About 500 people walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu daily

July 15, 2015

Hillary Ojeda

  The requires physical strength, special equipment and lots of extra hands.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

  

The Inca Trail is the biggest tourist attraction in South America, and its number of visitors continues to rise.

A total of approximately 500 people trek through the Inca Trail on a daily basis toward Machu Picchu, reports Andina news agency.

The National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp) calculates that about 200 foreign tourists make the trek and the remaining are baggage carriers.

“These people carry food, tents and relief supplies. They do not reach the citadel and therefore tourists have to continue on their own on the last day of the journey,” head of Sernanp, Pedro Gamboa, told Andina.

Gamboa added that there is a surprising range of age groups that decide to take on the arduous trail. It requires physical strength and endurance for 4 days through the Urubamba Valley.

“You have to pass through two defiles (narrow passages between mountains). It seems that the Incas were quite tall because steps are huge,” he pointed out.

To adjust to the rising number of tourists, Sernanp and Cusco’s Decentralized Administration of Culture (DDCC) are in collaboration to potentially open two additional visiting areas said Gamboa.

The entrance fee per person into the Inca Citadel is US$ 50.

Link to article

5 day Inca Trail Trek

This is the ultimate Inca trail experience we offer our travelers!  Our 5 day Inca Trail Trek offers everything a traveler wants to experience what the trail has to offer including a visit to Machu Picchu and a relaxing stay in Aguas Calientes.  

 5 DAY INCA TRAIL LINK



ITINERARY

DAY 1- THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU ADVENTURE BEGINS

The day begins with us picking you up from your hotel and then travel by bus to Piskacucho, also called kilometer 82, this is where our journey begins. We will have breakfast in Ollantaytambo, this meal is not included. Upon arrival at kilometer 82, we will have some free time. It will be necessary to show your entrance tickets, passports and student card at the trail's first control point. After this, we will cross the Vilcanota River and follow it along its right side. The first day is relatively easy and we will have views of the Incan fortress of Huillca Raccay, the vast Incan site of Llactapata, called Patallacta. We will also see how the Urubamba mountain range divides the jungle, the Andes and the beautiful snow capped peak of W'akay Willca, known in books as Veronica. Our first campsite will be in Ayapata
,which is located an hour and half up the small village of Wayllabamba. We will spend the night at this campsite.

DAY 2- THE TRAIL TRIAL, WE GO OVER 2 PASSES

After breakfast, we will start a steep ascent towards the highest pass (Abra de Warrmihuañusca or Dead Woman's Pass).  On this day, a real sense of achievement is felt upon reaching the top. After resting, we will start to descent towards our lunch stop, which is located at Pacaymayu. Along the way, we will see a variety of birds including hummingbirds. We will also get to admire the variety of native plants and trees including the polylepis or q'ueuña trees. After lunch, we begin our second steep climb, which is 2 hours, towards Runkuraqay Pass. We will arrive at our campsite by 5 pm.  We will spend the night at this campsite.

DAY 3 - BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

After having breakfast, we will continue with a gentle climb and visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (meaning town in the clouds).  We will also reach the third highest point along the trail while viewing the spectacular surrounding areas including mountains and canyons. Then, we continue walking through the cloud forest towards the Incan site of Intipata.  We will arrive at our third campsite called Wiñay Wayna (meaning forever young). A short distance from our campsite is the Incan site of the same name.We will spend the night at our campsite.

DAY 4 - MACHU PICCHU IN ITS GLORY AND AGUAS CALIENTES

On our final day, we will head hike towards the Sun gate or Inti Punku in order to see the sunrise. This will be where you will have your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu with the sun above it. Afterwards, we will walk along the trail towards a spot where you'll be able to take a classic picture postcard shot. Finally, we will visit Machu Picchu itself. Your guide will give you a 2 hour walking tour after which you'll be able to explore the citadel by yourselves.You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for lunch and check into the hotel.   Afterwards, we will go and relax at the hot springs.  

DAY 5 - TIME TO RETURN TO CUSCO

After lunch, you will be given your return train tickets to Cusco. Your train will leave in the afternoon so you will have to be at the station 30 minutes early prior to departure. The train included is to Ollantaytambo and then by private transportation back to your hotel in Cusco.

2 day Inca Trail Trek

One of the shortest treks, we offer to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.  Our 2 day Inca Trail trek allows travelers to enjoy what the trail has to offer without having to endure days on end in trekking.

