{"id":208,"date":"2008-10-09T15:11:12","date_gmt":"2008-10-09T15:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/withinrch.wordpress.com\/?p=208"},"modified":"2008-10-09T15:11:12","modified_gmt":"2008-10-09T15:11:12","slug":"inca-trail-itineraries-amenities-constraints-and-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventureswithinreach.com\/travel\/2008\/10\/09\/inca-trail-itineraries-amenities-constraints-and-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"Inca Trail Itineraries, Amenities, Constraints, and Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"

[digg=http:\/\/digg.com\/travel_places\/Inca_Trail_Itineraries_Amenities_and_Constraints]<\/p>\n

INCA TRAIL<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Inca<\/a>

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu<\/p><\/div>\n

Much has changed over the last decade on the Inca Trail.The experience is still unique and exhilarating but with the regulations that have come into place since the year 2000, many constraints have been placed.<\/span><\/p>\n

A lot of areas of the trail have been reconstructed and the Institute of National Culture, which has financed this work, has replaced steep trail sections with steps.\u00a0We consider that 30% of the trail has now been replaced by steps.<\/p>\n

ITINERARIES AND DURATION<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We offer two versions of the Inca Trail program.<\/span><\/p>\n

The longer Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5D\/5N)<\/strong><\/span><\/a> one starts at Km. 82 of the railroad at Piscaycucho where we arrive by vehicle, walking along the right-hand side of the river until reaching Qoriwayrachina (Km. 88) where we usually have a picnic lunch.\u00a0In the early afternoon, we cross the footbridge and visit the ruins of Q\u2019ente (if time permits) and the complex of Patallacta before heading to camp at Chamana, a campsite opposite Patallacta, across the Cusichaca stream (in the buffer zone of the MPHS).<\/p>\n

The next day we head up the Cusichaca Valley and at Huayllabamba we begin our ascent to Llulluchapampa, below the first pass, where we camp.<\/p>\n

\"Ruins

Ruins on Inca Trail<\/p><\/div>\n

On the third day, over the Warmiwanusqa Pass down to the Pacaymayo valley where we snack.\u00a0Continue over the second pass of Runkuraqay and then past Sayacmarca Ruins to lunch at Chakicocha, a site with toilet facilities and allocated campsites.\u00a0From here we continue to Phuyupatamarca where camp is set up at an allocated spot above the site.<\/p>\n

The fourth day we descend via a visit to Phuyupatamarca ruins along the way to reach Machu Picchu by way of Inti Punku in the early afternoon and take the bus down to a reserved hotel.\u00a0The fifth day is the guided visit of the citadel and return to Cusco in the afternoon on one of the scheduled trains.<\/p>\n

SET DEPARTURE TREK PRICE:\u00a0US$ 1120.00<\/h3>\n

The shorter version which we call the Inca Trail Express (2D\/1N)<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is just the last two days of the above itinerary with no camping.<\/p>\n

CAMPSITES <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Camping<\/a>

Camping on Inca Trail<\/p><\/div>\n

On the 5-day Inca Trail Trek<\/a><\/strong>, the first day we camp in a small community opposite Llactapata ruins, called Chamana where we have set up an exclusive campsite with toilets and a hot shower, as well as a cooking area, small support warehouse and a dining refuge. <\/span><\/p>\n

The second day we camp at Llulluchapampa (below the first pass) and, depending on the congestion of other groups, we either camp at the entrance of the pampa near the new stand-up toilet facilities or at the higher end of the pampa in a more protected area.<\/p>\n

\"Dining

Dining on Inca Trail<\/p><\/div>\n

The third day we camp above Phuyupatamarca Ruins at a designated camp-site now allocated by INRENA, the National Park Service.\u00a0On the fourth day, arriving at Machu Picchu Pueblo the village, there are many options of hostels and hotels, depending on price range and availability. So it is important when booking the Inca Trail you let us know what standard hotel you want us to request, book and confirm, we will quote the price and confirm your booking.<\/p>\n

At campsites we provide as usual —\u00a0 kitchen and dining tents with stools and tables as well as a toilet tent, a side from two man tents with pads.<\/p>\n

TOILET AND WASHING FACILITIES<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Permanent bathrooms with wash basins have been established along the trail in certain areas.\u00a0The only camp-site that we use which has access to bathrooms is Llulluchapampa. Other times where we have access to these facilities are at the lunch spots on the days we trek according to the itinerary we offer (Day 2, Day 3, Day 4). We continue to supply warm washing water in the morning and evening in bowls and, of course, toilet tents. Depending on the size of the group we supply one or two toilet tents.\u00a0We have two systems available but they both require carry\u2013out procedures and disposal at the end of the trek. <\/span><\/p>\n

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The National Institute of Culture (INC) is the entity in charge of the administration of all archaeological sites, monuments and the public museums in Peru. They are the ones that decide the prices for entrance fees to monuments, archaeological sites and museums.\u00a0They are in charge of the reservation system which is managed and monitored by them.\u00a0It is the institution where we purchase the entrance fee for the Inca Trail and the citadel (one or two day visits).<\/span><\/p>\n

For the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu you have limited spaces (500 daily permits) including tourists and support staff. On their website:\u00a0http:\/\/www.inc-cusco.gob.pe\/Kratos\/site\/<\/a> you can check available spaces for the Inca Trail, on specific dates as a direct way of viewing availability, before accepting a booking while you discuss alternatives with clients and with us over e-mail. Click over “Ingresar como invitados”<\/span>, then click on “Consultas”<\/span>, next click on “Disponibilidad Camino Inca”<\/span> and finally choose month and click on “Ver Disponibilidad”<\/span>. These guidelines will let you know permits availability.<\/p>\n

Through the \u201cIntendencia de Areas Protegidas y Fauna Silvestre\u201d (IANPFS), a division of INRENA (Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales) in charge of the National Park System, this entity receives a percentage of the entrance fee to oversee the natural resources and biodiversity conservation of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Soon this division will be integrated into the Ministry of the Environment, recently created.<\/p>\n

RESERVATIONS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We recommend you make \u201cInca Trail to Machu Picchu\u201d reservations with at least four (4) months prior to arrival. <\/span><\/p>\n

Due to the new regulations for the Inca Trail, we need complete passenger information. You have to be aware that permits once requested must be paid within 24 hours when booking is made and are not refundable and cannot be transferred or modified.<\/p>\n

The passenger information required includes:<\/p>\n