Inca Trail Hike   - 4 days
The Inca Empire, called Tawantinsuyu, went from the present Ecuador as far as the present Chile. Its capital was Cuzco, which means Center of the World (the Inca World). According to the Spanish in the 16th century, the Incas were the most organized society in the world. This empire had an enormous infrastructure but very well organized. Communications were organized as well, thanks to transport ways but also to messengers (chasquis) who covered the territory. They transmitted information or commands and transported merchandise. As an anecdote, we can mention for example that the Inca, in Cuzco (in the middle of the Andes) could eat fresh fish 3 hours after fishing it at the sea, while the Spanish needed 2 weeks by horse to go from the coast to the capital of the Empire, Cuzco. The "Descendant of the Sun" deserved it!
What is exactly the Inca Trail?
Those who are less brave or in a hurry can visit Machu Picchu leaving Cuzco by train or even by bus. Some, like us, think that the better way to appreciate Machu Picchu is walking on the traces of the Incas, who took this path 5 centuries earlier. The pleasure is not only to get there but through the whole trek, you can feel the Peruvian and the Incas history come to live, slowly, every step of the way. This is the way to discover other ancient sites. Were they resting places for the Inca or supplying points? Nobody knows; nevertheless, the wonder is there.
Every step that gets you closer to the splendid Machu Picchu is also a way to appreciate it better. We think it is better than arriving directly to the train station. However, all that is nothing compared to the ending of this unforgettable trek. It is the arrival at sunrise to the citadel of Machu Picchu, through the main gate! Because you will arrive through the "Gate of the Sun". You have to live this experience to really understand the meaning of "Gate of the Sun and also to understand the trek. The rest is nothing but words.

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4 days/ 3 nights $ 675 per person
Dates 2008:
all year depending on trail availability
Meeting:  Cusco hotel pick up

Included
Inka Trail Service 4d/3n : Guide; Cook; Porters; 2-person Tents; Cooking Tent; Dining Tent; Camp Tables & Chairs;
Cooking and Eating Utensils;
Transfer Cusco - KM82;
Guided Tour of Machu Picchu; Entrance Fee to the Inka Trail & Machu Picchu ; All food from Lunch on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 4;
Bus Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes 
Tourist Train Aguas Calientes-Cuzco
Transfer Station-Hotel in Cuzco
Not included:
Medical Insurance
Sleeping Bag
Tips to Guide
Alcoholic Drinks, and any other personal expense
Food in Cusco and Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu

Meals included as indicated:
B= Breakfast   L= Lunch   D= Dinner
Itinerary
Day 1 CUSCO - HUALLABAMBA
Early pick up at your hotel. Then a 2 hour drive in a private bus to KM82. There we start our trek at 2900m with an easy 5 hour walk through eucalyptus trees to our first camp (3000m) by the site of Huallabamba.
Accom- TENT / Meals - B, L, D

Day 2 HUALLABAMBA - PACAYMAYU
Today we leave the Vilcanota Valley and enter a small enclosed valley with green and abundant vegetation due to the proximity of the Amazon. We climb progressively to our first Pass - the Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's) at 4200m, before we descend to our campsite at 3600m.
Accom - TENT / Meals - B, L, D

Day 3 PACAYMAYU - HUINAYHUAYNA
We pass by an Inca staircase up to the site of Runkurakay and then up to the Pass of the same name. We then continue up to the Phuyupatamarca Pass (3800m) then descend to our camp at Huinayhuayna after our 7 hour walk. We can see hummingbirds, orchids and fuchsias along the way. Campsite at 2600m
Accom - TENT / Meals - B, L, D