The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is beyond a doubt one of the most beautiful trails in America and it gives you an unforgettable experience not to be missed. The Inca trail leads through the protected wild nature of the Peruvian jungle and forest steppe, passes several archeological Inca sights and offers impressive views.
The Incas used this itinerary for their pilgrimage to the sacred citadel Machu Picchu.
Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco very early in the morning, to take bus from Cusco to km – 82 trailhead to begin your trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After approximately three hours walking you will stop for lunch. Then you will continue walking towards your first camp at Wayllabamba, on the way you will have a guided tour of the archaeological complex of Patallacta. Dinner and overnight in tents at the campsite.
After breakfast, the toughest part of the trail begin, walking towards the highest point in the Inca Trail where you will have an unbelievable panoramic view of the whole area and observe different types of microclimates. After a 5-6 up to our pace hours walk you will reach the first pass, named Warmiwañiusca or Dead Woman\’s Pass, at approximately 4,200 m.a.s.l. Here, you will have a tremendous feeling of achievement mixed with relief on reaching the top. After lunch you will continue your walking down to Pacaymayo where you will camp and have dinner.
After breakfast start the descent towards the second most important pass of the trail at 3,950 m.a.s.l. having a guided visit at the archaeological complex of Runkurakay and the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca. Continue your trekking towards Puya Patamarka (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument, where our lunch will be served. After a short break, you will continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young) for a guided visit of this impressive archaeological complex with a spectacular setting. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
After breakfast, have a very early start to arrive in time for sunrise at Machu Picchu. After a one hour walk through the forest towards the Inti Punku or the Sun Gate, also known as the Entrance Gate to Machu Picchu, where you will have the most impressive panoramic view of the citadel. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, two hours guided tour around the citadel, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have free time to wander around, in the afternoon walk down the last part, Machupicchu -Aguas calientes, where you will have your train to Ollantaytambo town and then immediately by bus conexion to Cusco.
End of services.
(1) Visit to Huayna Picchu: For Huayna Picchu mountain requires to be booked long time in advance however we charge additional $ 65.00, and then we’ll guarantee your entrance for Huayna Picchu as well (This new State law began since the 18th of July, 2011).
(2) Extra porter: According to the law (26702) and supervised by the Ministry of Employment, the collaboration of an extra porter is given under the conditions the customer requires. However, the customer’ luggage must not exceed 15 kg, since the porter is only allowed to carry 20 kg. The Service costs $ 140.00, and includes transport, entrance fee to the Inca Trail, food and camping equipment.
(3) Tips: Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for a small donation, for example clothes or school equipment for their children.
(4) Camping sites: the camping sites on the Inca Trail can be different from the ones described in our itinerary (Yuncachimpa, Chaquicocha and Wiñaywayna). This is due to a limitation of the places (Wiñaywayna is almost always fully booked).
well in advance (certainly when you want to go in the high season from May to September you have to book months in advance). If there is not any place anymore, the Ministry of Culture (entity of the government, which supervises and controls the availability of the quotas for entering the Inca Trail) will assign other camping sites (Wayllabamba, Pacaymayu and Phuyupatamarca).
(5) Return ticket: We will leave Aguas Calientes by train either at 2:55pm or at 6:45pm. This depends on the ticket availability and on how far in advance you booked your trip. During the afternoon you will have time to have lunch in one of the nice restaurants in Aguas Calientes. Moreover you can visit the Hot Springs to relax a bit. You will be back in your hotel either at about 6:00pm or at about 10:00pm.
(6) Your health: It is a common misconception that because many people do the Inca Trail it must be easy. It is not. The Trail is 45km (26 miles) long and involves great physical exertion to complete. Combined with high altitude and extreme weather the trek can be hard work. Therefore we strongly recommend ensuring that you are well acclimatized, in good shape and healthy. This way you will enjoy your trip from the beginning on. A participant must declare if he/she has any sickness or medical disorder and must bring his/her own medicines.
(7) Weather: The Andean weather can be unpredictable, despite the sharp divide between dry and wet seasons. The dry season runs from May to October or November; the rainy season goes from December through April. Nevertheless, Inca Trail lies in the forested.
