Our private bus and staff will pick you up from your hotel between 06:00- 06:30 am. Then we will drive to Piskacuchu (2700m/8856ft), a community located at 82 km, which is the starting point of the Inca Trail. We begin our hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and walking along the bank as the river flows northwest along the Sacred Valley.

Following the trail along a flat terrain, we will arrive in Miskay (2800m/9184ft) before starting a short ascent which will enable us to see the impressive Inca city of Llactapata (2650m/8692ft). We continue trekking for about five hours, along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing in altitude until we reach the community of Wayllabamba (3000m/9840ft), where we will set up our first camp. The first-day route has spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5832 meters above sea level, as well as a huge variety of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley.

We wake up at around 6:00 am, and after breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of a steep ascent that stretches for 9 km up what is known as the Dead Woman’s Pass (4200m/13776ft). Along this path, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way along the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass), we may see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on Ichu, one of the few plants that grow at high altitudes.

We also cross an area of the so-called cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds, such as hummingbirds and sparrows, and the Andean bear also called the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus). We advise that on this day, especially, your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates, and coca leaves that will keep your sugar levels high, and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo Valley (3600m/11808ft), where we camp after approximately 7h of hiking.

Today is the longest, most impressive, and most interesting day due to the number of archaeological sites and the lush cloud forest area that we cross, which is rich in Andean flora and fauna. From Pacaymayo, we climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3970m/13022ft). Halfway up, we will stop to visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800m/12464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624m/11887ft).

This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios, and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we arrive at the third pass, the Abra Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu and is located at the highest point of the mountain.

Curiously, Phuyupatamarca means ¨town over the clouds¨. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley. We continue our trek down the long descending stone steps that lead us to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft), an impressive Inca complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector, and an urban sector, close to which our camp is located. After visiting the impressive archaeological site, we enjoy our farewell dinner at our camp.

On this fourth and last day, we get up at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna and climb to the Intipunku, or ‘the Sun Gate’. It will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in the highland jungle.

From this fabulous spot, we may see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku, we will descend into Machu Picchu, and 40 minutes later, we will enter the citadel from the highest point through the ¨House of the Guardians¨ Then we will descend to the control point where we will register ourselves and leave our backpacks.

After we have checked in, we will immediately begin our guided tour to the Inca citadel, which will last approximately 2 hours. After the tour, you will have time to enjoy and explore Machu Picchu on your own in the afternoon. We meet again in Aguas Calientes town for lunch around 1 pm, and then we head to the train station to take the train back to Ollantaytambo town (1hr45mins), at our arrival at the station, our bus will be waiting for us to take us back to Cusco (2hrs approx.).

VERY IMPORTANT:

The train departure will be according to the SCHEDULE available by the train company. It can vary depending on how early was purchased/booked your trek.

The drop-off will be at Plaza Regocijo, close to Plaza de Armas, three block distance. We do this because the traffic in Cusco city at night is chaotic, and the arrival at your hostel door may take too much time. We hope you can understand.

ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATELY