inca messengers or runners (The Chaskis).
Runkuraqhay is located a bit below the Runkuraqhay Pass (4,000 m / 13,120 ft) or the second pass; from here in clear weather, you can look back to the Dead Woman’s Pass and forward to a breathtaking sweep of snow-capped peaks, these include the 6,500 m / 21,300 ft of Pumasillo (Puma’s Claw) massive mountain.
From the second pass, most of the trail is downhill or gently undulating until we reach the impressive Inca ruins of Sayacmarka, discovered in 1915 by Mr. Hiram Bingham. After some exploration of the ruins, we’ll continue to walk for 20-minutes until the zone of Chakicocha where our lunch will be served. Then, we’ll continue, gently undulating stone-paved trail for two hours through beautiful landscape until our camp in “Puyupatamarca”.
- Meals Included: B, L & D.
- Accommodation: Double occupancy camping tent.
- Maximum Altitude: 4,000 m / 13,120 ft.
- Minimum Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,800 ft.
- Distance Travelled: 13 km / 8 mi.
- Approximate walking time: 7-8 hours
Day 4: Phuyupatamarka – Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – “Aguas Calientes” Town
Our stroll along the Inca Trail leads us to the cloud forest, Here is where begins the Amazon Jungle. After breakfast, we will visit the Inca ruins of Phuyupatamarka (Phuyupatamarka means the town in the clouds); then we’ll descend the original Inca trail with several steps until we arrive at the zone of Wiñaywayna, a spectacular place to explore and visit, we’ll have an early lunch to continue the last part of our trek toward Intipunku or the Sun gate. The Sun gate is the principal entrance to Machu Picchu.
We will arrive at a perfect time to see and enjoy the sunset at Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. After this amazing time, we’ll continue to a bus stop to board the bus and continue to the town of “Aguas Calientes” . the bus journey will be for 30 minutes. Once we arrive in Aguas Calientes, we’ll have accommodation in the hotel, there is time to go to the hot springs to relax.
- Meals included: B, L & D.
- Accommodation: Double occupancy camping tent.
- Maximum Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,800 ft.
- Minimum Altitude: 2,400 m / 7,800 ft.
- Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.2 mi.
- Approximate walking time: 7-8 hours.
Day 5: “Aguas Calientes” – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Today will be dedicated to exploring this extraordinary Inca treasure – Machu Picchu! Early in the morning, we will take the first bus to see the sunrise at Machu Picchu. Our expert guide will take you on a relaxing tour.
During the tour, you’ll visit the most important sites of Machu Picchu, and you’ll have plenty of time to take pictures. Later in the afternoon, we’ll take the train back to Cusco; arriving there in the evening after which you will be transferred to your hotel.
- Meals included: Breakfast in the Hotel
Luxury Inca Trail Includes:
- Transportation: Transfer from your hotel in our tourist bus to Piscakucho (km 82), the starting point of the trek. Bus up and down from Machu Picchu to “Aguas Calientes.” Tourist train expeditions class from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo. Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
- Camping Equipment: We provide a four-person capacity tent for two people, brand new four-season tents, Therm-a-Rest, dining room tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, seats, tables, a tent for guides and porters, cooking gear, backpacks for the porters, warm clothes for the porters, and life insurance for the porters.
- Meals: Four breakfasts, four hot lunches, and four hot dinners prepared by a professional chef. Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates, and suitable for trekking. We also provide hot drinks, including coca leaf tea, which is excellent for the altitude and vegetarian options. We provide available boiled water each morning for your water bottles.
- Entrance Fees: For the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Inca Trail Permits provided by “Sunrise Peru Trek”.
- Guide: English-speaking professional guides, with two guides over eight people.
- Chef and Chef Assistants: Professional chef and chef assistants to prepare delicious meals.
- General Porters: For camping equipment, food, and cooking gear.
- Extra Porter: To carry your personal items (7kg) in duffel bags that we provide.
- Others: Hot water every morning and evening before and after the trek for washing purposes. First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.
Excluded:
- Breakfast: Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer early morning breakfast. If not, we’re going to stop at the town of Ollantaytambo on the way to the starting point for the trek, where you can have breakfast and buy some items you need for the trek.
- Meals: Lunch in the town of “Aguas Calientes” on the final day. You must consider a budget of $15.00 to $25.00 USD for this meal. Entrance to the thermal baths in “Aguas Calientes” (optional) $6.00 USD.
- Sleeping Bag: Can be rented in our office for $30.00 USD for the entire trek (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use).
- Tips for the staff.
Please bring the following items:
– Sleeping bag (rental available for US$25 at SUNRISE office)
– Original passport and International Student card (if applicable)
– Travel insurance
– Bottle of water
– Rain gear/plastic poncho (available for purchase in Cusco)
– Hiking boots
– Warm jacket/fleece, t-shirts, shorts, long pants, sun hat, and wool hat
– Flashlight
– Sunblock
– Insect repellent
– Toilet paper and garbage bag
– Small towel and bathing suit (optional for hot springs)
– Camera, extra film, and batteries
– Snacks/energy bars
– Emergency money
– Walking stick (optional)
Personal porter included to carry your personal belongings throughout the trek (7-kilos); a duffel bag will be provided. Please bring a small backpack for essential items such as water, snacks, camera, sunblock, insect repellent, jacket, and rain gear. Trekking in high altitudes can be difficult without experience.
PRICE INFORMATION
Daily departure
Minimum 2 persons:
| TYPE OF TRAIN | PRICE PER PERSON |
| Expedition class | US$ 960 |
| Vistadome class | — |
| Hiram Bimgham class |
Luxury Inca Trail Optional Extras:
- Sleeping Bag US$ 30
- Walking Pole US$10
- Single Tent Supplement US$30
Payment Facts
For Luxury Inca Trail, we will require a non-refundable trek deposit of $300 USD per person. The deposit can be sent by WESTERN UNION or to our BANK ACCOUNT by money transfer. This is the fastest and most secure form of payment in Peru.
The money transfer should be in the name of “SUNRISE PERU TREK TOUR OPERATOR E.I.R.L.” Once you arrive in Cusco, you must pay the remaining balance in cash prior to beginning your tour. We accept both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles (local currency).
