INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU TREK 4 DAYS

ITINERARY

Today begins your adventure of a lifetime, the Classic Inca Trial.  We will pick you up from your hotel in our private van very early in the morning at 4:30am.  From there we travel to Piskacucho, which is called kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins.  On the way, we stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo at 6:30-7am to load up on energy for our start of the trail.  (Breakfast is not included)

Upon arrival at kilometer 82 at 8:30am, we will have some time to organize ourselves, use of the restrooms, apply sunscreen, insect repellent, etc. At the Inca Trail first control point be ready to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) your student card.

At the start of the trail (2720m/8923ft) we cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy, a warm-up along the Inca flat terrain.  There are great views of the Incan Fortress (‘Huillca Raccay’), the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata, (officially called ‘Patallacta’), the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle, the Andes Mountains, and the beautiful snow-capped peak of ‘W’akay Willca’ (5860m/19225ft) known in books as Veronica. .

Our first campsite  at the small village of Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft) in the temperate green valley of the same name. Temperatures at night are around 5ºC depending on the month.

During the day, we will enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains Veronica, (5,860m/19,337ft), the lush green valley around us and a myriad of flora and fauna.

• Meals: Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities.
• Distance: 12kms/7.5mls (6 hours more or less of hiking)
• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.

Day 2: WAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYU

Enjoying a hot breakfast, we start a steep ascent towards the highest pass, Abra de Warrmihuañusca or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass.  On this day, you will feel a real sense of achievement upon reaching the top! After a well-deserved rest, we begin the descent to where we stop for lunch, which is located at Pacaymayu (3550m/11646ft).

On our way up to the pass, we will be able to see an array of hummingbirds and a combination of other species of bird life. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and the ´Polylepis´ or Q’ueuña trees which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft!

From here you continue on a steady ascent to the Warmiwañusqa pass (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,200m (13,692ft) which affords a magnificent view of your ascent and the trail ahead. Here you have a well-deserved break and observe the beauty of the deep valleys. After the break the group descends on a restored Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River, the 2nd campsite.

• Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities.
• Distance: 16kms/10mls (9 hours more or less of hiking time)
• Difficulty: Moderate/challenge.

Day 3: PACAYMAYU – PUYUPATAMARCA  – WIÑAY WAYNA

Today you ascend again to a second pass, about halfway up lies an Inca ruin of Runkuraqay (small, round, roofless stone building and thought to have been an astrological site and a sort of checkpoint for couriers following the trail to Machupicchu), after a short tour, you continue up the pass at 4,050m (13,200ft). From here the group walks down on the original Inca Trail, passing a small lake and the first signs of the cloud forest. Soon after you will arrive at a second, larger Inca site called Sayacmarca “Town in a Steep Place” at 3,850m (12,551ft) This Incan ruin was built on a rock overlooking the trail and is accessible only via a single narrow stone staircase- a beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley. After touring you continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes, viewing Mt. Salkantay from the western side and Mt. Pumasillo, a silhouette to the north on the horizon, your lunch stop. After lunch you continue walking through a rolling flag stoned trail and a tunnel before arriving to yet another Incan site called Phuyupatamarca “the village on the edge of the clouds.”

Afternoon a short walk from our campsite is the famous Incan site of ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are feeling tired after your day’s trek, it’s a moment you cannot miss, the most impressive site on the Inca trail.

• Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities and  hot water.
• Distance: 12kms/6.2mls (6hours more or less of hiking)
• Difficulty: Moderate.

Day 4: WIÑAYWAYNA –SUN GETE – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

At around 4:00am it´s time to wake up, have breakfast and start day 4 on the Inca trail to get to Machu Picchu on time. This is the final part of your journey, arriving by 6:00am to reach Inti Punku or The Sun Gate. At that point, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel is in front of us with its intense beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. The reality of what the Inca people must have encountered on their taxing journey to this expansive temple of Machu Picchu. At this point, we walk downhill towards the Machu Picchu Citadel. (2400m/7872 ft.) After walking 40 minutes, we enter the citadel from the top through the “House of the Guardians”. From there we proceed to the control point where we register and leave our belongings.

Your professional guide will direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made from stone. Machu Picchu is considered as the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. Once the guided tour is over, you will have free time to explore the site on your own.

You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price)

• Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.
• Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs.

Back to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes by bus (included) and later board the Expedition train by 4:22pm to the Ollantaytambo Train Station where you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco arriving around 8:30pm.

Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 6kms/3.7mls
Difficulty: Easy