Posts Tagged ‘Luxury Inca Trail Machu Picchu’

LUXURY INCA TRAIL OVERVIEW

Luxury Inca Trail  is a breathtaking trekking route through the reserved area of Machu Picchu in the southern Peru. This trek takes you to the XV century Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu through the typical villages; overwhelming mountains and colorful forests. If the trekkers want to explore the beautiful natural and important cultural aspects of inner Machu Picchu; this trek is very suitable for them. One of the prominent features of this trek; is that trekkers always get opportunity to see the beautiful mountains Salkantay (6,271m.), La Veronica (5,750m.); Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.

Moreover Luxury Inca Trail goes through the dense forest of high jungle; which beauty wins the eye and heart of every trekker and adds insurmountable pleasure during their journey. Romantic picture of beautiful landscapes; typical and mysterious Inca settlements; pristine rivers; artistic waterfalls; hidden valleys and different kinds of rare and non-rare wildlife; are the additional attraction of Luxury Inca Trail.

The Luxury Inca Trail is equally important from the cultural perspective; because trekking route passes the remote villages of Misqhay, Tarayoc and Huayllabamba. Who still follow their own culture and traditions; so trekkers can know and experience the unique culture of these ethnic people. Houses and life style of Misqhay and Tarayoc people give the glimpse; how rich they are in terms of their culture and tradition.

Our customized Luxury Inca Trail is suitable for everybody who would like to walk through the Andes; is not necessary to be an expert mountaineer for this trekking package, since the distances covered per day are less than the classic four day trek.

HIGHLIGHTS OF LUXURY INCA TRAIL

• Typical trail of trekking the ancient atone paved Inca Trail that goes up and down the mountains of the “Vilcabamba” Mountain range many times like the waves in the ocean.
• The landscapes including the Sacred center of Machu Picchu and the mountain of Huayna Picchu that day to day comes closer and becomes more wonderful as the trek goes through the Inti Punku or the sun gate. Also, the views of deep Urubamba River Valley blended so well with the lush vegetation of the region.
• Authentic Inca archaeological sites along the trail that we encounter during our Luxury Inca Trail Machu Picchu and we’ll explore each of them with our trekking Guide.
• Learn the Inca culture while you are trekking the XV century Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
• The floral and faunal biodiversity of Machu Picchu National Park
• Views of the Salkantay Mountain

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 01: Cusco – Patallacta

Drive from Cusco to Pisqhakucho; along the route we’ll explore the salt mines of Maras, we stop at Ollantaytambo and trek for 3 hours in the afternoon to Llactapata camp.

Day 02: Llactapata – Llulluchapampa

Today we trek thought the local communities observing the local farms and high Andean forest.

Day 03: Llulluchapampa – Phuyupatamarka

Today is the hardest day because we’ll trek over the highest point of “Dead woman” pass situated at 4,200m and in the afternoon the second pass located at 4,000m

Day 4: Phuyupatamarka – Puente Ruinas

The trail today is mainly down through well preserved Inca steps; along the trail we’ll visit the beautiful Wiñayhuayna Inca settlement.

Day 5: Explore the iconic Machu Picchu

During the morning we’ll explore Machu Picchu; enjoy a free time within Machu Picchu; in the afternoon we’ll return to Cusco.

DAY TO DAY

Day 1 Cusco to Llactapata

The five-day Luxury Inca Trail Machu Picchu begins when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 8:00am in a private transport, which will drive us to “Pisqhakucho” or the place known as the km.82 (the starting point of the Inca Trail). Along the route we’ll visit the Salt mines of Maras, walk through it and continue to Ollantaytambo an later to Pisqhakucho.

We start our hike from Pisqhakucho walking along the left shore of the Urubamba River. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay (2,800m/9,184ft), to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the Inca town of Llactapata (2,750m/9 020ft). From this point, we descend to the ruins, next to which we set our camp, after an approximated 3 hour walk. We spend the afternoon exploring and visiting this archaeological site.

• Included meals: L, D
• Total distance: 6 km
• Estimated Trekking Time: 3 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 2,750
• Campsite altitude: 2,650 m
  

Day 02: Llactapata – Llulluchapampa

Today we continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing until we reach the farming community of Wayllabamba (3,000m/9,840ft). All along the way we see spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5,750 meters above sea level. Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley.

Continuing our Luxury Inca Trail Machu Picchu, we leave Wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km and reaches the first mountain pass in the Inca Trail, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s pass). Toda, we only climb half way up the pass, stopping at Llulluchapampa camp, where we set up our tents and spend the night.

We advise that on this day and the next one specially, your day-pack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and help with altitude sickness.

• Included meals: B, L, D
• Total distance: 10 km
• Estimated walking Time: 6 – 7 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 3,850 m
• Campsite altitude: 3,850 m

Day 03: Llulluchapampa – Phuyupatamarka

After an early breakfast we continue toward the highest pass located at 4,200m/13,776ft. The trekking of today is exceptionally beautiful because there are many Inca ruins to explore and incredible stone paved road, the nicer part of the entire trek is here, first the spectacular views at both sides of the mountains, after seen the “Apachetas” the 3 highest point en route viewed from the first pass, and realize that the stone road connecting these small Inca settlements or temples are in a good condition and well maintained after hundreds of years.

