Hostal Cusi Wasi - Cusco, Peru - Camino Inca 4 días (Español)

Inka Trail - 4 days

When the traveller first
visits Cusco, looks up and
observes the firmament,
in the distance, clean and
blue, there is no question:
today´s greatest
adventure is to follow the
steps of those who lived in
the ancient Inka Empire.

PRICE
(per person in american dollars)

us$315
(Reduction of us$25 for students with an ISIC card)

INCLUDES
Bus and train from Cusco to km 88,
Camping equipment,
First aid service,
All meals (3 times a day),
Licensed tour guide,
Entry to Machu Picchu,
Train tickets returning to Cusco.

DOESN'T INCLUDE
Sleeping bag
(may be rented for us$10 per person)

Early in the morning we’ll be transferred by bus from Cusi Wasi to the train station. From there we
travel by train to Corihuayrachina, known as "Km 88", get off there and start our great route. First we
pay the rights to enter the Inca Trail and be admitted to journey to the Sanctuary.

On the second day we leave early to make our way to
the hardest part of the Trail: the second day. We
climb to a pass of 4,200 meters high called
Warmihuañusca ("the place where a woman dies").
The long walk up is tough and tiring because of the
constant ascent. However, if you have some breath
left, spectacular views of the Andes mountain chain
await you. You may also appreciate the change in the
natural surrounding, which goes from the reasonably
warm temperature of the valleys, to the grassland of
the cold and treeless "puna". Once we've crossed the
pass and after a well-deserved lunch and rest, we'll
descend to the valley of the Pacaymayu River, where
we'll camp. The site has a public bath and a small
waterfall.

In order to see the sun rise above Machu Picchu,
we leave early on the fourth and last day. Along
the route we have a constant view over the
spectacular Urubamba river, running its course
from the high Andes to the deep Amazon rain
forest, forming numerous meanders which round
steep rock walls, covered with lush forests.

When we arrive to Intipunku, "Door of the Sun"
we'll enjoy the sunrise and the unforgettable and
once-in-a-lifetime view over the fabled and
mysterious city of Machu Picchu.

Many contemporary chroniclers render testimony to the
beauty of the Inca Trail, such as Hernando Pizarro, one of
the first conquerors. His astonishment is evident in the
following fragment:

"The way of the mountain range is a thing to see, because in
truth in so rugged country in christianity, such beautiful ways
have not been seen, throughout the greater part of the
journey. All the streams have wooden or stone bridges. In a
great river that was very mighty, which we happened to
cross twice, we found bridges made of ropes, which is a
wonderful thing to see! "

In the afternoon of the fourth day we'll return by train to Cusco, but you may also
spend the night in Aguas Calientes, enjoy the thermal baths and spend another day
in Machu Picchu.

RECOMENDED to bring with you
Sneakers o light walking shoes
A light backpack
Insect repellent
Sun block
Sun glasses
Hat with wide wings against the unforgiving sun
Medicine and personal items
Camera
Coins in small denominations (dollars or soles)
Plastic bags
Raincoat (long poncho) in the rainy season.

The first day is easy because the track is almost
flat. But it's beautiful. We pass by the
archaeological rests of
Llactapata, translated "town in the heights",
located above the Cusichaca River. Here we
find many "andenes" which used to provision the
warehouses of the ancient Inca Trail. After
after a delicious lunch and a noon rest, our walk
continues. The majestic "penacho" which crowns
the snow-capped Salkantay, gets darker: time to
camp. Our first camping site is in
Huayllabamba where we'll spend the night.

The third day has the largest walking distance
but is easier than the previous day. We cross a
second pass from where it is possible to observe
the amazing crest of the Runkuracay. After a
short descent, we climb to arrive to a third and
last pass of the day, the town of
Phuyupatamarca, translated "town on clouds",
one of the most original and undisturbed citadels
on the Trail. It is surrounded most of the day by
clouds but if you're lucky you have a precious
view over the Urubamba river.
In the afternoon we finally arrive in the last and
best equipped camping site: Wiñaywayna.
(3,600 meters high). All year round there are
typical orchids here that fill the place with their
red, yellow and purple colours.

Hostal "Cusi Wasi"

Cusco - Peru

"Cusi Wasi" is the
Quechua word for
"Happy House"

Don't hesitate to write if you have any questions!