HIGHLIGHTS
- Hiking the second most beautiful place on earth.
- Transfer airport Pick up and Drop off . (Cusco city)
- Small groups and _customized experiences
- Panoramic train on the way back to Cusco
- Learn and interact with our native Tour Guides
- Meet our multicultural team
- 2% of the price you pay goes to support our Social Projects
- Extra porter is included to carry your personal stuff (7 kg duffle bag, most tour companies charge you for this extra service).
Pre-Trek Briefing:
The tour guide will meet you at your hotel one day before your tour to give you a briefing. They will tell you all about your tour and answer any questions you may have. It is important to us that you ask any questions you may have so the tour guide will get you ready for your amazing tour.
TREKKING WITH BEST TEAM
You will hike with the best team made of our guides, our chefs and porters. You will be proud of the people in our team for their hard work. We treat our team very well and provide them with everything they need to work well and respond to your needs. We have the best equipment to camp in each camping sites.
What makes us different?
Runas Expeditions is owned by locals and based in Cusco-Peru. Runas Expeditions has the best professional staff, we work hard to provide a high-quality service, RE organize all kinds of tour packages and we are ready to answer your questions, we arrange your tour according to your needs and we are very flexible. And the most important thing for us is your safety in each tour, you are in good hands, we take care of you from door to door.
- 100 % local tour company
- Passion for the essential and details
- Passion for Peru Tours
- Small groups and _customized experiences
- Authentic experiences
- Safety standars
- Experienced Tour Guides
- Committed to social projects
Equipment
Every camping tour includes a spacious 4 man tent that will be shared by only two people so you can spread out a bit. These are all King Camp Tents made for all seasons Our rentals are top of the line: Black Diamond Adjustable Walking Sticks, the Thermarest Air Matts can be rented at our office. Sleeping Bags rented from us are mummy style down bags for -15C and liners are always included.
Food
Every trek includes a chef that has been trained in culinary school. They have learned the magic of mountain cooking and you will be amazed. You will enjoy full breakfast, lunch and dinner all served hot and tasty. We also include Happy Hour with snacks and some hot tea before dinner. The key to feeling good on a trek like this is eating well and staying hydrated.
Meals are all served family style – large plates for everyone to take what they like. And all food restrictions are honored. No matter if you are vegetarian or gluten free, you will always be well fed.
TOUR NAME: INCA TRAIL 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS.
- TOTAL DISTANCE: 45km / 27 miles.
- Day1: 9 km/5.4 miles, 7 hours approx.
- Day2: 13 km /7.8 miles, 8 hours approx.
- Day3: 11 km/6.6 miles, 7 hours approx.
- Day4: 12 km/7.2 miles, 6 hours approx.
- Day5: Machu Picchu Tour and Back to Cusco.
- Type of trek: Nature, Cultural and history adventure and much more.
- Elevation: 2000 m / 6400 ft.
- Elevation: 4200 m / 13700 ft.
- Weather: From Abril to October dry season, from November to March wet season.
- Hot Spring: Day 4, Optional at Aguas Calientes Town.
- HuaynaPicchu Mountain: Optional, you can climb if you book the ticket.
- Machu Picchu Mountains: optional, you can climb if you book the ticket.
- Train Service: Expedition at 2:55pm or 3:20pm
Optional items:
- Vistadome Train (one way): $75 per person
- Huayna Picchu Mountain –tickets cost an additional $75 per person. To get this ticket, you need to book far in advance; climbing takes 2 hours round trip.
- Machu Picchu Mountain – tickets cost an additional $75 per person. To get this ticket, you need to book far in advance; climbing takes 3 hours round trip.
DAY 1: CUSCO – KM82 – TARACHAYOQ – HATUNCHACA
Start our amazing tour. We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00am. After that you will drive 3 hours in order to get the starting point of the trek km 82 (2800m or 9500ft). In the morning you will drive through the sacred valley of the Incas with amazing views around and one of these places we pass through is Ollantaytambo Inca Town and also we stop to purchase the last stuff for our hike (water, coca leaves etc.), and also we meet our porters and then we keep driving to the starting point of trek Inca Trail km 82. You will have breakfast before hiking which is not far from first check point of the trail, our chef will prepare the first delicious breakfast, and then you will start hiking around 9:00am.
