Machu Picchu Trail Options
Our Spanish school in Cusco provides students with 2 different trail packages in which they trek to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is the most popular, however we have great alternatives in case this trail is full booked or if you would prefer a more affordable options. All of these packages include trainsportation from Cusco to the trail head and return service upon completion, most meals as indicated, most camping equipment, cooking equipment, first aid, entrance fee to Machu Picchu, and professional guide. Please contact us for further information on each trail in regards to start dates and items included as they will vary.
Inca Trail (4 days/ 3 nights)
The Inca Trail that heads towards the world famous “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu, was used by the Incas to communicate with the “Antis” (the jungle people). This trail is the best known and most popular hike in Peru. The Inca Trail (distance about 45 kilometers) links a range of stunningly preserved Inca ruins. Along the way the natural scenery is breathtaking, with views of snow capped mountains and the cloud forest. The four day tour includes a guided visit to the ruins of Machu Picchu. A truly unforgettable experience!
Included are visits to the ruins of:
Llactapata – Huayllabamba – Llulucha Pampa‐ Warmiwañusca – Runkuracay – Sayacmarca – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu.
ITINERARY *
Day One: Between 6.00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. we will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco. We will stop in Ollantaytambo for breakfast (not included) and will travel to Chilca, situated at kilometer 82, which is the start of the Inca Trail. Here we will meet the porters and the cooks that will accompany us on our journey. We will stop on the way for lunch and hike until the campsite at Huayllabamba, where we´ll enjoy a hot meal and spend the night.
Day Two: After breakfast we will start hiking, ascending to the highest point on the trail, over 4200 meters above sea level. This place is called the Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmi Wañusca), and there are amazing views! After lunch we descend to Pacaymayo where we will camp overnight.
Day Three: After breakfast we head off towards Runku Rakay to cross the 2nd pass at 3800 meters above sea level. We will descend to Sayacmarca, an important archeological site where we will have lunch. After lunch we continue to Wiñayhuayna where we spend our third and final night on the trail. Hot showers available!
Day Four: After breakfast we will go into the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), which is the entrance of the ancient city of Machu Picchu. From this point we can see the ruins in all their glory! Later on, in the ruins, we will have a guided tour. After spending time in the ruins, we will descend to the village of Aguas Calientes by bus. From there we will return to Cusco by train. Sometimes Peru Rail organizes the train to be met in Ollantaytambo by a bus and you will travel from there to Cusco in bus. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.
DEPARTS: Between 6am and 7am from Cusco on day one.
RETURNS: Between 8am and 9pm on day four.
* the exact program, including the campsites, train schedule and pickup is subject to change, due to
weather, the client’s walking ability, and other unexpected circumstances.
Package Price: $495
Salkantay Trail (5 days/ 3 nights)
A remote and ancient footpath in the same region of the Inca trail, with spectacular views of the snowcapped “Apu” Salkantay; this hike is a magnificent wilderness alternative for those who wish to escape the more congested trekking routes. This is also a great option if the traditional Inca Trail has no spaces available. The route crosses the Andes and then descends down to the high jungle. We pass through an amazing progression of ecological zones, from sparsely vegetated alpine meadows flanking two spectacular 20,000' glaciated peaks, and down through subtropical forest.
Our visit to Machu Picchu on Day Five is made all the more exhilarating having trekked across rugged terrain to arrive at the famous citadel of the Incas.
Located northwest of Cusco, the snow-capped mountain of Salkantay is located at the eastern end of the Vilcabamba mountain range and it is its tallest peak at 6,271 meters above sea level. The name Salkantay means 'Savage Mountain' which may refer to the swirling clouds that rise up from the jungle lowlands and engulf its peak.
The Salkantay to Machu Picchu trek has become popular with trekkers wanting to combine a quieter, less trodden route with a visit to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. You will be surrounded with magnificent scenery and sometimes see other groups of trekkers. We trek over several high passes, and the trip includes high mountain scenery and subtropical forest views.
The trek is more difficult than the Inca Trail, so horses can be used to carry food and equipment.
ITINERARY *
Day 1: We will depart very early, around 5:00 am. We pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco and drive to Mollepata, where we will make a short stop, where you can buy snack and water. Mollepata is an attractive village built on a hillside overlooking the valley of the Apurimac.
We will then drive to Cruzpata where we will organize the horses (who will carry the supplies and backpacks). From here we will start the hike with about 7 hours of walking during the first day. We will walk about 3 hours and then stop for lunch. After lunch, we will walk about another 4 hours before camping for the night. Nevado Humantay (5917 m) dominates the morning’s views. After about 7 hours of trekking the small settlement of Salkantay pampa (4000 meters) is reached. The valley broadens and flattens out and the beautiful conical snow-capped peak of Nevado Salkantay comes into view. Here, we will have dinner and camp our first night.
Day 2: Today is the hardest day as we will be climbing up to a pass close to Salkantay, the beautiful snow covered mountain! Our day’s hike begins at 4,000 m – at Salkantay pampa – and the pass is 4600 m, the highest part of our trip. A spectacular day! From here we will descend into the upper jungle. We will walk along the Salkantay River, where you will get to see the cloud forest and with some luck you may see parrots, hummingbirds, and among other things, orchids and bamboo. The cloud forest has a semitropical climate. After 7 hours of hiking we arrive at our second camp in Ccolpampa, which is at about 3,200 meters.
Day 3: After an early breakfast we start our third day of hiking. After walking for 3 hours through tropical forest we arrive at the village of La Playa where we have lunch. Then we will continue walking for about 4-5 hours to Hidroelétrica where we will spend the night. Instead of hiking to Hidroelétrica there are two other options that can be arranged with the guide and entire group before the trip.
Option 1: To go to Hidroelétrica by local transport (van or truck). The transportation to Hirdroelétrica will be included in the tour.
Option 2: To take local transportation to Santa Teresa. The transportation to Santa Teresa will be included in the tour, but transportation from Santa Teresa to Hidroelétrica is not included. From Santa Teresa we have the option of visiting the nearby hot springs. At this beautiful place you can take a shower and then soak in the hot springs. Finally, we return to the village to have dinner before turning in.
Day 4: We will hike from Hidroelétrica to Aguas Calientes. It is also possible to take the train from Hidroelétrica to Aguas Calientes, instead of hiking, but you will have to pay for the cost of the train (about $10). If you take the train you will arrive in Aguas Calientes at approximately 3:30 in the afternoon. We will spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: We get up early, at 5:00 am, to take the first bus (at 5:30 am) to Machu Picchu. We will have a guided tour of about 2.5 hours. After that you can explore the site yourself, or climb up to Wayna Picchu (you will need about one hour to climb up).
You have to be at the train station in Machu Picchu 30 minutes before the departure time of your train. Sometimes Peru Rail organizes the train to be met in Ollantaytambo by buses and you have to travel from there to Cusco in bus. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.
* the exact program, including the campsites, is subject to change, due to weather, the client’s walking ability, and other unexpected circumstances..
DEPARTS: 5.00 am pick up from your hotel on day one
RETURNS: In the evening on day five
(Departs daily in the high season.)
Package Price: $395
