The inca trail is a stone route built by the incas 500 years ago to unite their scattered villages throughout the tawantisuyo empire. this section, a protected archaeological site open to tourism, goes from km 82 to machu picchu.
Duration: 04 Days / 03 Nights
Altitude: 3,250 msnm
Difficulty: Moderate
Recommended time: April – November
DAY 01: CUSCO – PISKACUCHO – WAYLLABAMBA
Starts: Piscacucho 2680 msnm. (8962 Ft)
Campsite: Wayllabamba 3060 msnm. (10039 Ft)
Distance to cover: 11 km, or 7 miles
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours approx.
We will pick you up at your hotel. We will drive to the City of Piskacucho located at km 82. Our exciting adventure will begin at the Inca based bridge, approximately at 10am. We will start our walk towards the archeological site of Llactapata, a gentle hike and a perfect warm up for the second part of the day. Then, at Hatunchaca our cooks will give us a delicious lunch. After a brief rest, we will restart to walk, and approximately 2 hours later we will arrive to the Andean community of Wayllabamba, the place of our first camp.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 02: WAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSCA – PAQAYMAYU
Start: Wayllabamba 3060 msnm. (10039 Ft.)
Campsite: Paqaymayu 3580 msnm. (11745 Ft.)
Distance to cover: 12km (7.5 miles)
Hiking Time: 7 to 8 hours aprox.
Early in the morning we start our walk towards the highest point of the Inca trail, subject to different climates and microclimates. We are passing through the rainy woodlands of Yuncachimpa till the grassy mountain of Warmiwañusca and we will reach an altitude of 4200m, the highest pass on our hike. After a short rest, we will start descending until we reach the place where lunch will be prepared for us. Then, we restart the trek towards Paqaymayu’s where our team will be waiting for us with the camp and dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 03: PAQAYMAYU – CHAQUICOCHA – WIÑAYWAYNA
Starts: Paqaymayu 3580 m.s.n.m. (11745 Ft.)
Camp: Wiñaywayna 2600 m.s.n.m. (8500 Ft.)
Distance to cover: 14km (8.7 miles)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours approx.
After our breakfast we will start our journey towards the archeological site of Runkurakay, then we will pass by two high Andean lagoons until we arrive to the second highest pass at 3850m. This pass takes the same name of the archaeological site as the one we visited before. Then, we descend to Sayacmarca or Dominant Town and follow the path towards the clouded forest until we reach Phuyupatamarca, village of the clouds. This archaeological group possesses one beautiful ritual fountain, a leafy vegetation and a spectacular panoramic view of the valley of the river Urubamba. Our third camp waits for us In Wiñaywayna or as called Forever Young. We will have some free time to visit and to explore the surroundings.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 04: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHUPICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES
Start: Wiñaywayna 2600 m.s.n.m
Final destination: Machu Picchu 2400 m.s.n.m (7874 Ft.)
Distance to cover: 6km
Hiking Time: 2 hours approx.
Very early in the morning we will begin a trek of approximately two hours, up to Inti Punku’s sector, also called Sungate. We may have the opportunity to admire the sunrise over the majestic city of Machu Picchu.
Aditionally, we will restart the descending until we will register our arrival in the check point. Then, we will start our visit of approximately 2 hours and a half. There will be sufficient time for you to explore and discover by yourselves the mysteries that hides this enigmatic city.
We are returning in Bus and train to Ollantaytambo. We will be picked up from the train station in Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo a vehicle will await you.
Machupicchu was recently honored to be part of the New 7 wonders of the World and is one of the top World Heritages on the list of UNESCO.
Meals included: Breakfast