Inca Trail slow versión 5D/4N

Cusco, Perú

Overview

Hike and Enjoy The Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu 5-day, 4-night with Qoricancha Expeditions, this option offers a more leisurely and less physically demanding pace compared to the classic 4-day trek. This option is ideal for travelers who prefer a slower, more relaxed trekking experience, including families with children or older hikers.

Why Travel with Qoricancha Expeditions?

Expertise and Excellence: Qoricancha Expeditions is renowned for its commitment to excellence in guiding and customer service. With their experienced team, you're in the hands of professionals who will ensure a memorable and hassle-free experience.
Cultural Immersion: Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Peru. Qoricancha Expeditions provides expert guides who will share their deep knowledge of the region, offering insights into the ancient Inca civilization and local traditions.
Small Group Advantage: Smaller tour group sizes allow for a more intimate experience, increased interaction with guides, and the opportunity to form connections with fellow travelers.
Memories for a Lifetime: Traveling with Qoricancha Expeditions guarantees not only an unforgettable adventure but also memories that will stay with you forever. It's a journey that promises to leave you with a profound appreciation for the wonders of Peru.

Weather: Cusco has 2 big different season, dry season from mid April to October with sunny days and mostly recommended months to do any kind of hike or tours to Machu picchu, during this period we have blue sky and allows us to enjoy the best views. The wet season are from November to April, the beggining months, there is les rain or some years not, from January to March is mostly rains a lot. – for these season you must bring good rain gear.

What ou need to take for this tour:

Original Passport.
Small day pack,.
Insect repellent ( Machu picchu is located at cloud forest area)
Sun hat. sun screen.
Rain gear just in case for any month of the year.
Camara.
Wáter
Snack.
Trekking cloth
Hiking shoes.

Travel and enjoy the best of slow version of the Inca Trail hike to Machu picchu. Its a top choice for many travelers, discover dreamy destination!

Included

Briefing the night before of the tour at 6pm
Experienced english speaking tour guide
Expeditions tourist class train
Lunch on day 1, 3 Lunch, 3dinner, 4 breakfast, snack on the trail
Bus ticket Machu picchu Aguas Calientes.
Inca Trail and Machu picchu entry fee
Oxigen tang and first aid kid
Extra porter included, for that we provide you a duffle bag.
We honor any food restriction, just le tus know at booking time.

Excluded

Hotel before and after the tour.
Gratitudes: for the porters and guide
Insurance: Advisable but not mandatory.
Rentals: for the Inca Trail you need sleeping bag (mandatory), airt matts and trekking poles (optional).
Huyana Picchu, its $75 each and is optional

Itinerary

Day 1: Start the Classic Inca Trail Trek to Machu picchu.

The adventure begins! your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5 am. From there, you'll embark on a roughly 3-hour drive to km 82, the starting point of the hike. Here, your trekking chef will prepare a delicious breakfast to kick off the day's adventure.

After enjoying your breakfast, your guide will introduce you to the team of porters and chefs who will accompany you on the trail. They will ensure that everyone on the trek feels like a close-knit family and provide you with an amazing experience. You will hand over your duffle bag to the porters, allowing you to hike with just your daypack.

Before setting off, it's crucial to have your original passport on hand, as rangers at the checkpoint will verify all personal information. Once you've cleared the checkpoint, you'll officially begin your journey along the royal path of the Inca Trail. During the hike, your guide will point out various points of interest, including flora, fauna, and Inca sites, providing you with informative explanations about each one. The pace will be slow and steady, allowing for breaks for snacks, photos, and exploration.

Lunch will be served around midday, providing you with nourishment to continue your journey. After lunch, you'll receive additional water for your water bottles, ensuring you stay hydrated throughout the day. The final destination for the day is the Huayllabamba campsite, situated at an elevation of 3350m, the same as Cusco city. Once you arrive at the campsite, the trekking team will set up your tent, and they will provide you with warm water in a small container for washing your hands and feet, along with a small towel and soap. Afterward, you can enjoy tea time, and dinner is typically served around 7:30 pm. It's a full day of adventure and immersion in the stunning surroundings of the Inca Trail.

Acomodation. Camping
Tickets: Included
Meals: breakfast – lunch - dinner

Day 3: Hike the challenge day of the Inca Trail.

After a good night's rest in your tent, your day will begin with a hot cup of coca tea at 6:00 am. You'll have some time to pack your daypack and duffle bag, ensuring you have everything you need for the day ahead. Breakfast will be served, and you'll receive snacks and water to keep you energized.

By 7:30 am, you'll start your hike. The path will take you uphill, but it won't involve any climbing. You'll traverse a beautiful valley where you'll have the chance to see some of the oldest trees in the region, including Queñas and uncas, which are typical of this ecosystem. The highland forest will surround you, creating a unique and picturesque environment.

After approximately 4 hours of hiking, you'll reach Llulluchapampa. Here, your chef will be ready to serve you a delicious lunch. Following lunch, you'll still have about 2 hours of uphill hiking ahead of you until you reach the highest point of the day, Dead Women’s Pass, which stands at an elevation of 4200m. At this point, you'll have the opportunity to capture some of the most breathtaking views, offering panoramic vistas on both sides of the pass.

