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Inca Trail 4D/4N with extra night in Aguas Calientes -Group Service

Program Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO- PISKACUCHO Km 82- PATALLAQTA -CUSIPATA- WAYLLABAMBA- AYAPATA (CAMPING). Vamos Amigos !!

Early pick-up from your hotel will begin around 5:00 am. We will meet at our departure point, Plaza Regocijo, by 5:30 to board our private transportation. Make sure you carry your original passport or ISIC card. Our journey from Cusco to Piskacucho takes approximately 3 hours, with many beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, Andean towns, and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Along the way, we will stop to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, and enjoy breakfast, before continuing on to Piscacucho (2,680 m / 8,790 ft). There we will meet our camp crew and the porters who will carry our belongings during our 35-mile hike. Passports in hand, we clear the official Inca Trail check point, cross a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba River, and begin our trek with a gentle climb. We have three hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river, rewarded with superb views of Mount Veronica (5,750 m). The easy walk passes through a forest of giant cactus and native bushes. At Miskay we take the trail to the left, ascending gradually to Willkaraccay high above the mouth of the Cusichaca River and across from the Inca town of Llactapata (Terrace Town). Our vantage point is from a flat bluff above the extensive site, which was built as a fort because it commands the entrance to the Cusichaca Valley. The terracing system was used during Inca times for growing maize, a prestige crop that needed irrigation in the dry highlands. After a short rest, we continue another 15 minutes down to our lunch site at Tayaroc. Our path is adorned with native flowers and bromeliads growing in the boulders along the left side, and by majestic views of the mountains in both valleys. Walking times are always approximate, depending on weather conditions, group ability and other factors. After lunch, another 3-4 hours will bring us to the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,840 ft), followed by an uphill climb through woods and along a stream to our first camp at Ayapata (3,300 m / 10,824 ft). You will be rewarded with Te Macho and a buffet dinner. Buenas Noches!!!

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 3,300 m/10,824 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2,680 m/8,790 ft

Distance Travelled: 12 km approx

Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours / Ascent up: 620 m

Day 2: AYAPATA- LLULLUCHAYAQ- DEAD WOMAN`S PASS- PACAYMAYO- RUNKURAQAY-CHAKICOCHA (CAMPING).

After breakfast, we depart from the Ayapata camp around 7:00 am. This is our longest day, but one rewarded with spectacular views down several valleys and up to the surrounding snow-covered peaks. We will put in a 5-hour hike to reach our lunch camp in the Pacaymayo Valley, then another 3-4 hours to our night camp at Chakicocha.
We begin with a 900-m ascent up to the Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman’s) Pass at 4,200 m/13,776 ft. Along the way, we ascend steeply uphill through the Corralpunku 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. We’ll soon enter a beautiful cloud forest, or polylepis woodland, and the treeless grasslands of the puna. From this point, you can see the highest pass ahead. The path climbs for two more 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, the first of two that we will cross today.
Once the full group reaches this pass, we take a rest break before beginning a steep descent into the Pacaymayo Valley on the other side. You’ll find that your energy returns as we proceed along this downhill segment toward a generous lunch and rest.
In the afternoon we begin a second ascent, this time to the ruins at Runcuracay, located a bit below the Runcuracay Pass (3,950 m / 12,956 ft). From the pass, in clear weather, you can look back to the Dead Woman’s Pass and forward to a breath-taking sweep of snow-capped peaks. These include the 6,000-m Pumasillo (Puma’s Claw) massif. From here, most of the trail is downhill or gently undulating until we reach the impressive ruins at Sayacmarca.
After some exploration, another 20 minutes bring us to Chakicocha (3,400 m / 11,000 ft). This will be our coldest night on the trail, at around +3 degrees C in December and -4 C in June. Tea time and Buffet Dinner.

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 4,200 m / 13,776 ft

Minimum Altitude: 3,000 m/9,840 ft

Distance Travelled: 10 Km approx.

Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours / Ascent up: 900 m

Day 3: CHAKICOCHA- AOBAMBA VALLEY- PHUYUPATAMARKA- INTIPATA- WIÑAYWAYNA (CAMPING).

At sunrise, you will catch sight of Sayacmarca back along the trail, perched on the side of one of the many mountains that surround our campsite. Today’s hike is exceptionally beautiful because we will pass the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, Winaywayna and Intipata, and enjoy dramatic vistas of the Aobamba Valley. This stretch of the trail is of well-kept paved stone, still in great condition after many centuries. Your lungs will appreciate the fact that today’s hike is much more down than up, and significantly shorter than yesterday’s.
In getting to Phuyupatamarca (the Town of the Clouds), we will pass through the first of two short, natural tunnels in the mountains. After visiting this site, we will descend about 2,000 stone steps to Winaywayna. If you have not had any knee problems up to this point, you may after this descent. If you have had prior knee injuries, we recommend the use of trekking poles, and perhaps an extra porter, to relieve some of the stress on your joints.
Around mid-day, we will arrive at the site of Winaywayna, which we will explore before completing a short additional hike to our camp site for the night (2,700 m / 8,856 ft). After lunch, we will visit the adjacent site of Intipata with its dramatic terrances.
A number of creature comforts will be available at this camp site. There is a bar and a small gift shop, and best of all, hot showers for a small fee. There will also be many more trekkers gathering here, ready for the final hike into Machu Picchu tomorrow. We therefore recommend taking extra care of your personal belongings here. Keep an eye on your daypacks and don’t leave anything outside your tent at night. Tea time and Buffet Dinner.

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft

Distance Travelled: 10 Km approx.

Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours / Descent : 700 m

Day 4: WIÑAYWAYNA- INTUPINKU- SUN´S GATE- MACHUPICCHU- AGUAS CALIENTES (HOSTEL).

We will get up very early - around 4:00 am - to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), overlooking Machu Picchu for the first rays of the sunrise. This will be a hike of 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. You will be hiking in darkness, so a headlamp is strongly recommended.
From Inti Punku, a final easy 40-minute hike will bring us to the entrance to Machu Picchu itself. The trail ends at a series of terraces, which present classic views of the overall city. We will continue on to explore the site, with explanations provided by the trek guide(s). The formal tour will end in the late morning, after which there will be a couple of hours for more exploring on your own, or to just collapse under a tree in the central plaza area.
Additional options: If your legs, lungs and energy still hold up after our four days of hiking, it may be possible to climb the peak of Huayna Picchu, behind the main site. However, special permits are required and they are issued in limited quantities and cost inca trail trekkers $55 and ISIC card holders $35 have to be purchased in advance.. If you want a permit for Huayna Picchu you need to purchase this off the INC site directly. The directions for this are given in Additional Options section below. For ISIC card holders ... if you want this permit, you must email us indicating this in writing and ensuring we have a clear scan of your ISIC card as you cannot purchase a student price entrance off the INC website so we will do this for you..and you must indicate in writing that that you will pay the extra $35 for us to buy the student permit in advance. If permits are not available, you may instead hike to the Inca Bridge or climb Machu Picchu mountain, both located near the site.
In the early afternoon, lunch will be provided at “Los Viajeros” hostel down in the town of Aguas Calientes and this is the accomodation for people doing this tour unless full and then similar accomdation is provided nearby. Machupicchu is officially open from 06:00 am to 17:30 pm
You may like to soak in the hotsprings in the afternoon before dinner provided in Viajeros in the evening.

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: Viajeros Hostel. Private rooms.

