Inca trail and rainbow mountain 5 days

HIGHTLINGHTS

Walk a sacred path that is packed with history, flora, and fauna; furthermore, this 26-mile path is the only way to access Machu Picchu more especially and significantly, yet more rewarding on foot through the sun gate as the Incas did back in the day. And the last day, you hike to the Rainbow Mountain. We pick you up early  so you will beat the crowd.

Why should you hike Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain tour with AB Expeditons?

• Why should you hike inca trail and Rainbow Mountain tour with us?
• Our porters are treated with respect. They receive all their equipment for free from our local Company AB Expeditions.  We provide them fair salary, a decent tent with a pad, proper meal, trekking shoes, hiking pants and Winter hut. We care for their health, well-being, and the health of their families, also we are committed to social projects to improve their lives.
• We are practical, punctual, reliable Travel company, welcoming individuals or groups. Check out our reviews on trip advisor.
• At AB Expeditions, our porters, guides, driver, and Cooks receive their salary as soon they finish their job.
• We dont share our group of Inca trail and Rainbow Mountain tour with other travel companies.
• Small groups of 2 to 8 people máximum. This fact sets us apart from other travel agencies that take bigger groups. 
• AB Expeditions is A 100% locally owned Travel Company and fully licensed Inca Trail operator.
• Our Tour Guides pride themselves on being up to date and have a comprehensive programme of continual professional development. We love showing what a fascinating and amazing Inca trail and Rainow Mountain are.
• Your return train ticket on day 4 is at 02:55 pm from Aguas Calientes. Therefore you arrive to Cusco early so you will sleep enough to do Rainbow Mountain.
• Our Inca trail porters got their vaccine against covid-19. they are ready to work!!!.
• We skip the crowds!— Everybody else goes to Rainbow Mountain at the same time. That means they’re all up at the top at the same time. There is only one spot to take the classical picture of the Rainbow Mountain(Vinicunca) and it wouldn’t be pleased with a huge crowd of people. Since we leave from Cusco at 03:00 am.  You will get the Rainbow Mountain before the crowd.
• Our cook will prepare home made lunch in a local house after your Rainbow Mountain.
• We have a chance to visit the guinea pigs of a local family raised in a traditional way after your Rainbow Mountain tour..
• Our guide always bring oxygen tanks which is important as you get over 5040 meters/16,500 feet above sea level! Not all travel agencies offer this, so this is definitely something to look out for when choosing the best Rainbow Mountain tour operator.
• We also visit to the Red Valley.
• You will take your time and you will enjoy the hike without pressuse.

INCA TRAIL AND RAINBOW MONTAIN TOUR IN 5 DAYS

Day 1: Cusco – Piskacucho – Km 82 – Wayllabamba

For the start of the Classic Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain tour in 5 days, we will leave Cusco at 05:00 am. We will drive for about an hour and a half to Ollantaytambo village and stop briefly to buy last-minute gear, personal necessities, and stuff for trekking Inca trail. And also, here you get breakfast (Included); then we keep driving to Piskakuchu (Km 82), the Inca Trail starting point and checkPoint. Once passing the checkpoint and Urubamba river, we will start our easy stroll to Inca trail. Along the way, we will be passing through Quechua Hamlets and local people, then at Miskay, we drop off the bags and sit for lunch. After all, even siesta if you want, we will walk straight to the first biggest Archaeological site of Patallacta, or Llactapata. After shooting pictures and hearing the explanation about Llactapata, we will keep walking for two more hours to get to Wayllabamba, the first camping spot at 2 900m / 9 5144 feet.

Day 2: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo

Today we will start trekking in the morning to take advantage of the fresh morning hours and shade of the mountains. That way, it is going to be convenient to walk up to the first Inca Trail pass Warmihuañusca (Dead woman’s pass 4200 m.a.s.l) and consequently the highest point of the  4 day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. The Dead woman’s pass seals the Inca trail difficulty, but the prize is we will definitely see the various Inca Trail ecological zones and notice the microclimates that make up the area in front of us. And once we reach the top, we will be able to see snow-capped Mountains, Andean Alpines, and jagged darkened lofty mountains all around. Once the resting time and pictures are over, we will start the march down to Pacaymayo Campground at 3600 m. / 11 800. Then we have lunch followed by a free afternoon for resting until the next day.

