The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu still holds the enchantment and mystery for travelers seeking a once-in-a-life-time experience. Trekkers are rewarded with impressive vistas of the mighty Andes, exotic vegetation, Inca archaeological sites and the opportunity to enter Machu Picchu from the Gate of the Sun.

LIVING WAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
ARE is committed to providing a living wage to the indigenous porters that will be providing logistical support and guiding services for your trek. Our prices are both competitive while ensuring that local indigenous people benefit from your visit. We also are committed to the highest environmental standards to help preserve this sensitive and increasingly visited trail. For those travelers concerned about their impact on social and environmental issues we encourage you to research operators carefully before making a decision since many low-priced operators are not committed to these standards.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
ARE uses only the highest quality camping equipment to ensure your comfort and safety on the trek. Your personal cook will serve only nutritious, safe, and well-prepared food.

DAY 1: CUZCO - PAUCARCANCHA
Early morning pick up from your hotel in Cuzco and transfer to trailhead. Upon arrival we meet our porters and begin our trek. After a couple hours of gentle hiking we reach the Inca ruins of Llactapata beside the Urubamba River. Later we continue to our lunch spot at a small site of Inca ruins near the trail, here we have a picnic lunch.

After lunch we hike towards the village of Huayllabamba, a small agricultural settlement were traditional people live. At this point we make a detour from the original trail and hike for about 40 minutes to our campsite at Paucarcancha, a small but well preserved set of Inca ruins located in the junction of two small rivers that eventually flow into the Urubamba and the Amazon rivers. We visit this interesting site and set up camp at Paucarcancha. B,L,D

DAY 2: PAUCARCANCHA - LLULLUCCHAPAMPA
This day hike is an up-hill walk from 7,800 feet above sea level up to 11,400 feet. An early nourishing breakfast bolsters our energy for a short but fairly strenuous hike towards the first pass. We return to the main trail, past the village of Huayllabamba and we check in with authorities at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Park Station.

After registration we continue ascending the trail coming into a protected area where we can observe the changes in vegetation. We have a picnic lunch at a small clearing named "Three white stones" before we enter a forest of rare natives trees. We continue past the tree line where we will reach our campsite at Llullucchapampa, just below the first pass. B,L,D.

DAY 3: LLULLUCCHAPAMPA - PHUYUPATAMARCA
Today is our longest day. We will climb up and over the pass of Warmiwañusta at 13,440 feet. Our efforts are rewarded with unparalleled views of the snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Urubamba and the lush valley vegetation. From the pass we descend along the Inca Trail into the Pacaymayu valley and then return uphill towards the second pass.

Masterful Inca engineering is today's highlight along the trail as we surmount the second pass at 12,640 feet and descend to the ruins of Sayajmarca at 11,648 feet. We will take time to explore the ruins and then continue to the incomparable site of Phuyupatamarca, (the place among the clouds) at 11,770 feet. We camp here and have time to enjoy the magical charm of this marvelous site. If you feel adventurous, you can take a cold shower in an original Inca bath before settling down for the night. B,L,D

DAY 4: PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHU PICCHU
Today we reach Machu Picchu, the lost City of the Incas. In the morning, we set off to hike several hours down a stone paved trail which has a series of remarkable stairways, some carved in stone. We pass through a small tunnel and stop at several viewing terraces, and then we come to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, (Forever young). We continue on to Inti Punku (The Gate of the Sun). From here we see for the first time the spectacular complex of Machu Picchu below and we will enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the ruins. We will make a quick descent along the wide royal Inca road until we enter the mysterious citadel for a guided tour of Machu Picchu. We will spend some time exploring the complex. B,L

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TRIP DIFFICULTY: Journey requires participants to be in good health and physical conditioning. The Inca Trail is a high altitude trek and three of the mountain passes are above 12,000 feet. Travelers with health conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure should consult their physician before traveling.

INCLUDES: Transfer to trail head from Cuzco, all camping equipment (sleeping bag not included) and porter services. English guide services for the duration of the trip. Meals as specified in the itinerary, B=Breakfast; L= Lunch; D=Dinner. Entrance fee to Machu Picchu, guided tour of Machu Picchu, train ride back to Cuzco.

NOT INCLUDED: Hotel in Cuzco, international or domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees. Travel insurance. Excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages and items of personal nature.