Day 1: Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Piskacucho - Wayllambamba

Our  Inca Trail Trekking guide will hold a briefing in your hotel the afternoon  before the trek starts. This briefing will give you more information about the trail and equipment you need to bring. You will also need the small day pack (to be carried by yourself) which must not weigh more than 5 kilograms.The next day our guide will pick you up from your hotel at 7:00 to travel by bus (with the trek guide and porters) to Kilometre 82 waymarker (2,685 metres above sea level) – the start of the Inca Trail. There will be a short stop at Ollantaytambo to use toilets and buy walking sticks, water and last minute snacks. Day first consists of a relatively easy, reasonably flat, 4.5-hour, 11-kilometre-walk. Depending on the walking speed of the group, camp is usually made at Wayllabamba (at approximately 3,200 metres altitude).

Day 2: Warmiwanusca - Pacamayo

Rising early (around 5am), today begins with a gradual ascent covering around 2 kilometres, followed by a challenging 7 kilometres constantly uphill (on dirt tracks and stone steps) to reach the highest pass at Warmiwañusca or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ (4,200 metres). The views of the mountains and valleys are spectacular as you make your way slowly towards the pass. This section is the most demanding of the whole trail and reaching Dead Woman’s Pass is quite an achievement. However it is not technically difficult and can be completed by anyone of any age who leads a reasonably active life. It is very important to take this section entirely at your own pace. Usually the first people in the group to reach the pass will wait for the rest of the group to finish so celebratory group photos can be taken. The pass offers fantastic views of the surrounding snow capped peaks and a wonderful feeling of being ‘on top of the world’! After the high pass it’s a further 3 kilometres downhill, winding along old Inca stairs to the campsite (3,950 metres).

Day 3: Runkurakay - Winay Wayna

Day thrird begins with another early start (6am) and a gradual 2-kilometre hike uphill to the second high pass, Runkurakay (3,950 metres). Again the pass affords excellent views of the magnificent Andes. Most of the next 6 kilometres is downhill and we have a chance to explore the fascinating ruins of Sayacmarca. The scenery becomes more lush as we continue towards the third high pass at Phuyupatamarca (3,600 metres). From here we have a further 5 kilometres downhill to reach the final campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,700 metres). Although downhill most of the way, this section has many steps as the path winds around the side of the mountain and can be demanding on your legs – particularly if you are stiff from the climb up to Dead Woman’s Pass! The camp at Wiñay Wayna is a welcome sight and your efforts can be rewarded with a cold beer and a shower.

Day 4: Intipunku - Machu Picchu - Cusco

On the last day early morning we rise before dawn (3am) to begin the final section of the trail to the famous ‘Sun Gate’ (Intipunku) and on to Machu Picchu. After a light breakfast you will say goodbye to your porters as they pack up the camping equipment and head back to Cusco.

Although we are continuing to descend, this section is a combination of steps – both up and down! Affectionately known as “Inca flat” by the guides, there is actually nothing flat about it and it can be tiring! It is approx. 4 kilometres from Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate and the final push includes a set of steep Inca stairs  which will almost certainly take your breath away before your first sight of the famous city! At 2,700 metres above sea level, the Sun Gate is 350 metres higher than Machu Picchu and, on a clear day, affords a majestic view down over the site and the surrounding valleys. From the Sun Gate, there is a final 2 kilometers downhill walk to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

Reaching the site around 8am, your guide will take you on a full guided tour (2 hrs aprox). You will then have plenty of free time to explore this mystical Inca city or visit the Inca Bridge. Returning to Aguas Calientes by bus you may decide to have lunch in one of the many restaurants (not included), soak in the nearby hot springs or meander through the markets. We then catch the late afternoon train back to Cusco arriving mid-evening.

What is included?

• Pre-trek briefing (Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing);
• Transfer by Tourist transportation to the initial point of the Inca Trail at Km 82;
• Accommodation: camping (3 nights);
• Inca Trail Permit and entrance fee to Machu Picchu;
• Meals: 3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner, 3x afternoon´s hot beverages (If you are a vegetarian, please advise us in advance. A vegetarian meal option is for NO extra cost!);
• Experienced bilingual Tour Guide (a group up to 8 participants has 1 Tour Guide, a groups over 8 participants receives 2 Tour Guides);
• A professional Cook;
• Porters to carry food, camping and cooking equipment ;
• Camping equipment: Personal double tents;
• Sleeping Mattress;
• Water every day (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own);
• Tables and chairs, cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas;
• Tourist train (Expedition Class) from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo;
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco;
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

Not Included

• First breakfast.
• Last lunch in Aguas Calientes town.
• Sleeping bag (U$ 20)
• Thermarest mattress (inflatable mattress for more comfort in the trail
• Extra porter for carry your personal beloging (U$ 130)
• Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town.
• Tips and extra expenses to souvenir.

How can I book the Cheap Inca Trail?

For the sake of maintaining the Inca Trail and its surroundings, the Peruvian authorities now limit the number of Inca Trail trekking permits to 500 a day, including hikers, guides, porters and other support staff. Permits frequently sell out various months before and you have to reserve well in advance to obtain your place, especially if you want to go in high season between June and August.

We advise booking your permit at least four months in advance to prevent any letdowns. You can possibly find more economic flights in May, September and October, in the off season. Permit availability can change quickly and cannot be confirmed until it is reserved in the Ministerio de Cultura - Culture Ministry ( once passport details are recieved and the deposit has been paid). Once authorized it is not possible to make any changes to your Inca Trail permit. Your Passport for the Inca Trail

You need to supply us with your passport details when you request your Inca Trail. We cannot make a reservation without this. Your permit is connected to your name and passport number. If you change your passport after booking your Inca Trail permit or are planning on traveling with a different passport you need to also bring the passport you used to book your permit or you will not be allowed to hike the Inca Trail. It is very important to make sure that your passport is valid for 6 months.

Booking the Inca Trail & your deposit

When reserving your tour you will pay your Cheap Inca Trail, usually we will require the 50% pre-payment and other 50% you can pay in Cusco in cash. On the first payment is included the wire transfer fee and on the second payment, you will need to pay in Cusco and it is not included the fees . We will issue a confirmation invoice, which means your booking has been accepted and a contract exists.

If we are unable to confirm a tour we will refund your deposit in full.

Inca Trail Closure

The Inca Trail is closed once a year (in Febuary) for maintainence and during this time we can offer you other tours. There are alternative treks the Inca Trail available where you can have a similar experience, which are usually not as difficult and follow the Urubamba River before ending as usual at the sungate at Machu Picchu.

Price Changes

Please note that Cheap Inca Trail to Machu Picchu are subject to local regulations and prices for permits and transportation may change without notice. Although we will aim to deal with any changes ourselves, it may be inevitable to increase our prices accordingly even after you have booked or whilst on your tour.