HIKE IN THE INCA TRAIL - 4 DAYS

Location:
PERU ADVENTURE TOURS

Responsible And Sustainable Tourism

Highly recommended by South American Handbook - Footprint travel guide book 2007

AREQUIPA: Jerusalen Street 410 - A Down Town

Telephone: 0051 54 221658 from overseas - 054 221658 from in Per
Cusco, Peru

Eco-Tour

Owner‘s Description

Inka Track - Inka Way - Inca Net World 4 Day - 3 Night

The most important Inca road was the Camino Real, as it is known in Spanish, with a length of 5200km (3230mi). It began in Quito, Ecuador, passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucuman, Argentina. The Camino Real traversed the mountain ranges of the Andes, with peak altitudes of more than 5000m. El Camino de la Costa, the coastal trail, with a length of 4,000 km (2420mi), ran parallel to the sea and was linked with the Camino Real by many smaller routes. The Incas built a vast network of roads to be able to communicate with the four regions of their huge empire. Traversing the Andes Mountains and reaching heights of over 5000m (16500f) above sea level, the trails connected the regions of the Inca Empire from the northern provincial capital in Quito, Ecuador, past the modern city of Santiago, Chile, in the south.

The Inca road system covered approximately 22530km (14000mi) and provided access to over three million km of territory. The networks were known as Qhapap Nan (the sovereign’s highway).There are remains of the Qhapaq Nan (The Inca trail) throughout Peru that are still used to this day by local farmers sometimes accompanied by pack animals, such as llamas. The trails were used by the Inca people as a means of relaying messages, carried via knotted-cord Quipu books, and for transporting goods. Messages could be carried by Chasqui runners covering as much as 242km (150mi) per day. There were approximately 2,000 inns, or Tambos, placed at even intervals along the trails. The inns provided food, shelter and military supplies to the tens of thousands who traveled the roads. There were corrals for llamas and stored provisions such as corn, lima beans, dried potatoes and llama jerky. Along the roads, local villagers would plant fruit trees that were watered by irrigation ditches.

Today, travelers trek to Peru to hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, the so-called “Lost City of the Incas”. There are many well-preserved ruins along the way, a variety of eco-systems and dazzling scenery. The Inca trail is one of the world’s most important trekking and camping routes, and it’s possible to get there in 2 days / 1 night or 4 days / 3 nights. Hikers climb from 2600m (8528ft) to 4200m (13776ft).

The classical 4-day group-service trek is the most popular trek to Machu Picchu. With this trek service you can join a group and find variety of like-minded people from all over the world. This service is perfect for couples and small groups of friends.

Important: Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. As a result, advance booking is mandatory. A maximum of 500 people per day, including guides and porters, are permitted to begin the trail. As a result, the high season books out very quickly.

Note: that the Trail is closed every February for cleaning.

Itinerary DAY 1: CUSCO - WAYLLABAMBA (12km)

The first day of the trek is relatively easy and serves as training for the days to follow. Travelers are collected early from their hotels (5:30 a.m.) and travel by private bus, past the villages of Chincheros, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. It is a 3 hour trip to the trailhead at kilometer 88. On the way there, we stop at the town of Urubamba or Ollantaytambo for about an hour to have breakfast (not included in the price).

Having arrived at kilometer 88, hikers cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail on the right as it climbs steadily up from the river. After passing through a small village, the ruins of the Inca hill fort of Huillca Raccay come into view high above the mouth of the river Cusy Chacca. From parts of this trail there are great views of the Urubamba mountain range and the snow capped peak of Veronica (5870m).

Here hikers also have a good view over the extensive Llactapata Inca ruins. Llactapata means "Upper town" in Quechua and was first discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Hikers continue for 8 kilometers on the left bank of the river up to the small village of Wayllabamba "Grassy Plain", 3000m. Eat dinner and spend the first night here.

