The Inca Trail (also called "Inca Trail" or "Inka Trail") is one of the most important trekking routes in South America. This is due to its original Inca architecture, the archaeological remains along the way and the natural mix of jungle and cloud forest along the route. It is also the most spectacular way to reach the Inca Sanctuary of Machupicchu.

The Inca Trail, Inca Trail or Capaq Ñan, is one of the most classic treks in the world. It was built by the Inca emperor Pachacuti to connect Cusco -capital of the Inca empire or Tawantinsuyo- with the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. Hiram Bingham, archaeologist and Yale professor who discovered Machu Picchu in 1911, was also the one who discovered the Inca Trail, as well as all the archaeological sites along its extension. This route was opened for trekking in 1970, by Peruvian archaeologist Victor Angeles.

Every year, thousands of visitors from all over the world arrive in Peru to hike this famous trail.

The first thing we will do in the Inca Trail Group Tour 4D/3N service is to pick you up directly from your hotel in Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo. In the case of Cusco, we will pick you up at 4:30 AM, from Urubamba at 5:30 AM, and if you are staying in Ollantaytambo, you will be able to rest a little longer, as we will pick you up at 6:30 AM.

We will then drive to Km 82, we will pass through the first checkpoint of the Inca Trail to begin our hike. Please make sure you have your original passport as you will need it to enter the Inca Trail.

The first 2 hours of the hike are relatively easy, as we will be heading towards our first Inca site, Patallacta. This is an ancient Inca checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu. From there, we begin another 2-hour hike to our lunch point.

After lunch, we will hike for another 2 hours until we reach our first night's campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters). On this last stretch, we pass through 2 small communities. There, if you want to buy any energy drinks, snacks or essential items that you have forgotten, such as batteries, you will be able to do so.

We will arrive at our campsite at 5:00 PM. After you settle in, you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with the team of porters, chef and guide. At 7:30 PM dinner will be ready, after that, you can have a well-deserved rest.

• Hiking distance: 8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours)
• Camp altitude: 3300 meters (high) above sea level.
• Rating: Moderate (Getting used to the Inca Trail)
• Climate: Warm with presence of wind.

DAY 2: DEAD WOMAN'S PASS (WARMIWAÑUSKA) - RUNCCURACAY PASS - CHAQUICCOCHA

At the beginning of the second day of the Inca Trail 4D/3N Group Tour service, the designated porters will have the task of waking you up early with a cup of coca tea, which will help you prepare for the spectacular day ahead.

The start of the day will be very early, as the trek is longer. We will hike for approximately 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman's Pass (4215 meters/13829 feet). Upon reaching the pass, we will have a short break to enjoy the views, then set off again and descend to the next valley, the Pacaymayu Valley - Hidden River. It is another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot, where you will have the opportunity to refill your water bottles.

After lunch, we begin to ascend again to the second pass of the hike. It is 2 hours over the pass where we will stop at a small Inca site called Runcu Raccay and see two huge waterfalls on the opposite side of the valley.

After the second pass, it is another hour of downhill hiking to reach the magnificent Inca site called Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village). We will stop here for a rest and a quick tour.

Afterwards, we will be able to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. It is only another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Lago Seco, 3600 meters).

At the end of dinner, if you are not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing, and we will point out the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent southern hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold!

• Hiking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
• Camp altitude: 3600 meters (high)
• Considered: Main day (you will have survived the two Inca Passes)
• Area: Andes and Cloud Forest
• Climate: Cold and rainy

Completing day 2 and starting day 3 certainly deserves a pat on the back! We will start early again, exactly at 6:30 am.

This day will be the most beautiful of the entire Inca Trail. We will walk for 2 hours along what we like to call the "Inca plane" (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest.

As we walk, we will have the opportunity to see Salkantay Mountain, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range.

Towards the end of the Inca apartments, we will take our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters), from where we will have excellent views of the Urubamba River.

Through the valley, we get our first view of Machu Picchu mountain, but the site itself is still hidden. From Phuyupatamarka it is a 3 hour walk up a flight of steps to our last campsite, near Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young).

Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite due to its proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent, we will visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (City in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We will arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM for lunch.

Then, the rest of the day you will be able to relax so that you are ready for the last day of the tour, in Machu Picchu. Around 4:30 PM your guide will give you a brief orientation, and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half. Your guide will explain the importance of the site and combine all the information given during the hike. This way you will be fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

One of the things we like to do most is to pamper our guests, so you will enjoy a final banquet with the porters and chefs. As part of our traditions, we will organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again. The purpose of this event is to thank them for their hard work (if you wish to provide a tip for them, then you will be able to do so at that time).

It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time, since the day will start very early so that we can arrive at Machu Picchu at dawn, hoping that the weather will give us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins of Machu Picchu.

• Hiking distance: 6.2 miles/10km (5 hours)
• Camp altitude: 2,600 meters (high) above sea level (cold weather)
• Rated: Easy day - All downhill!
• Area: High cloud forest
• Climate: Warm and very humid

DAY 4: SUN GATE - MACHU PICCHU - THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS

This last day of the Inca Trail 4D/3N group tour starts at 3:30 AM. We will have breakfast at 4:00 AM and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking when the gates open at 5:30 AM.