Maximum Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft (Machupicchu)

Distance Travelled: 8 Km approx plus exploration of Machu Picchu

Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours / Descent : 300 m

Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES- OLLANTAYTAMBO- CUSCO. ( Bus return to Cusco extra 10 Soles)

After Breakfast you are assisted to board the train that departs Aguas Calientes at 08.53 am and arrives at Ollantaytambo at 10.30 am. The tour ends at Ollantaytambo. If you have time to explore this charming town try and spend a few hours here. It is a lovely place to walk around, visit the Incan sites and even to spend the night;
There are many public buses and collectivos at the Ollantaytambo Train Station that provide a cheap transfer to Cusco via Urubamba for around 10 soles or $3- $3.50, departing regularly throughout the day; there are also many tourist buses now who provide transoprt for around $6 directly from the train station area. This transport usually takes about 2 hours so don`t expect to be back in Cusco before 1.30pm
If you choose this overnight option, we will automatically register you for the morning train at 08:53 am;
If you would like another option you must indicate this very clearly and receive a clear confirmation. Please note if you request an afternoon train which has transport through to Cusco then the additional cost on the package witll be $15 extra but includes transport back to the main plaza in Cusco.

Meals: B

Accommodation: N/A

What is Included:

• Pre-departure briefing at 7:00 pm presented by your tour guides
• the night before of your tour in our Office.
• Day 1
• Collection from your hotel in Cusco or Sacred Valley.
• Private bus to km 82 –Piskacucho village (trek starting point)
• Breakfast in Ollantaytambo in our farm house, with bathrooms.
• Permit to the Inca Trail Trek National Sanctuary and Park.
• 2 Excellent experienced top SAS mountain leader-guides.
• 2 expert SAS gourmet mountain cook and assistants.
• 1 group coordinator, 2 cheff of porter and 14 porters.
• Dining and kitchen tent, camping tables and stools
• Toilet tent with biodegradable system.
• Buffet style lunch and hot drinks in Tarachayoc.
• Guided visit of Llaqtapata, Wayllabamba and Cusichaca Canyon.
• Happy hour with macho-tea and hot drinks every afternoon.
• Camp at Ayapata, Buffet Dinner and hot drinks, (vegetarian option.)
• 2 person per tent (clean spacious dome igloo style tent)
• Thick, comfortable sleeping mattress, (Pillows by request)
• Buckets of hot water for washing in your tent.
• 24 hours Oxygen assistance and first aid kit.
• Day 2
• A gentle start to the day with a wake up coca tea in your tent.
• Hearty breakfast cereal and fruits to climb Dead woman`s pass
• Boiled purified water after breakfast to refill your bottles
• 2 Excellent experienced top SAS mountain leader-guides
• 2 expert SAS gourmet mountain cook, assistants.
• 1 group coordinator, 1 chief of porter and porters.
• Dining tent and kitchen tent, camping tables and stools.
• Toilet tent with biodegradable system.
• Buffet lunch in Pacaymayo and hot drinks, (vegetarian option.)
• Guided visit of Llullucha, Pacaymayo, Runkurakay, Sayaqmarca.
• Camp at Chakicocha, Buffet Dinner and hot drinks. (vegetarian option.)
• Happy hour with macho-tea and hot drinks every afternoon
• 2 person per tent (clean spacious dome igloo style tent)
• Thick, comfortable sleeping mattress, (Pillows by request)
• Buckets of hot water for washing
• Happy hour with macho-tea and hot drinks every afternoon
• 24 hours Oxygen assistance and first aid kit.
• Day 3
• A cup of hot chocolate tea or coffe kindly brought to your tent
• Hearty breakfast cereals, bread, eggs and hot drinks.
• Boiled purified water after breakfast to refill your bottles
• 2 Excellent experienced top SAS mountain leader-guides
• 2 expert SAS gourmet mountain cook, assistants.
• 1 group coordinator, 1 chief of porter and porters.
• Dining tent and kitchen tent, camping tables and stools.
• Buffet lunch in Wiñaywayna and hot drinks. (vegetarian option.)
• Guided visit of Inca tunnel, Phuyupatamarka Intipata and Wiñaywayna.
• Camp at Wiñaywayna, Buffet Dinner and hot drinks. (vegetarian option.)
• 2 person per tent (new and spacious dome igloo style tent)
• Thick, comfortable sleeping mattress, (Pillows by request)
• Buckets of hot water for washing and hands towels
• Happy hour with macho-tea and hot drinks at afternoon
• 24 hours Oxygen assistance and first aid kit.
• Day 4
• A cup of hot chocolate tea or coffe
• Hearty breakfast cereals and pancakes
• Boiled purified water after breakfast to refill your bottles
• 2 Excellent experienced top SAS mountain leader-guides
• 2 expert SAS gourmet mountain cook, assistants.
• 1 group coordinator, 1 chief of porter and porters.
• Entrance fee for Machupicchu archaeological Sanctuary.
• Guided visit of Intipunku the main entrance of Machupicchu
• 3-4 guided tour in Machupicchu and extra time for yourself.
• Snack at Machupicchu before your tour
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
• Buffet lunch in Aguas Calientes after Machu Picchu in Viajeros Hostel.
• (Option to spend the entire day in MP until 5:00 pm ask a pack lunch)
• Time to go to the hot springs or shop around the village.
• Extra night in Aguas Calientes in private rooms for 2 / 3
• Special Dinner.
• Day 5
• Early Breakfast by 7:00 am.
• Train return to Ollantaytambo at 08:55 am .
• (Transport to Cusco $3 not Included).
• SAS Travel Highlights:
• Visit and guided tours of the 7 Inca archaeological sites en route.
• Boiled purified water after breakfast to refill your bottles.
• 11 nutritious, delicious buffet meals with fresh, high quality ingredients, high in energy value and prepared carefully to avoid illness by our excellent cooks.
• Vegetarian food and specialised diets by request, combination of International and Peruvian Cuisine 4 Breakfast ,4 Lunches, 3 Dinners.
• Fairly treated porters carry tents, food, cooking gear and dining tents, etc.
• Accommodation, equipment, enough food, transport, permits and entrance fees for our porters.
• Health Insurance for our porters, cooks, assistants and field crew
• Free storage for your backpack in Aguas Calientes
• Free and safe Storage in Cusco while you are on tours in Hotel Marqueses.
• Inca Trail Survivor Certificate signed by your guides.
• Confirmed Expedition train return to Cusco.
• Biodegradable soap and hand cleansing gel.
• Special rates at Hotel Marqueses.Up-grades and free transfer at your arrival.
• 100% Operated by SAS Travel, we never put you with other tour operators.
• We guarantee 100% Peruvian top tour leaders.

