Nowadays it is a little difficult to confirm spaces at the Inca Trail especially in August and September. Inkanatura travel has the pleasure to introduce an interesting alternative to the famous Inca Trail, The Weavers' way to Machu Picchu.
This short trek begins at the eastern end of the Urubamba Mountain Chain, at the colonial village of Lares, with its delightful hot spring baths, and ends with a road journey to the famous “living Inca settlement” of Ollantaytambo. In between we follow a hiking route that skirts the northern slope of the Cordillera, crossing one high pass. We encounter villages where the colorful ponchos of the men vie the attention with the exquisite “manta” shoulder garments of the women, and each wear a distinctive local headgear that announces that they originate from this part of Peru. The villagers along the way are generally friendly and welcoming, and some will offer to show you their excellent weavings. Our trek finishes at Machu Picchu.
The Cordillera Urubamba in southern Peru is the last great range of snowcapped mountains before the eastern slope of the Andes falls away to the Amazon basin. Tucked behind this 40-mile chain of 18,000 ft.-plus peaks lies a region of high altitude valleys. Here the Quechua people maintain an ancient way of life, herding alpacas and llamas, farming the Andean slopes, and practicing a tradition inherited from their Inca ancestors: the making and wearing of superb textiles.
There are additional lodging options for the night in the Sacred Valley---inquire about lodging.
Highlights
A beautiful alternative to the crowded Inca Trail
Visit Lares with its delightful hot springs baths
Visit and interact with Quechua people, the descendents of the Incas, who have maintained their ancient way of life
View Quechua weavers and the colorful clothing of the locals
We leave Cusco in the early morning, driving to the provincial town of Calca in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and climbing northward to a spectacular high pass before dropping down to the village of Lares on the east slope of the Andes.
Here we take a delicious dip at a hot springs in the meadows outside of town and then enjoy a picnic lunch. Then we begin a leisurely half-day hike up the valley of the rushing Rio Trapiche, before reaching the highland village of Huacahuasi, where we camp for the night.
Day 2. To Patacancha
We climb steadily, traversing an open, treeless landscape of ground-hugging plants and flowers among pastures of Andean bunch-grass scattered with roaming herds of alpacas and llamas. Reaching an altitude of 4,500m. we cross the pass of Ipsayccasa then descend into the Patacancha watershed, with the lake of Ipsaycocha to our right.
We may see Andean Geese, Puna Ibis and other waterbirds in the wetlands here as we journey through the heartland of these Quechua people, who are locally nicknamed “Huayruros” – the name of a red and black seed reminiscent of the color combinations of the local textiles. We reach the village of Patacancha and camp nearby.
Day 3. To Pumamarca/Ollantaytambo
Our transport takes us downvalley to Pallata, where we begin a short, half-day hike to Ollantaytambo, via the scenic early-Inca site of Pumamarca (Puma town). This well-preserved Inca outpost was apparently a fort protecting the approaches to the Sacred Valley. From there we hike down a trail that winds gently across steep mountain slopes, through a stupendous series of agricultural terraces built by the Incas and now partially restored to agricultural use.
At the village of Munaypata we rejoin the main road, where our transport makes the final short drive to Ollantaytambo. After lunch we visit the impressive ruins here, and tour the nearby village, where people go about their daily lives among original Inca streets and houses. Overnight in Ollantaytambo.
Day 4. To Machu Picchu/Cusco
We take the morning train from Ollantaytambo to the town of Aguas Calientes, and then ascend by bus to the fabled ruins of Machu Picchu.
Guided exploration, visiting the best-known features of this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement. After a full-on experience of this glorious monument to the Inca achievement, we return to Aguas Calientes and board the return train to Cusco.
This provider can help with your other additional needs
local flights
transfers
additional accomodations
trip extensions
... and other requirements.
Request these additional services when you check availability above
What's Included
* A lecture before the tour
* A licensed, well-trained, English speaking guide
* Camping Equipment: Spacious North Face tents and mattress, dinning tent - tables, chairs, and cooking equipment, toilet tent
* Oxygen Bottle
* Chef and Assistant Chef preparing healthy, hearty meals cooked with fresh, local ingredients
* Lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge (last day)
* Well-paid and well-treated porters. We supply the appropriate duffel for you to pack and them to carry. You carry a light day pack.
* Horsemen and horses
* Private transportation from Cusco to start of the trail and back to Cusco.
