ITINERARY
Day 1: Cusco – KM 82 – Wayllabamba – Yuncachimpa
We will leave Cusco at 5:30am by bus and head for the Sacred
Valley of the Incas. Before we reach our starting point, KM 82, we will have a short break in Ollantaytambo and have the option to get breakfast.
The official beginning of the Inca Trail is called KM 82. Here we will meet the rest of the group and register to start with the trek. After crossing the Rio Urubamba (2200m) we will start the legendary Inca Trail.
The first day the trail is easy to walk and a good warm up for the following days. In Miskay we’ll have lunch at a small river bank while getting some information about the archaeological complex of Llactapata. After that, we will continue our hike to Wayllabamba (3100m/10170f) and ascend to Yuncachimpa (3300m/10826f), the camping site we will spend the night on.
From here, we have a great view of the mysterious Nevado de Verónica.
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Total distance: 11km approx.
Day 2: Yuncachimpa – Llulluchapampa – Warmihuañusca pass – Pacaymayu
The second day is the ‘Free-Hike-Day’, this means that everybody should walk in his/her own pace. Of course, you will meet during the small breaks or see each other while beating the stairs. Early in the morning the trail first leads through the Valley of Llulluchapampa (3850m/12631f). The first 3km are steps – enjoy the humid woodland and the water sounds.
From Llulluchapampa follow the path for 2-3 hours until you reach the highest point of this section, the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman Pass) (4200m/113780f).
This climb is known as the most difficult part of the Inca Trail. After a short break at the summit, you continue your hike down with a long and steep descent to the river Pacaymayu (Sunrise River) towards the Runkurakay pass (3050m/10007f) until you reach our camp site called Chaquicocha at (3650m/11975f). Here you can relax from the tough day while enjoying an amazing view over the mountains.
Level of difficulty: challenging
Hiking time: 8-9 hours
Total distance: 15 km approx.
Day 3: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna
The third day is the most beautiful one. You can notice a change in the eco-system while walking to the tropical forest of Wiñayhuayna. We will pass two small lakes at the top of the second pass (3950m). It’s a gentle climb through beautiful cloud forest and a small Inca tunnel before the third pass (3700m) offers a grand view over the Rio Urubamba Valley. The nearest settlement is named Phuyupatamarca/”Town above the clouds” (3600m/11811f).
A well preserved site with long chain Inca baths where one can enjoy impressive ancient engineering. We pass another Inca tunnel before visiting the ruins of
Wiñayhuayna/”Forever young” (2650m/8694f). The Inca stairs change into a zigzag trail until you reach a red-roofed white building, our last camping site, and also a location with hot water (S5) and bottled drinks.
Level of difficulty: normal
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Total distance: 10 km Approx.
Day 4: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
After our breakfast at 4:30am we will head, equipped with our flashlights, to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) to get the first glimpse of Machu Picchu and watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu.
The last triumphal descent will take almost one hour before visiting the citadel of Machu Picchu (2400m//7874f) around 8.00am. You can enjoy its spiritual charm during a guided tour (about two hours) that helps you to understand the meaning and ancient use of the different buildings. From Machu Picchu there will be a bus awaiting you to take you down to Aguas Calientes. Here you can soak away your aches and pain in the town’s hot springs. We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.
Level of difficulty: normal
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Total distance: 7 km approx.
Notes:
Departure and arrival times are approximate. Campsites are subject to change according to the designation of the governmental institution regulating the use of the Inca Trail, as well as to our guide’s criteria.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
- 24 hour support provided by Into Peru
- Transportation from the airport to your hotel in Cusco once you arrive
- Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer by private bus to km 82 (starting point of the trail)
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fee (valid for all 4 days)
- Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-person-capacity tent, to allow for enhanced comfort and safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, 2017-new and highly maintained to ensure quality.
- One foamy sleeping pad per person
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Kitchen tent
- Toilet tent (only if assigned campsites do not have toilets)
- Professional English speaking tour guide (2 guides for groups over 8 people)
- A chef and cooking equipment
- Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
- Accommodation for our guides, cook and porters
- Meals (3 Breakfast, 3 Lunches,3 dinners + daily morning snack + daily tea service except on the last day)
- Hot water every morning and evening for washing & boiled water to fill your water bottle with every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested.
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu down to the town of Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
- Transportation from train station back to your hotel in Cusco
What’s not included:
- Breakfast during the first day, lunch and dinner on the last day. After the guided tour at Machu Picchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner is not included on this day.
- Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes if desired
Optional services:
- An extra porter to carry your personal items: US$ 140.00/4 days. A porter can carry up to 15 kg, which should be enough for 2 people.
- An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose. Please beware that if you wish to visit Machu Picchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee is not included.
- Improved PeruRail Vistadome or Luxury PeruRail Hiram Bingham train service instead of the PeruRail Expedition service which is included
- Sleeping Bag: US$9.00 dollars per day, our sleeping bags are -20ºC comfort and mummy form. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
- Walking sticks or poles US$ 05.00 dollars per day (rubber covers are included in order not to damage the Inca Trail)
- Therm-a-rest inflatable mattress US$ 25.00 dollars.
