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for - Peru Trekking and Adventures
Peru Trekking - The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days
This trip leaves from Cusco by
train, entails a trek on the classic Inca Trail through the Machu Picchu
Sanctuary starting at a little visited section of the trail at the beginning and
ending with the spectacular flagstone trail through incredible landscapes and
mountain scenery entering Machu Picchu the way the Incas did through Inti Punku
(the door of the sun), with a guided tour of the citadel, returning to Cusco in
the afternoon on the last day.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Cusco/Qente, 2 Llulluchapampa, 3 Phuyupatamarca , 4-5 Machu Picchu /
Cusco.
Duration : 5
days / 4 nights
Fixed Departures: Every
Sunday and Wednesday
Season :
March – November
Day by day description
Day 1 CUSCO/Q’ENTE
We transfer you from the hotel
to Cusco train station ( or includes the transfer from your hotel in the Sacred
Valley to Ollanta train station) in order to take the train that brings us to
the Km 88. From here cross the small bridge over to Qente where we will camp.
A chance to visit the surrounding archaeological remains of Patallacta (also
known as Qentemarca) and in the afternoon Qente and Machu Q’ente - located
amidst Inca Terracing. (Time: 4-6 hours, Distance: 11 kms).
Day 2 Q’ENTE/LLULLUCHAPAMPA
The trail winds slowly uphill
through a small forest to reach the site of Patallacta. After a short visit we
continue up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the
Andean community of Huayllabamba. From here the trail ascends steeply to a
large pampa below the first pass, where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking
view of Mt. Huayanay. Along the trail up this narrow hanging valley we begin
to see a cloud forest that harbours the Queńua tree, a rare forest to be found
in the Andes. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa. ( Time: 6 hours. Distance:
9Kms).
Day 3 LLULLUCHAPAMPA/PHUYUPATAMARCA
The trail ascends at a typical
angle of 30 degrees towards the pass across the hillside of Puna grassland as we
leave our campsite at the edge of the tree line behind, bringing us to
Warmiwańusca pass (4,200 m. / 13,776 ft.). The trail descends to the Pacaymayo
River and then climbs slowly past Runkuraqay ruins. From here over a lower pass
to Sayacmarca, (the waiting village) A clear Inca Trail across a causeway, on a
now dry lake, past a cave, we continue our way along a ridge to finally reach
Phuyupatamarca (the town at the edge of the clouds in quechua) were we camp.
(Time:8 hrs. Distance 9 Kms)
Day 4 PHUYUPATAMARCA/MACHU
PICCHU
After continuing along a
buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstoned trail winds sharply
down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wińay Wayna located below the ridge
on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins.
After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at
Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, watching the magnificent citadel
at our feet from Intipunku, the door of the sun. Overnight at a hotel in Machu
Picchu Pueblo included. (Optional overnight at el Pueblo or Sanctuary luxury
hotel available).
Day 5 MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO
The whole day can be dedicated
to explore these extraordinary Inca remains, including a visit to Wayna Picchu,
the hill overlooking the site. The mid-afternoon train takes you back to
Cusco, transfer to your hotel, lunch and dinner on your own.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of trek to the city of
departure, two-man tents including sleeping pads, porters, kitchen crew and
commissary gear with all meals included. Bilingual guide on the trek, who will
handle the first aid kit, last night hotel at Aguas Calientes. Entrance fee to
the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Inca Trail (USD$70.00 per passenger)
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:
Meals in the cities, alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service,
additional tours, insurance and airline tickets (where applicable), sleeping
bags, hiking boots and other personal gear.)
THE INCA TRAIL TO
MACHU PICCHU
Located in the
department of Cuzco, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is Peru's most popular
trekking route and possibly one of the most spectacular walks in the Americas.
It forms part of the more than 23,000 km of roads built by the Incas across
South America. Each year, some 25,000 hikers from all over the world walk the 43
km stone-paved trail, built by the Incas to get to the impregnable citadel of
Machu Picchu, deep in the Cuzco cloud forest.
The trail sets out
from Qorihuayrachina, at Kilometer 88 of the Cuzco- Machupicchu railway, and
takes three to four days of tough hiking. The route runs through an impressive
range of altitudes, where climates and eco-systems range from the high Andean
plain down to the cloud forests. The trail climbs up through two highland passes
(the higher of the two, Warmiwańuska, lies at 4,200 masl) before reaching Machu
Picchu through the Inti Punku or Gateway of the Sun. One of the attractions of
the trail is that it winds past carved granite Inca settlements (Wińay Wayna,
Phuyupatamarca), and is surrounded by breath-taking natural scenery. The forests
abound in hundreds of species of orchids, brightly-colored birds and dream-like
landscapes, the ideal complement to this indispensable hikers' route.
