DAY 1: TRANSFER TO KM 82 – HIKE TO LLACTAPATA
- At 🕐 07:00 a.m., we are picked up from the hotel and sent to Piscacucho, Km 82 (2,850m/9,350ft), where we meet the porters.
- The drive from Cusco to Piscacucho takes around three hours.
- On the route, our van often makes an hour-long stop at Ollantaytambo so that passengers may have breakfast.
- We begin the Inca Trail crossing a suspension bridge above the Urubamba River.
- Then, we stroll along the Urubamba River’s left bank as it flows northwest into the Sacred Valley.
- Arrive at Llactapata (2788m/9147ft), the remnants of a magnificent administrative and astronomical structure.
- Set up camp with the assistance of our staff, dine on a freshly-prepared dinner, and reflect on the success of our first day.
- Distance estimate: 8 km (4.97 miles).
- Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Lunch and dinner.
DAY 2: HIKE FROM LLACTAPATA TO LLULLUCHAPAMPA
- We awake to continue our trip through the valley formed by River Kusichaca; we begin rising for around five hours until we reach Huayllabamba (3,000m/9,840ft).
- All along the route, there are breathtaking views of the Vilcanota mountain range on the other side of the Urubamba River.
- The imposing Veronica peak stands at 5,832 meters (19,134 feet). Begin the most challenging stretch of the hike, a 9-kilometer ascent to the first mountain crossing on the Inca Trail, the Warmiwausca Pass, also known as the Dead Woman’s Pass.
- We halt halfway up the pass at Llulluchapampa and only ascend halfway up the pass. A steeper Inca path will lead us to the lovely cloud woods, where flora and wildlife thrive. Possible to see hummingbirds amid the tropical plants. The route goes to Llulluchapampa (3680m/12073ft), a grassy area favored by Andean deer with a spectacular vista. Here, we conclude the day and set up camp.
- Distance estimate: 9 km (5.59 miles).
- Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
DAY 3: HIKE FROM LLULLUCHAPAMPA TO PHUYUPATAMARCA
- Our difficult day begins with a steep ascent to the Warmiwausca Pass, commonly known as the Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200m/13,780ft). Along this walk, the landscape changes to a hilly area where alpacas and llamas graze on Ichu grass.
- We go down to the Paqaymayu valley (3,500 m/11,480 ft), where we start the climb to the Runkurakay Pass (3,955m/12,970 ft). From here, we keep going down a winding path around a valley. We also go through the “cloud forest,” where birds like sparrows, hummingbirds, and the Andean bear, also called the “Spectacled Bear,” live.
- About halfway along the Inca trail, we will see what is left of Runkurakay. This half-circle Inca home looked out over the Paqaymayu valley. After a short stop, we head into the Cloud Forest to the Archaeological site of Sayacmarca, which we can explore. Then we keep going to the third mountain pass at Abra Phuyupatamarca and down to the Phuyupatamarca
- archaeological site (3600m/11811ft).
- We set our camp in Phuyupatamarca and spent the night there.
- Distance estimate: 11 km (6.83 miles), estimated walking time: 7-8 hours.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
DAY 4: HIKE FROM PHUYUPATAMARCA TO MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES
- We leave after breakfast. If the sky is clear, we may view one of the most stunning Inca Trail sunrises from Phuyupatamarca.
- We descend a long stone stairway to reach Wiñayhuayna (2,700m/8,858ft), a neighboring Inca city with an agricultural complex, urban sector, and religious core.
- After our visit, we will have lunch with the porters. Then, the porters and chefs are thanked for their hard work.
- We leave Wiñayhuayna to hike to Sun Gate (2,670m/8,759 ft). We face truly memorable scenery, a blend of natural beauty and man’s creativity in the form of the enchanting city of Machu Picchu framed by spiraling canyons and forested peaks.
- The final 45 minutes are spent walking down the royal flagstone pathway into Machu Picchu’s core.
- On arrival, we will watch the sunset and visit Machu Picchu sans crowds before boarding a bus to Aguas Calientes.
- Our day ends at Aguas Calientes (2,050m/6,726ft); take 30 minutes buses down.
- Distance estimate: 8 km (4.97 miles), estimated walking time: 5-6 hours.
Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
DAY 5: VISIT THE SANCTUARY OF MACHU PICCHU
- Hotel breakfast; at 🕐 06:00 am. Take a bus to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,430m/7,972ft). Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the mountaintop fortress earned every bit of its notoriety.
- Around 🕐 07:30 am, the guided tour begins; the guide expertly directs through the astounding ruins and main streets. Then wander around the town squares and climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.
- The guided tour takes around two hours and 30 minutes.
- From 🕐 12:30 pm to 13:30 pm, take the bus to Aguas Calientes.
- From 🕐 13:30 to 15:00 pm, take lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
- Board the train to return to Cusco later in the day.
- Arrive at Poroy station and then be picked up and transported to the Cusco hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.
*END OF OUR SERVICES*
