Classic & Inca Trail (4D/3N)

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Lima

Our representative will meet you at the Lima airport to take you to your hotel in Lima. * An extra day in Lima can be added upon request. Please ask our agent for activities in Lima

Day 2: Fly to Cusco & Afternoon City Tour (B)

One-hour flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, located at 11,100 feet above sea level. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. You will have the remainder of the morning to rest and freshen up. It’s best to take it easy this morning to let your body adjust to the altitude. Some find enjoying a cup of hot coca tea a real help in adjusting to the high elevation and that is what the locals traditionally use coca for. Both lunch and dinner (is this accurate? –the caption states only B) are on your own today as there are so many choices available at reasonable price either in or near your hotel. * Depending on which domestic flight you choose you will have more or less time to rest.

After lunch you will set out on grand tour of Cusco, the former capital of the once vast Incan Empire. The city’s Spanish Colonial architecture both overlays and is interlaced with the earlier Incan architecture. We walk Cusco’s impressive Plaza de Armas and visit both the Spanish cathedral and Incan temple of the sun, Qoricancha. The Spanish conquistadores destroyed significant portions of the Inca civilization while leaving their mark on Cusco. Ornate cathedrals, adobe walls, carved balconies, hidden courtyards and cobblestone streets add to the historic richness of the ancient Incan capital.

Next, we set out to visit the ruins above the city that were considered an essential part of the ancient capital. We start with one of the most impressive of them all, Sacsayhuaman. This is where Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, is held during the Summer Solstice. Some of the stones used to build the site weigh up to 70 tons yet are fitted so precisely–without the use of mortar–that one cannot slide even the thinnest object between them. Some believe that the site forms the head of puma or jaguar and that the huge triangulated walls form its teeth, or symbolize lightening. Tambomachay, the Temple of the Sacred Waters, is another site we will visit and is a marvel of hydraulic engineering. Its waters still flow today. At Q´enqo we’ll see the remains of a ceremonial site used for fertility rites and for celebrations of the solstice and equinox. At night, you will receive a very brief, yet important informational briefing regarding the Inca Trail to help you prepare for the trek. Take this opportunity to ask anything you might be wondering about the trail to your guide. *An extra day in Cusco can be added upon request. Please let us know if you like us to add additional activities.

Day 3: Sacred Valley Tour (B, L)

After breakfast, we set out into the Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be a visit to the Pisac market. The Pisac market has a wide variety of artisan arts & crafts and you will have the chance to see the many different products that the sacred valley produces. This is a great opportunity to for you to do some unique shopping, and to purchase souvenirs for your family and friends. After the market, we head deeper into the Sacred Valley and visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo, still inhabited by the locals in much the same way as it was during the time of the Incas. The lodging area is formed by complex structures known as “canchas” or apartments. The Inca built a temple on a terraced site above the town. The impressive, standing stones they erected, conjure up images of Atlantis. This is the site where Manco Inca and his warriors staged a temporary victory over the Spanish Conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro. During this victory, the Inca warriors flooded the fields, while raining down spears and arrows from above, making it difficult for the Spanish horses to maneuver, ultimately forcing a rare retreat on the part of the Conquistadors. We then return to Urubamba, where you will have a chance to break for lunch and recover energies to continue with our tour.

After lunch, we head out to the bustling market-town of Chinchero, our final visit today. The town of Chinchero is the Birthplace of the Rainbow, situated at over 11,500 feet. Its extensive agricultural terraces made it, in Incan times, the breadbasket of Cusco city. The main sight to see at this location is a catholic church, with fine paintings from the Cusquenian School. Modern Chinchero has a very active community of women weavers who create textiles on backstrap looms using only natural dyes. The weavers make fine, high quality mantas, table runners, pillows, bags, belts, and scarves in soft natural colors. * An overnight at the sacred valley can be added upon request. Please let us know if you like us to add additional activities.

Day 4: Free Day in Cusco (B)

You will have the unique experience of enjoying the wonders of Cusco at your leisure. This will be your chance to explore at your own pace, the wonderful local markets, shops and café’s, or if you prefer, use the day for rest and relaxation prior to your Inca trail adventure. * If you prefer to relax on your first day in Cuzco, you could use this day to do your city Tour.

