The Classic Inca Trail Adventure 4 Days Hike to Machu Picchu

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco- Piskacucho Km 82- Cusichaka- Wayllabamba Camp
3 stops
1
Cusco
Picking you up from your hotel at 5:40 am, we board our private transport that will take us to the beginning of our trek. 1 hour and a half of travel to Piscacucho, km 82.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Inca Trail
After 1 hour of travel, we arrive at Piscacucho, km. 82, for the start of the trek. There we will meet our camp crew, the porters, who will carry our belongings during the entire trek. Passports in hand, we clear the official Inca Trail checkpoint, cross a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba River, and begin our trek with a gentle climb. We have 3 hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river, rewarded with superb views of Mount Veronica. At Miskay, we take the trail to the left, ascending gradually to Willkaraccay, high above the mouth of the Cusichaka stream and across from the Inca town of Llactapata. After a short rest, we continued our walk to our lunch site in Tayaroc. Walking times are always approximate, depending on weather conditions, group ability, and other factors. After lunch, another 2 to 3 hours will bring us to Wayllabamba Camp.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
3
Upon arrival at the Wayllabamba Camp and after settling in our tents, you will be rewarded with a hot drink, and a buffet dinner will be offered. Hot water buckets are offered for washing. Guides will present our plans for the next great day. Have a good night.
12 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Wayllabamba - Ayapata - Llulluchapampa - Dead Woman's Pass - Pacaymayo Camp
4 stops
4
After breakfast, around 7:00 am, we restarted our walk for about 1 hour to climb to Ayapata. Today is our challenge day, the biggest climb of our hike, but it is rewarded with spectacular views up the mountain. It is partly an old Inca stone step, surrounded by impressive snow-covered peaks as Apu Huayanay. You will take 2 to 3 hours of hiking with several stops to catch your breath to reach the Llulluchapampa Valley.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
5
At Llulluchapampa, our camp crew will have a delicious Peruvian gourmet lunch. After lunch, there is time to rest, maybe for a short nap. Then we continue our hike for another 2 to 3 hours, the 600-meter ascent up to the top of the mountain, Warmi Wausca Mountain (Dead Woman's Pass).
2 hours • Admission ticket included
6
The path still climbs along a large number of steps, some of them newly laid to protect it from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catch your breath. This last climb brings us to Warmi Wausca (Dead Woman’s Pass), where it is time for a great group photo. Then we take a short break before starting a steep descent in the Pacaymayo Valley for approximately 2 to 3 hours.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
7
We will reach our camp tonight. This site has an incredible view over a valley, a nearby waterfall, and snow-covered peaks. You will find that your energy returns as we proceed along this downhill segment. We set up our camp, and it is tea time and buffet dinner.
12 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Runkurakay - Sayacmarca - Chaquicocha - Puyupatamarca - Intipata - Wiñay Wayna Camp
7 stops
8
After breakfast, around 7:00 a.m. The path climbs very steeply from Pacaymayo camp and takes a 1-hour walk to reach Runcuracay.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
9
Runkurakay is a circular structure of ruins on the edge of the valley: an old Inca tambo where chassis rested, a guard post, a lookout point, or a ritual building. The second pass, Runcuracay Mountain, is another 1-hour walk up, beyond a series of false summits and at the top of a series of steep staircases. In clear weather, you can look back to Warmi Wauska Pass and forward to a breathtaking sweep of snow-capped peaks. Having descended through a short tunnel, the trail begins a series of tight switchbacks, dropping in height quickly until it reaches a small viewpoint atop a promontory. To the right on the pass lies a small, algae-covered lake, while ahead of you, Sayacmarca Inca town is visible.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
10
Sayacmarca
Time to explore, interesting lectures from your guides, and then we continue descending, and the path brings us to Chakicocha, a nice camp.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
11
We stop to rest and have lunch. There are toilet facilities. After lunch the hike is exceptionally beautiful because of the stone-paved highway, we will pass the ruins of Puyupatamarca.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
12
This stretch of the trail is made of well-kept paved stone, still in great condition after many centuries. Then, ascend to the final summit, Puyupatamarca (the village above the clouds), and continue to the site of Intipata for panoramic views of the Aobamba Valley and the Urubamba River.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
13
The Ruins of Intipata
There is an additional short hike to Intipata, another impressive Inca site with farm terraces, before we get to our camp. Around 5 p.m., we will arrive at Wiay Wayna.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
14
Winay Wayna
Around 5 pm, we will arrive at Wiay Wayna. Once set up in our tents, we will walk for 15 minutes to have a spectacular view and a tour around this impressive Inca citadel, the most preserved and biggest Inca site on the Inca Trail. Tea time and a buffet dinnerIt is a tradition at the Camino Inca to organize a small ceremony during this last dinner and once again present the entire team of carriers and thank them for the work done.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Wiñay Wayna - Inti Punku - The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - return to Cusco
6 stops
15
Winay Wayna
We will get up very early, around 4:00 am, to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), overlooking Machu Picchu, for the first rays of the sunrise. This will be a hike of 1 to 2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
16
You will be hiking in darkness for 1 hour, so a headlamp is strongly recommended. Please follow the instructions of your guides and watch out for your steps. From Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), the final easy 1-hour walk downhill will bring us first to the upper south sector of Machu Picchu (the Guardian Houses).
2 hours • Admission ticket included
17
Machu Picchu
The trail ends at a series of terraces, which present classic views of the overall city. After enjoying a panoramic view, we must walk straight down to the entrance of Machu Picchu. A few minutes later, we will continue to explore the site, with explanations provided by the trek guide. The formal tour visits the most remarkable temples and neighborhoods of the lost city of the Incas. Our guided tour will last approximately 2 hours. After this, we need to walk down to the checkpoint, the main Machu Picchu control. By 12:30 pm, bus to Aguas Calientes town
3 hours • Admission ticket included
18
Aguas Calientes
We arrive in Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and take the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
19
Ollantaytambo
We arrived at the train station in Ollantaytambo, and our staff will be waiting for you to take private transport to Cusco.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
20
Cusco
We will arrive in the city of Cusco at night, and finally, we will leave you at your hotel located in Cusco City or Urubamba.
2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

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