For us, it is only 6 hours of hiking in whole day, 4 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon, you will take your time, taking your pictures and having a lot of explanations from the tour Guide, the environment and landscape are wonderful and also you will pass through several villages like carpamayu, Mescaq, Taray, Hatunchaca and also you will see and visit the biggest Inca Ruins along the Inca Trail called Llaqtapata (2900m / 9280 ft). Lunch will be at Tarachayoq village (2850m or 1010ft), and then, we will hike 2 more hours to get camping place called Hatunchaca (2950m or 1010ft). Trail in general is not that hard is flat with little up and down.
Hatunchaca camp is a small village but private for us and our amazing porter will be waiting for you at camp.
Not rush you will have plenty of time to do the trek and also our Tour Guides will be ready to help you at any times.
Trip overview:
- Meals: Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, happy hour, Dinner.
- Lowest Elevation: 2850 m/ 9120 ft
- Highest Elevation: 3000 m/ 9600 ft
- Distance of walking: 9 km/ 5.4 miles
- Approximate walking time: 6 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Easy.
- Area: Dry Mountain
DAY 2: HATUNCHACA – LLULLUCHAPAMPA – PAQAYMAYU
This is another wonderful day but challenging! We will get up with coca tea in your tent-room service at 6:00am. After breakfast you will start our ascend to Dead Woman pass around 7:30am. Until one point you will probably be the only ones hiking on the trail and having the amazing views of the snow – capped Mountains and the cloud forest on the way, you will be trekking in the morning about 4 hours in order to get lunch which is uphill steps. Lunch will be at llulluchapampa spot (3800m/12160ft), at this place you can purchase the last supplies and also meet some llamas.
After lunch you keep ascending Inca steps for 2 more hours to get Dead Woman Pass (4215m / 13700), which is the highest point in whole Inca Trail, the views at this place is just amazing and the experience is unique, probably not much people around which is even better, after your resting and pictures at summit you will continue to descend for 2 more hours Inca steps to get the camping place called Pacaymayu (3600m or 11700ft), you will be arriving to camp at 4:30pm. The second day has a combination cloud forest and the high lands.
Trip overview:
- Meals: Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, happy hour, Dinner.
- Lowest Elevation: 3000 m/ 9600 ft
- Highest Elevation: 4215 m/ 13700 ft
- Distance of walking: 13 km/ 7.8 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Area: Dry Mountain
DAY 3: PACAYMAYU – RUNCURACAY PASS – CHAQUICOCHA – PHUYUPATAMARCA
This is another special day! We will get up with coca tea in your tent-room service at 6:00am. After the breakfast we will start to hike uphill Inca steps for 2 hours to the second top, on the way you will see fantastic waterfalls, flora and fauna. Half way up to second top, we will stop to visit another Inca Ruins called Runcuraqay (Inca watch tower) and also it will be nice chance to rest and take more pictures of the valley, from Runcuraqay site you will be able to see Dead Woman Pass again. Then you keep hiking up for 1 more hour to reach the second highest point of the Inca Trail called Runcuraqay Pass (4000m / 12800ft).
At second summit you will have another impressive views of the valley and the snow cups Mountains etc. After the second summit you will continue descending for 2 hours to get our lunch spot, this part of the trail is jungle already cloud forest (beginning of the amazon basin), and you will be visiting another 2 Inca Ruins called Sayaqmarca and Conchamarca (both temples). Lunch spot is called Chaquicocha (3600m/11520ft) and our chef will provide lunch around 12:30pm.
After lunch and some siesta we will walk 2 more hours gently way which is almost flat with another amazing views. Along the way to the third pass Phuyupatamarca you will be able to see the second highest mountain in Cusco Region called Salkantay (6200m /21000ft), Pumasillo Mountain (5750m /18400ft), Bonanza Mountain (5700m /18240ft) and also you will pass through the Inca tunnel, and this part of the trail is original. Little by little you will reach the third Pass Phuyupatamarca (3650m / 11700ft). At Phuyupatamarca camp will have the one of the best views along the trail and also you will be able to see Machupicchu Mountain, Huaynapicchu Mountain and much more around.
This camping place is the best because you will be able to enjoy the stars constellations milky way. Phuyupatamarca is our last camp site.
Trip overview:
- Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, happy hour, Dinner.
- Lowest Elevation: 3650 m/ 11700 ft
- Highest Elevation: 4000 m/ 12850 ft
- Distance of walking: 11 km/ 6.6 miles
- Approximate walking time: 7 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging and Moderate.
- Area: Dry and Humid Mountain.
DAY 4: PHUYUMATAMARCA – WIÑAYNAYNA – SUNGATE – MACHUPICCHU.
