Itinerary

4 Days Inca Trail

DAY 1: CUSCO – KM 82 – WAYLLABAMBA – AYAPATA

The excitement of this famous trail will get you ready by 04:30 AM for pick up and begin our journey to Ollantaytambo, where you can choose to have breakfast. After getting energized we will take our bus to KM 82 in Quechua terms Piskacucho. There you will suit up, boots on and ready to begin the first hike of the Inca Trail. But first, we have to pass through our first checkpoint where passports and student cards are required verify that they match your permit.

After passing through the checkpoint we are ready to start hiking. We will follow and cross over the the Vilcanota river on our way. There are no uphill stretches on the first day. The path is pretty easy along flat terrain. There are some magnificent views of the Inca Fortress Huillca Raccay and also the Inca site of Llactapata. This Inca site is made up of the several temples, palaces and terraces with a view of a snow capped peak of W´akay Willca. We continue our hike towards Wayllabamba (3,000m/9,842ft) where we are almost to our first campsite of Ayapata. After settling in at our campsite, we will have tea with a mountain peak view. Later on we end the day with an Andean dinner prepared by our trek chef.

• Meals: Lunch. Afternoon Tea. Snack. Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping Facilities
• Distance: 12 KM / 7.5 MILES (approx. 6-7 hour hike)
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

DAY 2: AYAPATA – PAQAYMAYU – CHAQUICOCCHA

Our morning starts at 05:00 AM with a hot breakfast, coffee, and teas served by our cook. We are not ready for the challege of today´s trek. It will be a steep uphill hike towards the highest pass of Abra de Warrmihuañusca, in other terms Dead Woman´s Pass! (4,200m/13,799ft) It may be a difficult hike for a couple of hours, however you will be mesmerized by the spectacular views after reaching the top. It will be all worth it.

After a well-deserved rest, we will have a relaxing hike down to Pacaymayu (3,550m/ 13,779ft), where lunch will be served. After lunch, we continue our hike for another 2 hours on a steep path up towards Runkuraqay (4,00m/13,123ft) reaching our second campsite at 5:00 PM.

• Meals: Lunch. Afternoon Tea. Snack. Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping Facilities
• Distance: 16KM / 10MILES (an approx. 9 hour hike)
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

DAY 3: CH´AQICOCHA – PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAY WAYNA

On day 3, we rise and shine with a hot breakfast served at 06:00 AM. Our trek today, begins with a moderate climb towards Phuyupatamarca, which means City in the Clouds. There Spectacular view of the mountains, the canyons and the panoramic surroundings.  It is the third highest point of the Inca Trail at (3,680m/12,074ft). We will spend a considerable amount of time at this site, receiving a well deserved rest.

After a rest, we will trek through the Inca cloud forest to the beautiful Inca agricultural site of Intipata. At the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2,680m/8,793ft) which is also known as “Forever Young.” Wiñay Wayna (depends on availability) is our third campsite of the trek at which we will arrive in time for lunch. At our last camp we get to once again enjoy a delicious Andean dinner with fresh food prepared by our trek chef.

• Meals: Lunch. Afternoon tea. Snack. Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping Facilities
• Distance: 10KM / 6.2 MILES (approx. a 5 hour hike)
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 4: WIÑAY WAYNA – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO

Finally, the moment you have been waiting for has arrived!We get up at 04:00 AM for an early hot breakfast, coffee and tea. Excitement for this very last hike to Inti Punku also known as the Sun gate at 6:00 AM for sunrise and the first view of Machu Picchu Citadel. We will walk leisurely downhill on the Inca stair cases towards Machu Picchu itself at (2,400m/7872ft). Upon arrival, our guide will lead you to where you can store your belonging before beginning your tour of Machu Picchu. Our guide during our tour of Circuit #3 which is about 2 hours. He will guide you through the important sites and educate you about the history of the ruins. You will learn about the temple of the sun, condor, three windows, house of incas and much more.

There is one more peak to possibly climb.

• Huayna Picchu: Known as the Young mountain, being part of the vast majority of the panoramic photos of Machu Picchu Citadel. Upon climbing Huayna Picchu, you may discover some archaeological sites including Temple of the moon, which is built in a natural cave.
• Please Note: The Huayna Picchu tour is a 10:00 AM. However, it is based on availability and it can be booked out months in advanced in high tourist season.

By noon we will be taking the bus from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch (at your own cost). There are many good restaurants and there will be time to explore a bit of Aguas Calientes. We will be boarding the Expedition Train at 2:55 PM or 3:20 PM to Ollantaytambo train station. Upon arrival, you will make the 2 hour journey by private van to Cusco, arriving approximately at 7:00 PM and then you will be dropped off at your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Distance: 6KM / 3.7 MILES
• Difficulty: Easy