* Bus transportation to/from Machu Picchu
* Entrance tickets to the archaeological sites
* Special offer: For the first 4 clients InkaNatura will provide our high quality North face Sleeping bags (Polarguard - SnowShoe OF -18C ) at not cost.
Not Included
* Additional Tours
* Meals in cities
* Hiking boots and other personal gear or items.
* Permit fees to the Inca Trail
* Sleeping Bag
* Pillows
* Trekking poles
* Traveler's insurance
* Personal Expenses
* Tips
* Alcoholic beverages
Sleeping bag rental: InkaNatura will provide our high quality North face Sleeping bags (Polarguard - SnowShoe OF -18C ) for $36 per person, per trip.
To review this trip please register or login (if already registered).
Overall Rating:
1 customer review
Destination:
5.0
Activity:
5.0
Equipment:
3.0
Food:
3.0
Guides & Service:
3.0
Provider Rating: 2 trip reviews
Equipment:
4.0
Food:
4.0
Guides & Service:
4.0
Social & Environmental Responsibility:
5.0
Trip Rating:
Destination:
Equipment:
Activity:
Food:
Guides & Service:
The Weaver's Excellent Way!
by Monica B, Minimal Experience,
Sep 26, 2008
Great trip! Wonderful guide, cook and portors. To make the trip even better I would suggest that the guide manage expectations by telling what to expect every day in more detail. Also, my main criticism is that the camp site was very dirty with animal droppings all over. I know they don't have pooper scoopers but maybe cleaner sites can be found. Also, the food was very good for us but it was not ample enough for a man who is a meat eater. The male who was on our trip did not seem to be satisfied with the meal. We were.
* A lecture before the tour
* A licensed, well-trained, English speaking guide
* Camping Equipment: Spacious North Face tents and mattress, dinning tent - tables, chairs, and cooking equipment, toilet tent
* Oxygen Bottle
* Chef and Assistant Chef preparing healthy, hearty meals cooked with fresh, local ingredients
* Lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge (last day)
* Well-paid and well-treated porters. We supply the appropriate duffel for you to pack and them to carry. You carry a light day pack.
* Horsemen and horses
* Private transportation from Cusco to start of the trail and back to Cusco.
* Bus transportation to/from Machu Picchu
* Entrance tickets to the archaeological sites
* Special offer: For the first 4 clients InkaNatura will provide our high quality North face Sleeping bags (Polarguard - SnowShoe OF -18C ) at not cost.
Not Included
Not Included
* Additional Tours
* Meals in cities
* Hiking boots and other personal gear or items.
* Permit fees to the Inca Trail
* Sleeping Bag
* Pillows
* Trekking poles
* Traveler's insurance
* Personal Expenses
* Tips
* Alcoholic beverages
Sleeping bag rental: InkaNatura will provide our high quality North face Sleeping bags (Polarguard - SnowShoe OF -18C ) for $36 per person, per trip.
Notes
Trip Notes
Although the trek is rated as moderate, we strongly suggest spending at least two nights before start this trek to totally adjust to the altitude.
If you are interested to interact and help communities during your trip in Peru, this trek gives you an excellent opportunity to do it. You could bring some clothes and/or school equipment; the children that you will meet and InkaNatura travel will thank you very much.
If you are interested you can add an extra night in Machu Picchu to return to the inca citadel at dawn to see the ruins in perfect morning light. Some will want to take the optional hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu for an amazing overview of the site, while others may want to investigate Machu Picchu’s multitude of hidden nooks and corners.
Transportation On Trip
Transportation Types
Private Van Private Bus
Lodging - Accommodations
Lodging Types
1 Nights hotels 2 Nights camping
Details
Provider Social and Environmental Responsibility
InkaNatura Travel is the only leading tour operator in Peru owned by a nonprofit conservation group, Peru Verde,
Our work is part of Peru Verde's overall strategy to protect the country's unique cultural and biological diversity. InkaNatura contributes heavily to the maintenance of national parks, reserves, and archaeological sites while at the same time treating local people with respect and dignity.
InkaNatura Travel is 100% owned by Peru Verde. All net proceeds benefit conservation. To learn more about Peru Verde's conservation work please visit www.peruverde.org
Maximum Age
None
Travel Provider
Provider Name
InkaNatura Travel
Why should I choose this provider?
InkaNatura Travel is a versatile Peruvian tour operator in different nature and archaeology areas. With offices in Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado and Chiclayo, InkaNatura is there to serve you. Every detail is meticulously planned, and every service is carefully monitored.
The Inca trail offerings from InkaNatura Travel complement or extensive portfolio of Wildlife and nature destinations like Manu and Tambopata where we have several outstanding lodges: Manu Wildlife Center, Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, Sandoval Lake Lodge and Heath River Wildlife Center. Conde Nast Traveler (Dec 2002) described Manu Wildlife center as “The finest wildlife lodge in all the Amazon” and Sandoval Lake Lodge as “The budget rainforest alternative to Manu” Our lodges are accessible via short light flight from Cusco, and provide attractions like macaw clay licks, tapir clay licks, Giant Otters, canopy platforms and much more.
There are a limited number of tour operators authorized to operate the Inca Trail. InkaNatura Travel is one of these and in just three years of Inca Trail operations has been recognized by the Government Tourism Office as one of the two BEST tour operators in the area, in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
InkaNatura Travel is proud to be member of important organizations like: International Ecotourism Society, Latin America Travel Association (UK), Sustainable Travel International, Adventure Travel (USA), Tropical Nature, Tourism for tomorrow and works with the following sustainable travel standards :
Educate our clients and provide them with opportunities to make meaningful connections with local people.
Be Culturally Sensitive.
Respect the values, customs and beliefs of the local people we visit.
Foster a greater understanding of their culture and their environmental issues.
Generate Economic Benefits.
Buy locally produced goods, become a patron of locally owned businesses, and enhance the well being of host communities.
Be Environmentally Friendly.
Conserve natural resources when traveling just as we do at home and in your offices.
Offset carbon emissions from airline and land travel.
Make positive Contributions to the conservation and preservation of natural and cultural heritage and to the maintenance of the Peru’s biodiversity.
Provider Policies
Terms and Conditions
General Conditions:
For hotels and tours:
* Rates are listed in American dollars and include taxes and service charge for non - residents in Peru.
* Tour rates are per person, unless we specified a different option.
* In case the hotel of your preference does not have space available, we will inform you of an alternative option.
* Some hotels ask for a prepayment at the time of the booking to guarantee the room. If this is the case, we will request for that payment to confirm the room and we will inform you about the special policy of that hotel.
* The confirmation for tours requested will be sent by e-mail including the itinerary, dates, information tips and pre-departure information for nature and adventure programs (tambopata, manu and inca trail programs).
* To reserve the train to Machu Picchu, we need the following information from the passengers: complete name as per in passport, nationality, date of birth and passport number.
* Clients must bring the passport with which the train ticket was issued. If not clients will not be allowed to get in the train with no obligation to Inkanatura.
* In case passengers get a new passport after they made the reservation, please inform us to make the necessary arrangements with the entity in charge of the train reservations. Please help us to avoid any inconvenience for your experience in Peru.
* For nature programs (Tambopata and Manu), in each booking please indicate: Complete name of the passengers, date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number, name of the hotel in Cusco (where the passenger will stay), special food requirement (Vegetarian, low salt, low fat, diabetic or other), and any special health condition. All the information should be as per in passport.
* Due to the permit regulations that allow only 500 people per day entering to the inca trail, it is therefore essential to make reservations well in advance as the system is on a first-come, first served basis. We do recommend to book at least 90 days prior to departure.
* Clients must bring the passport with which the Inca Trail permit was issued. If not clients will not be allowed to enter to the Inca trail system with no obligation to Inkanatura.
* Prices are per person and subject to change without notice due to entrance fees to inca trail, tax and other expenses that increase without our control.
* In each booking for the Inca trail please indicate: Complete name of the passengers, date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number, name of the hotel in Cusco (where the passenger will stay), special food requirement (Vegetarian, low salt, low fat, diabetic or other), and any special health condition. All the information should be as per in passport.
* Park authorities may occasionally designate different campsites at the Inca trail than those indicated.
* All trash produced during the treks will return to Cusco.
* In case passengers get a new passport after they made the reservation, please inform us to make the necessary arrangements with the UGM (Management office for Machu Picchu Sanctuary). Please help us to avoid any inconvenience for your inca trail experience.
- Deposits - due dates + amounts / Final balances - due dates.
For Hotel and tours:
* The total payment should be made 30 days before the passengers arrival for individual travellers and 45 days in advance for groups.
