INCA TRAIL EXPRESS TO MACHU PICCHU FULL DAY

INCLUDED ON THE INCA TRAIL EXPRESS TO MACHU PICCHU

Professional local English speaker Guides: all our super leaders grew up in Cusco region and studied tourism for five years at Cusco’s university, they are friendly, funny charming, knowledgeable, professional and will care your safety into this one-day trip to Machu Picchu.

Briefing: The night before your trip, you will come to our office for your informative meeting, will give us the exact location of your hotel and also to pay the balance.

Permits:  As soon as we get your details and deposit, we will purchase your permits for the Inca trail express and Machu Picchu.

Transportation: INCAS PATH will be providing all transportation for this trip. It is included the round trip by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station. The round trip by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes is also included. In addition is included your round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. You don’t need to pay anything extra.

Food: Our journey to Machu Picchu includes expert hiking chefs who will cook delicious meals that many previous trekkers have loved. We honor all food restrictions, so be sure to add any that you have on your booking form and let us know. Food is typically all served as buffet, only one buffet lunch is included on this day tour.

Water: Arriving to the trailhead of the Inca trail express, we will give you a bottle of water for your morning hike and another bottle after lunch. We advise you to bring extra on your own, as being well hydrated is the key to feeling great in the mountains.

Details: It is the attention to small details that separates us from other travel agencies, each hiker receives a cloth bag with fruits, cookies, dried seeds and a bottle of water, as well as a plastic rain poncho.

First Aid: Every guide has got training in first aid from a clinic and firemen. We elaborate mandatory training sessions every February on the Inca Trail, which every INCAS PATH tour guide must attend. Your tour leader is going to have always a first-aid kit for basic medical problems.

NOT INCLUDED ON THE INCA TRAIL EXPRESS TO MACHU PICCHU

Rentals: Due there is no camping on this short Inca Trail, the only possible needs would be an extra porter or hiking sticks. The items are listed below:

• Trekking poles (Pair): $10

Porters: Because this is just an Inca trail express hike without camping, there will not be porters. Your day pack should include anything you need for the day. It is your responsibility to carry it yourself. If you prefer to have a porter, we can organize it for a price based on how much your daypack weighs. You must add this at the time of your booking since the porter will also need a permit for the Inca Trail.

Additional options

Vistadome Train:  Our one-day Inca trail express, includes the Expedition Train Service. This train is always booked at 3:20 pm. or 4:22 pm. departing from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. There is also the Vistadome Train Service, which is an upgraded train that offers slightly larger seats and windows, some entertainment and snack. Usually, the Vistadome train is booked for 4:43 p.m. and goes to Poroy, a train station 30 minutes from Cusco. As this is an upgraded fee, we will still include your transportation back to your hotel. The ticket is $40 per person.

Extra day at Machu Picchu

You will have from 6 am to 12 pm to enjoy Machu Picchu (it is not possible to be all day in Machu Picchu due to the new protection regulations developed by the Peruvian state), arriving at the citadel around 6 a.m. and leaving no later than 12 p.m. to take your train at 3:20 or 4:22 pm. If you also want to have a guided tour again the next day in Machu Picchu, we can also organize it.

The entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is $ 55 per person.

The round trip bus ticket between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is $ 25 per person.

We would love to tour the Inca trail express with you and your loved ones and take care of immortalizing your visit to Machu Picchu. We can leave any day from March to January while Inca trail permits are still available in the government booking system.

Group Price (2022):

• $360 per person

Private Tours are based on Group Size (2022):

• 2 Trekkers: $395 per person
• 3 Trekkers: $390 per person
• 4 Trekkers: $385 per person
• 5 Trekkers: $380 per person
• 6 Trekkers: $375 per person
• 7 Trekkers: $370 per person
• 8 or more Trekkers: $365 per person

Student Discount:

• $ 25 discount per person

Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid International Student Card (ISIC) at the beginning of the hike or who is 17 years old or younger. For those who use an international student card or for children under 17, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount of the Inca Trail of the government.

Please send everything to info@incaspath.com

Packing list

This 1-day trip to Machu Picchu does NOT include porters. You will carry all your belongings while you hike. Due of this, it is important to pack as lightly as possible. A lightweight backpack is key to feeling good during the trail and at the lost city of the Incas; the great Machu Picchu.

Essentials:

• Original Passport.
• STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbacks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles) remember that the short Inca Trail is entirely made of stones

Toiletries:

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

Inside Your Daypacks:

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25 litters will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside in the Machupicchu check point. Some items are listed below

• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips

Where do we pick up the hikers for the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

The Pick-up will be from your hotel at 4:00 am. Please provide clear contact information of your place of accommodation when approaching our office in Cusco.

