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Imagine running the famous Inca Trail - if you are super fit and like a challenge, why not consider our Inca Trail Marathon!

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world and just one example of the approximate 40000 kilometres of roads built by the Incas some 500 years ago! Inca road roads were built across the deserts, highlands and jungles stretching from Colombia in the north to Chile in the south! The Traditional or Classic Inca Trail tour starts in the Sacred Valley  and finishes in a jungle region going through a range of vegetation types in route.  The Classic Inca Trail trek is a once in a lifetime experience, never to be forgotten.

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Haz cliq aqui para la version castellano de Camino Inca a Machu Picchu

ation of the meaning of Apu

Inca Trail Marathon- full itinerary

Day One
You will be picked up from your Cusco hotel at around 8am. (Exact time will be advised at your pre-trek briefing). You should have breakfast in your hotel or bring some snacks.  We will stop in Ollantaytambo for last minute purchases, plus an opportunity for breakfast if you wish.   We will continue to Pisacucho (also known as Kilometre 82) where the trail starts. On arrival at Kilometre82, it is necessary to show entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) student card. Crossing the Urubamba river we begin our trek through typical dry forest growing cacti, prickly pears and the Tara tree. We will run the first 6km to Llactapata the first archaeological site on our journey, and where we will camp the night (or perhaps we will continue to Wayllabamba. We will have dinner, a short meeting about the next day and an early night.

Day 2:  Inca Trail - Machu Picchu

After waking up at 4am, we will have breakfast and pack. At 6 am we will start the marathon of about 24 miles over 3 passes - we will arrive at Machu Picchu in approximately 6 to 9 hours!!!!
Leaving small villages and farmland we will enter the sub tropical forest and lunch around Llulluchapampa. From here we will start a steep ascent towards the highest pass (Abra de Huarmihuañusca/'Dead Woman's Pass’ – 4200m/13779ft).  There is an amazing sense of achievement upon reaching the top.  We will continue downwards 600ms (1980 feet) over 3 kms (1.8 miles) through very humid forest to Pacasmayo.
We will continue on to Sayakmarka one of the most beautiful Inka remains on this, the Classic Inca trail.  We cointinue to  Phuyupatamarca (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’) and to reach the third highest point on the trail (3680m). There are also wonderful views of Salkantay Mountain. From here we continue onto Winaywayna and finally Inti Punku and the famous view of Machu Picchu.
As we anticipate that this will be quite late in the day, we will not enter the ruins of Machu picchu but descend to the village of Aguas Calientes by bus (or running). After a shower at our hostal, we will have a celebratory dinner in an Aguas Calientes restaurant.

Accomodation: Basic hostal in Aguas Calientes.

day 3: machu picchu
After an early breakfast we will run/walk up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Alternatively, you can chose to take the bus if you want to be amongst the first at the ruins. After this you are free to explore this famous site, and if you feel energetic we recommend you to climb Huayna Picchu, however you must leave before 12 noon. This hike takes about 1 hour to climb, and less to descend and offers awesome views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding terrain. You have the option to walk down from Machu Picchu, or to take the bus. (Not included). I We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the backpacker train (leaves either at 2.30pm or 6pm) and are met by a driver at Ollantaytambo who will transfer you directly back to your hotel. You will arrive approximately 4 hours after your train's departure from Aguas Calientes.
Please note:

• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
  

* Allocations or Itinerary are subject to change depending on time of booking and campsites provided by INC (institution that runs the Inca Trail). 

IMPORTANT – government regulations will not allow reservations to be made unless accompanied by full passport details of the client and full payment of the entrance fee to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. This is to assist in the 500 people a day rule.
Therefore to guarantee your place on the inca trail trek or tour you must provide a scanned copy of your passport and a non refundable deposit of 50% the trek price.  Your reservation will only be confirmed when we have your entrance ticket in our hands. In case of passport number change this information must be relayed to us or you will lose your booking. Original passport must be carried on trail.
All times noted are approximate.

Please note: The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.

• An extra night in Aguas Calientes can easily be arranged if we are advised WELL IN ADVANCE. We can change the date of your train ticket to the following day. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to trek costs. Please also note that your entry ticket to Machu Picchu is valid for one day only, if you wish to visit the ruins on a second consecutive day you will need to purchase the ticket again, valued at approx $40 US.

What's included?

For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!

• Pre trek briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
• Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek
• Entry fee to the Inca trail and Machu Picchu
• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 8 people).
• Tents - 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks. All tents were purchased in 07/08.
• Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) for $5 per day.
• Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
• Toilet tent
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
• Porters (for equipment and personal items) They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7 kg per person). If you wish to take more, you can hire a porter, please contact us for costs.
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
• Tents for our staff to sleep in
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle - but not blister treatments as known in western countries.
• Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Train ticket (Backpacker service) from Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo.
• Bus down from  Machu Picchu (valued at $7 US)
• Box lunch final day in Machu Picchu

You should bring:

• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
• Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
• Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
  We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
• Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
• Small towel or sarong
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs)
• Cash - sufficient for your final lunch in Aguas Calientes, tips and souvenirs.
• Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
• Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
• Binoculars (if you have them)

optional extrasWe can hire the following to you.

• Sleeping Bag suitable for -5deg. ($4.00 per day)
• Deluxe Sleeping Bag suitable for -10deg. ($6.00 per day)
• Walking stick lightweight aluminum ($1.00 per day)
• Inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) ($5.00 per day)
• Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
• Porter - $25.00 per day Most people carry their own day pack with up to 5-10kg of their things - a change of clothes and wet weather gear etc. However, if you think that you will have much luggage and you want a very light day pack (eg. just camera and water) then its advisable that you hire an extra porter. ($100 for the whole trek, including the porter wages, food, and Inca Trail entry permit).

We can organise the following for you:

• Upgrade for hotel accomodation in Aguas Calientes (cost of upgrade depends on hotel)
• Massage in your hotel in Aguas Calientes ($25.00 per massage)

• Want to join with others to reduce price? TREKKERS WANTED

  , prior to departur

Please see our testimonials page.l

ALL NEW : scans of recent trip reports. Click on the link to view the pdf. After you have viewed it, click on back to return to this page.

10 august 2009 report 1

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - we support sustainable, responsible and ethical tourism...

366 Cuichipunco, Centro Historico, Cusco, Peru- Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005-08. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru