One of the highlights to visit in Peru is definitely the sacred city of Machu Picchu. The famous Camino Inca or the Inca Trail is the most renowned trek leading to this breathtaking mountaintop Lost City of the Incas.
In the Urubamba River Valley, within a spectacular setting of lush jungle vegetation and rugged mountainous landscapes, lies Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is just a small part of an Incan Highway system that integrated the Four Regions of the Tawantinsuyo Empire. This trek of approximately 43 km consists of four days trekking and finishes on arrival at the Citadel of Machu Picchu.
What makes this hike so special is the stunning combination of Inca ruins, incredible views, exotic vegetation and extraordinary ecological variety.
DAY 01: Cusco – km 82 – Huayllabamba
At approximately 6:30am, your local guide will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you by bus to the km 82 where you will arrive at approximately 10:30am. Here you will meet the team that will join you during the trek, such as the porters, camp assistants and cooks. You will begin the walk, the first day is quite easy and during the first kilometres you will have a beautiful view of the snow peaked Veronica Mountain, walking alongside the Vilcanota River until you arrive at the Archaeological Complex of Patallacta, where you will have lunch and gain energy to reach Huayllabamba, where the first camp is set up.
DAY 02: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayo
After breakfast, the hardest part of the trail begins, with a steep ascent, followed by 3 hours walking until reaching the first step, called Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman), up to 4,200 m.a.s.l. You will not only enjoy incredible panoramic views from here but you will also have the satisfaction to have reached the top. After lunch in Vizcachayoc you will descend towards Pacaymayo (3,500 m.a.s.l.) for dinner and camp.
DAY 03: Pacaymayo – Wiñay Huayna
After breakfast the ascent will begin until the second most important step of the route, up to 3,900 m.a.s.l., where you will enjoy a guided visit to the Archaeological Complex Runkurakay and the Inca Citadel of Sayacmarca (3,600 m.a.s.l.). After having lunch in Chaqquicocha, you will continue walking towards Phuya Patamarka (Town in Clouds), another important archaeological monument. After a brief rest, we will continue walking until arriving at Wiñay Huayna (Always Young), for a guided visit to this spectacularly located Archaeological Complex. Dinner and overnight in the camp.
DAY 04: Wiñay Huayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
After an early breakfast (at 5:00am approx.), start walking for one hour by the forest until the Inti Punku (Door of the Sun), known like the front door to Machu Picchu, from where we will be able to have an impressive panoramic view of the Inca Citadel. Upon arrival to Machu Picchu (2,430 m.a.s.l.), you will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. Free time to stroll around the Citadel and then meet the rest of the group to be transferred by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch. In the afternoon return to Cusco by train. Upon arrival in Cusco, transfer to your selected hotel.
Included
- 1 Train ticket Machu Picchu-Cusco by Vistadome coach
- Arrival & departure transfers
- Entrance fee to the Inca Trail & Machu Picchu
- All applicable taxes
- Bilingual guided tours (English, Spanish)
- Porters for equipment & cooks service
- Camping equipment including tents, mattresses, kitchen & lunch tents, etc.
- All Meals as indicated on the itinerary
What to bring
- Backpack (50 – 70 litres)
- Hiking boots/sneakers
- Long pants/slacks
- Long-sleeved shirts
- T-shirts
- A change of underwear
- Sweater & a jacket (warm clothes)
- Gloves, scarf, wool socks & a hat/cap
- Personal towel & toilet paper
- Personal toilet items & first-aid kit
- Medicine to prevent altitude sickness
- Insect repellent & sun screen
- Container for water & some purifying pills
- Dried fruits, candies & chocolates
- Sleeping bag (can be renting from trekking company)
- Flashlight & knife
- Camera
- Original passport
