You are here: Multiday Tours & Packages (with Inca Trail treks) > Manu National Park & Inca Trail 12 Day (4 Day Inca Trail)

Manu National Park & Inca Trail 12 Day (4 Day Inca Trail)

Program Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving Cusco; Welcome Reception and Transfer to Hotel Marqueses

Reception in Cusco airport and Transfer to Marqueses Boutique Hotel where they will welcome you with cups of coca leaf tea a traditional drink to minimize the efects of altitude, Relax, rest and acclimatise. We advise you to get an early flight so you can just spend your first 2 hours in Cusco seriously doing nothing but trying to breathe!!
If you are feeling fine this afternoon you can go to the Cusco Folk Dances and Music at Cusco Art Center in the main Ave el Sol. which are included on your tourist ticket this start at 6.30pm and located at Sol Avenue 10 minutes slow walk from Hotel Marqueses.

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour Pisac Ruins & Market Ollantaytambo Chincheros

At 8.20am meet at SAS Travel office or transfer from your hotel at earlier time if coordinated. In a tourist bus, we travel from Cusco past Saqsaywaman and Tambomachay, over the mountains toward the Sacred Valley. We descend 1500 feet to the valley floor of the sacred Urubamba river and the village of Pisac where we will visit a traditional market and you can buy some local souveniers. We then drive up to explore the extensive ruins of Pisac with stunning views over the valley. On the guided walk into the Citadel of Pisac you can observe temples, residences, altars, channels, carvings, tunnels/caves and the famous Intihuatana “The hitching post of the Sun",
For those who would prefer to spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, advise your guide so he can organise a time and place to pick you up when returning through the market.
We continue on to Urubamba where we stop for you to buy lunch. A further 30 mins drive takes us to Ollantaytambo surrounded by the sacred mountains, where we will again discover the magnificence of the Incan constructions, the amazing temple of the Sun, enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished, stone water fountains, stairs, terraces and the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress, all surrounded by the sacred mountains and Valley of Patacancha and Willoq. On our return, we quickly visit the famous church and archeological site in Chincheros, arriving to Cusco at about 6.00 pm- 6:30pm.
Briefing tonight 7pm with group and Inca trail guide

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 3: INCA TRAIL TREK 4 DAY ; CUSCO- PISKACUCHO KM 82- PATALLAQTA- CUSICHAKA- 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: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

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 4: AYAPATA- LLULLUCHAYOQ- DEAD WOMAN´S PASS- PACAYMAYO- RUNKURAKAY- SAYAQMARKA- 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: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: camping

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

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

Distance Travelled: 16 km approx

Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours / Ascent up: 900 m

Day 5: CHAKICOCHA- AOBAMBA- 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: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

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 6: WIÑAYWAYNA- INTUPINKU- MACHUPICCHU- AGUAS CALIENTES - CUSCO

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. So if you are interested, talk with your guide(s) at the initial briefing for the trek, and remind them on the third night to make arrangements. 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. There you will also be able to store your backpack, take a shower and/or look around the town a bit before catching the train back to Cuzco.

Meals: Breakfast Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

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

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

Distance Travelled: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft ( Machupicchu )

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

Day 7: Day 1: CUSCO – BAMBU LODGE -Manu National Park

Early at 05:45 am pick up from your hotels in Cusco, first part of our excursion will take us through the majestic Andean mountains, after an 45 minutes we will find Huacarpay lake, a high Andean Lagoon that boasts heaps of flora and fauna typical of the Andean mountains a paradise to see birds. Afterwards we will arrive to Huancarani which contains the funeral towers of Ninamarca, a cemetery of the Lupaca Pre –Inca Culture, then we will reach Paucartambo, the famous traditional and folkloric town. At mid-day we will arrive at the entrance of Manu National Park and access to one of the most protected natural areas in South America. We will continue on our bus down a dirt road and on through the thick fog from which this section of the forest takes it name. Eventually we will arrive at the home of the exotic Peruvian National Bird, Gallito de las rocas, the “Cock of the Rocks”, to observe the social gathering that seems reminiscent of a large courtship. You will find that this is quite an amazing spectacle complete with an impressive array of sounds and colours that can only be found in the jungle. For our first night, we will stay in the BAMBU Lodge, where we will arrive at approx. 5:00 p.m

Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Bambu Lodge

Day 8: Day 2: BAMBU LODGE – CAPYBARA LODGE -Manu National Park

Today we will go to one of the main areas of the Manu National Park, the Tourist Zone. For the next 8 hours, depending on the level of the water in the Manu River, we will sail up the robust river in our motor boat. Because of the lack of civilization in this part of the jungle it will make all that much easier for us to take notice of the rich wildlife to be found here. Animals such as Capybaras, Caymans, monkeys and with a little bit of luck, maybe we will be able to see the great, South American feline, the Jaguar, which may just resting in the sun some place along the river. We will then arrive to our private area in the reserved zone, Capybara Lodge where we will spend the 2 following nights. If there is sufficient time, we will take a trail nearby the camp site, all the while with our guide will offer you a full interpretation of the fauna and flora, the ecosystem, interaction and symbiosis in this fragile ecosystem of this complicated Tropical Amazonian forest. (Walks at night optional)

Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Capybara Lodge

Day 9: Day 3: CAPYBARA LODGE. -Manu National Park

We will begin the day with an early morning visit to one of the biggest lake in all of Manu National Park, the stunning Lake Salvador, which is the natural habitat for any countless number of local species. This is the jungle at its best, boasting such animals as the Black Cayman and the Giant River Otters, both of which are endangered and at risk of extinction. This is one of the only areas in the entire world where we may see one, not in captivity, but instead in its natural home. During the evening, we will continue on to get another lake; this one is equipped with a lookout tower alongside used for viewing the immense lake from a birds-eye-view. This will be a fantastic opportunity to soak up the amazing views of Lake Otorongo. Then it is back to the Capybara Lodge for dinner and sleep. (Walks at night optional)

Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Capybara Lodge

Day 10: Day 4: CAPYBARA LODGE – BOCA MANU LODGE -Manu National Park

Today we have one more opportunity to explore de forest around Salvador Lake or around the lodge; maybe we will even have a chance to see a group of Tamarine Monkeys, which are the smallest monkeys in the entire world. Be aware of surroundings, because they could sneak up right behind you! Later after lunch we will take the boat and travel for four hours down stream the Manu River to Boca Manu Lodge, on the way we might see some black caimans laying on the beach getting the sun heat, maybe we will be able to see the great, South American feline, the Jaguar, which may be just resting in the sun in some place along the river. At night, we will visit another system of trails with a completely different set of characteristics than the first one. Our guide will explain to us why and how locals are still using different plants of the jungle as traditional medicines and show us native plants from the area.

Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Boca Manu Lodge

Day 11: Day 5: BOCA MANU LODGE – BAMBU LODGE -Manu National Park

Early in the morning, we will depart and move in the direction of our last lodging BAMBU LODGE of the journey, the. In order to get there, we will travel for 8 hours with a stop in a beautiful place of hot spring, where we will spend some time to relax and swimming in the hot spring; from here it takes some more hours to get to our Lodge. If we arrive early, we can visit a small beautiful lake where we can see some more birds and maybe some monkeys (Walks at night optional)

Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Bambu Lodge

Day 12: Day 6: BAMBU LODGE – CUSCO -Manu National Park

If for any reason on first day we didn’t see the Gallito de las rocas, Andean Cock of the Rock, today we have one more chance to visit the Lek of the famous Peruvian National Bird Gallito de las rocas, and enjoy the amazing show. Then back to Cusco. END OF OUR PACKAGE.

Meals: Breakfast Lunch

What is Included:

• Pick up and transfer from the airports in Cusco at your arrival.
• 3 Nights in Hotel Marqueses Cusco with breakfast. (Double or Twin bed room)
• 4 Day Inca Trail Trek (Book 4-6 months before.)
• Guided tour enroute Inca Trail and Machupicchu
• 3 Nights camping on Inca trail ( 2 person tent)
• Personal Porter for Inca Trail trek for 6 Kg
• Tents for 2 person and foam pad mattress (Inca Trail)
• Full board meals (3 meals daily)
• Sacred Valley and Cusco Tour with experts guides.
• Expedition Train return to Cusco, buses tickets
• Bus down to Aguas Calientes.
• 6 Day Manu Reserved Zone Tour -Group service.
• Full board meals, Bottled water during the trip.
• Accommodation in Lodge and Tented Camp.
• Expert Jungle guide with equipment.
• Admission fee to the Park.
• Private van and motor boat equiped.

What is not Included:

• Flight Tickets Lima-Cusco-Lima
• Cusco VisitorsTicket (165 soles approx US$60)
• Sleeping Bag extra of US$25
• Walking poles $20 for entire trek
• Hot springs 10 soles entrance fee
• US$ 140.00 for Single room ( Single Supplement )
• Entrance fee for Macaw Clay lick US$ 75.00 (need a reservation)

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 250-350 extra soles
• If you don`t have sleeping bags, rain ponchos, trekking poles, water bottle, etc you can rent/buy them from SAS Travel at the office at your check-in 2 days before the trek departure.

Booking Information

Terms & Conditions