The Classic Four-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, gives you a full immersion in the Andes trekking Mecca, archaeological sites, local people, high mountain passes, through Andean cloud forests and sleeping in very comfortable campsites. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu it is one of the most well-known adventure travel experiences in Peru, and with dramatic scenery, some captivating history and the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu it’s by far worth the effort.
After an early breakfast in your hotel, we will pick you up from your hotel for the drive to Piskacuchu km 82 (2720m/8856ft), a community located on the Cusco -Machu Picchu railroad where you will enter the Inca Trail. Here as well you will be meeting the local porters and assistants. You'll start your hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and continuing along its shores following the trail over some rather flat terrain you will arrive in Misccay (2830m/9184ft) before acceding towards the ever impressive Inca settlement of Llactapata (2640m/8692ft). From here you will trek along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, climbing for about five hours until you reach the village of Wayllabamba (3000m/9840ft) first campsite of the trek. Accommodation Tents Meals L, D
Breakfast in the early hours rise and you will set out once more to challenge the most difficult section of the trek. The first part of the day's trek consists of a steep 7 km ascent. Along the climb the landscape changes from lowlands humid forest area to what is called locally as Puna (a dry and semi-arid habitat with low grass vegetation called Icchu). As you approach the first mountain pass, the Warmihuañusca pass (Dead Woman's Pass - 4200m/13776ft), you can spot around here Condors flying by at this high-altitude landscape. In your descent you will enter an area of cloud forest, a beautiful and thriving mountain jungle where colorful hummingbirds and flower pierces or saltators can be found around the bushes and flowers. Following the descent you enter the Pacaimayo gorge (3600m/11808ft) where you arrive at your camp after approximately six to seven hours of hiking. Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, D
After an early breakfast you will set out on the longest, but also the most impressive, day on the trail coming across a vast number of archaeological sites and passing through spectacular cloud forests. From Pacaimayo you will climb to the second pass, the Runkurakay Pass (3990m/13022ft). Upon getting the pass some magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, the Cordillera Urubamba, the Salcantay range, and far to the north you can see the Pumasillos range, after you will be descending towards Yanacocha lagoon, entering the cloud forest and continuing on to Sayacmarca site (3630m/11887ft) - one of the most best-preserved archaeological sites along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After some time exploring this site you will continue your trek to Huinay-Huayna (2640m/8692ft) an imposing Inca complex with several terraces, a religious sector and an urban area, close by the campsite is located. At this point you can find trekker lodge, a bar, and toilets and hot shower facilities. Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, D
On the fourth and last day of the Inca Trail you will have to start the trek early, around 5 am, in order to hike up from Winawayna to Intipunku (the Sun Gate). The hike up takes an hour and most of this takes you along ancient Inca trails made from flat stones, or carved into the very rock surface. Upon arriving at Intipunku one is rewarded with probably the most spectacular sight there is to glimpse in Peru; the sun rising over Machu Picchu. From Intipunku you descend to Machu Picchu and 40 minutes later you enter the citadel from the highest point through the 'House of the Guardians'. After leaving your backpack at the control point and registering yourself at the entrance you will commence upon a guided tour of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. The tour takes roughly 2 hours, following which you will be given time to explore the ruins enjoy taking pictures by yourself. Later in the afternoon you will be transported down to Aguas Calientes where you will be taking the train back to Cusco, and then you will be transferred to your Hotel. Meals B, L
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