Trip Details
Inca Trail 5-Days Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – KM 82 (PISKACUCHO) – PATALLACTA
Bright and early at 7:00am we will be at your hotel to drive in our van to Ollantaytambo passing by the picturesque villages of Chinchero and Urubamba. From there we continue towards Km 82, where we start walking for 3 hours toward Patallacta (2,650m/8,747ft) Here we stop for lunch and set up our first camp. In the afternoon, we explore the amazing archeological site of Patallacta enjoying all the ancient buildings and surrounding snow-capped mountains.
- Meals included: Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities with comfortable tents.. All set up by our super team!
- Distance: 6kms/3.7 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
DAY 2: PATALLACTA – WAYLLABAMBA – LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Your guide will wake you up at 6:30am with a hot mug of tea or coffee to enjoy in your sleeping bag before you get up for breakfast. After a delicious and hearty breakfast, we start trekking through the Kusichaca Valley enjoying a myriad of flora and fauna, arriving at Wayllabamba for lunch. Later we walk up a moderate hill for the next 4 hours through the Llullucha Valley to reach our second camp at Llulluchapampa (3,800m/12,537ft). Hot drinks and appetizers will be ready when you arrive and tents will be set up so you can settle in before dinner.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities with comfortable tents.
- Distance: 11kms/6.8 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 3: LLULLUCHAPAMPA – PAQAYMAYU – CH’AQICOCHA – PHUYUPATAMARCA
Today is the most beautifu and longest day of the trek. After a delicious breakfast, we walk uphill for two hours to reach the highest point: the Warmiwañusca Pass or Dead Woman Pass, located at 4,215m/13,907ft. From here, enjoy the spectacular views of different microclimates, magnificent mountains, beautiful green valleys and a myriad of flora and fauna. Trek the next two hours to Pacaymayu for lunch. After we have had our fill ascend towards the archeological site of Runcurakay (3,800m/12,540ft) to explore, before continuing to walk to the second Runcurakay pass (3,977m/13,127ft). Enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and stunning lakes. Continuing our journey, descend for one hour to the next archeological site of Sayacmarca (3,600m/11,877ft). Finally, we walk for two more hours to our third campsite at Phuyupatamarca (3,650m/12,047ft). Walking through the Peruvian rainforest, we can enjoy the spectacular views of Machu Picchu Mountain and the stunning Inca Citadel, the Urubamba Canyon and the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities with comfortable tents.
- Distance: 15kms/9.3 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate/challenge
DAY 4: PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAY WAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES
Today you will see the best the Inca Trail has to offer! After breakfast walk down stairs towards the archeological site of Intipata, tour, then down to Wiñay Wayna (2,650m/8,747ft) for lunch. Later we will visit the stunning Inca site of Wiñay Wayna, before continuing for one hour to the SUN GATE (2,720m/8,977ft), here enjoy the first spectacular view of Machu Picchu stretched out below. Trek down for another hour to the Guard House where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. Finally we take our bus to Aguas Calientes where we spend the night in a hotel.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
- 3* Accommodation: Hotel Ferre´ Machu Picchu
- Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel.
When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on the train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.
The Expedition Train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:30pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station and travel back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. Expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel
Difficulty: Enjoyable
***IMPORTANT:
- On the 5 day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 or #4 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu.
- You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
- Early trains can be organized by request and it has to be done at the time of Booking.
- The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and must be requested at booking time.
WHAT’S INCLUDED ?
Included
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel
- Pick up at your hotel
- Private transport from Cusco to Piscacucho (start of the trek)
- 7 kgs of your personal items extra clothes, sleeping bag to be carried by the porters, just carry your daypack
- 4 person Igloo tents (large and comfortable) for each 2 trekkers
- Foam mattresses and camping pillows
- English speaking professional guide experienced in mountains and archeology
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food with prior request)
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
- Porter to carry tents, food, cooking equipment
- Hot water for washing purposes
- Boiled water to fill in your bottles after each meal
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs
- Chef, cooking equipment
- Expedition Tourist Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and private transport to Cusco
- Permit for the Inca Trail
- Entrance to Machu Picchu Inca Citadel
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- 3 bus tickets from Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
Not included
- Huayna Picchu: $75 USD per person- Please let us know at the time of booking.
- First breakfast and Last lunch – We will stop at Ollantaytambo for the first breakfast and have the last lunch at Aguas Calientes after the tour of Machu Picchu.
- VISTADOME Train: $67 USD per person extra. (Return Only)
*** Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters SAM TRAVEL PERU – Our staff receives a fair wage immediately after their trip has ended, tips are optional but greatly appreciated by them.
EXTRAS
- Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
- Air Mattress –$20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
- Walking Poles –$15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
- Personal tent- $30 USD – (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Additional Night in Aguas Calientes – From $60 USD (depending on availability)
- Vistadome Train Upgrade -$67 USD per person (RETURN ONLY)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain -$75 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Single supplement -$40 USD per night (for solo travellers with single room)
***Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
Prices & Availability
The Inca Trail Tour 5 day is available on any date that is best suited to you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers and Inca Trail permits are available!
PRICE – Group Service
- $947 USD per person Personal porter included!
***This price includes the extra porter who will carry your belongings up to 7kgs, we provide you a duffel bag, where you can put your things.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.
