The ultimate way to experience Machu Picchu is to walk the path of the Inca’s, get off the beaten path, and cover 31 miles of exquisite terrain to one of the seven wonders of the world. The Inca Trail is one of the most famous trails in the world and for excellent reasons. Much of the trail is still the original Inca constructed trail, a true testament to Incan engineering. The trail itself is nothing short of breathtaking, full of deep history and unbelievable stories. Best yet, our local guides educate you on what you are passing by, and why it matters. The first time you will enter via the Sun Gate around 4 pm. I can speak from personal experience when I say that this one of the best time to see this ancient city. Many of the other tourists have left for the day, and you will find yourself at awe as you stand above the ruins at the Sun Gate. Aguas Calientes is the town that sits below the ruins, and it provides for a fun local flare and chance for a restful nights sleep.
Itinerary
Day 1: Guests Arrive in Cusco and Welcome Meeting
Guests Arrivals Day
Guests who arrive early can spend some time exploring the city of Cusco. Meet the Group meeting at 6:00 pm for the welcome and trekking details. Hotel and Location of meeting TBD (Guide is working on and will have very soon).
Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco (TBD)
Day 2: Explore Cusco and travel to Ollantaytambo
Explore Cusco with a group walking in the morning and then travel to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon. Early bedtime as we will be starting early the following morning.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Day 3: Start Inca Trail
Trekking (D1)
Start time
4:30 AM
Highlights of the day
Our trek starts at the 82Km or Piscacucho. As opposed to every other travel company, we won’t enter into the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu at this location. Instead, we will walk along the right bank of the Urubamba river toward Qoriwayrachina or 88Km. As we follow an original off the beaten track Inca Trail we will pass the Incan sites of Rumipunku and Salapunku; these are some of the Incan sites that no other trekker on the Inca trail gets to visit. At Qoriwairachina, We will not check in with the park rangers yet; instead, we will hike for an extra mile to visit the impressive Incan site of Machu Q’ente. After our guide gives us a brief presentation of this wonderful place, we will walk back toward Qoriwairachina to make our official entry into the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. At Qoriwairachina we will see the foundations of an ancient Incan hanging bridge and a watchtower. After a well-deserved lunch break; we will walk uphill for one hour to visit the impressive Incan site of Wayna Qente; another of the off the beaten track archaeological sites that only our exclusive tour allow us to visit. In this place, We will explore the ruins of Wayna Qente and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Urubamba mountain range and the snowcapped peak of Wakay Willca (Veronica), which stands at 5860m/19225ft. We will stop here to watch the sunset over a nice cup of hot cocoa before we return to our campsite at Qoriwayrachina.
Difficulty level
Moderate. The trail starts at 2720m/8923ft climbing to 3000m/8984ft at Wayna Qente.
Meals
Lunch during the hike and dinner at our campsite in the evening. Vegetarian options are available. Please advise us if you require this option.
Accommodation: Camping in tents at a campsite in Cuyoq. The temperature at night is usually around 1°C/34°F.
Day 4: Trekking all day
Trekking (D2)
Start time
6:00 AM
Highlights of the day
On this day, we will walk towards the Llaqtapata Incan site, which is a massive city built at the juncture of the Urubamba and Wayllabamba rivers. We will visit the religious area of Pulpituyoq and part of the urban area before we continue hiking towards Wayllabamba. From Wayllabamba we will take a brief detour to explore the Incan site of Inca Rakay, before we return to have lunch at Wayllabamba. In the afternoon, the trek will turn a bit strenuous as we start the climb toward our campsite. Due to the vast changes in the ecosystems in the area, flora and fauna on this part of the trek are incredibly varied. You will see many birds such as hummingbirds and other exotic birds, plants, and trees such as the ‘Polilepys ‘ or Q’ueuña tree which grows in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft! You will feel a real sense of achievement reaching the campsite at Lluluchapampa from where we will be able to see the highest point of the trail, the Huarmihuañusca/’Dead Woman’s Pass’ 4200m/13779ft.
Difficulty level
Hard. We climb from Llaqtapata 2850m/9020ft to Llulluchapampa 3650m/12030 ft. We camp, only 2 hours away from the highest point of the Inca Trail, the Huarmihuañusca/’Dead Woman’s Pass’ 4200m/13779ft.
