Inca Trail Trek 3 days / 2 Nights

Trip Overview:

This Sacred Valley excursion connecting the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu allows you to learn the history of the great Inca civilization with personalized attention and comfort; Visiting the most outstanding places like Pisac and ollantaytambo. And the following day to continue with Short Inca trail.

By booking your Inca Trail Trek  with Cusco Journeys & Adventure you are choosing the best. Don’t believe us? Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor!

• Tour type: Cultural & adventure
• Length of Sacred Valley tour: Full day
• The distance of hiking: 12km / 7.4miles
• Maximum elevation: 2,720 Meter / 8,700 ft.
• Minimum elevation: 2,800 Meter / 9,186ft.
• Tour guides: 1 English-speak tour guide.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Extra considerations: 2 days acclimatization recommended in Cusco and in the Sacred Valley prior to the trip.
• Weather: Expect changing temperatures and humidity along the trail.

Itinerary:

Pre-trek briefing:

You will have thorough briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your Sacred valley & Short Inca Trail.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.

Day 1: Cusco – Sacred valley – Ollantaytambo.

his tour will start at 8 am when we pick you up at your hotel, and will immediately start heading out of Cusco towards the Sacred Valley. On the way there, we will stop at a local alpaca farm, where you will get the opportunity to meet with some of the locals and feed some of the animals. Our first stop in the valley will be Pisac, a local village with a thriving market and beautiful ruins. The guide will give an explanation of the ruins, then you will have time to explore the ruins and the market on your own.

After Pisac, we will continue onto Urubamba, where we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will continue onto our final stop of the day, Ollantaytambo. These famous ruins were built to match the sun’s cycle, aligning the temple with the nearby mountains to track the solstices.

This temple also has quite intricate agricultural terraces, allowing you to experience some of the ancient technology that was available to the Incas. Our guide will give you an explanation of the site, after which you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own. After some time,  we will drop you off at your Hotel in Ollantaytambo Village. Where you will rest very well for the following day that will have a Short Inca Trail Adventure to Machu Picchu.

• Overnight accommodations: Hotel in Ollantaytambo Village.
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
• Entrance fee to the Inca site: Not Include

Day 2: Ollantaytambo – Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

We will pick you up from your Ollantaytambo hotel early in the morning (about 5:00am) and then We walk for 5 minutes to the the train station in Ollantaytambo and take the train to Kilometer (Km) 104, which takes about three hours. Km 104 is an unscheduled train stop so you will probably feel a twinge of satisfaction that the train is stopping especially for you – and by knowing you are about to see things that no one else will get to! At Km 104 we will get off the train and pass the Inca Trail checkpoint where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba (2,170 m / 7,170 ft).

These ruins were one of the last shelters that the Incas used before they reached Machu Picchu. This site was also used as a religious and administrative center, and features several buildings. Then, we will gradually ascend for about 2-3 hours climbing Inca stone steps while our guide points out different flora and fauna along the trail.

We will then pass a tall waterfall before arriving at the archaeological site called Wiñay Wayna at (2,650 m / 8,700 ft), which is named after an orchid and means Forever Young in Quechua. We will climb to the top of the ruins and enjoy lunch with an incredible view of Wiñay Wayna and the Sacred Valley. This large site sits on a mountainside and features experimental terraces that the Incas used to grow different crops. We will visit an important temple with 7 windows that was dedicated to the rainbow as well as observe the amazing engineering of water channels that still function today.

Once we finish our tour here, we will continue our hike for about 1 ½ hours on a part of the Inca Trail which is relatively flat, with small ascents and descents along the way. At about 5:00 pm we will reach the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft) which is called Intipunku in Quechua. This is where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu and from there we will head down to the ruins to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes you will check in to your hotel. The natural hot springs in town are an unbeatable way to spend a late afternoon/early evening if time is available before dinner. 

• Meals: Box Lunch / Dinner
• Accommodations: Hotel
• Distance to walk: 9.3 miles/15 km
• Approximate walking time: 5-6 hours

Day 3: Machu Picchu – Cusco.

After an early breakfast, we will board the bus which will take us to the most mysterious city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. As part of our itinerary the same professional guide will teach you about all the history of this mysterious and inspirational place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal Palace, Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Intihuatana sun dial. You’ll have an unforgettable experience. After the guided tour, we’ve left some free time for you to explore on your own.

If you have booked the Wayna Picchu hike, you’ll need to coordinate with our guide regarding your scheduled time to take this additional hike. For people not hiking Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, there are other optional activities you can do on your own:

Hike to the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.

Trek to the Inca Bridge: The Inca Bridge offers a dose of adrenaline and while not a strenuous trek it is death defying as the trail is very narrow with steep drops and not for people with vertigo.

