Between 4:00-4:30am our private transport and staff will pick you up from your hotel. We drive to Piskacuchu (2,700m/8,856ft), a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco –Machupicchu railroad, which is the starting point of the Inca Trail. We begin our hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and walking along its left shore as it flows northwest through the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay (2,800m/9,184ft), to then ascend and finally see, from the highest part of an overlook, the impressive Inca city of Llactapata (2,650m/8,692ft). We continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach the community of Wayllabamba (3,000m/9,840ft), where we set our first camp. All along the way we enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5,832 meters above sea level. Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley.

Meals: B, L, D

Total distance  12 km (7,47 miles)
Estimated hiking time  5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point  3,000 m (9,840 ft)
Campsite altitude  3,000 m (9,840 ft)

We wake up at around 6:00 am and after breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for nine km. Along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass – 4,200m/13,776ft), we may see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on “ichu,” one of the few plants that grows at high altitude. We also cross an area of the cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and sparrows, and the Andean bear, also known as the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus). We advise that on this day especially, your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3,600m/11,808ft), where we camp after approximately seven hours of hiking.

Meals: B, L, D

Total distance  11 km (6,84 miles)
Estimated hiking time  6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point 4,200 m (13,776 ft)
Campsite altitude  3,500 m (11,480 ft)

This day is the longest but also the most impressive and interesting, due the number of archaeological sites and the lush cloud forest area that we cross, so rich in Andean flora and fauna. From Pacaymayo we climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3,970m/13,022ft). Halfway up, we stop to visit the archaeological complex of the same name. This site, located at 3,800m/12,464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3,624m/11,887ft). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we arrive at the third pass, the Abra Phuyupatamarca (3,700m/12,136ft). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Appropriately, Phuyupatamarca means “town over the clouds”. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley. We continue our trek down the long descending stone steps that lead us to Wiñaywayna (2,650m/8,692ft), an impressive Inca complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, close to which our camp is located. After visiting the impressive archaeological site, we enjoy dinner at our camp.

Meals: B, L, D

Total distance  16 km (9,94 miles)
Estimated hiking time  8 hours
Maximum altitude point  3,900 m (12,792 ft)
Campsite altitude  2,650 m (8,692 ft)

Challenging

Fixed departures are available throughout the year. Exception: one-month closing period of all Inca Trail routes in February. Please contact us to check departures to alternative routes.

All Inca Trail departures are subject to government space availability, please check the following website: Ministerio de Cultura (https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/) > Consultas > Disponibilidad > Seleccione Ruta – please select Camino Inka Rutas 01, 02 y 03 > Select the month.

We have the following 2023 fixed departure dates scheduled:

• Mar: 2, 9, 16, 25, 28
• Apr: 6, 9, 13, 15, 20, 23, 27, 29
• May: 2, 4, 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 25, 27, 30
• Jun: 1, 3, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 22, 24, 27, 29
• Jul: 1, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29
• Aug: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 31
• Sep: 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
• Oct : 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28
• Nov: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Dec: 7, 14, 21, 28

Groups may be confirmed on alternative dates to the ones stated provided a minimum group size of six passengers is reached upon booking and Inca Trail spaces are available.

Minimum 2 – Maximum 12

Price per person
US$ 1040.00

Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative)

• Teenagers: US$ 40.00 (up to 17 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
• Children: US$ 80.00 (up to 3 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)

Additional discounts (may be added to the above)

• Early bookings: 5% on full program price for all bookings confirmed at least six months in advance. This discount may not be applicable in case a promotional price is offered.

• Pre-departure briefing
• Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to km 82 (starting point of the trail)
• Inca Trail and Machupicchu entrance fee
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in the field. Eureka Timberline 4 Outfitter tents are employed when double accommodation is requested and Eureka Timberline 2XT for single travelers.
• One foamy sleeping pad per person
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities
• English-speaking, professional, and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)
• Chef and cooking equipment
• Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
• Accommodation for all our staff
• Meals (04B, 03L, 03D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
• One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment
• Filtered boiled water from lunch time on first day onwards
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff
• Other things: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough advance notice
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Bus ticket from Machupicchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Expedition service). Should there be no train tickets available in the direct route Aguas Calientes – Cusco, a train ticket Aguas Calientes – Sacred Valley with an additional private transportation from the Sacred Valley to your hotel in Cusco will be provided
• Transfer train station to hotel in Cusco only if returning on day four
• 24-hour guest service: please ask for the emergency number available during your time of visit

• Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense, too.
• Porter to carry your personal items
• Sleeping bag
• Inflatable sleeping pad
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to wrap-up the trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is s/20.00 (Peruvian Soles).
• Huayna Picchu entrance fee: if you would like to climb this mountain, an additional entrance fee applies (US$70.00).
• Machu Picchu mountain entrance fee: if you would like to climb this mountain, an additional entrance fee applies (US$70.00). This is a separate mountain visit from the Machupicchu citadel.
• Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.

According to the Resolution #002-2004-UGM-CD, published in El Peruano on Nov 12, 2004, modifying chapter III of the Inca Trail Regulation that refers to Inca Trail space bookings, bookings will only be guaranteed by the governmental institutions when providing full names, nationalities and passport numbers of passengers, and when having paid the full amount for passengers and staff (cook and team of porters) entrance fees.

THEREFORE
ENIGMA Adventure Tour Operator will guarantee the spaces booked provided:

1. The booking has been first confirmed by our Reservation Department by e-mail, this meaning that spaces are available on the Inca Trail for the requested date at the moment of the booking.
2. The full passenger data has been provided and the required deposit has been paid .

Since the Inca Trail has a maximum allowance of 500 people per day (including guests and agency staff), we strongly recommend making your bookings as early as possible to make sure you will find spaces on the desired departure date. We receive bookings for departures scheduled as far as one year prior to the trek departure date, so if you wish to travel with us on the Inca Trail, please make sure to confirm your booking as soon as possible.

VERY IMPORTANT:
The following client information is requested for any Inca Trail booking:

1. Complete names and surnames
2. Nationality
3. Passport copy
4. Date of Birth
5. Gender

The exact information you provide will be submitted to the governmental institution in charge of regulating the access to the Inca Trail and will be included in the official permit to enter the Inca Trail on the requested date. Should there be any change in the above-mentioned data (i.e. new passport number), we kindly request you to inform the Reservation Department at ENIGMA via email as soon as possible. The government reserves the right to deny entrance to any visitor whose data is not exactly as on the official permit. ENIGMA is not responsible for denial of entry if the passenger information has changed without prior notice to us.

Cusco’s climate is divided into two differentiated seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 ºC at night.

Along the Inca Trail, temperatures range from 15-20ºC during the day if it’s sunny, from 05-10ºC during the day if not sunny, and from 0-05ºC at night in the first 2 campsites. At Wiñaywayna and Machupicchu, at lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clothes are still recommended at night.

Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light rain gear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required in the first two campsites, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machupicchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machupicchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the Pack List.