Inca Trail 3D/2N to Machupicchu with a sunset experience in Machupicchu on our 1st day “with few people." Our Inca Trail 3 days adventure includes the important Inca site of the famous Inca Trail, Wiñayhuayna “For Ever Young." Midday we are going to arrive at The Sun Gate, and in the afternoon a beautiful sunset Machupicchu 1st explore time “with few people." The next day we are going to enjoy a guided tour in Machupicchu, and optionally at night enjoy the hot springs in Machupicchu. On our 3rd day, full of energy, we climb the Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain, later train and transfer back to Cusco.
At 4:00 a.m., your guide with our van will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco City and immediately transfer you to the Ollantaytambo train station.
(Train leaves at 6:10 a.m.) You will travel through the Inka´s Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo Train Station.
The Expedition train ride consists of spectacular views in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a little over an hour to KM 104, also known as "Chachabamba.”.
At 7:20 a.m., at the “INRENA” Machupicchu checkpoint“, where we need to show our original passport, right now we are going to start the half-day Inca Trail until Machupicchu. On our way, we are going to visit the Wiñayhuayna “For Ever Young” archaeological site and the Famous Sun Gate. From this place we can have a first view of Machupicchu.
By late afternoon, enjoy sunset and take the great picture when Machu Picchu is empty.
At 17:30, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes.
We´ll start our second day with breakfast at 5:00 am at our hotel and then head out to the bus station in Aguas Calientes to take a bus up to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is at an altitude of about 2400 meters. We´ll have a guided tour of Machu Picchu that will last about 2 hours, you can take one of the buses back to Aguas Calientes. and afterwards you´ll have time to roam around the Aguas Calientes on your own to soak up the magical atmosphere. Have the rest of the day to yourself to wander, buy souvenirs, or visit the local hot springs, which have an entrance fee of 10 Peruvian Nuevos Soles.
Day 3 | Inca Trail
Today we´ll start with a breakfast at the hotel before we head back to Machu Picchu. We´ll take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Depending on your entrance time for Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain, you can walk around for a while before entering, but they are very strict about the entrance times, so make sure to be on time! You will need to show your entrance ticket for Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain and your passport. If you had a student discount when you booked.
It should take about 45 minutes to get to the top, and once there, you can rest from the strenuous and daunting climb up the mountain as well as enjoy the wonderful view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains and valley. After climbing back down to Machu Picchu, you can roam around Machu Picchu again, or you can go back to Aguas Calientes right away. You can take a bus down to Aguas Calientes and from there, depending on your train schedule, take your Expedition train to Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, you will be picked up and driven back to Cusco.
Note: The timetable for the trains may change according to the train company´s availability. There will also be changes to your itinerary and price if you decide to change your departure time or upgrade to the Vistadome Train. If you booked later than most of your group for your Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, you may not be in the same train as the rest of the group.
YES. To protect the historical trail of the Inkas, the number of people allowed to hike the Inca Trail each day is limited to 250. That is why you should reserve your space as soon as possible. Spaces can be filled up three to six months in advance. Spaces fill more quickly in the high tourist season, from May to September.
We highly recommend doing your trekking to the Machupicchu or Huaynapicchu Mountains in order to have the most stunning views of the archaeological place (Machupicchu).
Huayna Picchu is one of the mountains that stands next to Machu Picchu and has amazing views from above. This hike is done after your tour with us and takes 45 minutes to reach the top and 45 minutes to come back down. Great opportunity to take lots of photos because of the incredible views.
The Huayna Picchu Mountain is the one that you will see just behind Machu Picchu on any postcard; the Inca paths hidden alongside the mountain may frighten those who have a fear of heights.
For those of you who struggle with heights, you may need to know that you will be steps away from hundred-foot plummets into an abyss, and in some places the path can be very steep and narrow.
There are times when you need to use security cables to support yourself; it is a challenge for anyone. If you suffer from vertigo or you have a hard time controlling your fear of heights, we would recommend taking a different route. You will have to place reservations 6 months before if you would like one of the 400 available tickets to go up to the Huayna Picchu Mountain.