Our last day hiking! Today will have the opportunity to enjoy it one of the most spectacular sun sunrises on the Inca trail. You will still hike into the jungle with the amazing views on the way. Today you will go through the Sungate (2700m /8640ft), And you will be at Machu Picchu in the afternoon to enjoy it the Sunset.
You will wake up with our last super service coca tea at 6:00am and enjoy it the last breakfast in the mountains. After your breakfast, you will start hiking around 7:00am. Right after 10 minutes of walking down Inca steps we will reach the Inca Ruins Phuyupatamarca and have tour with your Guide. Today is mostly downhill from the third pass to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8480ft) will be 3 and half hours of descending stone steps. And little by little on the way we will be hiking into the rain forest which is warm and humid and then reach another Inca Ruins called Intipata (2800m/8960ft). In Intipata you have another incredible views, this Inca Ruins is huge and also you will relax to enjoy it, all the views are unique. Afterwards you will continue descending Inca steps to get our lunch spot Wiñaywayna. Our chef will prepare our last lunch in the Mountains. After lunch it will be the time to say goodbye to your team, chef and porters, for us it is very important how happy you are about the service, your experience with them, in this case people normally tips them at this place. tip is optional.
After lunch we continue with our activities, we will visit the last and the most beautiful Inca Ruins called Wiñaywayna which is only 10 minutes of walking from lunch place, you will have a tour with your Professional Tour Guide and then you continue hiking for 1 and half more hours to get Sun gate. In order to get the Sun gate, we will hike 1 hour almost flat and the last 20 minutes will be uphill Inca steps to reach the Sun gate. From Sun gate you will have the first views of Machu Picchu inca city and, Huaynapicchu Mountain and much more Mountains around. After this place we continue descending gently way to Machu Picchu for one more hour, on the way you will have more chance to take more pictures, once you get Machu Picchu your Tour Guide will take you to the right spot to take the classic photos of Machu Picchu (Sunset).
Then you continue walking down for 10 more minutes to the check point of Machu Picchu to catch a touristic bus from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes for 30 minutes and then your Tour Guide will take you to your Hotel. Later on we will have dinner in one of the best restaurants in Aguas Calientes.
As option you can go the Hot Spring before dinner.
Trip overview:
- Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner.
- Lowest Elevation: 2650 m/ 8480 ft
- Highest Elevation: 3650 m/ 11700ft
- Distance of walking: 12 km/ 7 miles
- Approximate walking time: 7 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
- Area: Humid Mountain
DAY 5: MACHUPICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES – CUSCO.
The most important! You will get up and have breakfast early at the hotel, because the first bus to Machupicchu is at 5:30am. If you want to enjoy the sunrise at Machu Picchu site, you have to get up early that will be the only way to enjoy it the sunrise. We will drive back half an hour to reach the Inca city Machu Picchu. The Inca ruins Machu Picchu opens at 6:00am. Your guiding tour will take 2 ½ hours approximately. After your tour, you will have free time to explore by your own, so you can explore the Inca Bridge, Machupicchu Mountain, Huaynapicchu Mountain etc. Once you have done, you take a bus back to Aguas Calientes. You will meet up with your tour guide in Aguas Calientes town to get your train ticket, or you can collect your ticket in Machupicchu. (train expedition is at 2:55pm or 3:20pm)
Your transportation back to Cusco will be by train and bus. From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo town, you will take a train, which will take 1 hour and half. Then, from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, you will take by our private van, which will take 2 hours.
All transportation back in Cusco or anywhere will be to your hotel.
Trip overview:
- Meals: Breakfast.
- Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft.
- Highest Elevation: 2,400 m/ 7,800 ft.
- Weather: warm and humid.
Note: all our tour guides will take you to the official place to take the classic pictures of Machupicchu, and after this the tour guide will start the tour. Also, if you would like to hike Machupicchu or Huaynapicchu Mountain, or do any other upgrade, please let us know and we will arrange.
Huaynapicchu and Machupicchu Mountain you should book in advance like 3 month before doing any tours in Peru.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY RUNAS EXPEDITIONS?
RUNAS EXPEDITIONS is an experienced travel company, we are experts doing tours and you are our motivation; to show you our culture; You will have your best adventure and experience ever in PERU. We will work together to do your trip, hiking through the Andes to reach MACHUPICCHU or any other tours.