After soaking in the scenery and enjoying your time at Dead Women’s Pass, you'll continue your hike. This time, the path leads downhill until you reach the Pacaymayu Alto campsite, situated at an elevation of 3650m. Upon your arrival at the campsite, your tent will be ready and waiting for you. You'll then have a happy hour with hot drinks and dinner will be served at around 7 pm. Given the day's exertions, you'll likely find yourself retiring to bed early, It's a full day of hiking and immersion in the stunning natural beauty of the Inca Trail.

Accomodation. Camping
Tickets. Include
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – dinner

Day 4: The Amazng day of Inca Trail (Cloud forest área)

The Inca Trail is a journey through various ecosystems, and this day is particularly special due to the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Orchids are abundant in this region, with approximately 135 different types of orchids around Machu Picchu, and you'll have the chance to see many of them. Where there are flowers, there are also hummingbirds and other colorful birds.

Your day will start with an early breakfast, and then you'll begin your hike. The first section of the trail involves a 2-hour ascent. At the halfway point, you'll encounter Runcuracay, a small Inca site that you'll explore with the guidance of your tour guide. From there, it's about an hour to reach the summit, which is the second-highest point of the entire hike.

Following the summit, you'll descend for approximately 1.5 hours and arrive at Sayacmarka, an Inca site known for its stunning beauty. After exploring Sayacmarka, you'll continue your journey through the jungle, surrounded by lush trees and foliage. As you enter the cloud forest zone, you'll notice a change in scenery and feel the warmer weather. Be prepared for the presence of mosquitoes in this area.

Lunch will be served at Chaquicocha, a picturesque spot with breathtaking views. After your meal, you'll have about 2 more hours of hiking ahead of you until you reach Phuyupatamarka, where you'll spend the night. This location is considered one of the best camping spots along the Inca Trail, offering unique and unforgettable views of the surrounding landscape. It's a day filled with natural beauty and exploration of Inca history.

Accomodation. Camping
Tickets. Include
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – dinner

Day 05: Phuyupatamarca, Intipata , Wiñayhuayna, Sungate- Machu Picchu

This day promises to be an unforgettable one, with numerous Inca sites to explore along the way. As you continue your journey, you'll come across beautiful Inca sites like Phuyupatamarka, which is a fascinating archaeological site in itself. The trail will lead you down a series of stairs, eventually reaching the Intipata Inca site. This site offers breathtaking views of the valley below, adding to the scenic beauty of your hike.

Afterwards, you'll have about 30 more minutes of hiking to reach the Wiñayhuayna campsite. Here, your trekking chef will prepare your final lunch, marking the end of your journey with the dedicated cooking team. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the Wiñayhuayna Inca site, which is considered one of the most stunning Inca sites on the Inca Trail. Its beauty and historical significance make it a must-see.

Following your lunch and farewells to the chef and porters(you can give the tips for them), you'll continue your hike towards the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). This is about an hour's walk. When you reach the Sun Gate, you'll be rewarded with your first view of Machu Picchu, offering a glimpse of its majesty in the distance.

From the Sun Gate, you'll proceed with the final stretch of the trail, eventually arriving at the upper part of the Machu Picchu citadel. This vantage point provides the most iconic views of Machu Picchu, often featured in postcards and travel books. You'll have ample time to savor the moment, take photographs, and capture the breathtaking beauty of this ancient wonder.

Finally, you'll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes town, where you'll spend the night in a hotel, reflecting on the incredible journey you've just completed.

Accomodation. Hotel in Aguas Calientes ***
Tickets. Include
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – dinner

Day 05: Machu Picchu Citadel and back to Cusco.

Your final day on the Inca Trail will be the culmination of an incredible journey. After an early breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, your guide will escort you to the bus station. From there, you'll catch one of the early buses to Machu Picchu, allowing you to make the most of your visit to this iconic citadel.

Once inside Machu Picchu, your guided walking tour will begin. Your guide will take you through the most significant areas of the citadel, revealing its mysteries and explaining the history and significance of each site. You'll explore different temples, intricate water channels, and well-preserved paths, gaining a deep understanding of the sacred city of Machu Picchu.

If you have tickets for Huayna Picchu mountain, your guide will ensure that you're well-prepared for this additional climb. Huayna Picchu offers breathtaking views and is a remarkable experience, but it's also challenging, so proper planning is essential. its cost $75 each and needs to book in advance, as there are limited spots available each day.

After completing your tour of Machu Picchu and, if applicable, your climb of Huayna Picchu, you'll say farewell to this ancient wonder and take a bus back to Aguas Calientes town. Here, you'll enjoy your last lunch with your trekking team (lunch cost not included).

In the afternoon, you'll board the train, typically departing around 3 pm from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Our driver will be waiting for you at the train station to safely transfer you back to Cusco, returning you to your hotel. The approximate arrival time in Cusco is around 7:30 pm.

This marks the end of your incredible Inca Trail journey, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the trek and the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu.

Accomodation. hotel book on your own in Cusco
Tickets. Include
Meals: only breakfast at hotel.