Where to pay the remaining amount for the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

Most hikers arrive in Cusco 2 or 3 days before the hike for proper acclimatization. Once you are in Cusco, it is imperative that you come to our office to review the last details of your excursion and also pay the remaining amount of your hike.

Reserve for the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

We try to make the booking as easy as possible in INCASGO. We prepare a reservation form, where you will complete and include all the details for the excursion, and then a deposit of $ 200 per person. Once we have all the deposits and details, we will reserve your permits. Once the permits are in our hands, we will send you, your invoice and confirmation that everything is 100% organized. All excursions once confirmed, are guaranteed.

Permissions for the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

Only tour operators licensed by the government, such as INCAGO EXPEDITIONS, can obtain the corresponding permits from the government. Once we have obtained your permits, the name and start date cannot be changed under any circumstances. The only information that the government allows us to change are passport numbers.

Passport Number Update?

The government will only allow us to change passport numbers if we have a copy of the new passport and the old passport. If you no longer have your old passport, any identification document that you have in your hands will be accepted while the name is the same as in your passport.

Where to stay in Cusco?

You can stay in a hotel, that you consider convenient, however you must have into account the location of the hotel, because the traffic within the city has become stressful in the last 5 years. Many roads are up to 100 years old; Especially near the main square, the roads are only for pedestrians. We will notify you, if it is not possible to pick you up by car from your hotel and coordinate another nearby pick-up point. For a list of recommended hotels, consult your INCAS PATH sales representative.

Where do I store my luggage?

All luggage not necessary for the hike, must remain in Cusco. All hotels are very helpful and are quite accustomed to storing client´s luggage; or if you wish you can store it safely with our customer service team in our office storage.

Can I stay in the sacred valley?

Yes, as the driving route to get the trailhead, goes through the sacred valley of the Incas.

During the trip, how challenging is the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

Remember that although this 1-day hike can be of medium intensity because you will hike for six hours in total, including some stops. The first stretch in the morning, is mostly gradually uphill, a bit humid and hot all the time, so it will be exhausting but it will be worth it when you arrive at Wiñay Wayna (mini Machu Picchu) for lunch time. After lunch, it will be another hour of hiking to the Sun Gate from where you will observe Machu Picchu for the first time. After being completely satisfied with the view and the photographs in Machu Picchu you will have a guided tour and explore the lost city of the Incas.

Will I need extra money on the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

Of course, if you want to buy some type of drinks, snacks, souvenirs «also remember that, only cash is accepted in small stores».

How many people will be in my group on the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

We require a minimum of 2 people for our tour, and if you are traveling alone, we invite you to join our groups, that start each day. We can have up to 8 hikers with a guide and if our groups are between 9 and 16 people, we have 2 accredited guides with a lot of experience in this hike. During the low season, it is most likely that the groups are small and during the high season the groups are probably much larger.

Do you need hiking boots for the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

We always recommend hiking boots, since if it rains a little, the path can become a bit muddy and slippery. Please make sure they have good soles.

Are trekking poles really necessary on the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

For this hike, we recommend the use of trekking poles for everyone, especially for those passengers with knee problems or older people. There are several sections during the tour where you will need to use the walking sticks, either climbing or descending the dirt soil path.

Are there any toilets along the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

Along the hike there are 2 places that has toilet. Firstly, at the hiking start, then at lunch. Please carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack.

What should I expect from the weather on the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu?

Historically in the Peruvian highlands, we have the dry season that goes from April to October and the rainy season that goes from November to March. Unfortunately, this pattern is changing a bit due to climate change. Be ready with your cap/hat and your bottle of sunscreen, because the solar radiation in Cusco during the day fluctuates between 16 and 18 points. And do not forget to bring warm clothes for the cold at night, since the temperature can drop as low as 0 ° C degrees Celsius.

Can Incas Path please my dietary needs? What kind of food will there be?

For us it is an honor to please all kinds of dietary needs, just let us know at the time of booking. If you are vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant or any type of allergies, we have a team of chefs with a lot of experience in the preparation of all types of diets. Also remember, that we want to pamper you during your trip to Machu Picchu and for that reason we use 100% organic vegetables for the elaboration of our buffets.

What type of outlet is used in Cusco and Machu Picchu?

Most hotels and even homes in Peru now have the standard US output and also that of South America.

What is the standard procedure when it comes to tip?

Tipping is part of the tradition of any trip in Peru and, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, we always appreciate any extra appreciation. Keep in mind that this is not mandatory and that you should never feel pressured for this reason.

In general, participants in a group show their appreciation as a group for their porters and chef and a personal appreciation towards their tour guide, which will be according to their degree of satisfaction with the service provided.