DESTINATIONS

Tanzania
Kenya
Uganda/Rwanda
Peru
Galapagos
Bhutan
Nepal
Tibet
Aconcagua

 

National Geographic Traveler

National Geographic Adventure

Sustatainable Travel Intl

IATAN

Inca Trail Treks

Sacred Valley Treks

Huaraz Treks

Preparation

 

Peru: Quechua Villages and Inca Ruins plus Machu Picchu!

On this page: Overview | Itinerary | Pricing

Overview

Looking for the possibility of two wonderful treks combined? This itinerary starts with a little known 3-day rural-country trek. It will take you through part of the main communication trail used during the Inca Empire to connect Cusco with Ollantaytambo, one of the last remnants of an important Inca town crowned by an amazing temple. Starting at Parpishu, we will hike along the original Kapacñan (Inca Trail) for 2 days. Visit Watta archaeological site with its burial remains and its ceremonial plaza, amazing views of the most important snow-capped peaks for the Incas, the Perolniyoc waterfall, Cusilluyoc Inca remains, and spectacular views of the Sacred Valley and the fortress of Ollantaytambo will be the highlights on this superb adventure.

The last two days are spent visiting Machu Picchu, either by hiking the Inca Trail or taking the train all the way to Aguas Calientes. Vistadome train to the trailhead and return from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.

Sacred Valley

INCA TRAIL PHOTOS >>

Itinerary

DAY 1: Cusco/Parpishu/Chilipahua

on trail

With our guide, we depart from Cusco in the early morning, driving to Parpishu (2,882 mt./ 9,454 ft), located in a side-valley of the Urubamba River from where we will start our trek. Here we will meet the crew. We will ascend through a trail up to the Watta Inca Ruins (3,677 mt./12,062 ft); where we will appreciate Inca tombs and a ceremonial plaza, from where the Incas worshiped their sacred snowy peaks of Mt. Veronica and Chicon, lunch near the ruins. The trek then continues to the Chilipahua Andean community (3,578 mt./ 11,736 ft) where we will camp (Trek: 7 hours/Distance: 12 Km)


DAY 2: Chillipahua/Perolniyoc

After breakfast, the trek will start with a gradual ascent up to (3,755 mt./12,322 ft.) through an ancient Inca Trail, from where we will have fantastic views of Chillipahua Anapahua and Huallay Pitusiray andean communities. Through the pass near Runtucan with amazing views of surrounging peaks, we will then descend to Macuray community where we will have lunch. Continue the descent to the Rayan community (3,625 mt./11,899 ft), where we will camp in the vicinity of Perolniyoc. (Trek: 6 hours/Distance: 8 km)

DAY 3: Perolniyoc/Ollantaytambo

This day we will continue ascending up to the astounding Perolniyoc Inca ruins and waterfall. We will head northwest on the Inca trail to a place known as Cusilluyoc (the place of the happy monkey). This place hosts an old abandoned Spanish Hacienda house, from where we have impressive views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the white snowy peak of Mount Veronica. We will then descend through the Inca Trail down to the Sacred Valley straight to the town of Ollantaytambo and stay overnight at a local hotel (2,782 mt./9,128 ft). (Trek: 7 hours / 12 km).

high point

DAY 4: Ollantaytambo/Km 104/Machu Picchu

There are two options for day four:

o The Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu (permits required), or

o The Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu (no permits required).

For the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu: We will catch the Vistadome train in Ollantaytambo. Getting off at km 104, we cross a hanging bridge to the Chachabamba site, and after a brief visit, we begin a three hour ascent to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, an important spiritual site. The Inca Trail cuts across the ridge above Machu Picchu to finally reach Intipunku the door of the sun from where the trail winds downhill. The classic vista into the lost citadel located right above the Urubamba River will be a unique experience; it is the most exquisite way to see Machu Picchu for the first time. We take a shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and overnight at a hotel in Aguas Calientes (BL).

For the Train to Machu Picchu: In Ollantaytambo, we will get the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, check in to our hotel and have the afternoon to relax at the hot springs baths or visit the colorful outdoor market. Overnight at the hotel in Aguas Calientes (BL).

Inca Trail Express

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO

After an early breakfast, we take a shuttle bus back up to Machu Picchu and visit the citadel and surrounding complexes. We have the opportunity for an in depth tour of this world renowned site, with a chance to see the spectacular views without other tourists in our pictures! Lunch is at Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel/restaurant at the ruins. There is an optional hike up to the top of Wayna Picchu (no extra cost, but a ticket is required--get it early in the day for an afternoon climb!). We return by Vistadome train to Cusco (BL)

Inca ruins

Pricing

2008 Quechua Villages and Inca Ruins plus Machu Picchu

Private Trek plus Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu

# Passengers in Group 2 3 4-6 7-9 Join Group Single Supplement
Price per Person $1335 $1025 $940 $880 n/a $40

Private Trek plus Train to Machu Picchu (private tour)

# Passengers in Group 2 3 4-6 7-9 Join Group Single Supplement
Price per Person $1445 $1075 $960 $855 n/a $40

Group Trek plus Train to Machu Picchu (group tour) *

# Passengers in Group 2 3 4-6 7-9 Join Group Single Supplement
Price per Person $1060 $810 $780 $725 n/a $40

* The guided tour of Machu Picchu will be with a group and a local guide (not the same guide that was on the trek). Thus, the tour of Machu Picchu will be later in the morning when the group is met by the guide at the train station. Lunch is at Sanctuary Lodge. The rest of the itinerary is the same.

2009 Quechua Villages and Inca Ruins plus Machu Picchu

Quechua Trek (3D/3N) plus Inca Trail Express (2D/1N) to Machu Picchu

# Passengers in Group 2 3 4-6 7-9 Join Group for Quechua Trek Single Supplement
Price per Person $1500 $1265 $1135 $1005 * $55

* The price with a Quechua group trek is $1295/person for 2 persons and $1220/person for 3 persons; for larger groups, it is more reasonable to have a private trek.

"Mix and Match": Since the Quechua Villages trek can be private or in a group, and the Train to Machu Picchu can have a private or group tour of Machu Picchu, we offer all of these options. Add the two options of your choice to make the 5-day/4-night itinerary. If you choose both options "in a group", the price is US$1015/person.

Quechua Trek (3D/3N)

# Passengers in Group 2 3 4-6 7-9 Join Group** Single Supplement
Price per Person $740 $580 $490 $415 $535 $30

Train to Machu Picchu (2D/1N)

# Passengers in Group 2 3 4-6 7-9 Join Group Tour** Single Supplement
Price per Person $620 $560 $530 $495 $480 $25

** This price includes a guided tour of Machu Picchu with a group and a local guide (not the same guide that was on the trek). Thus, the tour of Machu Picchu will be approximately 10:00 a.m. in the morning when the group is met by the guide at the train station. Lunch is at Sanctuary Lodge. The rest of the itinerary is the same.

SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation from Cusco to trailhead, Machu Picchu shuttle, and train to/from Aguas Calientes. 2 nights tent camping and 2 nights hotel lodging; all meals on trek and in Aguas Calientes; bilingual guide(s), cook, crew, burros, sleeping pads, portable toilets; Inca Trail permits (if needed) and entrance fees; guided tour of Machu Picchu; Vistadome train to/from Machu Picchu.

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Tips for your guides, cook and crew; meals not indicated in itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); lodging and tours in Cusco before and after the trek personal expenses (insurance, airport taxes, internet, laundry, alcoholic beverages); international and domestic flights.