PRICES – Private Service
- 2 hikers: $1227 USD per person
- 3 – 4 hikers: $1077 USD per person
- 5 – 6 hikers: $997 USD per person
- 7 – 8 hikers: $877 USD per person
DISCOUNTS
- 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
- Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: $40 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
CHECK YOUR INCA TRAIL TOUR 5 DAYS AVAILABILITY BY CLICKING ON THE DROPBOX AND CHOOSING YOUR MONTH & YEAR
Act quickly — spots sell out fast!
EXTRAS
- Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
- Air Mattress – $20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
- Walking Poles –$15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
- Personal tent- $30 USD – (tent for solo trekker only)
- Additional Night in Aguas Calientes – From $60 USD (depending on availability)
- Vistadome Train Upgrade -$67 USD per person (For the return to Cusco at 4:43pm)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain -$75 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Single supplement -$40 USD per night (for solo travellers with single room)
***Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
ADDED VALUE WITH SAM TRAVEL PERU
- EXTRA PORTER: you will receive a small duffel bag at your trek briefing held the evening before you start the trek to pack your clothes and sleeping bag for 3-4 days
- BOILED WATER – for drinking included along the Inca Trail
- SMALL GROUPS – average group 4 to 6 with a maximum of 8 hikers
- FLUENT ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE
- DUFFEL BAG – for your belongings
- FOAM MATTRESS AND CAMPING PILLOW
WHAT IF THE INCA TRAIL IS SOLD OUT
FOR YOUR DESIRED DATES?
If permits are sold out for the Inca Trail Tour 5 day on your preferred date, you have so many options that will still allow you to trek and enjoy the Andes on the way to MACHU PICCHU! Alternative treks are just as beautiful as the Inca Trail Tour 5 day. They are less crowded because we take you OFF the beaten track in the Andes and we make sure you don’t miss anything on your trek to MACHU PICCHU.
*Sam Travel Peru requires only 2 participants minimum for our departures! You can choose any day that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 trekkers.
*If you are a solo traveller and are flexible with your start date, we will make sure you have a group to travel with and you won’t miss out on any of the fun.
ALTERNATIVE TREK OPTIONS:
- Lares trek to Machu Picchu 4 days
- salkantay trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu 3 days
- Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 8 days
Note: We will buy your Inca Trail Tour 5 day permit using the names and passport numbers that you send us with your trek booking application (they must to complete and accurate). If the name or number on your passport does not match the name and number on the trek permit, the government authorities will not allow you to start the trek and you will not be entitled to a refund.
You must bring the same passport with you to Cusco and take it with you on the Inca Trail.
WHY CHOOSE SAM TRAVEL?
SAM Travel Peru is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM Travel Peru is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are so proud of our team! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
SAM Travel Peru knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISORfor yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Salkantay/Inka Trail ! July 14th to 20th 2016Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley.
SMALL GROUPS
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM Travel Peru we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
OUR TOUR GUIDES
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
OUR SUPER COOL PORTERS
Trekking with SAM Travel Peru is a life changing experience with a fully portered trek, where your comfort and enjoyment are our first priority. We make sure that you get the best experience for your holiday in Peru, while you interact with the locals, explore fantastic sites and re-discover remote ancient Inca towns. Our porters will carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up your tents by avoiding crowded campsites and take care of you while you sit back and relax.
We provide the following items to our porters for free: Jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, canteen and girdle for protecting their spine, sleeping bags, mattresses and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated communities and are given the opportunity to work with our company, in regards, to better their economic circumstances as well as getting help for their children’s education! We ensure that all of our porters are treated like family!
OUR EQUIPMENT
Our team (Guides, cooks and porters) and our equipment are what really makes SAM Travel Peru stand out from all of our competitors. For all our adventurous hikes, we include the following items:
- OUR TENTS: Enjoy a good night sleep in our 4 season EUREKA Timberline tents. All our tents are 4 person tents, ONLY 2 will sleep in them, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- OUR FOAM MATS: They are included to separate and insulate you from the ground.
- AIR MATTRESSES can be rented for $20 USD.
- OUR KITCHEN & DINING TENTS: The dining tent is used as our meeting room at meal times. This is a great time to sit back relax and catch up for a chat.
- OUR TABLES & CHAIRS: The interior of the dining room includes tables and chairs with two doors on each side, adapting to the day’s weather.
- DUFFEL BAGS: Will be provided at briefing time the night before the trek.
- MORE: Pillows, backpack rain covers, survivor t-shirts, hot shower and bio chemical toilet are all provided on the trek.
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
SAM Travel Peru has always believed that we should give back to the local isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.
SAM Travel Peru is so proud to be able to support our local people, not only employing them but also going back to our grassroots as they share with their families. It makes us happy to have this holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
Packing check list
WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU
- Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Valid student card (if you booked as a student)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: 2-3L (Camelbaks are encouraged)
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet paper
- Rain jacket if rainy season
WHAT TO PUT IN THE DUFFEL BAG
As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter, who will carry up to 7 kgs or 15lbs including your sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Fleece/ Thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash
- Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
- Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us for $20 USD
TOILETRIES
- Face moisturizer
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc
WHAT TO PUT IN THE DAY BACKPACK
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
- Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, Afterwords will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring your canteens.
- Sun Hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Headlamp: essential
- Wool Hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
- Rain plastic poncho
- Gloves
- Camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