DAY 2: WAYLLABAMABA - PAQAYMAYO (12km)

After breakfast, the group follows the left bank of the Lluyuchayoc river for about 1 hour. The caravans climb up to three stones and cross a small bridge over the Wayruro River. There is a toilet facility. The stream is named after the Wayruro, an ornamental tree.

Hiking up 4½ hours, you will see spectacular views of Lluyucha Pampa (3680m). Continuing up you will get to the first and highest pass of the Inca trail, called Abra Huarmy Wañusca meaning "Dead Woman's Pass" (4200m). At the top hikers can celebrate having completed the most difficult section of the trail with a warm and delicious lunch. You then do a steady decent following the trail on the left side of the Paqaymayo valley. Dinner is served at the second campsite, which is 3600 meters above sea level.

DAY 3: PAQAYMAYO - WYÑAY WAYNA (15km)

After breakfast you climb up for one hour to the ruins of Runkuracay. These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Paqaymayo valley. Another hour hiking you will be at the top of the second pass, called Abra de Runkuracay at 4000m. The descent down the steps from the pass is steep. This section of the trail is particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and skirts deep precipices.

After about one hour walking hikers will arrive at the pass called Sayaqmarca (“Inaccessible Town”). This describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. No one knows the exact purpose of these ruins. After lunch, you level out into cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel.

The group then climbd up to the 3rd pass called Puyupatamarca (“Town in the Clouds”) (3700m). Here excellent views are offered of several snow-capped peaks, Salkantay Mountain (6180m) and Veronica Mountain (5750m). Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of stairs passing six Inca Baths, probably used for the water ritual.

Leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase leading from the west side of the ruins, you will descend a thousand steps. Take care with your knees. After three hours walking through cloud forests you will arrive to Wyñay Wayna. This is the last campsite before Machu Picchu . There is a restaurant, a patio bar to buy drinks and well deserved hot showers.

That afternoon you go to the ruins of Wyñay Wayna (“Forever Young”). The ruins located on a nice slope comprise magnificent agricultural terraces. There are many buildings of quality stonework, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with water worship.

DAY 4: WYÑAY WAYNA - SUN GATE - MACHU PICCHU (5km) - AGUAS CALIENTES - CUSCO

At 4 a.m. you will wake early, eat breakfast and hike up to the last pass at to Inti Punku (“Sun Gate”) to get Machu Picchu before sunrise. From here you will appreciate Machu Picchu ruins, Wayna Picchu and the low canyon called Aguas Calientes. You will spend an hour watching a spectacular sunrise over the ruins.

Continuing down the trail to the best views of the ruins, you will have plenty of time to take photos of Machu Picchu. Hikers then descend to the main entrance, where you can safely check your large backpacks. Following a guided tour for two hours of the major sections, you will have free time to explore the ruins alone or to climb to Wayna Picchu (2 hours to go up and down).

At 1:30pm the entire group hikes down through low jungle and continues hiking on the left bank of the river to Aguas Calientes. There you will have a short time to buy some lunch, drinks or use the toilet. The train departs at 4 p.m. and you will return to Cusco around 8 p.m.

Included:

Official English speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons);

Transfer from Cusco to Kilometer 88 by private or shared tourist van;

Entrance to the Inca trail;

Entrance to Machu Picchu ruins (one day);

Porters to carry food and camping equipment;

Experienced cook;

Cooking equipment;

Teatime everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit);

4 capacity tent (four season tent) - 2 persons per tent with plenty space for backpacks;

Double thickness foam sleeping mattress;

All meals on the trail (3 breakfast - 3 lunches - 3 dinners);

Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast;

Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Backpacker train);

Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes village (Not all tour operators include this service);

Dining tent with camp tables and chairs;

Kitchen tent;

Porters insurance;

Accommodation and meals for our porters;

Trekking price include all local sale taxes (19%).

For booking your permit for the inca trail or alternative treks to Machu Picchu contact to the tour operator: www.peruadventurestours.com

Contact Information:
Zip: 054
Phone: 221658
Fax: 221658
E-mail: info(at)remove-this.peruadventurestours.com
URL: www.peruadventurestours.com