From the camp to the pass will take us about 2 hours. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3,600m/11,808ft), from which we then start to climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (4,000m/13,022ft). Half way up, we visit the archaeological complex with the same name.

This site, located at 3,800m/12,464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca.

From Sayacmarka the trail continue through the cloud forest with incredible beauty landscapes, passing stone bridges and tunnels.

• Included meals: B, L, D
• Total distance: 14 km
• Estimated walking time: 8 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 4,200 m
• Campsite altitude: 3,600 m

Day 4: Phuyupatamarka – Puente Ruinas

Today we’ll get up early to enjoy the spectacular views of the Salkantay Mountain. After our breakfast and pack our gear, we continue steps down and stop at the Phuyupatamarka Inca setlememnt to explore and learn about the construction techniques and the Incas history, a great place for pictures, afterward we follow descending the 2,000 steps to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft).

Wiñaywayna is the biggest archaeological site in the Inca Trail besides Machu Picchu and consists of an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, offering spectacular views over the already narrower Urubamba River valley. From Wiñaywayna we continue climb to Inti Punku, or The Sun Gate.

This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From Inti Punku we’ll enjoy the first views of the sacred center of Machu Picchu; them a short walk brings us down to the entrance of Machu Picchu from where we continue by bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes and have accommodation in the hotel

• Included Meals: B, L, D
• Total distance: 10 km
• Estimated trekking time: 6 – 7 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 3,600 m
• Campsite altitude: 2,000m

Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu

Early breakfast In the hotel; after we leave our staffs in the storage of the hotel you walk to the bus station accompanied by your tour guide, board the bus up the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu for our guided tour in the most and remarkable temples and areas of the Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, where the PACHACUTEK emperor, priests and priestesses took refuge and where the empire survived for 40 years after the arrival of the Spaniards; secret and mysterious citadel from the time of the Inca. Then apparently its existence was even well-known only by the authorities and the priests of the Tawantinsuyo “The four lands of the empire”.

Machu Picchu prodigy of architecture of aesthetic recklessness and by the majestic and harmony of its forms, by the impeccable organization of its terraces, stairs, buildings, patios, passages that are set up in this nest of condors, surrounded by mountains, between the mountain range and the forest like but the extraordinary constructive feat of the pre-Hispanic man.

After the tour you’ll have free time to explore along; then we’ll return to the town of Agus Calientes and in the afternoon we’ll take the train to Cusco arriving at 9:00 pm approx,

Included Meals: B

The Price Includes

• Pre-departure briefing one day before the trek
• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to km.82 (starting point of the trek)
• Salt mines, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fee (days 1-4) + Machu Picchu entrance fee (day 5)
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field.
• One inflatable sleeping pad per person
• One sleeping bag per person: our sleeping bags are -18ºC-comfort (0ºF), mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips
• One small pillow per person
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities
• English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)
• Chef and cooking equipment
• Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
• Porters to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 6kg per person (including sleeping bag and sleeping pad)
• Accommodation for all our staff

More Inclusions

• Meals (4B, 4L, 4D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
• One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with
• enough time ahead
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes – 4th day
• Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes – 5th day
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
• Transfer train station-hotel in Cusco
• 24-h guest service: please ask for the emergency number available during your time of visit

The Price not include

  Breakfast on the first day
  Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machu Picchu,
  Huayna Picchu entrance fee: if you would like to climb this mountain a new entrance fee applies US$ 65

What you need to take

• Original Passport
• ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable Trousers
• Sun hat
• Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
• Insect repellant
• Toiletries and hand sanitiser
• Personal medication
• Camera and film
• Torch with spare batteries

See more here: Packing List

The Price of the Trip

Depend on the group size, the larger the group the lower the price per person.

• 2 people    USD$980 per person
• 3 people    USD$ 930 per person
• 4 people    USD$ 880 per person
• 5 people    USD$ 840 per person
• 6 + people    USD$ 810 per person

Important: Prices Include Personal Porter to carry up to 6 Kilograms of each participant.

Discounts:

• Student Discount: US$40 (Requires ISIC Card to qualify)
• Under 17’s Discount: US$40

Optional Extras:

• Single Tent Supplement US$40

How far in advance do I need to book?

We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalized as the Inca Trail is extremely popular especially over May, Jun, July and August, However, we will always try our best to accommodate your plans. And get your Permits

How is my baggage transported on trek?

Your bags will be transported on trek by local porters. We have a strict porter protection policy and, for this reason, we ask you to keep your baggage weight to a maximum of 7kgs per person. Your big bags you’ll leave in the storage of the hotel in Cusco

What equipment do I need?

Your detailed information pack will be sent to you after you book. This has a detailed equipment list which includes standard trekking gear such as good walking shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack. Remember when you are staying in the camping tents you will need to have your own sleeping bag.