Inca Trail Extension
Peru
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Spend a week retracing the steps of the ancient Inca civilisation on the historical Inca trail hike. Explore Cusco's maze of ruins and cobblestone streets, and discover the fascinating colonial and Inca histories that have visually impacted this fascinating town. Rise early to join our expert local guides and porters for a challenging hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Watch the sun rise over the enigmatic ruins and get lost exploring these crumbling structures, an experience that is sure to take your breath away. This week-long tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will challenge and reward.
Availability
From 17/04/2024 to 01/01/2025
Departure dates & prices
Dates
Availability
Price
What's included
Cosmopolitan, scenic and steeped in Incan heritage, Cusco is a dream to walk around.
Marvel at the cathedral, explore colonial art and architecture or explore the incredible ruins nearby.
Cusco's central market is a great chance to meet Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas and browse for weird and wonderful Andean specialties.
Hike to the mother of all Incan cities, magical Machu Picchu.
Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins, plus free time to explore at your leisure.
Whether it's the classic Inca Trail* or the quieter Quarry Trail you hike, you'll be treated to incredible sunrise views over misty Machu Picchu – just cross your fingers for clear skies!.
With a cook to prepare meals and porters to carry your equipment, you can focus on the walk and get the most out of your experience.
At Intrepid we’ve always been about balancing profit and purpose and as the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all – join us and help make the world a better place.
Breakfasts Included: 5.
Lunches Included: 3.
Dinners Included: 3.
Route 1 - Inca Trail: Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights),Hotel (2 nights),Route 2 - Quarry Trail: Camping with basic facilities (2 nights),Hotel (3 nights).
Private vehicle,Bus,Taxi.
Age: min 15.
Group Size: 1 - 16.
4 day guided hike with porters' support.
Machu Picchu guided tour.
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Itinerary
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1 - Cusco Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cusco, the heart and soul of Peru. Today is free for you to explore Cusco until 6 pm when you meet your Intrepid representative at the lobby of your hotel. While away from Cusco, the bulk of your luggage will be stored at your hotel. If you're hiking the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail you'll receive a small duffle bag to carry your clothes in for the next four days (5kg maximum). Your team of porters will carry these bags for you, together with the food and equipment for the trail. You won't have access to these items until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. As this tour is a Short Break Adventure, you are not accompanied by an Intrepid group leader but our local representative will answer any questions you may have. If you have time, check out the beautiful cathedral or perhaps the nearby ruins of Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo or Tambomachay. A Boleto Turistico (tourist ticket) will grant you access into these sites.
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2 - Inca Trail Depending on the travel arrangements you made before the trip, during the next four days you'll be doing one of the following: hiking the Inca Trail (Route 1) or hiking the Quarry Trail (Route 2). Both routes visit Machu Picchu. Route 1 Inca Trail: Today travel by minivan to the 82 kilometre marker and meet your crew of local porters, cook and guide. The first day includes uphill trekking to the campsite, which is at 3100m above sea level. On the way you'll see the Inca sites of Ollantaytambo, Huillca Raccay and Llactapata, as well as incredible views of snow-capped Veronica Peak. In the evening, unwind at the campsite with a nourishing meal prepared by your cook. Route 2 Quarry Trail: Make an early start today and drive to Choquequilla, a small ceremonial place where Incas worshipped the moon. From here, you'll head to the small community near Qory Song'o (Golden Heart) hill, where you'll climb to the top for the incredible views of the Soqma Perolniyoc, Pachar and Huarocondo valleys. There are also several sacred tombs in the area, protected by the locals, which you can explore with your leader and even see some of the original structures crafted from wood and leather. These remains have never been seen by travellers before, so you can be a part of this exclusive experience. Carry on to the Perolniyoc Cascade lookout, Where you will stop for to have Lunch. After, continue ascending and explore the Q'orimarca archaeological site, which once served as a checkpoint to the Incas. Arrive at the campsite, 3700 m above sea level, around tea time.
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3 - Inca Trail Route 1 Inca Trail: This is the most challenging day of the trek as you ascend a long steep path (approximately 5 hours) to reach the highest point of the trail. Colloquially known as 'Dead Woman's Pass', Warmiwanusca sits at a height of 4200 metres above sea level, providing amazing views of the valley below. The group will then descend to the campsite in the Pacaymayo Valley at 3650 metres. Route 2 Quarry Trail: This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the hike. A 3 hour walk takes us to the top of the first pass of Puccaqasa (approximately 4370 metres high). After enjoying picturesque views of the valley, it's a short walk before stopping for lunch. Afterwards, make the two-hour hike to Kuychicassa, the highest pass of the trek at 4450 metres. From here, descend to the sacred site the Incas called Intipunku. This is a sun gate, where the sun will stream through at particular times of the year and there are views of the Nevado Veronica mountain year-round. The Incas built several sun gates, the most notable overlooking Machu Picchu. Head to the campsite, only a stone's throw away and at 3600 metres.
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4 - Inca Trail Route 1 Inca Trail: Start the day with a climb through the Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass (3980 metres). Enjoy views of the snow-capped mountain of Cordillera Vilcabamba before descending for around 2 to 3 hours to the ruins of Sayacmarca. Continue over the trail's third pass to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (3850 metres), also known as 'Town Above the Clouds'. Start the 2 hour descent down the Inca steps to the final night's campsite by the Winay Wayna archaeological site. Route 2 Quarry Trail to Aguas Calientes: Today's hike will all be downhill. The first stop is the incomplete Kachiqata quarry, where the Incas were intercepted by the Spanish. Around midday, come to the end of the trek. Explore the cobbled streets of Ollantaytambo before taking the short train journey to Aguas Calientes. Spend the night in a comfortable hotel before tomorrow's visit to Machu Picchu.
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5 - Machu Picchu Route 1 Inca Trail: This is the final and most spectacular leg of the trek to Machu Picchu. The day starts before dawn at 3.30am (packed breakfast provided). Say farewell to the porters as they descend to the train station and then begin hiking by 4.30 am. Once the final checkpoint opens at 5.30 am, begin the final leg of the trek. The walk to Intipunku (the Sun Gate) takes around 2.5 hours. Weather permitting, enjoy unforgettable views over the 'Lost City of the Incas' as you enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Route 2 Machu Picchu to Cusco: Take an early bus up to Machu Picchu at 6.30 am. The city was built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for Incan nobility, but there's evidence that the land had been a sacred Incan site for much longer. Take a guided tour around the ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters. For all travellers, after taking advantage of the seemingly endless photo opportunities, it's time to catch the bus to Aguas Calientes where you'll stop for lunch together. From here, take a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo, then drive back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
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6 - Cusco After breakfast, you are free to leave at any time, as there are no activities planned today. If you would like to spend some more time in Cusco, we'll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
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