Archaeological Sites
on the Inca Trail
The network of Inca
roads traces the route from Cusichaca to Machu Picchu, and to describe it
adequately we must identify and describe the pre-Hispanic remains found along
its length, from Qoriwayrachina, at Km.88, along what is known to millions of
people around the world as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Patallaqta:
This is a large archaeological complex consisting of approximately 112 rooms,
each constructed using roughly finished stone and mud-based mortar. Nearby there
is another important site known as Pulpituyoq. Continuing along the trail we
come across the sites of Tarayoq, Huayllabamba, the high pass of Warmiwańuska
(Dead Woman's Pass), Rukuraqay and Sayaqmarka
Sayaqmarka:
This important archaeological site boasts a number of chambers, shrines, canals,
water fountains and a curved section of stonework from where the beautiful
Aobamba valley can be seen stretched out below.
Q'onchamarka and
Phuyupatamarka:
Located just beyond Sayaqmarka, these two sites comprise a dozen rooms of
varying sizes built to harmonise with the sinous form the bedrock takes at the
site, and constructed from finely-wrought and well-fitted stones. The site is
also noteworthy for the channelling of the stream that runs through the area,
via a large carved rock outcrop lying in an open space, suggesting that the site
was originally a shrine associated with the worship of water. A little further
up the trail one reaches Q'antupata.
Wińaywayna:
This site consists of two sectors, a higher and a lower one. The upper sector
comprises granite constructions built from very finely finished and polished
stones, fitted together with great precision, forming what might once have been
a ceremonial site. The lower section features a series of terraces alternating
with a row of water fountains, and a number of chambers with rectangular bases
of different sizes. These buildings still retain the cylindrical stone roof
supports emerging from their walls that are known locally as "stone keys", which
would have once held up the wooden gables
Intipata:
At the end of the trail one reaches this site, located at 2,850 metres above sea
level on the slopes of Qoriwayrachina hill. Intipata is a series of agricultural
terraces with stone retaining walls held together with mud-based mortar. Of
particular interest are the stone steps that project from the terrace walls.
Called sarunas, they provided easy access to the terraces. In the higher part of
the complex stand the remains of a number of buildings of different sizes that
were probably once guard posts. In the lower section there are three more rooms
that may once have been used as storehouses for the harvest produced at the
site.
Quillapata:
Two groups of agricultural terraces and two large rectangular rooms known as "kallancas".
Chaskapata:
A small archaeological complex consisting of a small three-walled structure
approximately 5.4 metres long and 2 metres wide, located about 100 mteres from
Intipunku (the Sun Gate) along a well-made path.
Intipunku:
The "Sun Gate". This is the main entrance to Machu Picchu. Intipunku is a series
of stepped, stone platforms made from carved blocks which form an entrance way.
On the facade exist three trapezoidal niches, and there are four niches on the
north wall and two more on the southern wall.
Things to bring
Official Papers:
Valid passport, International Student Identity Card ISIC (if you are a student)
Luggage:
Large duffel bag, Daypack, 2000-2500 cu. in. to carry your camera, water
bottles, sweater, etc.
Sleeping bag:
minimum -5°C
Clothing:
Midweight fleece or wool sweater, fleece pants or tights, midweight thermal
underwear tops and bottom, synthetic or wool, hiking pants, hiking shorts,
long-sleeve shirts, T-shirts, underwear and casual socks, hiking socks, liner
socks, swimsuit, sun hat, bandana, wool or fleece gloves, rain poncho.
Footwear:
Sturdy hiking boots, sandals for use in town or campsites
Trekking
accessories:
2 one-quart water bottle(s) or hydration system, flashlight, pocket knife or
multi-tool, 1 roll of toilet paper, sunglasses and retainer strap, sun block and
lip balm, toiletry kit, personal first-aid kit (personal medication), insect
repellent, several Ziploc plastic bags to put all your clothing and accessories
Optional Field Gear:
Camera, film and spare batteries, reading and writing materials, binoculars.
Important:
Before you travel please check your Tour Voucher and Arrival
Information for the latest joining instructions. This will be sent to you
upon receipt of final payment.
All itineraries are
subject to change without prior notice.
Prices
for - Peru Trekking and Adventures
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