- OVERVIEW
- ITINERARY
- OPTIONAL
- INCLUDED
- NOT INCLUDED
- WHAT TO BRING
- MAP
- PRICE
- INQUIRE NOW
OVERVIEW
INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
DAY 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 82 – LLACTAPATA – WAYLLABAMBA
Early in the morning, we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to later take you by private vehicle to the town of Ollantaytambo. There, we have breakfast and we shop the last necessary stuff for the trek. Then, we get on our vehicle again to continue until the so-called Km 82 at Piscacucho. This is a trailhead and checkpoint of the 4-day Inca Trail to Machupicchu. After 2 hours of walking, we arrive at the Inca archaeological site of Llaqtapata. These two Quechua words mean a “village” (Llaqta) and a “high place” (Pata). Our Tour Guide shows us around the Inca site and he/she explains to us that it used to serve agricultural purposes due to its many platforms.
Our Cook serves us to lunch there afterwards and then, we are ready to continue trekking until we get to the beautiful valley of Wayllabamba (3,000 m/9,843 ft). We layout our first camping there, followed by dinner and overnight.
Maximum altitude: 3,000 metres / 9,843 feet
Minimum altitude: 2,700 metres/8,858 feet
Duration of the trek: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Warm by day/Cold at night (around 0°C)
DAY 2 INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU: WAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSQA – PACAYMAYO
Our Cook serves us breakfast early in the morning so that we can start trekking. First off, we need to overcome a 9-km uphill section (around 5 hours) in order to reach the highest point of the trail: Warmiwañusqa Pass. It measures 4,200 m.a.s.l. (13,780 f.a.s.l.) and it means the pass of the “Dead Woman” in Quechua native language.
In this place, you might admire a wonderful panoramic view overlooking the surrounding mountain range while enjoying your well-deserved lunch. Afterwards, only a descent walk awaits you as we need to reach the Pacaymayo Valley (3,526 m/11,566 ft). It offers incredible views of the landscape having a waterfall on the left side as well as many snow-capped peaks all around. The valley is a perfect place to build our second campsite, have dinner and rest after this arduous hike.
Maximum altitude: 4,200 metres /13,780 feet
Minimum altitude: 3,000 metres/9,843 feet
Duration of the trek: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Weather: Cold by day/Cold at night (around 0°C)
DAY 3: PACAYMAYO – RUNCURACAY – SAYAQMARCA – PHUYUPATA MARCA – WIÑAY WAYNA
Many guided visits to Incan sites await us today. For that reason, we need to have breakfast early morning again and start hiking afterwards. First off, we trek until Runcuracay, a beautiful Inca construction built in a shape of an oval. We are guided around this site which is believed that it served as a watchtower for the Incas. Afterwards, we continue till we reach the archaeological complex of Sayaqmarca. Our Guide gives us an explanation about its interesting building erected on a very steep slope, surrounded by a wonderful mountain chain.
Later on, we trek to the Phuyupata Marca archaeological complex to be guided around this composition of impressive fountains and water channels. These are, without any doubt, an example of spectacular hydraulic engineering work of the Incas. Our last stop of the day is at Wiñay Wayna where we build our last campsite. So, we can enjoy dinner and go to sleep.
Maximum altitude: 3,962 metres/12,996 feet
Minimum altitude: 2,700 metres/8,858 feet
Duration of the trek: 8 hours
Trekking distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Weather: Moderate by day/Cold at night (around 0°C)
DAY 4: WIÑAY WAYNA – MACHUPICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
Very early in the morning, you have breakfast to be able to start trekking to the famous “Inti Punku” (Sun Gate). This place serves as a checkpoint for Inca Trail trekkers too. You rest there for a while and enjoy the stunning sunrise above the Sanctuary of Machupicchu (2,430 m/7,972 ft).
Then, you are given a 4-hour private guided tour while the Tour Guide explains to you each known detail of its history. He/she shows you around architectural collections of a greater interest which are situated in the so-called “Royal Tomb”. It is located very close to the gateway. Also, you explore the Temple of the Sun (around the structured tower), the Temple of the Three Windows, the Central Temple, the Mansion of the Priests, the sunken place. You can see their lots of springs formed in water channels and many stairways. All entirely made of stone.
There are rocks used for high ritual purposes. The most important of which is “Inti Watana” or the Solar Clock. After the guided part, you are given time off in order to take some more pictures and explore the citadel on your own. When you decide, you use a bus ticket (that the Guide has given you previously) to descend to the Aguas Calientes town (2,040 m/6,693 ft) and have lunch (not included). Later on, you board a train in the direction to Ollantaytambo and afterwards, we take you on a private vehicle back to Cusco. Before we tell you goodbye, we bring you to your hotel.
Maximum altitude: 2,700 metres/8,858 feet
Minimum altitude: 2,040 metres/6,693 feet
Duration of the trek: 2 hours
Trekking distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Weather: Humid-warm
