The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a famous trek through the Andean Mountains, arriving in the emblematic Inca citadel on sacred hill top. It's a tourist journey dreamt by thousands travelers, due to its historical significance, stunning scenery, and challenging yet rewarding hike. The Inca Trail hiking is completed in 4 days and 3 nights. Come with us!!!
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InKa Trail & Machu Picchu
InKa Trail & Machu Picchu
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Piskacucho Km 82 - Llactapata- Ayapata
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4 am. We will take you to the restaurant which is located in Ollantaytambo for a delicious breakfast.
Then will drive to Km 82, we’ll go through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek.
The distance is 14 km and 6 hours Aprox. of hiking. The first 2 hours the trekking is comfort easy as we make our way to Patallacta. This is an ancient Inca checkpoint on the way to Amazing Machu Picchu. Here we have a break for rest and lunch.
After lunch, we will hike for another 2 and half hours until we reach the first campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters). We’ll arrive at our campsite around 5:00 pm.Aprox. Meanwhile we settling our equipment for the night, you can relax and have a hot drink and snack provided by team of porters, chefs, and guides. Later your dinner will be ready, and after you can get some well-deserved rest.
Day 2: Dead Woman´s Pass - Runcuraccay Pass - Chaquiccocha
We will have an early breakfast and start the longest day (7 hours of trekking and 16 km). Four hours of roughly journey to the highest pass of Warmi Wañusca (4215 m.). On reaching the pass, we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River. In one and half hour down the side of the valley we get our lunch spot, where you will have a chance to refill your water bottles.
After lunch, we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. 2 hours later we will reach at a small Inca site: Runcu Raccay and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, we continue for an hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site of Sayacmarca . Here short rest and quick visit.
Afterward, we will be able to delight the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. Then only 20 minutes more until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (3600 meters). After dinner we can do some star gazing the constellations.
Day 3: Chaquiccocha - Wiñaywayna
We will start early again ( 6:30 am ) to begin the gradual descend (10 km ) and go go most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. We hike for 2 hours along what enter to the jungle Cloud Forest. During walking we see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Then we are ready to finish our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters). From where we discover great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley the first view of Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself is still hidden. From Phuyupatamarka 3 hours walking down to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). The spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and celebrate the unforgettable approach to Machu Picchu Citadel. During the descent, we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata ( SunTerrace ). We arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM to have lunch.
In the afternoon we are going to visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half . The guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek. This way you will be fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day.
We advise to go to bed at a reasonable time to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn in the hopes that the weather will give us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins at Machu Picchu.
Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
The most important day of your journey: the long-awaited visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
We will wake up very early at 3:00 a.m. at the Wiñaywayna campsite. Breakfast will be served at 3:30 a.m., and at 4:00 a.m., we will begin a short walk to the park ranger checkpoint, where we will wait in line until the gate opens at 5:30 a.m.
The hike from the checkpoint to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) takes about 1 hour, during which you’ll enjoy lush flora such as orchids and cloud forests. Just before arriving, you’ll encounter the steep “Gringo Killer” stairs, a section of about 20 Inca steps.
Upon reaching Intipunku, you’ll enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu in all its glory. This gate served as the main entrance to the citadel during Incan times and also as a solar observation point during the spring solstice, when sunlight passed through the gate and illuminated the Sun Temple window.
We will spend 15 to 30 minutes at the Sun Gate, depending on the weather, and then continue for another hour of gentle downhill hiking to reach Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll see spectacular views of the citadel, Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba River, and the surrounding valleys.
At approximately 7:30 to 8:00 a.m., we are going to arrive at the main lookout point of Machu Picchu, and touch the real postcard on the sacred hill. You’ll have about 30 minutes to enjoy the view and take photos with help from your guide. For many, this is the moment when the dream of “surviving the Inca Trail” comes true.
After taking pictures, we’ll briefly exit the citadel to use the restrooms (S/2), and anyone with large backpacks can leave them in the storage area (US$5).
We will then re-enter to begin a guided tour along Circuit 3, which covers determinate area of Machu Picchu: temples, palaces, religious houses, water fountains, and astronomical observatories. Your guide will explain every detail, and you’ll also have time to take photos.
After the tour:
Those with a ticket for Huayna Picchu will head to the entry checkpoint and hike up independently, as guided tours are not allowed on that trail.
The rest of the group will continue the tour through other sectors such as the Temple of the Condor, followed by about 30 more minutes to explore and take pictures.
At the end of the visit, everyone will head to the exit to take the bus to Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch:
At 2:55 p.m., you will board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes), with comfortable seats and impressive views of the river and mountains.
On arrival in Ollantaytambo we return to Cuzco by tourist van and take 2 hours Aprox. Getting the city around 8:30 p.m.
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