04 Days / 3 Nights From January to December except February for maintenance Moderate
The Classic Inca Trail makes its way through the high Andean mountains, sculpting the rock in a fantastic sample of the high degree achieved by the Inca engineering. It is a Royal road since it was used by the Inca and his court to reach the sacred city of Machu Picchu; for that reason important Inca archaeological remains are observed along the way.
Day 1: Cusco - Piskacucho Km 82 - Patallaqta - Wayllabamba
Day 2: Huayllabamba - Warmi Wañuska (Dead Woman's Pass) - Paqaymayu
Day 3: Paqaymayu - Runkuraqay - Sayacmarca - Phuyupatamarca - Wiñayhuayna
Day 4: Wiñaywayna - Intipunku - Machu Picchu
Day 1: Cusco - Piskacucho Km 82 - Patallaqta - Wayllabamba
Let’s start the adventure!!!!
To start this incredible venture, we wil pick you up very early at morning from your hotel, around 5:30 am to 6:00 am.Please this is important: make sure you carry your original passport or ISIC card if you book like a student it is necessary to entry to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
Then you will be received with an spectacular morning, driving through the Sacred Valley of the Incas that will takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 (Piskacucho). Along the way, we will stop in Ollantaytambo to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, and enjoy breakfast, before continuing to Piscacucho (2,680 m / 8,790 ft.). There we will meet our cook and the porters who will carry our belongings during the four days of the trek.This is the moment when you will have your passports in your hand; we will check the documents and give it to the first official at Inca Trail checkpoint,and finally we will start our adventure crossing a suspension bridge across the Urubamba River, and begin our trek with a gentle climb.
We will have three hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river, rewarded with superb views of snow mountain Veronica (5,750 m). The easy walk passes through a forest of giant cactus and native bushes. Then we will stop at Miskay where we will take our delicious and nutritive lunch, you will continue hiking towards the large Inca settlement of Llactapata and appreciate the impressive farming terraces of this complex. The Inca Trail follows the left bank of the Cusichaca side river up to the village of Huayllabamba at 9840 feet above sea level (3000 m.a.s.l) where you will enjoy dinner and camp for the night.
Day 2: Huayllabamba - Warmi Wañuska (Dead Woman's Pass) - Paqaymayu
Do you like challenges? So this day is for you!! Today is our challenging day; and we can do it, my friends!!!
We wake up early at 6:00 am, with a comforting hot coca tea brought to your tents, to prepare for today's trek which is considered by many people, the hardest day of the Inca trail. You need to complete a steep ascent reaching an altitude of 13779 feet above sea level (4200 m.a.s.l) at Warmi Wañuska pass.
After our breakfast, we will depart from the campsite at around 07:00 hrs. The uphill hike through Llulluchapampa will give you the opportunity to appreciate several species of birds (if we are so lucky, we will see hummingbirds, Falcons or some black-chested eagles). From here the trail traverses beautiful cloud woodlands full of Polylepis or Queñua trees before entering the Puna, a zone characterized by treeless grasslands only found at this altitude across the Andes. Walk at your own pace, to catch your breath or to stretch a muscle. The last hard climb takes us the right to the highest pass of the Inca trail at Warmi Wañuska.
Once at the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Andes!!, and you can take some photos of the snow-covered peaks that surround the zone. You will also feel a great sense of accomplishment after conquering Dead Woman's pass, continue traversing the slopes on the left side of the valley all the way to our campsite in Paqaymayu at 11811 feet above sea level (3600 m.a.s.l.)
Day 3: Paqaymayu - Runkuraqay - Sayacmarca - Phuyupatamarca - Wiñayhuayna
And after the effort comes the calm you know , you did it!!
Today’s hike is very beautiful know why? because we will pass the ruins of Runkuraqay; Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñayhuayna and we enjoy dramatic views of Aobamba Valley. We will start with a steady ascent to the second highest pass at Runkuracay reaching 12400 feet above sea level (3780 m.a.s.l) and passing through a circular Inca control point that occupies a commanding position overlooking the spectacular Vilcabamba mountain range below. Catch your breath, and the rest of the Inca trail is mostly downhill. Be careful with your knees as the descent from the pass to the ruins of Sayacmarca is very steep and you may feel the strain at the end of the day.
Once in Sayacmarca, you will enjoy the histery that your tour guide will explain. The name Sayacmarca means "inaccessible town" and describes the position of the site, awesome perched on the rocks. The one of a kind Inca trail, now a great structure of granite stones, continues through ever-changing layers of cloud forest full of rare orchids, hanging mosses, bromeliads, and tree ferns. Past the Inca tunnel, a gentle climb will take you to the third pass at 12139 feet above sea level (3700 m.a.s.l), offering incredible views of several snow-capped peaks including the most famous Salkantay (20574 ft./6271m) and Veronica (18865 ft./5750m).
Close to the pass you will find the impressive ruins of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town) where you will feel in the clouds. A brief explanation of the mysteries of Inca architecture, before continuing along splendid Inca road to the important agricultural site of Intipata and go up to the third and our last campsite at Wiñayhuayna (forever young) located at 8856 feet above sea level (2700 m.a.s.l). Wiñayhuayna, named after a variety of pink orchid that grows here, is the last official campsite before our destiny the wonder Machu Picchu!!. Tea time and Dinner.
Day 4: Wiñaywayna - Intipunku - Machu Picchu
Ready?? Today is our big day!!!
We will get up very early around 4:00 am - to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), we say very early to be those luckies that will see Machu Picchu whit the first rays of the sun. To reach there, we will hike for about 1 or 2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. You will be walking in darkness, so a headlight is strongly recommended. The trail is marked and takes about 1½ hours.
The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloud forest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu. A final short hike will bring us to the entrance and into the heart of Machu Picchu itself, where we spend the rest of the morning with 2 hours guided tour and some more exploring on your own. The shuttle bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes is included, departs every 15 minutes and will be available for you descend to Aguas Calientes town. Remember this is one of the best rewards for your effort during the 4 Day hiking Inca Trail, so enjoy full the most amazing adventure and feel all the energy of Machu Picchu!
Season: From January to December except February for maintenance
Difficulty: Moderate
From USD $650
More information about dates and prices upon request.Book Now
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