We say goodbye to our team of porters and chef to head to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its splendor.

We will arrive at the Sun Gate at 6:30 am, and then it is only an hour's walk to reach the Lost City of the Incas. As we walk and get closer to Machu Picchu, the views of the city improve.

Around 7:40 AM we will arrive at the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2-hour private guided tour. After the tour, you will be given your bus tickets that will take you on your way to Aguas Calientes, where you will have plenty of free time to explore the city on your own or climb one of the neighboring mountains - Huaynapicchu (must be arranged in advance).

Your guide will offer to meet you in the town of Aguas Calientes to enjoy your last lunch at a local restaurant. This is optional and is not included. At lunch, the guide will hand out train tickets, so, if you decide to skip this, please coordinate this with the guide to obtain these tickets before leaving Machu Picchu.

Unless you have arranged for a higher class train, we will reserve an Expedition class train leaving Aguas Calientes at 2:55 or 3:20 pm. Please make sure you are on the platform at least 30 minutes ahead of time. The trip takes approximately 2 hours to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (depending on the train schedule), where an Alpaca driver will meet you and take you back to town in our bus, and then drop you off at your hotel.

• Considered: The most magical and exciting day (Early start at 3.30 AM).
• Area: Subtropical forest and high cloud forest
• Weather: Hot and very humid (bring plenty of water)

• Informative talk about the trek with our official guide one day before.
• Transfer with assistance from Cusco - Km 82 (starting point of the trek to Machupicchu)
• 03 nights of basic camping in tents
• Classic Inka Trail Trekking Tour
• Entrance to the Traditional Inka Trail
• Entrance to the Inka citadel of Machupicchu
• 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 3 breakfasts and 3 afternoon teas.
• Support staff, porters and cook (they carry only camping equipment)
• Camping equipment such as tents, tables and chairs.
• Insulation and inflatable sleeping bag for the 3 nights of camping.
• Sleeping bag for the 3 nights of camping
• Tourist bus Machupicchu - Aguas calientes
• Guided tour in Machupicchu and all the trekking (CUSTOMIZED)
• Return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo in tourist Voyager service.
• Transfer with assistance from Ollantaytambo train station to the hotel in Cusco.
• First aid kit and oxygen balloon on the Classic Inka Trail hike
• Professional guides and staff for the entire trek
• Tourist transportation on all transfers
• 24 hour assistance by the Guide and Porters Team.

• Food and beverages not mentioned above
• Extra expenses in tips (courtesy for the guide and staff)
• Walking sticks
• Shower
• Airfare: Both international and domestic.
• Transportation: From the beach to the town of Santa Teresa.
• Breakfast on the first day. You should reserve it at your hotel for early in the morning before we pick you up.
• Sleeping bag: It is essential that you have one that can withstand up to -18°C (-18°F). They are stuffed with feathers (we rent them for US$25.00).
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain: This hike must be booked separately, at an additional cost and well in advance.
• Personal Expenses and Tips: How to buy handicrafts, clothes, drinks, etc.. Tips are not included, they are voluntary according to the service received.
• Travel insurance: It is a very important requirement for your safety and protection, for example in case of a medical emergency, the costs will be much lower.

• Trekking gear
• Backpack (30 or 50 liters), water bottle, trekking shoes, waterproof jacket.
• Useful items
• Passport, cash in soles (additional purchases).
• Gadgets and more
• Camera, charging cable, extra batteries.
• Clothing
• Rain poncho, t-shirts, wool hat, ear muffs, pants, shorts, swimwear, underwear, socks, sneakers, sandals, gloves, scarf.
• Health and Care
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, sun hat, small towel, personal medication.

If you cancel with more than 48 hours notice we will refund 75% of the total cost. If you cancel with less time, arrive late or no-show, no refund will be offered.

Precautions against Covid-19

This activity takes the appropriate protective measures to ensure your safety. In addition, our tours are conducted outdoors and in small groups to reduce the risk of contagion. Remember to follow the staff's instructions during the tour.

To book a tour you have to make a payment of 40% of the total price of the tour At least, and the rest is paid upon arrival at the office in the city of Cusco.

Make a bank deposit to our account by sending 40% of the tour price, once the deposit is made send us a message with the scanned voucher, then we will process your deposit and within a period of no more than 24 hours we will send you a message confirming your reservation.

Payment via deposit from abroad to our company's account at INTERBANK Current Account: Account Code.

Interbank dollars: (CCI) 00342000300479070577 – QUECHUAS PEOPLE - SWIFT CODE: BINPPEPL - you must add U$60.00, which is the charge made by our bank to our account for international transfer and administrative expenses, you must also consult your Bank about the additional amount that will be charged.

Payment by VISA - MASTERCARD credit card with the WETRAVEL system, generating the payment order that we would send you from QuechuasPeople.com. If you accept this option you will have a surcharge of 4%.

Bank: INTERBANK

Soles Account Number: 4203004790692

Soles interbank account number (CCI): 003-420-003004790692-77

Dollar Account Number: 4203004790705

Dollars interbank account number (CCI): 003-420-003004790705-77

Account holder: QUECHUAS PEOPLE EXPERIENCE TRAVEL AND TOURS S.A.C