Country: peru
Locations: Cusco, ollantaytambo,km 82 piscacucho,llactapata,huayllabamba,pacaymayo,phuyupatamarka,wiñayhuayna,inti punku,machu picchu,aguas calientes
Price: below note: All Taxes are included 
special discounts:Note :10% DISCOUNT FOR GROUPS OF 6 PEOPLE OR MORE
SAE: 5% on full program price (valid South American Explorers Club membership card required). This discount may not be applicable in case a promotional price is offered http://www.saexplorers.org/club/home
•Teenagers: US$ 20.00 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings).
•Children: US$ 45.00 (up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings).
students discounts: US$ 20.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC )and must be below 26 years of age. Please beware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid).

 
The Inca road system/inca path to machu picchu/inca trail.
inka trail was constructed in pre-Columbian South America, the Inca road system, or Qhapaq Ñan. was the most extensive. The network was based on two north-south roads. The eastern route ran high in Puna and mountain valleys from Quito, Ecuador to Mendoza, Argentina. The western route followed the coastal plain except in coastal deserts where it hugged the foothills. More than twenty routes ran over the western mountains, while others traversed the eastern cordilla in the montana and lowlands. Some of these roads reach heights of over 5,000 m ( 16,500 ft ) above sea level. The trails connected the regions of the Inca empire from the northern provincial capital in Quito, Ecuador past the modern city of Santiago, Chile in the south. The Inca road system linked together about 40,000 km of roadway and provided access to over three million km² of territory.

The roads provided routes for rapid communication, personnel movement, and logistical support. The prime users were soldiers, porters and llama caravans, along with the nobility and individuals on official duty. Permission was required before others could walk along the roads, and tolls were charged at some bridges.Althought the Inca roads varied greatly in scale, construction and appearance, for the most part they varied between about one and four meters in width.
Because the Incas did not make use of the wheel for transportation, and did not have horses until the arrival of the Spanish in Peru in the 16th century, the trails were used almost exclusively by people walking, sometimes accompanied by pack animals, usually the llama.

Relay messengers, or chasqui, stationed at intervals of 6 to 9 km , carried both messaegs and objects such as fresh marine fish for the rulers in the sierra. Messages consisted of knotted-cord records known as quipu along with a spoken message. Chaskis could cover an estimated 240 km per day.
There were approximately 2,000 inns, or tambos, placed at even intervals along the trails. The inns provided food, shelter and military supplies to the tens of thousands who traveled the roads. There were corrals for llamas and stored provisions such as corn, lima beans, dried potatoes, and llama jerky. Along the roads, local villagers would plant fruit trees that were watered by irrigation ditches. This enabled chasqui runners and other travelers to be refreshed while on their journeys. Inca rope bridges provided access across valleys.

The most important Inca trail road was the Camino Real, as it is known in Spanish, with a length of 5,200 km ( 3,230 mi ). It began in Quito, Ecuador, passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucumán, Argentina. The Camino Real traversed the mountain ranges of the Andes, with peak altitudes of more than 5,000 m . El Camino de la Costa , the coastal trail, with a length of 4,000 km ( 2,420 mi ), ran parallel to the sea and was linked with the Camino Real by many smaller routes.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is actually three routes, which all meet up near Inti-Pata, the 'Sun Gate' and entrance to Machu Picchu. The three trails are known as the Mollepata, Classic and One Day trails, with Mollepata being the longest of the three. Located in the Andes mountain range, the Trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra. Settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins are located along the trail before ending the terminus at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain. The two longer routes require an ascent to beyond 12,000 ft ( 3,660 m ) above sea level, which can result in altitude sickness.
Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. As a result, advance booking is mandatory. A maximum of 500 people, including guides and porters, are permitted to begin the trail every day. As a result, the high season books out very quickly.

Note that the incatrail is closed every February for cleaning.
 

avoid disappointment - book your Inca Trail holiday in time
Over the last few years, the Peruvian government has imposed increasing restrictions on tourism on the Inca Trail in order to protect it from overuse. The aim is to minimise ecological impact and erosion, mainly by having limited access and improving the quality of the operators. There are now only a very limited number of trekking permits available - 500 per day (around 200 for travellers and the rest for staff) - and they are being issued on a first-come-first-served basis. In order to avoid disappointment we recommend booking well in advance (up to a minimum of 3 months in peak season), unless you are extremely flexible over your travel dates.