What is not Included:

• Sleeping bag (-Minus 8ºC) US$25 for 3 nights
• Shared porter for 6 Kg US$ 50 / for 9 Kg US$75
• Single tent US$ 70 for 3 nights
• Trekking poles US$20 a pair
• Hot shower on 3rd camp (10 soles)
• Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes (10 soles)
• Energy snacks will be very useful as chocolate bars, dried fruits
• Extra drinks, bottle water
• Tips for the trekking crew, guides, cooks and porters. It`s a tradition
• but not mandatory.

We recommend that you bring

• Original passport and (ISIC student card if applicable)
• A Daypack (for your personal porters we provide a duffle bag)
• Warm sleeping bag Minus 8ºC
• Lighter style trekking boots with good ankle support
• Trekking poles: metal tips are not allowed on the trail
• Warm clothes,layers for variable temperature especially at night
• Thermal underwear can be worn in the sleeping bag or in cold conditions
• Gloves or mittens, scarf , wool socks, woolen hat for cold nights
• T-shirts and trekking pants that zipoff to short pants for comfort
• Flash light, head torch and extra batteries
• Camera and extra batteries
• Binoculars
• Wear a hat with a broad visor to keep the sun off your face
• Sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Personal medical kit, insect repellent
• Rain Gear: a good rain jacket, rain poncho
• Toiletries, toilet paper, small towel
• 2 litre water bottle, disposable plastic bottles are forbidden in Machupicchu site
• Water purifying tablets optional, since we provide boiled water
• Bathing clothes for the hot springs for hikers with an extra night in Aguas Calientes (5 Day Special Inca Trail)
• Extra money for drinks & tips, souvenirs etc in soles
• Emergency money at least 200-350 extra soles

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