2 DAY INCA TRAIL LINK

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - CUSCO TO WIÑAY WAYNA TO MACHU PICCHU

We will start the day picking you up from your hotel and take you to the train station.  By train, you'll enjoy a picturesque route for about two hours until the train stops at kilometer 10 (the start of the Inca Trail).  From here, we will walk about 4 hours towards the Incan site of Wiñay Wayna (meaning Forever Young). We then continue on toward the Sun gate or Inti Punku, from where you'll have the first dramatic view of majestic Machu Picchu. We will take a side path away from the trail to go towards Aguas Calientes (known as Machu Picchu town).  Here, we will rest for the night to be fresh for the early morning!     

DAY 2 - MACHU PICCHU THEN RETURN TO CUSCO

After having breakfast, we will take a bus up to Machu Picchu!  Your designated guide will give you a 2 hour walking tour. Afterwards, you will have time to explore this amazing ancient citadel by yourselves!  There is an option of hiking up to Wayna Picchu (which takes about 45 minutes). Regulations concerning visiting this site requires travelers to book in advance. Time slots are : 7 - 8 am and 10 - 11 am.  *Choosing the 7 - 8 am slot means you will miss the Machu Picchu tour* You will then meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for lunch and be given your train tickets back to Cusco. The train usually leaves between 2:30 pm and 6 pm depending on the time slots and availability. You can also request an extra night in Aguas Calientes, as this will give the traveler more time to explore the area.    

Inca Trail Treks

Valencia Travel Cusco offers amazing treks along the infamous Inca Trail ending in majestic Machu Picchu.

The following are treks we offer:

• 2 Day Inca Trail

• 4 Day Classic Inca Trail

• 4 Day Private Inca Trail

• 5 Day Inca Trail

Additional Treks:

• 7 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  
  
• 8 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

4 day classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 

Our 4 day classic Inca Trail trek gives travelers the opportunity to go back in time and experience the long journey the Incas took along the Inca Trail. 

4 DAY CLASSIC INCA TRAIL LINK

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU BEGINS

We start the morning picking you up from your hotel and travel by bus to Piskacucho also know as kilometer 82, this is where the trail begins. We will have breakfast in Ollantaytambo, this meal is not included. Upon arrival at kilometer 82, we will have some free time. It will be necessary to show your entrance tickets, passports and student card at the trail's first control point. This is where our journey begins,crossing the Vilcanota River, we follow it along its right side. The first day is relatively easy with great views of the Incan fortress of Huillca Raccay and the incredible Incan site of Llatapata, also called Patallacta. We will get to see the Urubamba mountain range that divides areas such as the jungle, the Andes and the beautiful snow capped peak of W'akay Willca, known in books as Veronica. Our first campsite will be an hour and half up towards the small village of Wayllabamba. 

DAY 2 -  THE TRAIL TRIAL! WE GO OVER2 PASSES!

After having breakfast , we start our steep ascent towards the highest pass (Abra de Warrmihuañusca or Dead Woman's Pass). On this day, a real sense of achievement is felt upon reaching the top!  After resting, we begin our descent to our lunch stop, which is located at Pacaymayu. Along the way, we will be able to see a variety of birds including hummingbirds. We will also see the incredible variety of native plants and trees such as the polylepis or q'ueuña trees. After lunch, we begin our second two hour steep climb towards Runkuraqay pass.  We arrive at our campsite by 5 pm.  

DAY 3 - BACK IN THE PAST! BEAUTIFUL SCENERY!

We start our day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (meaning town in the clouds). This is the third highest point along the trail. The views of these surrounding areas including the mountains and canyons are simply spectacular!  After visiting this site, we continue our journey walking through the cloud forest towards the Incan site of Intipata. After, this we arrive at our third campsite at Wiñay Wayna. A short distance from our campsite is the Incan site of Wiñay Wayna (meaning Forever Young). 

DAY 4 -  MACHU PICCHU IN ITS GLORY!

On our final day, we leave our campsite early morning in order to get to Inti Punku or the Sun gate before sunrise. This is where you will have your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu with the sun rising above it.  After this, we will walk down the last part of the trail to a spot, where you can take the classic picture postcard shot of this ancient citadel.  Finally, we visit Machu Picchu itself. Your guide will give a two hour tour of this ancient citadel. Afterwards, you can explore this mysterious citadel by yourselves!  You'll meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for lunch and be given your return train tickets to Cusco. Train included in all tours until Ollantaytambo and then by bus to Cusco. Your train will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, so you'll need to be at the train station 30 minutes early. Once in Ollantaytambo, there will be a bus waiting for you to take you back to Cusco.