The Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is rated among one of the best hikes in the
world because of the exquisite beauty of its natural surroundings. The Inca paths
takes us through different ecosystems from high Andean plains to the cloud forest
allowing us to explore mysterious archaeological sites, half covered with jungle overgrowth that looks as if we were discovering them for the first time. The trek finishes with awe inspiring sunrise at the lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu.
Upon arriving to Lima`s Airport, reception by a Peruvian Soul representative and transfer to your hotel in Miraflores, where you are free to relax and wander around at your own pace. Depending on the arrival time we have plenty of suggestions for you so you can make the most of your first day in Lima.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Lima
After an early breakfast we have a short drive to the airport to take our 55 minutes flight to the city of Cusco. If possible we will try to get a seat on the left side of the aircraft as some of the best views of the Andes can be seen by this side of the aircraft. Upon arriving at Cuzco airport, we will be met by a Peruvian Soul representative who will welcome us and take us on our private transport towards the Sacred Valley Incas.
Because of its lower elevation (2,870 meters above sea level or 9,415 feet) and its peaceful atmosphere, the Sacred Valley is the perfect place to enjoy your first days in Cusco as you adapt to the high altitude.
On the way to our hotel we`ll stop at Awanacancha, where we can see all the different camelids of Peruvian Andes, and at the traditional Indian market of Pisac, a cozy quechua village, where we shall be able to appreciate many native customs and observe innumerable local products. Sunday is the best day to visit the market because farmers come from all over the region to trade their products, however the market is open everyday and is still a very interesting place to visit. Once in our hotel where we can relax and enjoy it`s facilities during the rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley
Today`s tour is in private service.
This morning we`ll set off on a tour to visit the Sacred Valley`s most impressive sites. First we`ll reach Moray, one of the most unusual Inca sites, which seems to have been an agricultural experiment station to adapt crops to different temperatures. Then we continue to Maras, an impressive complex of salt extraction used since before the Inca time.
After this, we`ll travel to Ollantaytambo to visit it`s impressive Inca Fortress, which holds some of the best examples of Inca architecture.
Finally, we`ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and in the afternoon return to our hotel in the Sacred Valley. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax and prepare for tomorrows trek.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley
Today`s services are in private
The trail starts in Piscacucho, a community located at kilometer 82 of the railway from Cusco to Quillabamba. Here we meet the team of porters, cooks and assistants that will help us during the whole trek. We head to the first checkpoint of the route, where our guide will check the group, giving passports and entrance tickets to the officers. After passing the registration checkpoint at Piscacucho we cross the Urubamba River and start a gentle climb alongside the river with the background of the snowcapped Veronica Mountain until reaching Patallacta, the most important archeological site of this first day. In Patallacta we leave the Urubamba Valley and set off up the Cusichaca River to Tarayoc, where we set up the tent for lunch time. After Tarayoc the trail take us uphill to our first camp in the community of Huayllabamba.
Total trekking distance: 12.1 km/7.52 miles (6 hours)
Highest altitude: 3,000m/9,843ft (Huayllabamba)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today`s tour is in private service.
For many, the second day of the trek is the hardest because we have to climb from 3,000m/9,842f to 4,205m/13,796f and then walk back down to 3,590m/11,788f. We leave our camp in Huayllabamba and start a steep climb of one hour until Ayapata. We continue following the trail climbing steeply alongside the river Llullucha in a zone with dense forests and full of vegetation called “Tres Piedras”. From here the trail becomes even steeper for a long 3km hike. The landscape with humid polylepis woodlands, bromeliads and quenelles are worth the effort. Finally, we reach Llulluchapampa which is the last point of the trail here we can buy snacks and bottled water. Restrooms are also available at this point. From here, a path on the left side of the valley climbs up to Wamiwañusca pass known by the local villagers as the “Dead Woman´s Pass”. This pass is the highest point of the Inca Trail (4,205m/13,796f). From this point and enjoying our victory we see the two sides of the mountain range. After resting for a while in this amazing spot on the top of the mountain we start our way down in a steep descent heading the Pacaymayo campsite, located at the end of a gorge at an altitude of 3,590m/11,788f.
Total trekking distance: 8.8 km/5.47 miles (6:45 hours)
Highest altitude: 4,205m/13,796ft (Wamiwañusca Pass)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today`s tour is in private service.
The third day impacts us with its beauty. We leave Pacaymayo early in the morning and start a steep ascent toward Runcurakay, an archeological circular site with a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. Here we will be able to appreciate the magnificence of Inca engineering with perfect paving slabs of granite built following the contour of the cliffs and hillsides. Then we continue our climb up to the second pass of the route, the Runcuracay pass at 3,950m/12,960f. From here we enjoy magic scenery. In front of us the Vilcambama mountain range with the Pumasillo peak and behind, the snow capped top of the Veronica Mountain. We descend passing near the Qomercocha lagoon until reaching the archeological site of Sayaqmarka (3,600m/11,811f). After visiting the site the trail continues through a good preserved stone road that goes into the cloud forest with different types of ferns, bromeliads, bamboo plants, orchids and polylepis. Continuing the trek we climb more stairs and cross an Inca tunnel carved from rock. Once in the Puyupata pass (3,660m/12,007f), we stop for lunch and a brief rest to enjoy the landscape. Just 10 minutes later, we reach Phuyupatamarca site “Town above the clouds” at 3,630m/11,909f. After visiting the ruins we continue our way to Wiñaywayna, the goal of the day. The descent from Phuyupatamarka into the cloud forest is a perfect example of the excellent engineering the Incas achieved. Three hours after leaving Phuyupatamarka we reach Wiñaywayna “Forever Young” at 2,700m/8,858f, which is one of the most beautiful Inca sites on the route. Here we spend our last night before heading to Machu Picchu.
Total trekking distance: 13.4 km/8.33 miles (7:50 hours)
Highest altitude: 3,950m/12,960ft (Runkurakay Pass)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
The fourth day, we leave our sleeping bags very early! The checkpoint at Wiñaywayna opens at 5:30am, so nobody can leave before that time. Nevertheless, it’s worth getting to the checkpoint early enough to be one of the first in line. This will increase our chances of getting to the Intipunku “The Sun Gate” before the first sun rays of the day light Machu Picchu. This is something we don’t want to miss!
From Wiñaywayna to Intipunku it’s just a two hour hike. The final descent to the citadel takes us 15 minutes. Then we head down to the official checkpoint and exit the site. After passing this last control we are ready to explore Machu Picchu. We visit the citadel with a professional guide and then we have some time to explore it by ourselves. In the afternoon we take the train that goes back to Cusco.
Total trekking distance: 4.67 km/2.9 miles (2:10 hours)
Highest altitude: 2,680m/8,793ft
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Cusco
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we'll embark on a walking city tour which takes us not only through the most touristic sites in Cusco such as the Main Square, Cathedral and Koricancha “Temple of the Sun”, but also along ancient streets where we will discover the magic of Cusco. This tour gives us also free time to wander around by ourselves.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Cusco.
Today`s services are in private
Today, we'll have some free time to maybe take a last walk around Cusco`s shops and markets and then, at the coordinated time, we`ll head to Cusco`s airport to board your flight to Lima and connect with your international flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Included Transports
Meals
Guides & Porters
Equipment
NOT INCLUDED