* If payment is not sent on the right day, Inkanatura is entitled to cancel the reservation.
For Inca trail portion:
* A deposit per person must be paid at the booking time, including the full name of clients and personal information. We must prepaid Inca trail entrance fees in advance.
* Balance of the total payment should be made 30 days before arrival for individual passengers and 45 days in advance for groups.
* For last minute reservations, total payment should be made during a week.
- Cancelation policy / fees for changes.
For hotel and tours:
* No refund will be possible for any unused part of tours or packages, due to passengers decision.
* No refund will be possible for the entire cost for services bought in advance bus tickets, train tickets, entrance fees). Airline tickets refund will be according to the airline regulations.
* Cancellations made between 30 to 16 days prior to arrival, we will charge 50% of the total amount.
* Cancellations made between 15 to 0 days prior to arrival, full amount will be charged.
* For no show, full amount will be charged
Note: Please take note that some hotels do not accept cancellations made between 30 days in advance for individual passengers and 60 days in advance for groups. We will let you know about their policy at the reservation moment.
For Inca trail portion:
* No refund will be possible for any unused part of the tour or entrance fee bought in advance.
* Entrance fee can not be transferred to another traveller. This is prohibited by law.
* For no show, full amount will be charged.
We charge the following fees per person:
For individual passengers:
* Cancellation after the booking time, we will charge USD 200.00.
* Cancellation make between 44 to 8 days prior to arrival, we will charge USD 300.00.
* Cancellation make between 7 to 0 days, we will charge full amount.
For groups:
* Cancellation after the booking time, we will charge USD 200.00.
* Cancellation make between 44 and 31 days, we will charge USD 300.00
* Cancellation make between 30 and 15 days, we will charge USD 450.00
* Cancellation make between 14 and 0 days, full amount will be charged.
Refunds:
* Refunds will be provided within 30 days of the clients submitting a letter or e-mail.
Additional notes:
* Inkanatura is responsible for providing al the services, tour packages and accomodations as confirmed.
* Inkanatura reserves the right to alter the program.
* It is important to mention that Inkanatura works by and for the client and it will look for the best for its clients not only when they book or travel but also when for a reasonable situation they have to cancel.
* Last minute bookings will be accepted but you must be alerted that there is the possibility that we will not get space at the hotel or tour that you need.
* Passport, visa, and health requirements are passengers responsabilities. We do recommend to obtain a travel insurance against cancellation and medical coverage.
Thanks for choosing InkaNatura Travel and Detour for your upcoming trip to Peru!
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TESTIMONIALS
The Inca trail trek can only be described as magical. I tried my best to be cynical, but it didn’t work. This trip was pure magic and absolutely perfect.
The logistics of the trip were impeccable. The ground transportation was on time and they made sure I was able to obtain my boarding pass and pay the airport tax at each leg of the trip.
Out on the hike, my guide Oswaldo was fabulous.
The food on the trail was amazing. The chef created simple and fresh meals that were bursting with local flavor.
-- Terry B, Inca Trail 5-day with Andean Adventures
Just returned from Costa Rica last night ... trip was a GREAT SUCCESS! We all thank you VERY MUCH for arranging the trip.
-- Bob Fenchel, Custom Costa Rica with Camino Travel
We’ve been home just over a week now and I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you just how fantastically well everything went! Ok, so we did end up paying the full whack (which I’ve decided just not to think about!). However, we had a fantastic guide and everything ran really smoothly and we had a fantastic time. From being collected from the hotel (Vieja Cuba which was lovely) to being looked after once we got to the Galapagos it was all just perfect, so thank you very much for being an important part of our fabulous trip.
Cheers Greg !
-- Marayka K., Galapagos Multisport 7-Day Adventure
We had a great time on the Galapagos Cruise. Our guides were very engaging and informative and everything was timed just right. We had the right amount of activity, food and leisure time every day. We are not \"cruising\" people and were apprehensive at first about being stuck on a boat for 7 days but we didn\'t feel \"stuck\" given the number of excursions we had each day and the fact that we snorkeled at least once or twice a day. We also extended our trip on the Islands and stayed at a hotel but definitely would recommend a cruise over staying on the islands. The islands gets very hot and there are lots of mosquitos but on the boat there is shade, wind and no bugs! Great amount of variety of animals and geography we saw. Sad to leave!
-- Wendy K., Galapagos Islands on the Eric, Letty, and Flamingo