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If you have ever thought about visiting the incredible site of Machu Picchu in your future travels and want to go there via the well-known ‘Classic’ Inca Trail, here is our advice based on what is happening so far in 2014.
First step, BOOK EARLY! Especially for the busy months of April-June. These 3 months are already sold out for 2014. Some of the dates sold out when they first went on sale on the 9th January this year. There are only 500 permits available for the Classic Inca Trail per day and this is to cover not just tourists but the trekking staff as well. If you consider that for a group of say, 14 tourists, there is probably about 20 trekking staff (if not more), that’s 34 permits gone already for just 1 group!
We include the cost of getting to Machu Picchu in all our Regional Explorer and Overland Adventures that visit Peru. Our first aim is to purchase the Classic Inca Trail permits for our clients, unless they have indicated that they would prefer an alternative option at the time of booking. If the Classic Inca Trail permits are sold out when you book your trip with us, then we will offer an alternative trek or the train package option at no extra cost.
Here is some information about the alternatives:
Lares Inca Trail
Day 1: Cusco (3,350m) – Lares (3,100m) – Quishuarani (3,700m)
Early morning rise. Our guide will pick you up from your hotel and we drive through the Sacred Valley turning off at the town of Calca to head to Lares village – the drive takes around 3 hours. Once we arrive into the town we go up to the Hot Springs where we can relax and enjoy these beautiful outdoor hot springs. Lunch is provided here. Our bus awaits us during this time and we then continue our journey for around 20mins to the start of the trail known as PASCANA. From here we start our hike to Quishaurani. Here we meet up with our horseman and pack the horses. The trek will take us around 2.5hrs. When we arrive our campsite would have been set up for us. In the free time that we have we can meet some of the locals “campesinos” and see some weaving techniques.This is a lovely day filled with great landscapes and the opportunity to visit several Andean villages. (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Quishuarani – Cancha Cancha (3,800m)
This morning we depart early as this is going to be our longest day on the trail. We will hike approx. 7 hours today with a midday lunch break. We start our ascent to the highest point of the trek, Pachacutec Pass (4,450m). From the pass you will be rewarded with superb views of Pachacutec Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon. The path then continues down hill for about 2.5hrs to the village of Cancha Cancha where we have our campsite waiting for us. Today you have a chance to see an abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day3: Cancha Cancha – Huaran (2,800m) – Ollantaytambo (2,700m) – Aguas Calientes
After a delicious breakfast we start our easy hike today. We will walk down hill for approx. 5 hours hiking to the village of Huaran. From there we take local transport to the town of Ollantaytambo – a beautiful well preserved Andean town. Depending on your train time, you will have some time to explore before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Machu Picchu! – Cusco
A very early start after breakfast in order that we can arrive in time for sunrise at Machu Picchu. We take the first bus up at 5.30am. There will be a 2 hour fully guided tour around the ruins, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have free time to wander around and explore by yourself. In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco, where you will be transferred back to your hotel. (Breakfast)
Salkantay Inca Trail
Day 1: Cusco (3,350m) – Mollepata (2,909m) – Soraypampa (4,000m) – Colcapampa (3,200m)
An early rise at around 4.30am! We drive from Cusco by private bus for approximately 4 hours to Mollepata and then up to Soraypampa from where our trek begins. Here we meet up with our wranglers and their horses that will carry our equipment during the trek.We start our climb ascending the mountains until we reach the high pass at 4,800m near the magnificent glacier peaks of Salkantay (6,271m) and Humantay (6,100m) the second highest peak in the Cusco area. After admiring the beautiful landscape, we begin our descent to Wayracmachay (3,800m) where we have our lunch and a good rest. After lunch we continue walking until our campsite at Colcapampa – along the way we find some species of orchids and different kinds of plants, and some cornfields and fruit fields. (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Colcapampa – Playa (2,200m)
An early rise at around 6.45am to take our breakfast and continue on our way! Today we head for Lluscamayu where we will take our lunch. We will today again experience a variety of fauna and flora entering into a micro climate zone. We arrive at Playa, a small village, with wonderful hot springs where we will camp tonight.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Playa- Santa Theresa (2,200m) – Aguas Caliente (1,900m)
We have an early breakfast and take a small truck to Santa Teresa town. The truck journey is approx. 45 minutes to the Hydro-Electric Station. We then continue on our journey towards the town of Aguas Calientes traversing at the bottom of the valley for approximately 3 hours until we reach the town and go to our hostal where we will take our lunch and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
NOTE: IF YOU DONT WANT TO WALK THEN YOU CAN TAKE THE TRAIN FROM HYDROELECTRICA, BUT IT ONLY LEAVES IN THE LATE AFTERNOONS SO ITS A LONG WAIT!
Day 4: Aguas Caliente- Machu Picchu- Cusco
It is an early start to Machu Picchu to see the sunrise over this magnificent ancient city! We take the first bus up to the ruins of Machu Picchu and have a fully guided tour of around 2 hours. After the tour you have plenty of time to explore the citadel on your own.. Afterwards it is optional as to whether you walk down to the town of Aguas Calientes or take the bus back (not included in the tour price). Lunch can be taken in Aguas Calientes (not included in tour price). In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco / Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo we transfer you back to Cusco in Private Transportation leaving you in your hotel. (Breakfast)
The Train Package
Day 1 and 2: Cusco
Whilst your fellow travellers have an early rise to set off on their 4 day/3 night treks, you get to sleep in and then spend the next 2 days exploring Cusco and the surrounding area. Perhaps you might be interested in a Sacred Valley Tour or spending some time in the local San Pedro market and the Plaza de Armas, people watching and souvenir shopping!
Day 3: Cusco- Aguas Caliente
Catch the train from Cusco to Aguas Caliente, a small village just below Machu Picchu and spend the night in a small locally owned hotel.
Day 4: Aguas Caliente- Machu Picchu-Cusco
It is an early start to Machu Picchu to see the sunrise over this magnificent ancient city! We take the first bus up to the ruins of Machu Picchu and have a fully guided tour of around 2 hours. After the tour you have plenty of time to explore the citadel on your own.. Afterwards it is optional as to whether you walk down to the town of Aguas Calientes or take the bus back (not included in the tour price). Lunch can be taken in Aguas Calientes (not included in tour price). In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco / Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo we transfer you back to Cusco in Private Transportation leaving you in your hotel. (Breakfast)
We offer a range of tours that give you the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu, starting from our 12 day Incas & Amazon to our NEW 46 day Peru, Bolivia & Brazil Explorer options (both Regional Explorers). If you would prefer to travel ‘Overland’ style in one of our purpose built expedition trucks, then we have options from 35 days to 29 weeks.
If you are interested in one of our tours in South America, please contact us via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone on +44 (0)1963 363400.