Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 1 Day

INFORMATION

Additional Info for Private Inca Trail Tours

We would like to inform you of the regulations put in place by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture and SERNANP regarding access to the Inca Trail. Please ensure that you have a permit that matches your full name, passport number, nationality, and age, issued by the Ministry of Culture.

The number of visitors to the Inca Trail is tightly controlled with a maximum of 500 people per day, including support staff such as authorized porters, cooks, and tour guides. It’s important to note that when the daily visitor limit is reached, the Trail is closed off, and no further reservations can be made. We highly recommend booking permits a year in advance if possible.

Please note that only licensed Inca Trail Travel Agencies like Cachi life Peru can secure permits, which are not transferable at any point. In case of a change in the start date, a new permit must be purchased. We strictly adhere to the regulations set by the government of Peru.

In the event that permits are sold out for your desired start date, we are happy to suggest alternative treks to Machu Picchu, including Salkantay Trek, Inca Quarry Trek, and Lares Trek. Please feel free to contact us for further assistance.

Things to know

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable Inca Trail hike, we recommend breaking in your trekking shoes beforehand.

We advise spending two days in Cusco prior to the hike, especially for those not acclimatized to the altitude.

For peak season bookings in June to August, it is essential to reserve permits a year in advance.

Along the trail, bottled water is available for purchase on the first and second days, but not again until Machu Picchu.

Please keep in mind that individuals with back problems are discouraged from taking part in this 4-day trek.

Departures are available daily for groups of two or more, with no departures in February due to trail maintenance.

wheelchair access is not available on the trail.

DON’T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, insurance card, and personal medications.

Duffle bag

As part of our service, we will provide you with duffel bags that can be provided from our guide after the briefing. These duffel bags will be carried by your porters and will only be accessible at the campsites. We suggest placing your non-hiking attire and personal items in the duffel bag, allowing you to carry your essential items, such as water, snacks, first aid kit, and rain gear, separately in your day pack.

We ask that you ensure that your duffel bag does not exceed 7kg, of which only 4kg should be allocated to your personal belongings. The remaining 3kg should be reserved for your sleeping pad and sleeping bag. By allocating the weight correctly, you will ensure a comfortable and enjoyable hiking experience.

Strikes

We would like to inform you that, at times, strikes and roadblocks may occur in Peru which may cause disruption to our Private Inca Trail to Machu Picchu hike and rail service to and from Machu Picchu.  We understand the importance of your journey and want to ensure that any changes to your travel plans are kept to a minimum.

If a strike occurs on the first day of your Private Machu Picchu 4-day tour, we will take you to the trailhead the night before your start date, ensuring a smooth start to your journey. In the event that a strike occurs on the day of your return from the Private Inca Trail 4-day hike, we will send our vans to Hidroelectrica, where you will be required to hike an additional 2 hours from Aguas Calientes to Hidroelectrica. From there, we will transport you by van to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.

We are committed to providing a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience, and we thank you for your understanding should any unforeseen circumstances arise.

Returning from Machu Picchu to Cusco.

At Cachi Life Peru, we have taken care of all the logistics for your return trip from Machu Picchu to Cusco. We have arranged for a bus to take you from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, with buses departing every 15 minutes. From there, you will take a train to either Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station. Our guide will provide you with your train tickets and we ask that you arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure time.

The journey to Ollantaytambo is estimated to take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, while the journey to Poroy will take approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. Once you arrive at the train station, our transfer will be waiting for you with the Cachi Life Peru logo and will take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Inca trail weather

When hiking the Private Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, it is important to understand that the weather in the Andes can be unpredictable, with rain falling during the dry season and sunshine during the rainy season. As a professional, we recommend hikers prepare for variable weather conditions by bringing essential gear such as a rain jacket, rain pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Additionally, hikers should be aware that the trail has various microclimates that can change throughout the day, so it is important to dress in layers that can be easily adapted to temperature changes. Hikers should also bring a down jacket for the early morning and evenings when the weather is colder. Overall, being prepared with the right gear and clothing will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Travel Insurance

We highly suggest that you acquire travel insurance as it offers essential coverage for unforeseen circumstances during your Private 4-day Inca Trail tour. It can provide reimbursement for your pre-paid, non-refundable Inca Trail permit in case of last-minute cancellations. Additionally, having travel insurance can offer peace of mind as it can cover medical emergencies that may arise while traveling far away from home. In the event of a covered medical emergency, travel insurance can reimburse for necessary medical expenses incurred. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase travel insurance to ensure that you have adequate protection throughout your journey.

Physical requirements

We highly recommend that individuals embarking on this trek be in good physical condition due to the strenuous nature of the hike. The classic Inca Trail boasts elevation changes that challenge even seasoned hikers, featuring three passes throughout the trek. It is important to prepare and take into consideration the physical demands of the trail in order to fully enjoy your experience.

Pre-departure briefing

We would like to remind you that a pre-departure briefing is essential for a successful and unforgettable Inca Trail experience. The briefing will be one day before your hike, the meeting point will be in the lobby of your hotel or Airbnb at 6:00pm. The session takes approximately 30-45 minutes where your guide will be introduced to you and provide you with detailed information about the upcoming private tours to the Inca Trail, such as the list of essential items to bring, rental equipment, and answer any questions you may have. Should you have any difficulty attending the scheduled briefing, please contact us info@cachilifeperu.com team via email to coordinate an alternative time.

Tipping

We kindly remind our valued guests that it is customary to tip Inca Trail Trail tour staff, including our hard-working porters and skilled chefs. On the third afternoon of the tour, we will bid farewell to these incredible individuals and it is at this time that we request you provide a gratuity, if you so choose. Please note that tipping is voluntary and should never be a source of discomfort or coercion.

Typically, our guests choose to combine their tips for the chefs and porters, while tips for the tour guide are reserved for after the Machu Picchu guided tour. Additionally, we recommend providing tips in Soles for our chefs and porters, while both Soles and U.S. dollars are acceptable for the tour guide.

To assist in guiding your gratuity amount, we suggest considering a range of 60-90 Soles per porter and 120-150 Soles per chef. As always, any additional amount is greatly appreciated by our staff members. Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to providing you with an unforgettable Inca Trail experience.

Typical meals on the trek

Our commitment to offering the ultimate culinary experience during your trek to Machu Picchu is unwavering. To ensure that our meals are always of the highest quality, we regularly provide our cooks with intensive training during the low season. The menus we prepare are designed to showcase the freshest local ingredients and provide you with a range of dietary options, which includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options upon request at the time of booking.

For breakfast, indulge in hot porridge, quinoa, or oats, accompanied by a variety of freshly baked bread, fried eggs, omelets, and pancakes. To complete the meal, enjoy fresh fruit and a selection of hot beverages like coca tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.

Our lunch and dinner course offerings, a combination of traditional dishes and international cuisine, are served in two courses. The first course is typically a vegetable-based soup or a stuffed avocado, followed by hearty options such as beef stew, quinoa, and hamburgers. Finally, cap off the dining experience with a selection of desserts like chocolate pudding, vanilla cake, or fresh fruit.

During the trek, snacks such as candies, cookies, fruit juices, and a variety of Peruvian fruits, like bananas, chirimoya, and apples are also available to satisfy any cravings or keep up your energy levels