The Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu “The Famous Inca Trail” still existed and was re-discovered by Hiram Bingham when he realized his clearing work between 1913 and 1915. The Inca trail was a route of pilgrimage to Machu Picchu used by the Inca (or Emperor/King) in the 15th century.
There are different sites between Ollantaytambo Inca City and Machu Picchu Inca City where one can note the variety in architectural resources that give rationality, importance and mysticism to the Royal Road. It did not have a commercial use; there were other, more simple, trails to transport products, llamas and people to Machu Picchu. The purpose of the Inca Trail To Machupícchu was religious and ceremonial, a pilgrimage that included rituals to honor the mountains and peaks of the route, like Veronica Mts or Wakaywilka Mts.
Meals: Box Lunch and dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel, “Camping on request”.
Distance: 16kms/10 mls (6 hours more or less of hiking)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.
Walking Time: Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch in route)
Walk and Terrain: Walk, canter, on open roads, some steep ascending trails
Trekking Km 104 “Chachabamba to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate”
Today Our trek takes us along the most impressive stretch of the Inca Trail. We'll visit beautiful Inca sites, see a variety of flora and fauna and get to take in the fantastic panoramas of the Andes Mountains. Covering 16km of the trail our journey begins in the Sacred Valley and works its way up along an original Inca Trail to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna before continuing on to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
As we make our way to Machu Picchu we'll pass through the lush and verdant cloud forest that covers the mountain and get to see a variety of plants, flowers and birds along the way. We may also see some larger mammals such as Viscachas (rabbit-like Chinchillas) and Spectacled Bears (if we are very lucky).
After a full day trekking, we'll arrive to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in the late afternoon and get our first views of Machu Picchu spread out on the mountain below. The light at this time of day is great for photos and with fewer tourists in the site it's a perfect time to take some pictures. After we've passed through the Sun Gate we'll carry on along the trail a little way before taking a side trail that leads us to Aguas Calientes in the valley below where we'll check in to our hotel.
Waking up early (07:00am) “Time can Vary according your tour guide recommendation” we'll take one of the first buses back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as soon as it opens.
We'll have 2 hours guided tour in the site where you'll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you'll have free time to explore the site by yourself.
You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price). Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs.
MACHUPICCHU MUSEUM
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, achieves the objectives of the preservation and dissemination of cultural and archaeological research. Within a modern and dynamic exhibition, the reopening of Site Museum Manuel Chavez Ballón has become the primary means of communication and information for the most important cultural Historical Sanctuary of Perú.
The museum is organized in seven phases, they emphasize the beauty and historical significance of the large collection of artifacts, construction tools (copper and bronze), pins, mirrors, tweezers and needles. Also appearing are the headed ornitomorfa ibis, toucans and oropendolas. The exhibit shows in detail the metallurgical expertise in the Inca city; the spectacular examples of dexterity in stone quarrying, as well as significant objects in various other materials. These displays express to the world, a view of the sustenance of life in Inca Machu Picchu, the strategic administrative center intertwined between the Amazon and the Andes.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 8.9kms/5.5mls “By Bus in 25 minutes”
Difficulty: Easy
1.- “Machupicchu Sacred Mountain is different than the Machupicchu Inca City”.
2.- Huaynapicchu Mountain is in front of Machupicchu Sacred Mountain, Machupicchu Inca City is in the middle of the two mountains “Spaces are limited in both mountains and for Machupicchu inca city”.
3.- Machupicchu Sacred Mountain is higher than Huaynapicchu Mountain.
4.-The climb for these mountains are without tour guides, it means by yourself “the trek duration in each mountain “one way” is 1 hour to 1:30 hours.
5.- The trail is full of signs and park rangers and this day is an exclusive personal day for you”.
Waking up early (05:00am) we'll take one of the first buses back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as soon as it opens (06:00 am). After it, you'll have free time to explore the site by yourself and with your permits, you going to have the opportunity to climb either Huayna Picchu mountain (2 hours round trip) or Machu Picchu mountain (3 hours round trip). You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price)
Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there. Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs
Back to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes by bus (included) and later board the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo Train Station “Train departure time can vary according train schedule and availability”. In Ollantaytambo Train station you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.
*** We only take ITEP EcoTravel clients in our vans / cars – We do not use public transport.
About Machupicchu Hotels:
Please note: Hotels may change (be different according your request) depending on booking time and availability; Campsite for Inca Trail 3d2n also is possible, we just need to follow Machupicchu government conditions or on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Government.
End of our Services
For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@salkantaytrek.org and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.
Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:
"ITEP Eco Travel is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations, offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget”
NOTE: ITEP Eco Travel, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.
Salkantay Trek
Great Trek! The views were spectacular and worth the hike. If unable to adapt to the altitude the guide will find an alternative option with first aid services at hand. They have vegetarian options for the meals provided. You learn about the culture and the experience is one of a kind! I Will be back to try the other routes! Jorge did a great job!amazing guide.
Awesome trek
Good was amazing, we even had cake! Jorge was full of good information and made it great tour
Fantastic Adventure
Did the Private Inca Jungle excursion with some adjusted camping options and loved the areas where we camped (or tried to camp as well). Flexibility is the name of the game in those mountains and this team knows how to handle it. They led a great excursion and taught us a lot about Peru and the Andean Mountains where we were cutting through. All good things for this company! Awesome adventure.
