You will be picked up at your hotel around 5.30am (depending on train time) and be transferred to the Ollantaytambo train station. We travel by train, on a very picturesque route for 2 and a half hours until we reach kilometer 104 – the start of the trail for us. Shortly after crossing the bridge over the Rio Urubamba, we visit the site of Chachabamba which is a lovely ruin with its water channels and fountains. (Altitude 2050m) From here, we will hike upwards for about 8 km (approximately 4 hours). The trail is well established, but there are still many stairs and the hike is mostly upwards! While this is one of the easiest treks around the Cusco region, you still need to have a reasonable fitness level to complete it. After our upwards climb, we arrive at the Inca site Wiñay Wayna (‘Forever Young’) (2680m/8792 ft). This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. Many consider this the most impressive site on the whole Inca Trail. We will have our boxed lunch at Wiñay Wayna. We will then continue for about one hour further into ‘Inti Punku’ (The ‘Sun gate’) (2730m/ 8792ft) from where you will have your first dramatic and impressive view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft). A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after the tour, you will have time to explore the ruins on your own. We suggest taking the bus down around 05:00 pm to Aguas Calientes to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants there. Be sure to arrive at the train station 30 minutes before your departure. Our train schedule is usually at 7:00 p.m. to Ollantaytambo, where you will catch our transportation for another two-hour drive back to Cusco.