Overview
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world! Hike as the Incas did! Through these 4 days of adventure, you will taste beautiful scenery, a magnificent Inca-paved route, gastronomy, very unique flora and fauna, and the impressive Machu Picchu. In Quechua, the Inca Language, it is called “Qhapaq Ñan” (which refers to the network of trails). According to the Peruvian historian José Antonio del Busto, without a doubt one of the marvels of Tahuantinsuyo, he explains that the Inca “King” Huayna Capac increased the network of trails in order to quickly mobilize his army. The trails varied in quality and size; they could be 6 to 8 meters wide on the coast, but in the mountains, the paving was only one meter wide, but the path was audaciously steep and climbed over the difficult Andean mountains.
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – KM 82 – WAYLLABAMBA
Pick up from your hotel at 6.00 am and transfer to the Sacred Valley and onto Ollantaytambo, where we will stop for approximately 45 minutes to collect porters and equipment. We will have time to visit the surrounding area of the town called Ollantaytambo, before making our way to kilometer 82, where we will begin our trek. Our pace will be an acclimatization rhythm, and very soon we will stop at our first archaeological complex, Llactapata, at 2,550m above sea level. We will stay 30 minutes to visit this archaeological complex, before continuing our walk to Wayllabamba, where we will camp.
DAY 2: WAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYO
After breakfast, we will begin our walk through the Valley of Wayllabamba on our journey. We will be able to observe the nature and the ecological change of the area until we arrive at (Yunca Chipana) Wayllabamba, from where we will climb to Llulluchapampa at 3,750 m.a.s.l. / 2,330 ft., from this point we will be able to appreciate the valley of Huayanay and the first step or “paso” located at 4,200 m.a.s.l. / 2610 ft. Warmiwañusca, the so-called dead woman, and camp in the sector of Pacaymayo.
DAY 3: PACAYMAYO – WIÑAYWAYNA
On this day, we will ascend to Runkurakay at 3,860 m.a.s.l. / 2,389 ft. Unlike previous days, our walk will be two hours. We will be able to visit another small complex, Sayacmarca, and appreciate the valleys and snow-capped mountains. Further on, we will stop to visit the complex of Phuyupatamarca, and then descend 3 kilometers until we arrive at a place called Winawayna, where we will have lunch, and finally head up to Intipata, where we will camp.
DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Early morning breakfast, after that we will walk to Intipunku, called the Door of the Sun, where we will be able to observe the impressive Lost City of Machu Picchu, walk to the Sanctuary, and our guide will tell us the history of Machu Picchu through time, visiting the different places within the citadel. Then we will get on the bus to Machu Picchu town.
Early morning breakfast, after that we will walk to Intipunku, called the Door of the Sun, where we will be at a suitable hour, we will walk down to the station and take the return train to Ollantaytambo, and a transfer will wait for you to transport to your hotel in Cusco.
Details
What the Trip Includes
What Trip Excludes
Packing List
What to bring?
Additional articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Route Map
Contact Us
Destinations
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