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Chaquicocha – Wiñaywayna

Hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu on the third day can’t be better with the hidden archeological gems only accessible in the Inca trail guided tours. The day begins; with a nutritious enough breakfast for the challenging hike that awaits us forward, then we will let the adventure begin from Pacaymayo campground through the Runcuracay archeological site and continue onto El Paso (pass) Runcuracay at 3,850 m. (Second highest of the Inca trail passes) for about one hour. Following the stepped stone ancient Inca path on the other side of the mountain, we will get to the Sayacmarca Inca site for a little rest and visit. Thereafter once again, we will continue along the trail, but before we get to the lunch spot at Phuyupatamarca, we will pass through a tunnel and also see the foundations of the path placed ten meters down on a mountainside. After lunch, as if with recovered energy, we will head down a zigzagging path to the Wiñaywayna camp (2 560 m / 8 700 ft ) for the last overnight on the Inca Trail.  At night after dinner, we will have a farewell ceremony as it is a custom to thank our team crew(Inca trail porters and cooks). 

Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Machupicchu – Cusco

Machu Picchu will soon be a dream come true and what better decision it is by hiking the Inca trail trek 4 days. After an early breakfast, we will begin the final leg of the Inca Trail to the lost city of Machu Picchu. First, we will check-in at the control stall and hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the Gate of the Inca Trail, the gate for overlooking the world’s ancient wonder, all inspiring and marvelous that Machu Picchu citadel is. As the sun travels west up in the sky, so we do hike west down to Machu Picchu park to register and then enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the sanctuary city, then you will be given time for visiting the more less-frequented sections. After the Machu Picchu tour, we will take the bus down or walk part of the Short Inca Trail to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Enjoy the resting time exploring the town of Aguas Calientes before returning to Ollantaytambo by train and then back to Cusco by bus as agreed in our Inca trail booking.

Day 05: Rainbow Mountain

Our Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain tour finish visiting the second most visited place called Vinicunca. You will be picked up from your hotel around 03:00 am. We proceed to drive nearly 3 hours in a private van to the trailhead where we will provide you box breakfast upon arrival to fuel up for the trek ahead of you. After enjoying our breakfast we start hiking. We are going to hike around 1 hour roughly until the top of the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN, we will have time to explore the area and take pictures. you will spend approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour (depend on your trekking speed and weather conditions).

After enjoying the Rainbow Mountains for about one hour, we go to visit the RED VALLEY which takes another 30 minutes. Then we get back to the trailhead (1 hour roughly), where we catch our van, then we drive for one hour more to our Lunch spot which is  Ttio Community (3,250m/11,000feet) where you eat your home made lunch in a local house prepared by our AB Expeditions professional chef. After the meals we have a chance to visit the guinea pigs of the family. Then we drive back to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel around 4 pm roughly.

INCLUSION

What s Included?

• A personal porter to carry your 7 kg of your personal belongings
• Pick up and drop off in your hotel for both Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain.
• Private tourist transport Cusco – Km 82 (the starting point of the hike).
• English speaking guide with conduct radio communication.
• Foam mattresses.
• Professional chef
• Kitchen equipment.
• Dining tent with chairs and tables.
• Portable environmental biodegradable toilet (The Pett).
• Meal service at the campsites (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, 4 snacks). With option for vegetarians, gluten free, lactose Intolerance and any food allergy.
• 4 season Tents for two people (tent with capacity for 3 people used as doubles – Kayla Doite).
• Porter service. As detailed in the table authorized by the Ministry of Culture. (To carry our camping equipment and food) we never overload our porters and they have proper equipment.
• Inca trail Permits, Machu Picchu ticket, and Rainbow Mountain.
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes after the guided tour in Machu Picchu.
• Expeditions train ticket back (14:55 Hrs.) To Ollantaytambo.
• Private transportation from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco.
• Emergency oxygen bottle and first aid kit.
• Pre-departure Inca Trail briefing, presented by the tour guides at 6:00 pm at the office a day before.
• Wake-up tea. Hot herbal tea brought to your tent, each morning before breakfast.
• A duffle bag, where you put your 7 kg / 14 pounds of personal items per person (personal cares, personal items, sleeping bag are within this 7 kg / 14 pounds).
• We provide hot water bins each day to help our clients clean and feel good at night.
• Rain Poncho to cover from the rain.
• Two hour guided tour in Machu Picchu
• Boiled water to fill in your water bottles or Camelback (your chef will provide clean water after each meal)
• Day pack cover to keep you dry your belongings.