Day 5: Inca Trail-Day 1- Trek from Piskacuchu to Wayllabamba (B, S, L, D)

We depart from Cusco train station to Piskacuchu (Km. 82) where we start our trail. The Inca Trail begins on the other side of a suspension bridge over the Urubamba River. It first climbs alongside the ruins of Llaqtapata, between terraces planted to corn and quinoa, then heads towards the Cusichaca Valley and the town of Wayllabamba (2,750m or 9,023 ft). This is the last populated area on the route and is located at the confluence of the Cusichaca and Llullucha rivers. It is also the last place to find provisions. Here we will camp for the night.

Day 6: Inca Trail-Day 2– Trek from Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo (B, S, L, D)

After breakfast you start the hike, from here on, there is only open countryside. The path continues to climb through the Llullucha Valley where you can see various ecological zones and microclimates to the Warmiwanuska Pass, the highest point of the route at 4,200/13,780 ft. Its name means, “where the woman died” in Quechua, possibly based on a local legend. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, merchants frequently used this part of the Inca Trail for contraband and commerce. From here, you can see the Runturacay ruins and the Pacamayo River. Once over the cold, windy pass, the trail descends sharply to the Pacamayo River valley and its stands of trees and cacti. This is where our campsite is located. We will enjoy dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Day 7: Inca Trail-Day 3– Trek from Pacaymayo to Wiñaywayna (B, S, L, D)

It then begins to climb again for about 45 minutes, providing hikers with an idea of the magnificence of Inca Engineering, as it becomes a path that is perfectly paved in white granite slabs and follows the zigzagging line of the cliffs and mountainside. For several hours the trail winds among the mountains until it reaches a second pass at 3,950m or 12,959ft. Along the way, we will visit the Runcuracay archeological site. We finally descend a stepped slope of almost 1,600m or 5,250ft to the ruins of Sayacmarca and the mysterious cloud forest. The dense vegetation here conceals exquisite examples of Inca architecture: Phuyupatamarca (3,650m or 11,976ft) and Winay Wayna (3 hours further down) with its spectacular system of terraces, and Inca way stations called “Tambos” and observation platforms rising out of the tree fern forest with dozens of orchids growing among their polished stones. We will spend our last night here.

Day 8: Inca Trail-Day 4– Trek from Wiñaywayna to MachuPicchu (B)

We begin the final leg of the trek to the lost city of Machu Picchu. First we will hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), where we will take in an awesome panoramic view of the MachuPicchu citadel. The final descent is quick 30 minutes through the Inti Punko gateway to the citadel of Machu Picchu where we will enjoy a 3 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. After a short bus ride to Aguas Calientes you will have time for Lunch on your own to then take the train back to Cusco.

Day 9: Return to Lima / Flights Home (B)

Your journey to Peru winds to a close as we transfer you to the Cusco airport for the flight back to coast. Flight time will depend on your flight time back home. * While in Lima, we highly recommend adding culinary activities such as cooking classes and tasting dinners in the best restaurants of Latin America, for more information check our Culinary site: taste-of-peru.com and ask our agents for more information. An extra day in Lima can be added upon request.

Not exactly what you want?

Remember that Magical focuses on providing the best available options and can work with you on customizing your tour to better fit your interests and budget, without compromising the quality of your tour. Just contact us with your questions and preferences and we can modify this tour based on your expectations and requests.

Important Notes:

About MachuPicchu Entrance Tickets

As the popularity of MachuPicchu has increased in the last few years, and in order to preserve the ancient paths of MachuPicchu, the Peruvian Cultural Institute (INC) has restricted the number of people that could enter MachuPicchu to 2,500 people per day. This means that, once the 2,500 tickets are sold out, no further entrance tickets will available. Also, please note that to avoid a secondary market for these tickets, all tickets are issued with the name of the passenger, his/her passport number, nationality and date of birth. Therefore, tickets are non refundable and non transferable.

About Huaynapichu Tickets

Entrance tickets to Huaynapichu are not longer free, entrance tickets are now US$12.00 per person. There are two scheduled visits per day, with a limit of 200 people per visit (Total of 400 per day). If you are interested in hiking the Huaynapichu, we will need you to let us know at the same time you book your trip since the Huaynapichu tickets need to be purchased in conjunction to the MachuPicchu tickets.

Price

This tour (*) is available from:

USD$934.90 per person – Group with Private Transfers

For single supplement and prices in a private service, please contact us!

