Description

DAY 01 / CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 82 – HATUNCHACA (B/S/L/D)

We will depart for your Inca Trail Tour from Cusco at 5 a.m. in private transportation and head toward KM 82, the starting point of the Inca Trail. After this beautiful drive, your chef will prepare breakfast before you start your trek.

We start our hike walking along the left shore of the Urubamba River, following the trail along a flat terrain, to the community of Miskay (2800 m /9184 ft). The first two hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site and checkpoint, Patallacta. This site will start the approach to Machu Picchu.

After we arrive at Patallacta, we will make our way down into the canyon to enjoy lunch and the views of Patallacta. From Patallacta, we will continue on the trail at an easygoing pace, while enjoying the scenery and haring stories from your guide. It’s about a two-hour walk to reach our camping site at the village of Hatunchaka (3,300 meters).

Trek Time: 4 hrs
Distance: 7.5 miles/12 km
Campsite altitude: 3,000 m (9,842 ft)

DAY 02 / HATUNCHACA – DEAD WOMAN´S PASS – PACASMAYO (B/S/L/D)

We wake up early to begin our ascent to Dead Woman´s Pass. The views of the snow-capped mountains and the cloud forest are fantastic. This first stretch is the most challenging part of the trek. It consists of a steep ascent that stretches for nine kilometers, which will bring us to the first mountain pass in the Inca Trail, Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s pass).

We will stop at Llulluchapampa to relax and to buy any last essentials. We may be able to see deer and falcons in this area. We will have the chance to spot domesticated llamas and alpacas, which graze on ichu (one of the few plants that grow at that altitude).

After the two-hour walk up to the pass, we can enjoy the beautiful views and a refreshing cup of coca tea. Then, the rest of the day is downhill. After about two hours, we will stop for lunch, and have a free afternoon in the Pacaymayo Valley.

Trek Time: 6 hrs
Distance: 6.21 miles/10 km
Campsite altitude: 3,600 m (11,811 ft)

DAY 03 / PACAYMAYO – RUNCU RACCAY PASS – SAYACMARACA RUINS – PHUYUPATAMARCA (B/S/L/D)

After breakfast, we will continue our hike up the opposite side of the valley, as we make our way towards the second pass on the trek. Along the way, we will see fantastic views of waterfalls, flora and fauna. Halfway up, we will stop and visit the Inca site of Runcu Raccay (an Inca watchtower), and to catch our breath before we continue our climb to the pass (4,000 meters).

From the pass, we will once again begin our descent back into the cloud forest. After about an hour, we arrive at Sayacmarca, one of the most beautiful ruins on the Inca Trail, where we will have a one hour guided tour.

Then, we will continue to our lunch spot at Chaquicocha (dry lake). Here you will see some of the fantastic flora and fauna, the Inca Trail has to offer. From Chaquicocha onwards, we will walk along Inca flat (gradual inclines), as we make our way towards our final campsite, Phuyupatamarca (3,680 meters). This area of the Inca Trail had stunning views of the Vilcabamba mountain range, as well as abundant flora and fauna.

After another two hours walk, we will arrive at our campsite, where we will get our first view of Machu Picchu mountain and the Urubamba river. Here, we will settle into our campsite, and have the chance to explore the Inca site. As the sun goes down, we can enjoy the beautiful sunset over the snow-capped peaks.

Trek Time: 9 hrs
Distance: 8.08 miles/13km
Campsite altitude: 3,680 m (12,033 ft)

DAY 04 / PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAYWAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES (B/S/L)

Today, we will have the chance to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises on the Inca Trail, if the weather allows it. After breakfast, you will have a guided tour of Phuyupatamarca. Then, we will start our way up the long stone steps descending to Wiñaywayna (2,650 m/8,692 ft), where we will have lunch.

As we approach the foot of the stairs, we will visit the site of Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). This site has beautiful views of the Sacred Valley and was an important agricultural site for Machu Picchu. After Intipata, we will continue to Wiñaywayna, the archaeological site that is the largest on the Inca Trail besides Machu Picchu. It consists of an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center, with numerous terraces, a religious sector, and an urban sector. This site offers spectacular views over the narrow valley of the Urubamba River.

After our visit, we will have our last lunch with the porters. Following, it is a tradition on the Inca Trail to have a thanking ceremony for all the hard work the porters and cooks have provided. If you wish, you may leave a tip for them at this time. After saying goodbye to our team, we continue to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we will get our first views of Machu Picchu. It takes about an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones in the highland jungle to reach the Sun Gate. From there, it is about another hour down to the site.

Upon arrival, we will have a chance to enjoy the sunset and see the views of Machu Picchu without crowds, before taking the bus to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

*Private groups can arrange to camp this evening, instead of staying at a hotel.

Trek Time: 5 hrs
Distance: 6.84 miles/11 km
Maximum Altitude Point: 3,680 m (12,033 ft)

DAY 05 / MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (B)

We will wake up early and board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, to enjoy the sunrise at the citadel (if the weather allows). These buses are first come, first serve, starting at 5:30 a.m. You will have a two-hour tour of the Inca citadel, and then some free time to explore. If you have purchased permits for Huayna Picchu, your guide will show you where this climb begins. It will take you 45 minutes to the top and another 45 back down.

After the citadel tour, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, and meet for our last lunch in town. Having lunch with your group is optional and is not included in the trek cost. Following, you will take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private bus will be waiting to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.

END OF OUR SERVICES

B= Breakfast / L= Lunch / D= Dinner / S= Snack

INCLUDED

• Pre-departure briefing.
• Transfer in private transport to km.82 (starting point of the Inca Trail).
• Spanish / English speaking professional tour guide.
• Porters who carry the camping gear.
• Porters to carry your belongings (up to 7kg/15.4lb. per person).
• Chef and cooking equipment.
• First – Aid Kit including emergency oxygen tank.
• Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrances.
• 01 night hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• 05 breakfasts, 04 lunches, and 03 dinners (Vegetarian options available).
• Happy hour of Coca tea and snacks.
• Snack each morning.
• Drinking water throughout the trek.
• High quality four seasons and waterproof tents (Eureka).
• A maximum of 2 people per tent (capacity for 4 persons).
• Dining Tent with tables and chairs.
• Kitchen tent.
• Portable toilet tent for your group.
• Foam sleeping mat.
• Small pillows for sleeping.
• Hot water in the morning for washing.
• Rain poncho.
• Day pack rain covers to protect your belongings.
• Guided tour in Machu Picchu.
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
• Expedition Train Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Olantaytambo.
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo Train Station to your hotel in Cusco.

NOT INCLUDED

• Domestic and International flights.
• Airport taxes.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips.
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu.
• Personal trekking equipment (Sleeping bag, inflatable air mattress and walking poles).
• Hiking boots, clothing or other personal items.
• Huayna Picchu entrance.
• Additional tours.