What s not included?

• Huayna Picchu Moutain: It is $65USD
•  Machu Picchu Mountain:It is $65 USD
• Vistadome: It is $40
• Sleeping Bag: It is $20
• Walking Sticks: It is $20
• Lunch  – Day 4.
• Entrance to the hot springs in the town of Aguas Calientes (US $ 5).
• Tips.

WHAT TO BRING FOR THE INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS AND RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

• Original Passport and student cards if you are students.
• A Hiking/trekking Backpack (21 liters capacity).
• Hiking Poles with rubber tips. You can bring your own or rent it from AB Expeditions.
• Trekking Clothing: Hiking shoes, waterproof pants, waterproof shorts, two shirts, a light sweater, jacket for rain, and clothes to rest in at the hotel. On the other hand, it is quite comfortable and relaxing for the body to wear light clothes for the walk; for this, waterproof materials are very good, because they enable quick drying from sweat and rain.
• Night in Aguas Calientes: Please bring with you a clean set of clothes to wear after the trekking. Also, you can bring along swimwear and towels if you decide to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal Hygiene items: toothpaste. toothbrush, and wet wipes.
• Medicine: If you are taking any medications, please bring them with you. It is also recommended to bring some over the counter medicine for the altitude sickness (Coramina, Aspirina, Diamox, Sorojchi, Acetazolamide). It is also suggested to bring Anti Blister Gel to avoid getting blisters on your feet and being unable to continue on your trek.
• Digital Camera with an external memory (2-4 Gb) (Optional).
• Sunglasses with UV protection.
• Sun Block SPF 60 (UVA-UVB) waterproof and sport.
• Waterproof Insect Repellent lotion, not spray.
• Water bottle made of flexible plastic. This type of bottle is very easy to carry and does not take up a lot of space. At the same time, they help in our effort to protect the environment.
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FREQUENT ASKED QUESTION

HOW TO BOOK THE INCA TRAIL & RAINBOW MOUNTAIN 5 DAY TREK WITH AB EXPEDITONS?

In order to book your Inca Trail & Rainbow mountain tour with us, Click in the BOOK NOW buttom, then select the day of your depature, then fill out all your personal information of each participant and the last step is the payment which you can do with your Credit card or debit Card.

Once your inca trail permits are in our hands, we will send you a confirmation that everything is 100% organized. All start dates, once confirmed, are guaranteed.

WHAT CIRCUIT WILL I FOLLOW IN MACHU PICCHU AFTER HIKING THE INCA TRAIL?

After having the first glimpse of Machu Picchu at the Sungate, you will hike for 45 minutes straight to Guard house where you will take Classical shot of Machu Picchu then go to the exit and reenter Machu Picchu by the lower part and you have to follow the circuit 03 to visit Machu Pichu. So this rule is applied for everyone who hike the inca Trail 4 day hike. 

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Yes! During the 5  day trek to Machu Picchu, you can store your luggage at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.  Please bring what you will only need during your Machu Picchu 4 day and Rainbow Mountain.

WHAT ABOUT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE?

The Outstanding balance can be made in cash one day earlier your trip in USD or soles or if you prefer PayPal at least one week prior to your trip(7% service fee applies). Also, you can pay us with Credit card(5% service fee applies).  Please let us know what you prefer. Cash payment MUST be paid 1 day prior your trip.

HOW ABOUT THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

According to Peruvian Law, you have to be under 18 years old at the time of your hike to Inca trail (if you are 18 or over, you need to have valid student cards). Below is the sample of valid student card

• All students from 11 to 17 years old have a discount of $30 USD.
• For children from 2 to 11 years old have a discount is $40 USD.