Back to Cusco in the afternoon, you will return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Ollantaytambo. Upon your arrival to train station you will be transferred by car to your hotel in Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/6,691 ft
• Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/8,052 ft

Includes:

• Trek briefing with your guide
• Professional trekking guide
• Second tour guide for groups of 9 or more
• Transport and professional driver
• Tourist Bus for the Sacred Valley Tour (this will be a large group tour)
• All entrance tickets and permits for short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
• 2 Breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 Box lunch, 2 Dinner
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Village
• One night of accommodation in Ollantaytambo Village
• One night of accommodation in Aguas calientes Village
• Machu Picchu guided tour (2 hrs.) and free time for you
• Train ticket from Machu Picchu Pueblo to Ollantaytambo village (Expedition Tourist Train) Round Trip
• Cusco Journeys & Adventure uses walkie-talkies on all treks
• Oxygen tank & first aid kit
• All local taxes

Does Not Include

• Entrance fees to the sites: Sacred Valley Tourist Ticket 70 soles
• First-day breakfast, Last lunch after Machu Picchu.
• Extra porter (Extra porters available to carry up to 22 Pounds)
• Entrance to Waynapicchu Mountain (book in advance if interested due to limited spaces)
• Walking stick (we can rent if needed)
• Entrance tickets to Hot Springs
• Energy snacks, be sure to bring some such as chocolate bars and dried fruits.
• In an effort to reduce plastic waste on the trail we encourage our guests to use refillable water bottles
• ** Tips for the crew (Porters and guide)

What You Need to Take:

• Original passport to be showed in the checkpoint day 1 and Machu Picchu ruins the day 2.
• Original and valid International Student Card, if booked as a student.
• A good-quality (and small) daypack. Maximum allowed in Machu Picchu is 25 liters, but the smaller the better.
• Hiking boots (waterproof). Sneakers are acceptable but expect to get wet
• Long-sleeved shirts to prevent sunburn.
• Hiking pants.
• Hiking socks.
• At least one bottle of water. Additional bottles of water can purchase the first and second days before reaching the summit.
• 2-liter water bottle or backpacking camel.
• Hat to protect you from the sun.
• Rainwear or poncho for the rainy season (December to April). Please note that it can still rain during the dry season.
• Fleece.
• Camera with extra batteries.
• Toilet paper for the trail and small plastic bag for waste.
• Extra money for drinks and tips, souvenirs. We recommend having both soles, in addition to your home currency.
• Trail snacks (dry fruits, energy bars, etc.).
• Sunblock and insect repellent.
• Personal toiletry items.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Wet wipes.
• Toothbrush/toothpaste.
• Personal medications (if necessary).
• Optional: binoculars to watch the nearby birds.
• Optional: Personal medical kit. Disinfectant, aspirin, stomach tablets, medicine to avoid altitude sickness, etc.
• Optional: trekking poles with rubber covers. Without rubber covers, they will be of limited use.

Group Price (2022 & 2023):

A group tour means that it is open for other trekkers to join you. This means that your group will have varying hiking and fitness abilities. All our guides are experts on how to keep the trek moving and happy no matter how fast you hike.

• $595 per person

Private Tours are based on Group Size ( 2022):

Private tours are available and priced by party size.

• Two trekkers: $669
• Three trekkers: $649
• Four trekkers: $629
• Five trekkers: $609
• Six trekkers: $589
• Seven trekkers: $569
• Eight, or more Trekkers: $549

Discounts:

• Student Discount: US$20.00 Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a University Student Card our under 17-years-old, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.Please send all to info@cuscojourneys.com.

Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):

• Machu Picchu Mountain climbing:  USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance)

Upgrades:

Hotel Upgrades:

The hotel is 2-star and is based on sharing a room – either double, matrimonial, or triple. There is a single room surcharge of $30 if you are booking alone. Rooms all include private bathrooms, with hot showers and wifi. We can also upgrade your hotel if you prefer something fancier. Please remember that the service you receive in Aguas Calientes may not be comparable to that in Cusco. Below is a list of possible upgrade options, although we can usually work with most hotels in Aguas Calientes.

• Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (5 star): $580 pp shared 
• Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel (4 star): $345 pp shared 
• El Mapi (3+ stars): $85 pp shared
• Santuario Hotel (3 star): $65 pp shared

Train Upgrades:

• Vistadome train -US $65 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Need to book in advance).
• Hiram Bingham train (deluxe) -US $585 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Poroy

Rentals:

• Hiking poles – US$15.00

Inca Trail Permit Availability

Check the Calendar

Quickly see if your preferred dates are available for Inca Trail Permits for the 4, 5, & 6-day Inca Trail tours.

Hiking the Inca Trail requires a GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PERMIT obtained by a licensed Inca Trail Tour Operator—like Cusco Journeys.

The government will only release 500 permits to start the Inca Trail each day and EVERYONE needs a permit (even professional crew!) so tickets sell fast. It is imperative to book these treks 5-6 months in advance.

By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

Booking:

1. Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
2. You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
3. You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
4. The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.

Cancellations:

1. Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:

ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.

Inca Trail Tours:

1. Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
2. In extreme cases when the “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
3. Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.

Medical Information:

1. You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
2. You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
3. Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
4. Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
5. It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.

Tours and Treks:

1. All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
   You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
2. All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
3. If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
4. Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
5. Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
6. Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
7. Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
8. All tours are done in English.

Delays:

1. Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.

Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!