Condor Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days / 3 nights

This trek is an excellent alternative for those people who haven't bought their Classic Inca Trail permit to hike to Machu Picchu because it is between the two most popular treks in Cusco. This new trek has all the components you would expect from Inti Sun Trek operated hike in the Cusco Region.
This hike is safe and there are opportunities to interact with local communities and to visit smaller and less known Inca sites. The distance hiked on this trek is 26km with a maximum altitude of 4,600m/1520ft

Day 1: Cusco - Tarahuasi -Tomacaya- Pampacahua.

The trek begins when we will pick you up from your hotel/hostel at 5:30am and drive for one and a half hours to the small village of Tarahuasi where we will visit the Inca ruins by the same name. After of our visit to Tarahuasi we will continue driving for another 40 minutes to the village of Tomacaya (3075m/1014ft) which is the starting point of our trek. From there we will hike for almost two and a half hours to Condor Cancha where we will stop for lunch. After lunch we will continue hiking for another hour and arrive at a place called KACHI (Salt Mine).  After visiting this salt mine we continue hiking for another hour and a half to reach our first campsite at Pampacahua.

Total distance covered on the first day is 10km on moderate terrain which requires 6 hours of hiking

Day 2: Pampacahua -Palcay pass -Incawasi

The second day is the most beautiful day of the trek. After an early breakfast, we will start hiking through SisayPampa. From this point we can soak in the spectacular views of Palcay and the Salkantay Moutains (4600m/15.180ft). After a quick rest we will start hiking up a moderate accent for one and a half hours until we reach the Palcay Pass or Abra Palcay (4650m/15.345ft.). After a break on the top of the mountain, we will continue hiking downhill for one hour until reaching Pampa Pata where we will stop for lunch.  After lunch we will hike another hour and a half in order to reach our second inca site of the trek, Inca Sama/Inkawasi. This ruin was used as a storage house for the Incas.  After visiting the ruin we will continue hiking for 20 minutes to reach our second campsite, Inkawasi.

Total distance covered on the second day is 10km which requires 7 hours of hiking

Day 3: Inkawasi - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

After breakfast at 5:30am, we will start a 6 hour hike downhill through a sub-tropical jungle. We will see gorgeous valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls and part of the Inca Trail. Your guide will show you naturally growing tropical fruits and native plants and flowers on your way to Hidroelectrica train station where we will have our final lunch. After lunch we will continue hiking for two and half hours until we reach the town of Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night. In Aguas Calientes we will enjoy a celebratory dinner and you will have the luxury of comfortable beds and hot showers. You will also have the option of visiting the thermal springs in the evening (an additional 10 soles).

Total distance covered on the third day is 8km which requires 7 hours of hiking

Day 4: Aguas Caliente - MachuPicchu - Cusco

We will have two options to get to MachuPicchu: 1) we can hike for one and a half hours from Aguas Calientes to MachuPicchu, or 2) we can take a bus to MachuPicchu. By waking up early you will witness the magnificent sunrise at this ancient Inca city. At MachuPicchu, you will have a guided tour for approximately 2 hours. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore this mysterious city by yourself.

When you finish at MachuPicchu, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes where he/she will give you your train ticket back to Cusco.

Price: US$ 540 per person
Group Size: 2-8 people

Included in the price:

Professional guide fluent in English
Private bus to the start of the trail
Machu Picchu entrance fees
Two-person tents with plenty of room for your backpacks
Sleeping mattress
Meals cooked by an experienced chef: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3  dinners, and snacks!
Delicious food rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking
Vegetarian/special diet options available
Horse to carry the tents, food, and cooking equipment
Dining and kitchen tents
First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle                    
One night accommodation in Aguas Calientes                                                                      
Round trip bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu
Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Cusco
Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
   
Not included:

Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer an early morning breakfast service. If not, we stop at the town of Tomacalla on the way to the start of the trek where you’ll have the chance to buy breakfast.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes on the final day.
Sleeping bags can be rented from our office for US$20 for the entire trek (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use).
Tips for the guide, cook and wranglers.                               
Optional overnight stay in Aguas Calientes (We can change the date of your train ticket, if you advise us before paying the deposit).

What you need to bring:

Original passport
For students: ISIC card
Insurance card
Hiking boots
Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
Warm jacket
Hat and gloves
2-4 t-shirts2 pants (1 for hiking, 1 for camp)
Long underwear for sleeping
Hand sanitizer
Comfortable trousers
Sun hat or cap
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Water for the first day
Toiletries
Personal medication
Camera and film
Torch or headlamp
Cash (400 Peruvian nuevos soles)
 
Optional items to bring:

Shorts
Walking stick
Plasters and bandages
Sandals
Extra money
Bathing suit for hot springs in Aguas Calientes town