Inca Trail Trek

CUSCO – PISKACUCHO KM 82 – LLACTAPATA – WAYLLABAMBA

We'll collect you from your hotel in Cusco early this morning. From Cusco we'll drive for 1.5 hours into the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas. The route takes us through the popular tourist town of Ollantaytambo and ends at the Inca Trail starting point called, Kilometer 82. Once we reach here you'll be introduced to your support crew and we'll do some final checks to make sure that you are ready for the hike ahead. The trail begins once we cross the bridge over the Urubamba River. The first day of the hike is relatively easy going. The first ruin we will see is Patallacta, which was an important city for the Incas and served as an administrative, economic, and religious center. We will also visit Willkarakay, a military post located above the site of Patallacta. After visiting these two sites we will enter the lush valley of Wayllabamba, walking along the banks of the Cusichaca, also known as the “happy bridge” river. From the river you'll be able to see Inca terraces and other minor archaeological sites. The trail then ascends a little through the dense Andean forest until we arrive at our first campsite in Wayllabamba.

WAYLLABAMBA – DEAD WOMENS PASS – PACAYMAYU

Today is the most challenging on Inca Trail, as it involves a steady ascent up and over the mountain pass of Warmihuañusca (aka Dead Woman’s Pass). After a hearty breakfast we will begin our hike through the cover of a densely vegetated Andean forest until arriving at the campsite of Three Stones, where we will take a short rest. From here we continue our ascent. You'll notice the vegetation begin to change as we enter the Inter-Andean forest full of Unca trees, which are unique to this area. After 3-4 hours hiking we will arrive at the Llulluchapampa campsite where we will take an extended rest with snacks and hot drinks. From here we'll begin the final ascent up the pass of Warmihuañusca, the highest point of the trek. From the top of the pass the views of the surrounding valleys below are fantastic. After taking some time to rest, we'll then descend a few hours to our final campsite in Pacaymayu for the night.

WIÑAY WAYNA TO MACHU PICCHU TO CUSCO

We will rise very early to complete the final stretch of the Inca Trail, which brings us to “Inti Punku” or the Sun Gate, the principal entrance of the city of Machu Picchu. The trail here is fairly easy going and after about an hour we will arrive at Inti Punku, an awesome location to observe the citadel of Machu Picchu and, weather permitting, sunrise over the Andes.

From Inti Punku we'll descend another 45-minute into the higher area of Machu Picchu, which provides a fantastic view of the city as well as a great group photo opportunity. From here we'll need to register via the main entrance before returning to the Citadel. The tour will last approximately 2 to 3 hours, and here is an option for those interested to hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu (this is an extra cost and must be booked in advance). In the afternoon we'll catch one of the shuttle buses that drop visitors at Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu.

Once in Aguas Calientes you are free to explore or grab lunch (not included) before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo, where a shuttle bus will be waiting for you to return you back to your hotel in Cusco.