Peru is one of the countries that has so many things to do as an adventure, so we offer you the best experiences ever in your lifetime. Whatever is your tour you will have the best adventures. All our tours are only and strictly operated by RUNAS EXPEDITIONS with our professional staff. we are located and based in Cusco, working more than 10 years in the tourism industry, we believe that we are in advance than any others tour companies because we really practice and educate the people to protect the environment and we really help to local people with giving jobs, and giving donations to the local children. And we really care about our employees guides, chefs, porters, horsemen and all our staff. Runas Expeditions contributes to the Peruviangovernment with 19%taxes on all sales (overseas companies are exempt from paying this so do not contribute to the Peruvian economy in this aspect).
All our tour guides are from university who speak English; they are very professional with a lot knowledgeable and a lot passion to their work.
DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
Well all the treks Inca trail, Ancascocha trek, Inca Quarry Trek, Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Ausangate trek or whatever trek are moderately difficult, at least you need to train like go running, gym, hike a little bit or do any exercise. On the trail you will have enough time do anything, if you are hiking slow on the way that’s not problem take your time enjoy yourself because our tour guides will be ready to help at any times.
Please when you will be going high altitudes, go slowly and steady and drink a lot water and of course drink the magical coca tea.
How long in advance should I book for the Inca trail?
Inca Trail is busy almost all year; high season is May, Jun and July and government allow only 500 people per day as permission. You have to book 5, 6, 7 months in advance before doing the Inca Trail.
For the alternative trek or any Machu Picchu tours: Ancascocha Treks, Inca Quarry Trek, Lares trek, salkantay, Huchuy Qosqo etc. You can book three months in advance before doing the trek or any tour.
How can I proceed to book a reservation for the Inca trail?
Sending your main Departure date and back up date:
You must provide us a main date and a backup date. By providing us with a main date and a backup date for your trek classic Inca Trail, you automatically authorize Runas Expeditions to use either of these dates for your reservation. Runas Expeditions within the next 24 hours, we will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and also to confirm the exact departure date of your trek. And will be required to make a deposit of 20% or 200$ USA of the total price of the Inca Trail. If you want more information just follow the website or contact us.
How can I proceed to book a reservation for the altervative treks?
The same as the Inca Trail, sending your departure date and backup date:
You must provide us a main date and a backup date. By providing us with a main date and a backup date for your trek classic, you automatically authorize Runas Expeditions to use either of these dates for your reservation. Runas Expeditions within the next 24 hours, we will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and also to confirm the exact departure date of your trek and also you have to do a deposited of 200$ usa or 20% of the total price of the trip.
How many days in advance is recommended to BE in Cusco?
How far in advance must one check in at the ROYAL ADVENTURE Office to guarantee the reservation?All the hiker from any treks, we high recommended to be in Cusco 1 or 2 days before doing the trek or any tour in order to acclimatize with high elevation. The last details about your trek (to pay the remaining balance) should be at the Runas Expeditions office at least two days prior to departure.
HOW TO MAKE A DEPOSIT?
We are Unable to accept any bookings without completed booking form and deposit sent to Runas Expeditions. All deposits are $200 per person and are non-refundable.
We accept payments through PayPal and Visa, they do charge 6% so the total per person is $212 and should be sent to runasexpeditions@gmail.com
You can make your deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on our page or you need to log into your Paypal account and send the money to runasexpeditions@gmail.com
NOTE: The client will assume all transaction fees.
CAN I BOOK GROUP SERVICE OR PRIVATE SERVICE.
When you book as Group Service, you will meet people from different nationalities, different ages, and different culture minds, while you are hiking you don’t have to wait for the last one but you will wait at lunch place and camping site because you will share the same food, the same sleeping tents etc.
When you book as Private Service, you will definitely have exclusive service with more details and surprise to you. You will travel just yourself not with other people to share thing, it will selected just two people for honeymooners, for family or a group of friends and normally the groups are small but they could be a big group.
Is there a meeting before the trek?
Of course there will be a meeting at Runas Expeditions office before doing any tours, where you will meet your tour guide, the rest of your group, and be provided with a clear information about your trek or any tours.
Can i rent equipment from Runas expeditions?
Yes, You can. Here you can rent sleeping bag, sleeping tens, trekking poles, inflammable matrass or air mattresses but we don’t rent hiking boots, rain jackets or other personal clothing.
CAN I RENT AN EXTRA PORTER AND HOW MUCH WILL THEY CARRY FOR ME?
Runas Expeditions, you don’t have to pay for extra porter, we included in all our tour extra porter to carry 6 kilos per person (duffle bag), so we are the only tour company who provide this. You will carry just a small daypack.