Click Below to check Real-Time inka trail Permits Official Availability 2010-2011:

CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TREKKING TO MACHUPICCHU 4 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS
DAY BY DAY INCA TRAIL ITINERARY

FIRST INCA TRAIL DAY: CUSCO - PISKACUCHO - KM 82 - WAYLLABAMBA We will leave from Cusco to start the Inca Trail .we travel to Urubamba where we will stop briefly at Ollaytaytambo where you can buy last minute gear and personal needing, then we move on to Piskacuchu (Km 82) Inca Trail Control Point .and then we start our hike of Inca Trail to Wayllabamba(first camping spot). along on the Inca Trail We will have lunch at Miskay (first Inca Trail Village) and relax a bit before hiking to our first Inca Trail Archaelogical site of Patallacta or Llactapata (biggest Inca Trail Quechuan Site) after an explanation of your guide about Llactapata ,you will keep going for 2 more hours to get Wayllabamba (first Inca Trail Camping spot 2900 m.a.s.l)
	SECOND INCA TRAIL DAY: WAYLLABAMBA - WARMIWAÑUSCA - PACAYMAYO We'll start our Inca Trail day, early in the morning, just to take advantage of the shade of the mountains ,its much better to hike up to thefirst Inca Trail pass (Warmihuañusca which means dead woman pass 4200 m.a.s.l) highest point of the Inca Trail. Here, we can literally see the various Inca Trail ecological zones and microclimates, which make up the area, mapped out in front of us. We will cross the Warmiwañusca pass and once we are on the top. we are going to see many snow-capped Mountains around and after we take a our group pciture we keep going dow to Pacaymayo (second Inca Trail Camping spot 3600 m.a.s.l) where we have our Lunch and then we will have a free afternoon to explore by ourselves.
THIRD INCA TRAIL DAY: PACAYMAYO - CHAQUICOCHA - WIÑAYWAYNA Inca Trail begins with a nutritious breakfast and then a 45-minute hike up to Runcurakay Pass (second highest pass on the Trail 3,850 m.a.s.l), and along the way we will visit the Runcuracay archeological site. During the day's hike, we will also visit the Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca quechuan archeological sites of the Inca Trail. After lunch we will head to the Wiñaywayna site , where we will spend our last night on the inca Trail and then we will have a celebratory dinner to then say good bye to our Inca Trail porters.
	FOURTH INCA TRAIL DAY:WIÑAYWAYNA - MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO Inca Trail Important 4 th Day After an early breakfast, we begin the final leg of the Inca Trail to the lost city of Machu picchu. First, we will hike to Inti Punku ("Sun Gate"), Gate of the Inca Trail where we will take in an inspiring and panoramic view of the Machu picchu citadel. After a short hike down to Machu picchu, we will register and then enjoy a 2-hours guided tour of the sanctuary-city. After the tour of Machupicchu, we will take the bus down or walk Part of the Inca Trail to Aguas Calientes where we will enjoy a lunch and free time to enjoy the town before returning to ollantaytambo by train and then bus back to cusco.

INCLUDES:

• Pre-departure briefing at your hotel/office
• Professional English speaking inca trail  tour guide
• Collection from your hotel (we pick you up where you are staying from) between 6:00 to 6:30 am
• Bus to km 82 piskakucho ( trailhead)
• Tourist train (cerrojo-backpacker ) back to Ollantaytambo and then bus back to Cusco)
• Entrance fee to the inca trail and Machu picchu
• Food: *3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 3 dinners
• We have 4 people tents for 2-people so there will be plenty of space to set up your backpacks
• Camping equipment (tent, cooking and eating tent. Chairs and tables )
• Foam Sleeping mattresses NOTE: the pad will be given to you at the km 82 (everyone has to carry their own mats)
( if you want to hire some comfortable self-inflating air mattress it also can be hired from us US$ 20 for the entire trail)
• Cook, porters (they just carry cooking stuff and camping equipment )
• Oxygen balloon for any emergency
• First Aid kit and Free Luggage storage. When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco. Nearly all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels charge for this service especially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at our Aymaras expeditions office.
• *Vegetarian/special diet options available

note: All Taxes are included .

