The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is without doubt one of the world’s best treks and for those who visit Peru looking for good adventure this is definitely the best choice. This ancient trail was laid by the Incas and is one of the many trails that used to connect different cities and temple of the Inca Empire.
The Royal Inca Trail leads from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu combining different ecosystems, microclimates and lot of history giving the visitors a really amazing experience. People enjoy from the very start of this trek looking at how the spectacular scenery of the Andes Mountains merges into the cloudy forest to finally arrive to the magnificent complex of Machu Picchu lying on a green plateau where the architectural art is in perfect harmony with the natural environment.
Establishments in the center of the city of Cusco
Establishments in the center of Cusco
The trekking crew will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco very early in the morning to take a private bus to the town Chilca at Km 82, where the hike starts along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The bus ride is beautiful and you will have the chance to enjoy a spectacular view of the Peruvian Andes. First stop is for about 20 minutes in the well-known Inca town “Ollantaytambo” to continue the bus ride to the starting point of your trek, In here is the unpack and get prepared to start the hike with the trekking guide and team (please have your passport on hand). After approximately three hours of walking and passing a lookout point, where you will see a beautiful Inca building known as “Llactapata” in the base of the mountains, here is the stop for lunch. In the afternoon you will continue walking towards first campsite at 3,000 meters, called Wayllabamba. Dinner is going to be at the camp.
It's going to be an early morning with a nice and hot cup of tea to get ready for this beautiful day. After breakfast the toughest and the most amazing part of the trail will begin, walking towards the highest point of the Inca Trail, from where you will have an unbelievable panoramic view of the whole area and will observe different types of microclimates (4,250 meters). After a 5 hour walk you will reach the first pass, called Warmiwañusca or Dead Woman's Pass, where will get a tremendous feeling of achievement mixed with relief of having reached the pass. After having reached the top and will continue your walk down to Pacaymayo, where is the lunch and spend the night at the campsite (altitude of 3,600 meter above sea level).
We consider this as the most beautiful and longest day due the different microclimate and the arrival to the cloudy forest. After breakfast the hike start towards the second most important pass of the Inca Trail, at 3,950 meters above sea level. On the way you have a guided tour at the archaeological complex of Runkurakay and after the second pass is the visit to the Inca citadel Sayacmarca. The trek goes towards Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument where is the stop for lunch. After a short break the descent is down to one of the most beautiful Inca site along the trail, Wiñay Huayna (means Forever Young). The campsite is right next to this complex, leave your belongings there and will have a guided tour of this impressive archaeological site. Afterwards the dinner is at the camp. That night is time to say goodbyes to the porters and cooks, so the local guide will organize a small party to thank everyone for sharing this amazing and beautiful experience in the Andes together.
After breakfast, very early start to arrive in time for sunrise at Inti Punku. After one hour and a half of walking throughout the cloud forest you'll reach the Gate of the Sun, where is the most impressive panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at the citadel, The guided tour is about two hours around the magnificent complex, visiting the main sites and monuments. Machu Picchu is located at 2,400 meters above sea level. After the touring this extraordinary location you will have some free time to wander around on your own and then take a bus down to Aguas Calientes. From there will be catching a train back to Cusco or Ollantaytambo (time and destination indicated on your train ticket). With the arrival in Cusco the adventure will come to the end.
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This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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