DAY 1: KM 104 CHACHABAMBA, INTIPUNKU, MACHU PICCHU TO AGUAS CALIENTES
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel in Ollantaytambo and walk you to the train station. Enjoy a scenic 1:20 hr train ride along a beautiful valley until km 104. Pass through checkpoints and explore Chachabamba, an archaeological site. Then, hike the original Inca Trail for 3 hours to Wiñayhuana. After lunch, continue for an hour through lush green forests to the Sungate for the first view of Machu Picchu. Descend for 45 minutes to the citadel, where you’ll have ample time to explore and capture its beauty. Take a bus to Aguas Calientes overnight.
DAY 2: EXPLORE MACHU PICCHU, BACK TO CUSCO
Your private guide will accompany you to the bus station for a 30-minute ride to Machu Picchu. Explore the citadel with your guide, and optionally hike Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. Afterward, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and take the 1:45 hr train to Ollantaytambo. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
BRIEFING
The night before your trek, we will go to your Hotel at a coordinated Time with you for your briefing. We will provide you with a duffel bag to stay with your porters while you hike. This duffel bag should not exceed 7 kg or 14 pounds and does need to include your sleeping bag and air mattress.
PERMITS
Once we have received your details and deposit, we will secure your permits based on availability. These permits are issued in your name and for a specific date and cannot be altered once confirmed. However, your passport number can be updated if necessary. It’s worth mentioning that the permit includes entrance to Machu Picchu.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSED TOUR GUIDE
All our guides at Private Machu Picchu possess a tourism degree from Cusco National University. They are not only knowledgeable about our Peruvian history, culture, and gastronomy, but they are also fluent in English. Many of them are even proficient in our local language, Quechua. Their dedication to your safety and ensuring unforgettable memories is unparalleled.
PORTERS
To lighten your load during the trek, we provide a personal porter exclusively assigned to carry your duffel bag. Please note that you will not have access to your duffel bag until reaching the campsite. There are no additional charges for this service.
TRANSPORTATION
You will have transportation included in this trek from Cusco Hotel or Sacred Valley to Km. 82 starting point and return to your hotel from the train station could be from Ollantaytambo or Poroy.
We include the Vistadome train from Aguas Calientes. You may want to upgrade to the first-class train, Hiram Bingham.
We include the bust ticket from Machu Picchu citadel to Aguas Calientes town.
EQUIPMENT
During the trek, we will provide high-quality EUREKA TENTS suitable for all seasons. These spacious tents are shared by two people and are accompanied by dining and cooking tents, ensuring your comfort throughout the journey.
FOOD
Our experienced chef, skilled in mountain cuisine, will accompany you on the trek. We prioritize catering to our clients’ dietary restrictions, so please inform us of any requirements in advance. Kindly note that breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day are not included. However, throughout the hike, we will provide you with delicious meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
WATER
Water is essential for the trek, and we kindly request that you bring your own water bottle. We will supply filtered, boiled, and cooled-down water starting from the first lunch, allowing you to refill your bottle at each campsite or lunch spot.
FIRST AID
Every tour guide affiliated with Private Machu Picchu receives comprehensive first-aid training from high-altitude specialists every February. Your guide will carry a basic first aid kit to address minor medical situations. Additionally, we provide oxygen for emergencies during all our treks. In the unlikely event of more severe circumstances, our staff will promptly assist you off the trail and arrange for further medical attention if required.
TAXES AND FEES
Rest assured, all taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in the listed price. There will be no unexpected charges during your journey.
OPTIONAL SERVICES TO BE HIRED
An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the Hotel you choose. Please note that the additional entrance fee cost is not included if you wish to revisit Machu Picchu the following day.
Massage sessions: us$50 per 1-hour session. Our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco.
In the captivating Cusco Region, you’ll encounter two distinct seasons: the rainy and dry seasons. From November to April, rain showers prevail, with the heaviest downpours occurring between January and March. The dry season, spanning May to October, brings colder temperatures, with nighttime lows dipping below freezing.