Machu Picchu Mountain is an unforgettable and lesser-known hike above the Machu Picchu with a stunning panoramic view of the valley. Reaching the archaeological place, which is only one part of the Machu Picchu experience,.
The other one is climbing the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain at 3,050 meters above sea level for dramatic views of the place and lush mountains separated by deep valleys and the Urubamba River.
As spectacular as seeing Machu Picchu is, the lost Inca city tells us just little things if you don’t see them in perspective with the surrounding mountains. It is when you can appreciate the enormous effort of Inca engineers to build their cities 2,430 meters above sea level without using any metal tools or wheels. Why the city was initially built still remains a mystery.
We recommend that our guests spend at least 2 nights in Cusco prior to departure. This helps with acclimatization to the altitude and also provides an opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Cusco.
Travelers can feel the effects of higher altitudes as low as 6000 feet (2000 meters) above sea level. They differ in their tolerance for high altitude conditions and how their bodies react to the changes in air pressure and oxygen level. Therefore, we encourage our guests to undergo appropriate preparation by regular cardio-vascular exercise, even if conducted at low elevation, and to adopt a healthy, balanced diet prior to the trip.
Without at least some pre-trip training or a good basic level of fitness, trekking is hard work. Let’s be honest—it’s very hard work. Anyhow,anyway the price for a great trek is paid in sweat. Sore calves and aching quads are badges of honor, with blisters and lost toenails marks of pride.
But in return, you get some of the most untouched, pristine, and jaw-dropping scenery on the planet. And you know what? The more you train for your epic hike, the easier it’ll be. And you don’t have to be an Iron Woman/Man to climb the Andean Mountains or reach the top of Machupicchu. Apart from it. Trekking is available to anyone; you just have to be sensible and work a bit for it. There you have some of our top tips for your upcoming trek:
This may seem like the most obvious step to start with (pardon the pun), but you’d be surprised how many people don’t do it. The best way to prepare for a really long walk? Do some really long walks. You should start with small-ish distances and work up to the length that you will be trekking on your trip.
When you start your training, leave a day in between each walk to let your body recover. But as your body gets fitter, try to do back-to-back sessions each day; it’ll help you build your stamina for the relentless nature of a ten-day trek, where you won’t have the luxury of rest days. Ideally, you want to be able to walk 4-6 hours comfortably before you leave.
As well as doing long walks, you should also work some leg-based cardio into your daily routine. Cycling is awesome for building up muscle in your legs, but soccer, football, squash, and swimming are all great too. If you’re more into gym workouts, mix up your spin classes or cycling bursts with squats and lunges (the more weight, the better).
Stair climbing is also a good one for building up calves and quads, so take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator when you’re at work or the train station.
4. Make sure you’re walking properly.
You’ve been doing it since you were around one year old, but it’s super important to monitor how you’re walking and if you’re doing it correctly. Make sure you’re hitting the ground with your heel first, then rolling onto your toe, which propels you onto the next step (this will help reduce the risk of shin splints and tendon pulls—ouch). Walk with your head up, eyes forward, and shoulders level.
When you’re on your trek, it’s unlikely you’ll be walking on level footpaths and roads, so avoid training solely on level footpaths and roads. Instead, try to train on surfaces that will be similar to the trails on the trek. If you’re heading to Everest or Kili, aim to train on steep, rocky terrain and loose shale; if it’s Kokoda, try to find muddy paths. It’s really important you prepare your feet, ankles, and knees for the stress they’ll experience on the trip.
It’s also unlikely you’ll get ten straight days of perfect weather on your trek, so prepare yourself for all conditions by walking in cold, windy, rainy, warm, and humid conditions (where possible, of course!).
7. Try using walking poles.
When you’re navigating Kili’s gravel trails or lumbering down Dead Woman’s Pass on the Inca Trail, walking poles will become your two new best friends. They take the pressure off your knees on the downs and give you extra support on the ups. Incorporate poles into your training sessions so you get used to walking with them.