All students have to send a copy of their passport and student card at the time of their booking to get the student discount. Send us a copy to info@abexpeditions.com

MAY I CHANGE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE PERMITS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately it is not possible. Peruvian government doesn t allow us to change once the Inca Trail permits have been bought. Inca Trail permits are not transferable nor refundable. . The only information that the government allows us to change is passport numbers.

DO I NEED TO BRING MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE  INCA TRAIL  MACHU PICCHU AND RAINBOW MOUNTAIN?

Yes! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it should be same passport you sent us to reserve your Inca Trail permit. Your passport will be checked at 3 Inca trail checkpoints, Machu Picchu and when you board the train. However you dont need original Passport for the Rainbow Mountain.

UPDATING PASSPORT NUMBERS

If you are renewing your passport, go ahead and email us a copy of your old passport to book your inca trail permits. If you no longer have your old passport, any government issue ID will be accepted, as long as the name is the same. Once you receive your new passport. Please email us a copy of your new passport ASAP to change the information of your permit.

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE OF MY TRAIN TICKET?

We usually book return train ticket at 02:55 pm on day 4 so you arrive to Cusco at 06:30 pm and you have enough time sleep to hike the Rainbow Mountain.

CAN I STAY IN THE SACRED VALLEY FOR MY INCA TRAIL AND RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?

Yes, you can stay for Inca Trail in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.  by staying in the Sacred Valley, your pickup will be 1 hour and half after the cusco pick up so you will sleep more. But we dont recommend you to stay in Sacred Valley for the Rainbow Mountain because it will cost you more and it is far away for driving to Rainbow Mountain.

IF I CANCEL MY INCA TRAIL AND RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK. ¿DO I GET ANY REFUND?

In case our country close the borders, we refund you alll the deposit. But if you dont make our country for whatever reason, you get sick or miss your flight or there is strike or natural desaster. You will lose USD $150 automatically. Once the Inca Trail pemit is bought they become non-refundable or transferable, The entity in charge of issuing the Inca Trail permits is the Ministery of culture of Peru and Peru Rail who is charge of train ticket. They don’t provide any refund.

We understand that nothing is for granted and things may change in a minute, therefore we will do our best to be reasonable and charge you only for things that we have already spent.

ADDITIONAL INFO FOR INCA TRAIL AND RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK

IMPORTANT:

A máximum of 500 people per day are allowed to access the Inca Trail  at km. 82; This number includes all support staff such as: authorized porters, cooks and tour guides and is most tightly controlled; when the inca trail reaches its limit of 500 visitors, the Trail is closed off for the day and no further reservations could be made; Booking are not held on the Trail and all permits  must be bought a year in advance, if possible.

THINGS TO KNOW

• Make sure your trekking shoes are broken in before the hike.
• Spend at least 2 days in Cusco before your Inca Trail  to get used to the altitude.
• For peak season, June to August, you should book your Inca Trail pemits to a year in advance.
• Bottled water is available for purchase at some places along the trail on the first and second days, and then not until Machu Picchu.
• This Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is no recommended for travelers with back problems
• Daily departures with a group of 2 or more.
• No departures in February due to the trail maintenance.
• There is not access for wheelchair.
• DON’T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, insurance card, personal medications.

DUFFLE BAG

We will give you a duffel bags at our office at the end of your briefing. Your porters will carry them and you will have acces on them only at the campsites. Put your clothes and other personal ítems that you wont need hiking. Things like, water, snacks, first aid kit and rain gear should be in your day pack.

The duffel should weight 7kg. Remember only 4kg will be for your personal belongings. The remaining 3kg is going to be for your pad, and sleeping bag.

STRIKES

Strikes and roadblocks are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our Inca trail and Rainbow Mountain and rail service to and from Machu Picchu. We will do our best that your hike to Machu Picchu continues as planned with some changes.

• If the strike happens the first day of your Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain, we will take you to trailhead the night before your start date.
• If the strike happens the day that you finish your Inca Trail hike. We will send our vans to Hidrolectrica. So you will need to hike extra 2 hours from Aguas Calientes to Hidrolectric. Then we will drive 7 hours to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel around 11:00 pm.
• If the strike happens on your Rainbow Mountain tour. We will take you the same day that you returning from Inca trail to Tintinku village where you will spend the night in tents and the next day you will visit the Rainbow Mountain.  

RETURNING FROM MACHU PICHU TO CUSCO.

Returning from  Machu Picchu to Cusco need a lot of logistics. But it is already organize by us.

Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes for about 30 minutes. Buses run every 15 minutes. Then Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station. Our guide will give you your train tickets. Make sure to get the train station 30 minutes earlier.

• The estimated time on train is 1 hour and half from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• The estimated time on train is 3 hours and half from Aguas Calientes to Poroy.

Once at the train station, our tranfer will wait for you with AB Expeditions logo. He/She will then tranfer you back to Cusco then to your hotel.

The estimated time from Ollantaytambo to Cusco is 1 hour and half.

The estimated time from Poroy to Cusco is 40 minutes.

INCA TRAIL  AND RAINBOW MOUNTAIN WEATHER

The weather is unpredictable in the andes. Dry season in Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain is from April to October and rainy season from November through March, but this does not stop rain from falling in dry season or the sun from coming out in rainy season so just be prepared. No matter what season you are hiking  Inca trail and Rainbow Mountain, make sure that you get rain gear such as: a rain jacket, rain pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu hike involves various microclimates. You might experience 4 season in only one day too. So you must be prepared. Layers are the key since they are easy to adapt to different temperature changes. Be prepared with down jacket since the early morning and evening will be cold.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you to get a travel insurance because if you cancel your Inca Trail and Rainbow mountain tour  in a last-minute it can reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable Inca Trail permit. Also when you get sick or hurt while you are far away from home, it can reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This hike is difficult, it’s highly recomeded to be in a good physical condition; The classic Inca Trail elevation changes make the hike tough as there are three passes during your trek.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

During the Inca trail, solo travelers will be paired to share a tent with another traveler of the same sex and couples will have a tent to themselves.

PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING

There is pre-departure briefing at our Cusco Office at 06:00 pm one day before your departure. If you are not able to make this time, you should coordinate another time with AB Expeditions team by email. Briefings last 30 -45 minutes roughly. At the briefing you will meet your guide and He/she will give you detailed information about your Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain hike: for example, a list of what to bring, rental equipment or questions in general. Our office is located at: Marquez Street 250, Second Floor. Office 03. Cuzco, Peru.

TIPPING

Tipping is common on Inca Trail Trail. On the third day in the afternoon, we will say goodbye our amazing porters and profesional chefs. This is the time that you will give a tip for all of them please. Anything extra is always really appreciated. Please know that tipping is not Mandatory and that you should never feel forced into this.

Usually our customers pool their tipping money together for the chef and porters. For your tour guide, you tip after your guided tour at Machu Picchu. You decide the amount of money based on your experience with them. Soles is better for Our Porters and Chefs. Guides can receive U.S. dollars or Soles without any problem.

• Tips could be for our porters:  50 – 90 soles per porter.
• Tips could be for our Cooks: 120 – 150 soles per cook.

GROUP SERVICE

Our Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain group are made up of all different types of people, with many trekking skills and ages. Once you book in a group service, you agree that some people may be slower or faster than you. Each of you will go at your own pace for the trek, and our tour guide will work with the group to spend time with everybody.

TYPICAL MEALS ON THE TREK

We train our cooks every year on the low season to provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain, with specialty menus and the freshest local ingredients available on all of our Treks to Machu Picchu. Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek.

*Vegetarian, vegan, gluten fee and more Options Available Upon Request (please let us know at the time of booking).

Breakfasts:

Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas, Thick oatmeal with large fresh chunks of sweet apples. and boiled water for hot teas, coca tea, coffee, chocolate, and milk.

Lunch & dinner:

First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado, or potatoes.

Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chili pepper chicken), escabeche de Pollo (marinated chicken), or ajiaco de ulluco (spicy ulluco stew).

Desserts:

Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake, peach.

Snacks:

candies, cookies, juice, crackers and a variaty of peruvian fruits such as: Banana, Chirimoya, Granadilla, Apple, orange, Mandarine,