DO I NEED INSURANCE?
We strongly advise you to get travel insurance that covers accidents, medical expenses and emergency repatriation, including rescue and air ambulance. We also recommend that it covers bad weather tour cancellations, loss of luggage, etc. Please forward a copy/ policy number to our offices.
How many people will there be in my group?
According to Peruvian laws and regulation on the Inca Trail, the maximum group size is 16 hikers and 2 tour guides. After 9 hikers there will be 2 tour guides, and from 2 hikers to 8 hikers there will be a tour guide. At many times of year, the group size will be smaller.
IF I am travelling by myself. Will I have to share THE SLEEPING tent?
The sleeping tents for all our treks are 4 man tents but we only designed for two people in each thus allowing you more space and comfort. If you are travelling alone and there is an even number of people in your group, you will share the tent with somebody else unless you rent an extra single tent.
ARE THERE TOILETS ALONG THE WAY?
On the Inca Trail there are toilets at every lunch spot and every campsites. The type of toilets are squat toilets and sometimes will be busy, they may become slightly dirty.
We will provide chemical baths on the Inca trail and alternate treks, as these baths are more hygienic
WHAT KIND OF FOOD ARE THERE ON THE TRAIL? Can I GET my dietary needs?
You should not worry about the food; our meals are just amazing and plenty for everyone, the type of food that we provide are buffet so you can eat as much as you want. And definitely we have the best food, by the way you will have four meals per Day Breakfast, Lunch, Happy hour and Dinner.
Runas Expeditions is able to accommodate many types of needs upon request at the time of booking. If you are vegetarian or any specially diet or any specific allergies, it will not be a problem for. Our international chefs will be able to give you a surprise at every meal and you will have variety of dietary needs.
WILL I GET WATER ALONG THE WAY?
We will provide you boiled water. At Every morning, you will get plenty water from us, and after every lunch you will get more water from us, even if you need water at night just let us know.
Is there a student discount?
Runas Expeditions gives student discounts of %25. You only need to send us your scanned student card at booking time, and your price will be adjusted accordingly.
WHAT TIME WILL I GET BACK TO CUSCO?
We give you all the chance to enjoy more the Inca city Machu Picchu. Our transportation back to Cusco is not early and not late. That’s why we have to book in advance too, because the Train Company Peru Rail provides us all departure times. You will get back to Cusco between 7pm to 8pm.
WHAT TIME WILL I ARRIVE AT MACHUPICCHU?
When you are coming from the Inca Trail, you will arrive to MachuPicchu around 7:30am. But if you are doing any others tour you will arrive to MachuPicchu between 6:30am to 7am or depend on your bokking time.
IS THERE ANY OTHERS THINGS TO DO AT MACHUPICCHU?
After the guiding tour you will have plenty of time to visit by yourself. If you book for the extra climb to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Macho Picchu Mountain you can do it, or you can go to the Inca Bridge or you can go the Sun Gate or you can just explore at the Inca city.
WHY AND HOW MUCH SHOULD WE TIP THE PORTERS?
Runas Expeditions fully complies with the porter’s Law (27608) requirements of payment and insurance. However, tipping is a tradition on the Inca Trail or any trek that has been taking place for the 20 years as a way of showing the porters your gratitude. Generally the groups prepare a collective tip which is shared out between the cook, head porter and porters. Suggested amount to tip is 90 soles to each porter and 250 soles the cook, from the whole group not from each tourist.
Please Note: to tip to the porters is a personal decision and it is optional.
SHOULD I TIP THE GUIDE?
Tipping the guide is again a personal decision. If you decide to tip we recommend that it is according their performance, knowledge and skills while on the trail. Guides are tipped individually at the end of the trek and tipping depends on their performance!
WHAT HAPPENED IF I GET SICK DO I NEED TO TURN BACK?
We have a very low rate of people turning back once on the trek. Our priority is to help you complete it; all our guides are properly trained and carry a first aid kit and a bottle of oxygen for emergencies. Please do not think about this, be positive mind and definitely you are in good hands.
In the exceptional case that a trekker decides to head back once they have started the trek, they must pay additional expenses such as food, lodging and transportation. On the last day the tourist will be able to rejoin the group and participate in the Machu Picchu tour.
No refund will be given.
What KIND OF MONEY is used in Peru?
Peruvian Soles are the national currency.
What type of money is most commonly accepted?
Soles are accepted everywhere in Peru. However, at tourist sites you are often able to use American dollars and money exchanges are easy to find it.
