Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Early morning we pick you up at 06: 00 am and transfer by van 3 hours west, to our trailhead at Piscacucho, on the Vilcanota River (km. 82 on the train route to Machu Picchu). We meet our porters, and pass through the trailhead control point where passports and trail permits are reviewed. We hike along the left bank of the powerful Vilcanota River, beneath the impressive snowcapped Nevado Veronica (5,750 m.) We have three hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river. After a short rest, we continue another 15 minutes down to our lunch site. After lunch, another 2-3 hours will bring us to Hatun Chaka Camp (3,000 m) You will be rewarded with a Macho Tea hot drink and a buffet dinner will be offered. Hot water buckets are offered for washing. Camp site.

After breakfast, we re-start our walk for 45 minutes to Huayllabamba, then climb to Ayapata it takes around 1 hour followed by a soft uphill climb through woods and along a stream (3,300 m). Today is our challenge day the biggest climb of our hike but with plenty of time to enjoy with breaks to rest, it is strenuous because you gain 1,200 meters in elevation planned in 2 stages, but it is rewarded with spectacular views up the mountain, partly it is an old Inca Stone steps, surrounding with impressive snow-covered peaks as (Apu Huayanay mt in our back at the South). You will take 2-3 hour hike with several stops to catch your breath to reach the lunch place at Llulluchapampa Valley with expectacular views around, along the trail, we ascend steeply uphill through the Corralpunku Valley to the Llulluchayoc Zone, where you can see some species of birds, with luck we will see tinny hummingbirds, falcons and black-chested buzzard eagles or perhaps we see the king of the Andean heights the Condor, respected and venerated at Andean towns. We will soon enter into a beautiful cloud forest, or polylepis woodland and the treeless grasslands of the Puna región, habitad of tarucas (deers) and pumas. From here, you can see the highest mountain ahead called Warmiwañusca (Dead woman´s pass 4,200 m.) Lunch at Llulluchapampa. After lunch continue our hike for another 2-3 hours -600 meter ascent up to the top of the mountain, Warmiwañusca mt. The path still climbs along a large number of steps, some of them newly laid to protect from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catching your breath. This last climb brings us to Dead Woman’s Pass. Camping site.

Camping Tents: 2 persons
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Minimum altitude: 9,840 ft
Maximum altitude: 13,776 ft
Distance: 12 km approx ; Duration: 7-8 hours

After breakfast, a little walk to reach Runcuracay, a circular structure ruins with a rectangular outbuildings perched on the edge of the valley, an old Inca -tambo where chaskis rested, guard post, lookout point or a ritual building, the site is best viewed from higher up the path. The second pass Runcuracay Mt at (3,950 m), is another hour up, beyond a series of false summits and at the top of a series of steep staircases. Just before the real pass, the path winds between two tarns where Andean gulls sometimes gather. The second pass is another broad saddle, boasting exceptional views, in clear weather, you can look back to Warmiwañuska pass and forward to a breath-taking sweep of snow-capped peaks. These include the 6,000-m Pumasillo Mt (Puma’s Claw). From here, most of the trail is downhill. Having descended through a short tunnel the trail begins a series of tight switchbacks, dropping height quickly until it reaches a small viewpoint atop a promontory. Beyond here descend is more gradual and the path curls and coils across the slopes. To the right on the pass lies a small, algae-covered lake, whilst ahead of you Sayacmarca Inca town is visible. Time to explore, interesting lectures from your guides, after on we continue descending and the path bring us to Chakicocha (3,400 m) a nice camp where we stop to rest and lunch. There are toilet facilities. After lunch the hike is exceptionally beautiful because the stone paved highway, we will pass the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, then we descend to Wiñaywayna and Intipata, and enjoy dramatic vistas of the Aobamba Valley. This stretch of the trail is of well-kept paved stone, still in great condition after many centuries. Your lungs will appreciate the fact that today’s hike is much more down than up, and significantly shorter than yesterday’s. In getting to Phuyupatamarca (the Town of the Clouds), we will pass through the first of two short, natural tunnels. After visiting this ruins, we will descend about 2,000 stone steps to Wiñaywayna camp, use trekking poles to relieve some of the stress on your joints. There is an additional short hike to Intipata another impressive Inca site with farm terraces before we get to our camp. Arrive at Wiñaywayna (2,700 m) once set in our tents and before it get dark we walk for 5 minutes to have an spectacular views and a tour around this impressive Inca citadel, the most preserved and biggest Inca site on Inca Trail. Camping site.

Camping Tents: 2 persons
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Minimum altitude: 8,856 ft
Maximum altitude: 12,300 ft
Distance: 16 Km approx. ; Duration: 7-8 hours

Early breakfast 4:00 am -to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), overlooking Machu Picchu for the first rays of the sunrise. This will be a hike of 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. From Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), a final easy 50-minutes walk downhill steps will bring us first to the upper south sector of Machupicchu (The Guardian houses) The trail ends at a series of terraces, which present classic views of the overall city, after enjoying a panoramic view we must walk straight down to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Our guide will explain you all about MACHU PICCHU, one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth!. Later on we get on board a bus 20 minutes down toAguas Calientes Town to aboard our train back to Cusco. Arrival to the trainstation and transfer back to the hotel.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch
Minimum altitude: 7,872 ft ( Machupicchu )
Maximum altitude: 8,856 ft
Machu Picchu guided Tour.