On almost all of our trekking trips, you won’t be carrying your main pack, but you will need to carry a small daypack, packed with essentials like your camera, snacks, sunscreen, water, and wet-weather gear. So with all your days/weeks/months of training, make sure you’re challenging yourself with a weighted bag. If you really want to push it, pack your bag with a few extras, so it’s a little heavier than what you’re planning to hike with on the trip—it'll make the eventual trek feel like a walk in the park (chortle).
It’s SO important you’re stocked with enough water and food during a trek (hydration is key!). Nuts, dried fruit, muesli bars, and chocolate are all good, quick sources of energy and protein; keep a selection of these healthy snacks in your daypack. Also, bring along a reusable canteen; alpine streams are usually a great source of fresh water, but our guides provide boiled (and cooled) water daily throughout your trek. While you’re in training mode, try to eat and drink ‘on the go’ as much as you can, so your body can get used to digesting during strenuous exercise.
Your feet are the most crucial part of your body on this trek, and it doesn’t take much to keep them in toe-tappingly tip-top shape. First, invest in a pair of good-quality, water-resistant hiking boots; you want plenty of support and ventilation too. Then, wear them in. How do you do this? Wear them everywhere. On your training runs, on walks to the shops, to work, to formal events (well, maybe not). You get the idea though; by wearing them in as much as possible in the weeks and months leading up to the trek, it’ll help avoid blisters, bunions, and lost toenails. Then, stock up on a few pairs of really good hiking socks (preferably a wool/nylon blend) that will wick moisture and keep your feet dry. If you want to get a bit crazy, wear two pairs while walking to minimize your chance of blisters.
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Anastasia E
December 12, 2024
We did the 4D, 3 nights Inca Trail with Jorge the first week of December 2024. The tour was incredible with beautiful views along the way and of course a worthwhile final destination. The Inca Trail team was great and our guide was very knowledgeable the only thing to note was that we wish that the guide matched our walking pace more. We were happy with the equipment borrowed/rented that were in fair condition. Food was overall very tasty and varied but the portions were a bit small for some. Very value for money, would recommend.
Thomas M
December 10, 2024
Tout était très sympa ! grâce à Javier, le voyage a été différent avec lui. Je recommande extrêmement cette entreprise et vous avez également la chance de choisir Javier comme guide !
GoPlaces708610
December 9, 2024
Io e la mia compagna abbiamo fatto un trekking di 2 giorni per visitare Machu Picchu. Lo abbiamo fatto durante la stagione delle piogge, quindi ci siamo dovuti equipaggiare di conseguenza, perché abbiamo avuto pioggia per quasi tutte le 6 ore di camminata. Il percorso è stato eccezionale, una bellezza mozzafiato. La nostra guida, Henrry, ci ha accompagnato durante la camminata, raccontandoci la storia dell'impero Tahuantinsuyo e spiegandocela perfettamente e con passione. Ne siamo rimasti davvero colpiti. A causa del cattivo tempo, il primo giorno non siamo riusciti a vedere tutto il sito, ma grazie al suo impegno è riuscito a farci recuperare il giorno successivo! Esperienza davvero raccomandata: la camminata è intensa e la pioggia rende tutto più complicato, ma ne vale davvero la pena.
Ruben S
December 7, 2024
I recently completed the 4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, and it was an absolutely flawless experience from start to finish. The communication with the company ITEP beforehand was outstanding—every question was answered promptly and clearly, which gave me a lot of confidence heading into the adventure. My guide Jorge Calderón was exceptional. He was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also extremely attentive to needs and individual pace. He tailored the experience to match my abilities, ensuring I felt comfortable and supported throughout. His explanations about the landscapes, history, and culture were fascinating, and he always had answers to my questions, no matter how detailed or specific. The entire trek felt incredibly safe, and I always knew what to expect thanks to the Jorge’s clear instructions and thorough preparation. The route itself was breathtaking, and every day brought new highlights—whether it was the stunning views of the Salkantay Pass, the lush cloud forest, or the incredible final approach to Machu Picchu. Even the occurring rain couldn't diminish that. These four days were incredible, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. If you’re considering this trek, I highly recommend it—you won’t be disappointed!
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