When trekking along the Inca Trail, anticipate temperatures ranging from 15-20°C on sunny days to 10-28°C on cloudy days. The nights can be cooler during the first two campsites, with temperatures hovering around 5-15°C. At lower altitudes, such as Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu, the temperatures are generally warmer, though bringing warm clothing for the evenings is still advisable.
Each season offers its own advantages and drawbacks for exploring Cusco and Machu Picchu. The dry season tends to be crowded at all sites, especially the Inca Trail, where securing your permit at least six months in advance is crucial.
The rainy season, on the other hand, can be a delightful time for cultural tours or for those planning a trek-free vacation, as Cusco and Machu Picchu see fewer visitors.
Cusco City Altitude: 3400 meters | Cusco Population: 1,300,000
MACHU PICCHU TICKETS
Under the new regulations set by the Peruvian government, Machu Picchu entrance tickets are available for purchase from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm.
WAYNA PICCHU TICKETS
As per the new regulations, Wayna Picchu tickets are sold between 7:00 am and 10:00-11:00 am. The hike to Wayna Picchu takes approximately 45 minutes uphill and 30 minutes downhill. Please note that it’s not recommended for individuals with vertigo.
Note: It’s crucial to book your entrance tickets in advance to ensure access to these sites.
MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN TICKETS
The hike up Machu Picchu Mountain takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a 1-hour descent. Tickets are available for two-time slots: 6:00-7:00 am and 8:00-9:00 am. While it may take longer, the breathtaking vistas make it worth the effort.
STRIKES
Strikes pose a significant challenge in South America, including Peru, and can impact our tour treks. Road blockades and disrupted train services are common occurrences. We strongly advise booking at least two weeks in advance to mitigate potential disruptions. In the worst-case scenario, Private Machu Picchu will promptly inform you and assist in canceling or rescheduling tours and treks. Your well-being and safety are our utmost priorities.
ARRIVAL AT CUSCO
Cusco has a domestic airport primarily serving flights within the country. Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima is the main hub for international travel.
LATAM Airlines is the largest airline operating in Peru, offering connections worldwide. It is known for its minimal cancellations due to weather conditions in Cusco. The flight time from Lima to Cusco is approximately one hour. Additionally, our extension tours allow you to arrange connecting flights to Puno, Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado Jungle, Iquitos, or other destinations in northern Peru.
For those seeking an alternative, a bus option from Lima to Cusco takes approximately 22 hours.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND TO BRING
- Backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.
- Strong footwear and waterproof trekking boots are recommended.
- Sandals or jogging shoes for higher comfort while at camp.
- Warm clothes, including jackets and fleece. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
- Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions).
- Sun block or sun cream.
- Hydrating cream for face and body.
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% deet – no malaria risk has been reported.
- Toilet paper and tissues.
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, dried fruits, etc. Please note that we provide a snack, and our meal service is complete and well-supplied. This recommendation applies to all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it’s not included in our selection.
- Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed on the Inca trail. Plastic water containers or camelback or metal ones are recommended.
- Optionally water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route; otherwise, we provide filtered, boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problems so far.
- Small towel.
- Swimsuit (If you have an extra day in Aguas Calientes town, you can go to the hot springs).
- Cash in soles or in Dollars.
- Original Passport, travel insurance, and any important health document you may have to follow any restrictions.
- Original international student identity card (In case you have applied for a student discount).
- Optional, walking sticks or hiking poles (rubber covers necessary to avoid damaging the Inca Trail). If not, we have some here for rent.
RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST FOR TREKS
- Passport.
- Valid student card in case you booked as a student.
- Immigration stamp.
- 25L or 30L day pack.
- Water bottle or camelback with 2L of storage.
- Footwear, waterproof hiking boots.
- 4 or 5 hiking t-shirts, three hiking pants considering one nice outfit for Machu Picchu, five sets of undergarments, four pairs of socks, one fleece and down jacket for cold nights, a set of rain gears jacket, pants, a sun hat, wool hat, headlamp, warm waterproof gloves, shoes for camp, quick-dry small towel.
- Battery charger. There is no place to plug in while trekking.
- Sunscreen, face moisturizer, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toothbrush and paste, toilet paper, personal medication, band-aids, moleskin, and others.
- Camera, phone, music player.