Meals
Breakfast at our campsite, lunch on the trek and dinner at our evening campsite.
Accommodation
Camping in tents at Llulluchapampa 3550m/11646ft. Temperature around 6°C or 42°F.
Other Information
Our evening campsite at Lluluchapampa is a unique location and sometimes we will be the only group in this area.
Day 5: All Day Trekking
Trekking (D3)
Start time
6:00 AM
Highlights of the day
This is a challenging day for us. We will keep climbing the mountain towards the Abra de Huarmihuañusca/’Dead Woman’s Pass’ 4200m/13779ft. The views from here are simply amazing. Once we get to the the highest point and we take the mandatory pictures, we will proceed to go downhill for about 2.5 hours, toward Pacayamayo, our lunch spot. After we reach this place and we have the mandatory
In the afternoon we will climb the second mountain pass of the trail. Along the way, we will visit the unique incan sites of Runcuracay’ and ‘Sayacmarca’ and gaze at the magnificient scenery as you pass through the lovely cloud forest. Our campsite will be located right outside the Inca site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’).
Difficulty level
Hard. This is our longest and hardest day. On this day we will reach the three highest points of the Inca Trail, the Huarmihuañusca/’Dead Woman’s Pass’ 4200m/13779ft, the Runkurakay pass followed by the Phuyupatamarca pass 3220 m / 11000ft.
Meals
Breakfast at our campsite, lunch on the trek and dinner at our evening campsite.
Accommodation
Camping in tents at a campsite at Phuyupatamarca 3220m/11000ft.
Other information
A short distance from this campsite is the Inca site of the same name ‘Phuyupatamarka’.
Day 6: Trekking All Day
Trekking (D4)
Start time
7:00 AM
Highlights of the day
Early in the morning before breakfast we will go on a short climb toward the Incan religious center called “Ushnu” to observe the sunrise. It is here we will be served hot chocolate and sandwiches for breakfast. After we pack our things we will head downhill toward Machu Picchu and the Sun Gate. The trail in this part is quite steep and full of steps, the altitude loss will be quite dramatic as we will be dropping almost 1000m/3000ft in altitude. Along the way we will visit the Incan sites of Phuyupatmarca, Intipata and Winaywayna. This last place is perhaps one of the most beautiful sites of the whole Incan trail. After lunch we will head toward Intipunku and Machupicchu. Our goal is to reach Machu Picchu right before sunset and the closing time for Machu Picchu. Once Machu Picchu is closed we will take a 30 minute bus ride toward Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night.
Difficulty level
Moderate: Steady down hill hike toward Winaywayna and the Sun Gate or Intipunku.
Meals
Breakfast at the campsite and lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation
Hotel at Aguas Calientes.
Other Information
We will arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon however we will not be allowed to enter the archaeological site yet. We will enjoy the best views of Machu Picchu from the areas adjacent to the Inca Trail. The guardians house provides an amazing photo opportunity, don’t miss going there!
Day 7: Guided tour of Machu Picchu (Second Visit) – Hike Departure Day
Bus To Machu Picchu – transport back to Cusco and Depart Flight AFTER 6:00PM!
***If you are Departing on this final day, make sure you book your flights to DEPART after 6:00pm!! We strongly encourage you to book your departure flight the next day to ensure you are not rushed and able to take in Machu Picchu without rushing.
Start time
4:00 AM
Highlights of the day
We will wake up early in the morning to catch one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. Once in Machu Picchu we will go on a 3 hour tour of this beautiful Incan site. Our guides will explain the history of this site part by part. After the tour has concluded, people will go on their alternative adventures toward the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains respectively. In the afternoon, we will catch our train back to Cusco.
Difficulty level
Easy. On this day we will take a bus back to Machu Picchu for the final 2 hour walking tour of the Incan city.
Other information
We will meet back in Aguas Calientes in the afternoon for lunch. From Aguas Calientes we will take transportation back to Cusco.
***If you are Departing on this final day, make sure you book your flights to DEPART after 6:00pm!! We strongly encourage you to book your departure flight the next day to ensure you are not rushed and able to take in Machu Picchu without rushing.
Day 8: Departure Flight Home
Transportation from hotel to Airport and head home.
