Best Alternative of Inca Trail

At approximately 6am we will pick you up at your hotel to set course to the village of Lares where we will start hiking. During this journey we will make a stop in the village of Calca, where you will be able to visit the local market and buy breakfast or other supplies you forgot. Your guide might advise you to buy some bread to hand out to the children you will meet during the trek. When arriving at Lares we will visit the hot springs where you will be able to enjoy the hot water while our cooks prepare a wonderful lunch. After lunch we will start our hike towards the first campsite in Huacawasi (3600m/11811f). During 3 hours you will walk gradually uphill so that you get a good training for the next day when we will reach the highest point of the trek. The first night we will spend the night at the house of our horsemen who are joining us on the trip. At arrival your tents will be ready and you will receive popcorn, sweets and some hot thee before having dinner.

Transport time: 4 hours
Hiking time: 4 hours
Climate during the day: Warm
Climate during the night: Cold

After a nutritious breakfast we will start hiking towards the highest point, the pass of Sacsayllame or Hucahuasi at 4400m/14435 feet. The hike will take about 4 hours and will be very steep uphill. Of course an emergency horse will accompany us so that everyone will certainly be able to reach the top. During this trek you will be able to enjoy enormous mountains, a patchwork of agricultural lands and breathtaking views. Be aware that we will reach great heights and the weather can be very cold. After reaching the highest point we will descend and pass a beautiful lagoon before having lunch next to the river. You will be able to recuperate while our cooks prepare a delicious lunch for you. Next we will descend further through a forest where you will be able to enjoy the “Queuñas” (Polylepis), a typical three from Peru. This walk will take about 4 hours before reaching our campsite at Pucara (3100m/10170f). A wonderful place where you will receive hot thee and some snacks upon arrival before having dinner.

Hiking time: 8 hours
Transport time: half an hour
Climate during day/night: Cold and warm

Our journey starts early in the morning at 6am, a vehicle will bring you to Ollantaytambo village.  From here, you are able to take a tourist train to Km 104. After our arrival at km 104, the Royal Inca Trail begins with a hike to Chachabamba (2270m/7448f), where our guide will inform us about the previous function of this archeological site. Thereafter, we will reach Wiñayhuayna (2650m/8694f), the most important archeological site besides Machu Picchu. After that, our trail continues towards the Sun Gate “Inti Punku”, a nice viewpoint from which we can enjoy the nightfall on Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f). Since we have to continue our walk to our hotel in Aguas Calientes, we will only spend little time in the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu on the first day.
Transport time: half an hour

We will leave our hotel towards Machu Picchu after breakfast at about 5:30 am by bus. We are leaving that early because at this time the setting is less crowded and the morning is a good time to enjoy the calmness and the ancient spirit of the best-known archaeological site on the continent. After our arrival at the citadel around 6:00 am, our guide will give us detailed information about Machu Picchu and the history and culture of the Inca. Thereafter, you will have enough free time to enjoy and explore the site on your own (f.ex. go to the Inka Bridge, explore the variety of buildings or climb Waynapicchu for an amazing panorama picture). A bus takes you down to Aguas Calientes. Here you have the possibility to join the town’s hot springs (S/ 10.00 Nuevos soles). We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.

Climate: warm with mosquitoes
Hiking time: 02 hours
Total distance: 4 km.

• A tourist bus from the hotel to Lares village
• Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104
• Transport from Patacancha to Ollantaytambo
• 2 ways tourist bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and back to Aguas Calientes
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
• Entrance to the thermal baths in Lares village 
• Entrance fees to the Inca Trail and the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
• Hostel with private room and bathroom in Aguas Calientes 
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
• High quality camping equipment (professional Eureka tents, extra light/4.5kgs for 2 persons. Mattresses, eating tent with table and chairs, bathroom tent). 
• Meals during the excursion (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks/Option vegetarian)
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horseman and mules for Lares Trek, for all camping and personal equipment (up to 4 kg).  
• Emergency horse (minimum 2 persons) 
• First-aid kit and oxygen bottle

• Breakfast on the first day and last lunch in Aguas Calientes town
• Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes where the train station is situated; you can either pay the cost of $ 12.00 for the bus-Service or walk back to Aguas Calientes which will take you about an hour.

Very important:
Due we do not need an extra porter for the 2-Day Inca Trail (group departure), everyone carries her/his own bag back.

• Entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes town (it cost S/ 10.00 Nuevos soles)

Backpack with rain shelter, sleeping back, clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket, trekking shoes, slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs), woolen or synthetic socks, a sweater, long- and short-sleeved polo’s/t-shirts, a rain poncho, a hat, bathing suit (for the hot springs in Lares Village), sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper, photo camera (wrapped in plastic bag), a flash light and batteries, some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit, original passport, original ISIC student card and extra money in soles.

IMPORTANT
You must bring your original passport during the walk.

NOTE: Does not include entry to Huayna Picchu, add: $ 56.00