Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights

Description

DAY 1

Cusco| Piscacucho Km 82 - Huayllabamba.

Pick up from the hotels starts at 05:30 a.m. approx. We will leave towards Piscacucho or kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins. On the way, we stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo around 6:30 a.m. to recharge our energy, then we will start our trek (breakfast is not included). Around 09:30 am we will arrive at kilometer 82, which is the first checkpoint of the Inca Trail, this is ready to show your entrance tickets, passports.

At the beginning of the trail (2720m / 8923ft) we will cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy, a warm up along the flat Inca terrain. There are excellent views of the Inca fortress 'Huillca Raccay', the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata, (officially called 'Patallacta'), and the beautiful snow-capped peak of 'W'akay Willca' (5860m / 19225ft) known as Veronica.

Our first camp is in Wayllabamba (3000m /9842ft) a temperate green valley with the same name. Night temperatures are around 5ºC depending on the month.

• Meals: Lunch, snacks and dinner.
• Lodging: Camping facilities.
• Distance: 11km / 6.8 masl (6 hours or so of hiking)

DIA 2

Huayllabamba - Warmiwañusca - Pacaymayo

After waking up around 5:30 a.m. and enjoying a hot breakfast, we will begin a steep ascent to the highest pass, Warmihuañusca pass or 'Dead Woman's Pass' at 4200m / 13779ft. On this day, you will feel a real sense of accomplishment as you reach the summit! After a well-deserved rest, we will begin our descent to, Pacaymayo where we will stop for lunch (3550m / 11646ft).

On our way to the pass, we will be able to see a variety of hummingbirds and a combination of other bird species. You will have time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and trees and after lunch, you will begin the second steep two-hour climb to Runkuraqay Pass (almost 4000 m / 13,123 ft). We arrive at our camp at 5 pm. Temperatures at this camp are 4ºC during the night.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Lodging: Camping.
• Distance: 16kms / 10 masl (9 hours more or less hiking time)

DIA 3

Pacaymayo - Puyupatamarca - Wiñayhuayna

This is the most impressive day; keep this in mind when ascending on day three! We will rise for breakfast at 6:00 am and begin the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of "Phuyupatamarca" (meaning "City in the Clouds"). Here we reach the third highest point of the Inca trail (3680 m / 3680 ft.) The views of the mountains, canyons and surroundings are spectacular!

The Inca site of "Phuyupatamarca" is a few minutes walk from the third pass. After visiting this site, we continue down 3000 stairs through the cloud forest to the impressive Inca agricultural site of 'Intipata. After taking some time to visit this site, we will continue until we reach our third camp Wiñayhuayna (2680 m / 8792 ft). Today, we will only walk for about 4 to 5 hours, arriving at the camp at lunch time!

Temperatures during the night are approximately 12º C. A few steps from our campsite is the famous Inca site of "Wiñayhuayna" ("Forever Young"). Even if you feel tired after the hike, it is a moment not to be missed, as it is the most impressive site on the Inca Trail.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Lodging: Camping facilities and cold water showers.
• Distance: 10kms / 6.2 msnm (5 hours more or less of hiking)

DIA 4

Wiñayhuayna - Machupicchu - Cusco

Around 4:00 a.m. it is time to get up, have breakfast and start day 4 on the Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu on time. This is the final part of your journey, arriving at 6:00 a.m. to reach Inti Punku or the Sun Gate. At that point, the majestic Citadel of Machu Picchu stands before us with its intense beauty, an incredible sight for all to see. The reality of what the Inca people must have encountered on their exhausting journey to this expansive temple of Machupicchu. At this point, we walk downhill towards the citadel of Machupicchu (2400m / 7872 ft.).

After a 40 minute walk, we enter the citadel from the top through the "House of the Guardians". From there we proceed to the checkpoint where we register and leave our belongings. Your professional guide will lead you through the amazing ruins and its main streets. You can stroll through the city squares and climb the intricately carved staircases made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered the spiritual center of the world for esoteric wisdom.

Once the guided tour is over, you will have free time to explore the site on your own. Return to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes and then board the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station. "Train departure time may vary depending on train schedule and availability."

At the Ollantaytambo train station you will meet our transportation and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

• Food: Breakfast
• Distance: 8.9kms / 5.5 masl / 5.5 m asl
• Difficulty: Easy