NOTE:Train included in all tours is the Cerrojo backpacker (to Ollantaytambo) Train times will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 12:26 and being the 9:20pm the last train. Aymaras expeditions will organize the transport back to Cusco (by taxi or by bus).
Please Note: train times are subject to change depending on Peru rail click here to see timestable and availability.If organized in advance, the train can be upgraded to Vistadome (larger windows than the backpaker cerrojo train to ollantaytambo ) for an increased price of US$ 30.let us know please.

( click to see details)  BACKPACKER  –  VISTADOME

DOESNT INCLUDE:

• Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes town
• Bus ticket from Machu picchu to Aguas Calientes (optional) one way US$7 (instead of walking down.)
• Entrances to the hot springs water in Aguas Calientes 10 soles
• Sleeping bag (goose down) -15ºC-extreme it can be hired from us US$20 for all trek mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 25 trips (and it must be carry by you)

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING :
• Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC) if applicable) if for any reason you organize a new passport bring some clear copies of the old one as well.
• Travel Insurance card is essential
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• couple of T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers (zip off pants )
• Sun hat , Bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Water Purification tablets ( recommended micropur)
• Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
• Insect repellent ( for Aguas Calientes and Machupicchu )
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Torch with spare batteries ( we recommend head lights )
• Some extra snacks ( like chocolates ,candies )
 

Options:
(1) Single room at Aguas Calientes town (evening on day 4) the accommodations at Aguas Calientes on the 4th night is based on double or triple occupancy
(DWB or TWB). If a client would like to have a single room, need to add US$15.00 to the base price of the tour. You must decide if you want to have a single room in advance and let Us know when making your trek reservation since we need to purchase the hotel booking in advance as well. You cannot decide it at a later date or once you arrive in Cusco.
(2) An extra night in Aguas Calientes can easily be arranged for you if required. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to trek costs. It is best to make your hotel reservation directly.
(3) Vegetarian Meals. We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days prior to trek departure.
(4) Single tent.if you don't want to shared your tent with somebody extra cost of US$20 for all the inka trail
(5) Sleeping bag hire. If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the the to Peru with you then we have sleeping bags in our office for rent. The price is US$20 per person for all the trek.

Reservation details: All trek reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance (however 15 days in advance is recommended especially during the months of June, July , August and September)
Other information:
(1) Luggage storage. When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco. Nearly all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels charge for this service especially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at our office.
(2) Time of arrival in Cusco. Unless you plan to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you will return to your hotel in Cusco for approximately 10 pm on the last day of the trek.
(3) Trek Itinerary: For a detailed description of our 4 day trekking itinerary see below.

NOTE ABOUT CAMPSITES ON THE INCA TRAIL
Please note that we are not in control of the campsites we are issued with from the Institute of National Culture. In general your campsite allocation is dependent on how early you book, or rather, how many permits are left. The first 250 spaces are generally given to Winay Wayna (3rd campsite) and thereafter you will have a longer walk to Machupicchu on the last day and it could mean you do not make it for sunrise. Do not let this disappoint you as Machupicchu is marvellous in itself!
UP TO DATE INKA TRAIL PERMIT AVAILABILITY
If you wish to check on permit availability you can view spaces at : INKA TRAIL The Inca Trail is regulated by 500 spaces per day including support staff. Availability can shift very quickly so we advise you to book well in advance especially for the high season months of May, June, July and August.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PERSONAL INKA TRAIL PORTERS
Our Porters carry a maximum load of 15kg, but we kindly ask you to not exceed your 7kg stated allowance as we need to adhere to the INC regulations and more importantly not damage the health and welfare of our Porters! Please note that if you want to hire a personal porter you need to tell us this at the time of making your reservation as our Porters also require permits to enter the trail and we cannot add on more porters after we have obtained your permits!
PRIVATE INKA TRAIL SERVICE
If you would like your group to be "closed", no other persons added to it, then this is possible to arrange for an extra $50 per person. With this service you are given more flexibility to walk at your own pace, you will have the guide to yourselves and an all round more personal service! At the time of making your reservation kindly indicate to us that you would prefer this option.
INCA TRAILSTUDENTS DISCOUNTS
If you have a valid ISIC Student Card you are entitled to US $ 30 discount. When making your booking please send us a scanned in version of your Student Card to entitle you to the discount.

HOW TO BOOK AND SEND YOUR TREK DEPOSIT (Click here and read carefully what you must do)