Cusco, Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu are included in this exclusive Package in Peru
Machu Picchu is one of the greatest wonders in the world, and getting to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate may be one of the most magical and mystical moments in your lives. Walking along the path the Incas used for thousands of years is an inspiring moment that will transport you to those days of the Great Inca Empire.
This fascinating tour begins in the beautiful city of Cusco which still preserves the greatness of being the capital of an empire; this fantastic city embraces the whole legendary history of Peru, from its foundation to the withdrawal of the Spanish conquistadors. The second day of this tour you will visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which unfolds along the Vilcanota River, north of the city of Cusco. The Valley retains its mystical spirit that inspires every traveler coming to visit by means of its summits, history and uniqueness.
After spending the night in the mystical and tranquil village of Ollantaytambo, we will begin to explore the wonderful Inca Trail, which was used by ancient Peruvians to reach the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. This path offers the possibility of finding innumerable Inca constructions that combined with nature, and gives a comprehensive view of the grandeur and importance that Machu Picchu had. You cannot miss the fantastic opportunity to see the spectacular legacy of the Incas and marvel at their magical paths!
HIGHLIGHTS: this is our definitive Peru travel package, where you will experience the grandeur of the Inca Civilization and the treasures of the Inca capital, Cusco, the snow-capped Andes, the Sacred Valley, while exploring the most breathtaking natural sights along the Inca trail, including the fascinating Machu Picchu.
Please contact us and one of our specialists will help you to come up with the perfect Tour in Peru.
Hiking Tour Peru - Sacred Valley and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Amazing Ruins
For those looking to combine the cultural highlights of the Sacred Valley with the challenge of one of the world's best known hikes. The 7-day Inca Trail Trek will reward you with a stunning combination of the region's ruins, mountains capes and cloud forests.
Meals provided= (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner
Upon your arrival at the airport, our friendly and reliable staff assists you with the transfer to your hotel, and at the same time briefing you regarding all the services and tours included in your package.
The best advice we could give you at that point is to now rest and acclimatize as you are at 3,400 meters above sea level and your whole body is going to need quite some adaptation. If you are up to it, an option for a quiet and instructive afternoon could be a guided Cusco City Tour starting at 1:45 pm where you would have the opportunity to visit: the "Sun Temple" Koricancha, Cusco main Cathedral, Saqsayhuaman Inca Complex, Tambo Machay, Qenqo and Puca-Pucara.
Whatever your afternoon choices were, you have your pre-departure briefing at 7:00pm presented by your Inca Trail tour guide at your hotel or our Cusco's office.
We come pick you up from your hotel at approximately 8:30 am and travel from Cusco in direction of the mountains to start our Sacred Valley day tour. We descend 1500 feet to reach the Sacred Valley and arrive in the village of Pisac where we visit a traditional market brimming with local souvenirs for you to bring home. We then keep on exploring the extensive ruins of Pisac, with its unique Citadel from which you can observe many temples, residences, altars, channels, carvings, tunnels/caves and the famous Intihuatana or "Hitching post of the Sun".
For those who would rather spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, advise your guide so he can organize a time and place to pick you up when returning from the market. We continue along the Urubamba River where we stop in the Urubamba village and have our buffet lunch.
A further 30 minutes' drive takes us to Ollantaytambo surrounded by the sacred mountains and the valley of Patacancha and Willoq, where we have another occasion to admire the magnificence of Incan constructions, with the amazing temple of the Sun and its enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished, stone water fountains, stairs, terraces and the beauty of the local people in their traditional outfits. On our return, we quickly visit the famous church and archeological site of Chincheros.
We are back in Cusco at 6.30-7:00 pm.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch.
Breakfast is served from 5:00 am at your hotel. At 6:00 am everyone is collected from their hotels and we all travel by bus for a bit more than three hours, passing by the picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, until reaching the kilometer 82, where we begin our adventure along the Inca trail. We start our trek escorted by native "quechua" porters going through semi-arid terrain along the Urubamba River valley, where we could enjoy magnificent views of the snowcapped mountain Veronica (20,200'). We cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right as it climbs steeply up from the river. After passing through a small village and an easy descent in direction of the Cusichaca 'Happy Bridge' River, we can perceive the ruins of the Inca hillfort of Huillca Raccay high above the mouth of the stream.
For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the watercourse up to the village of 'Grassy Plain' Wayllabamba (3,000m), in which we spend the night beside some spectacular ruins we have time to explore if your feet allow you to.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner.
After a delicious breakfast, we start our second day of trekking, perhaps the most difficult one, as we have to climb to the highest pass of the Inca Trail, the striking 4,200 meters Warmihuañusca ("Dead woman's Pass"), offering in return a spectacular view of the Andes. The path continues on following a mountain stream up past hummingbirds and amazing stunted cloud forest. We pass by the beautiful grassy area at Llulluchapampa (3680 meters), another occasion to witness outstanding views down the valley.
After lunch, we start the descent towards the valley of Pacaymayu, where we make our camp for the night
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner.
We leave Pacaymayu and walk for about an hour to get to the small circular ruins of Runkuracay, occupying a commanding position overlooking the Pacamayo valley below. Back on the trail with cautiously preserved original paving for 45 minutes and we are at the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m).
We keep on going down the steep steps from the pass with a particularly beautiful section of the trail as the path crosses high stone banks and skirts deep precipices, up till the 3rd pass after about 1 hour by way of a superbly designed stone staircase: 'Inaccessible Town' Sayacmarca. The name is quite properly adequate as the ruins are protected on three sides by sheer cliffs, even though no one knows the exact reason of these ruins.
We backtrack to rejoin the trail passing Conchamarca, a small Inca dwelling situated in the shadows of Sayacmarca, which was probably a tambo for weary travelers on their way to Machu Picchu. From then on the path descends into a magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, going through an impressive Inca tunnel carved into the rock along the way. The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (3,700m), offering excellent views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (6,271m) and Veronica (5,750m). We just need a few minutes more and we find 'Town in the Clouds' Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so far, down a steep flight of stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual worship of water. You descend a thousand or so steps leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase, so better be careful on the way down with your probably tired knees after having walked all day.
After an early morning chance to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snowcapped mountains of Salcantay and Veronica, we leave our porters with a traditional song and dance, quite a folkloric way to say goodbye. Our final day of hiking brings us into the cloud forest with a series of Inca stairways to Winay Wayna, another interesting site full of swallows and orchids. Finally we reach Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We pass through the ruins and get on a bus down to our hotel in the colorful town of Machu Picchu Pueblo (formally known as Aguas Calientes) and rejoice ourselves (or not) for our return to civilization.
In the late morning we have Machu Picchu virtually to ourselves for a full guided tour, with time to climb Huayna Picchu or else just wander around, soaking up the unique atmosphere. Note: due to permit restrictions, please let us know at the time of booking whether you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
In the afternoon, we board the train for an exciting ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Once at the terminal, our bus brings us back to Cusco and your hotel. If you have some energy left, you could of course always explore Cusco's interesting nightlife.
Meals: Breakfast.
At the appropriate time and depending on your flight itinerary, our staff will organize your transfer from your hotel to the airport or bus station
The itinerary and campsites provided by the INC (institution that runs the Inca Trail) are subject to change depending on the time of booking. It can also vary depending on the climate or the health status of the trekkers. The train (to and from Ollantaytambo) included in every tour is the Expedition Service. Train times will only be confirmed near the time of the trek; thus if you join a group later we cannot guarantee you will be travelling on the same trains as the rest of the group. Train times are also subject to change depending on the train company timetables or availability.
The government has strictly limited the number of people permitted on the Inca Trail (permits are issued to about 200 trekkers per day plus 300 porters this 500 permits include 4 days inca trail). We recommend that you make a trek booking as early as posible we recommend 4 months in advance.
It's recommended to book the tour inca trail to Machu Picchu 7 days in advance, before booking flight tickets and hotels, because there are limited spots to reservation for Inca trail at INC and PERU RAIL (train Tickets).
Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for their location and atmosphere.
Moderate physical activity involving a generous time of walking through the Inca Trail, archaeological sites, Amazon forests, sand meadow village paths. For instance you are to walk for about 6-7 hours during the 7 days of Inca Trail.
Designed for outdoor adventurers. You don't have to be a decathlete to take an Active trip, just someone with a healthy love for getting active and the outdoors.
No more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek at km. 82 and 104 . Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the Trail is effectively closed off for the day and no further bookings can be made. Reservations are not held on the Trail and all permits to trek must be bought as far in advance as possible with complete and correct passport information.