* Based on double occupancy, 4 people, Budget Accommodations

IMPORTANT: As price depends on each passenger choices, please contact us to send you an updated price based on your specific request. Please send us the following information and we will respond within 24 hours with your updated price.

• Number of people in your party
• Level of accommodation (3,4,5*). Please see options
• Choosing a Private or Group Tour?
• Train choice. Please see options
• Adding options: if you like to add day tours, extra days, meals, etc
• Need domestic or international flights?
• Have a special request (ie: special diet, wheelchair, children, senior, etc)

What’s Included?

• Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Cusco). Upgrade to Vistadome and Hiram Bingham upon request
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Expert leadership / guides & support personnel
• Accommodations: 1 night in Lima, 4 nights in Cuzco, 3 nights Camping.
• Meals as noted (B = Breakfast, S = Snack, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, T = Tea Time Snack). Plentiful, nutritious meals during the trail (Vegetarian option available). We can add any meals upon request
• Land excursions as noted including entrance fees (BTG, Cathedral and Qoricancha, MachuPicchu and Inca Trail permit)
• Private Transportation: Lima Airport/Lima Hotel, Lima Hotel/Lima Airport, Cusco Airport/Cusco Hotel, Cusco Hotel/Inca Trail start point (Km. 82), Train Station/Cusco Hotel, Cusco Hotel/Cusco Airport.
• Cook  (In charge of meal preparation)
• Group porters to carry camping equipment and food
• Porters to carry your backpack (6 kilos/12pounds) 2 people in each 3-person-capacity tent
• Mattress (sleeping pad)
• Dinner tent, special biodegradable bathroom tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings, first Aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.

What’s Not Included?

• Airport taxes: Local ($5-6) and International ($31) departure tax of payable in local currency by each passenger at Lima International Airport upon departure (if applicable)
• International and domestic airfares, usually quoted separately
• Excess baggage charges
• Insurance of any kind: mandatory evacuation insurance; suggested cancellation insurance, interruption, baggage loss, damage and delay
• Visas. Please be advised that some citizens other than Canadians and US may need visa to travel to Peru. Please advise us of your nationality to help you or check with the Peruvian Consulate
• Tipping & Gratuities (Guides $4 per person per day / Drivers $1 per person per day)
• Excess baggage charges
• Medical immunizations
• Items of a personal nature (clothing, sodas, liquor, snacks, laundry, etc.
• Feather sleeping bag US$6 per day
• Synthetic sleeping bag US$5 per day
• 1 Extra porter (12 kilos) US$95
• 1/2 Extra porter (6 kilos) US$55

Important Notes for Trekkers

• In an effort to preserve and protect the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the Peruvian governing bodies have taken drastic measures in the past few years to limit the amount of people hiking the Trail. As of March 2004, no more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek. This number includes all support staff (ie. porters and guides) and is very tightly controlled. Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the Trail is effectively closed off for the day and no further bookings can be made by any agency.
• Participants need to be in good physical health and condition. It is good for travelers who are in condition to hike up to seven hours, with breaks in a single day to enjoy the Inca Trail. The trekking will be difficult if you have not exercised regularly before your trip. To fully enjoy an Inca Trail adventure, we advise passengers to get into an exercise program for their own safety and enjoyment. If a passenger suffers from any medical condition, we advise him/her to consult a physician prior to joining an Inca Trail Expedition.
• Remember to take your original passport on the Inca trail because without it, you will not be able to do the hiking and take only the necessary items for the 4 days trek (8-12 Kilos), the rest of your luggage you can leave it at your hotel in Cusco (most of hotels has an storage where to keep until your return)

We suggest for Inca Trail

• Drinking lots of liquids
• Personal sleeping bag
• Warm Jacket or sweater, raingear (specially from November to April)
• T-shirts, shorts, long pants, layers.
• Back pack, Day pack, trekking shoes, sandals
• Sun hat, wool hat, sunglasses
• Water bottle, flash light
• Insect repellent /Sunscreen
• Water Purification Tablets (optional)
• Hand Towel, toilet paper
• Extra US$50 changed in soles for any emergency and for tipping the porters

Domestic Tickets

Lima/Cusco/Lima: From US $190 per person. This is an example price. Prices depend on date and time of booking