Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail begins either at Km 82 – Piscacucho, that its the Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights or at km 88 – Qorihuayrachina (at 2600m) and the Inca Trail 2 days tour is starting on the Km 104 or Chachambamba.

In order to reach km 82 hikers are transported by their TOUR OPERATOR in a minibus on the road that goes to Quillabamba. From Piri onward the road follows the riverbank and ends at km 82, where a bridge is placed. First, the “SERNARP” and “Ministerio de Cultura” will check you personal details and they will compare your full name, passport number and nationality with your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu permits,

it is very important to take your original passport for the Inca Trail

The first point of the trek is Huayllabamba, following the Cusichaca river, is about 3 hrs and isn’t too arduous. Beyond Huayllabamba, a popular camping sport for tour groups, there is a camping places about an hour ahead, at Llulluchayoc (3200m). A punishing 1 1/2 hr climb further is Llulluchapampa, an ideal meadow for camping. If you have the energy to reach this point, it will make the second day easier because the next stage, the ascent to the first pass, Warmiwañuska (Dead Women’s pass) at 4200 m, is utterly exhausting 2 1/2 hrs.

Afterwards take the steep path downhill to the Pacaymayo valley, beware of sleeping on the rainy Inca steps. You could camp by a stream at the bottom (1 1/2 hrs from the first pass). It is no longer permitted to camp at Runkuracay, on the way up to the to the second pass (a much easier climb 3850 m). Magnificent views near the summit in clear weather. A good overnight place is about 30 mins past the Inca ruins at Sayacmarca (3500 m), about an hour on after the top of the second pass.

Then, a gentle 2 hr climb on a fine stone highway leads through an Inca tunnel to the third pass. Near the top there’s a spectacular view of the entire Vilcabamba range. You descend to Inca ruins at Phuyupatamarca (3650 m), well worth a long visit, even camping overnight. There is a ‘Tourist bathroom’ here, where water can be collected (but purify it before drinking). From there, steps go downhill to the impressive ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2700 m) with views of the recently cleared terraces of Intipata. Access is possible, but the trail is not easily visible. There is a small campsite.

The path from this point goes more or less level through jungle until the steep staircase up to the Intipunku (2 hrs), where there’s a magnificent view of Machu Picchu, especially at dawn, with the sun alternately in and out, clouds sometimes obscuring the ruins, sometimes leaving them clear.

Inca Trail Treks

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Inca Trail Classic 4D / 3N

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Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail 7D / 6N

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Short Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 2D/1N

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Created with Sketch. Ancascocha, Cusco, Peru

Ancascocha Trek + Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 7D/6N

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Created with Sketch. Cachicata, Cusco, Peru

Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

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Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days

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Inca Trail 2 Day to Machupicchu – Private Service

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Inca Trail Full Day to Machupicchu – Private Service

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incajungle-biking

Biking

This tour is an excellent trip to have a descend expedition on bicycle.

incajungle-rafting

Rafting

Our rafting trip starts in the town of Santa Maria at 2:45 pm, starting point is the bridge at Chaullay.

incajungle-trekking

Trekking.

Impress the majesty of the area and that constant variety that accompanies you from sun to rain and vice versa in an area considered ¨Ceja de Selva¨.

incajungle-zipline

Zipline

A wonderful tour and a different way of living, trained and warm staff. They made me feel safe all the time.

Inca Trail Weather 

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDec
Max Temp °F 66 66 66 68 68 68 66 68 68 68 70 70
Min Temp °F 45 45 43 41 39 66 32 36 39 43 43 43
Rainy Days 18 13 11 8 3 2 2 7 8 12 16

How to book the Inca Trail

The following client information is requested for any Inca Trail booking:

  • Complete names and surnames
  • Nationality,
  • Passport number,
  • Date of Birth
  • Gender.

The exact information provided by you will be submitted to the governmental institution in charge of regulating the access to the Inca Trail Cusco and will be included in the official permit to enter the Inca Trail on the requested date. Should there be any change in the above-mentioned data (ie. New passport number), we kindly request you to inform the department booking at Tierras Vivas Tour Operator via email as soon as possible.

The government reserves the right not to allow the entry to any visitor whose data are not the exact ones as those in the official permit. Tierras Vivas Tour Operator excludes any responsibility for a no entry in case the passenger information has changed without prior notice to us.

Daily departures for Classic Inca Trail are available along the year. Exception: one-month closing period of all Inca Trail routes in February. Please contact us to check departures to Alternative Routes to Inca Trail . All Inca Trail departures are subject to government space availability, please check the following website: Inca Trail Available

Inca Trail permit availability

Since only 500 trek permits are issued per day for the Inca Trail Best Tours Peru (trek permits are also required for the porters and cooks) it is important to try to make a reservation as far ahead as possible. There is no clear rule as to how far ahead be enough to guarantee you a space since this depends on demand.

Inca Trail Closed

The Inca Trail will be closed each February for conservation projects and to give the vegetation projects and to give the vegetation a chance to recover. It is also the wettest month of the year. However, other treks remain open.

 

Inca Trail and Huayna Picchu Mountain

This is a new rule from the government; Inca Trail and Huayna Picchu Mountain are only available for purchase with the general Machu Picchu Tickets Peru entry ticket and there is a special entry ticket for the Inca Trail which does not allow this add-on. When you do the Inca Trail you are among the only people who enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (rather than the general public entrance) and you receive a special Machu Picchu tour from there. If you want to purchase a Huayna Picchu ticket you will need to buy a new entry ticket for Machu Picchu as well (total USD $65 per person) – note that depending on the speed of your group you may actually have to sacrifice part of your Machu Picchu tour in order to climb Huayna Picchu in the second group. Ask us if you really want to climb Huayna Picchu – otherwise we do not recommend it for the Inca Trail.

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