Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

The Lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, with no doubt the symbol of the Inca civilization. The royal path that carried pilgrims and authorized officers of the empire to the sacred city was “The Inca Trail” as we know it now. The way along this Andean path is a fascinating and unforgettable experience. The Inca Trail is paved with blocks of stone and has stone stairways, tunnels and wooden bridges and paths across rivers, streams, beautiful valleys, warm cloud forests and cold highlands. All this vision makes the visitor meditate about the intellectual and grandeur of the Andean man whose highest achievement was the Inca civilization.

Day 01 Cusco (3,300 m) – Km. 82 (2,800 m) – Huayllabamba (3,000 m)

Early morning, we will pick your hotel and then go by bus to a private Piscacucho located at kilometer 82 (2,800 m. / 9,200 ft), in the way we will pass through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, for populations Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, to make a short stop here for you to visit the local market and buy some groceries for the walk, then continue our journey to Piscacucho. Upon arrival at Km 82 Piscacucho pass the control to start the walk along the Urubamba River.

In this first section of the Inca Trail, visit the small community of Miskay (2,800 m. / 9,200 ft), later start ascending towards a small plateau, where we will enjoy a superb Andean landscape and Inca building known as Patallacta, located at 2,750 m. / 9,030 ft., here we can see some agricultural terraces that served to feed different places travelers taking this route to get to Machu Picchu.

Then continue walking through a crowded area where vegetation is very likely seen the giant hummingbird, after walking for about 2 hours we arrive at our first camp in the area Huayllabamba 3,000 m. / 9,900 ft. Huayllabamba is a small town surrounded by fields of corn, potato crops and other products, here we will have our first camp.

Day 02 Huayllabamba – Pacaymayu (3,600m)

On this day we will have a great challenge, to ascend the pass of Warmihuañusca, for starters we have a refreshing breakfast then begin our trek toward the Valley Ayapata which took 1 hour to get to this area, this is known to possess a micro climate of high Andean valley. Then pass through a narrow path full of vegetation, through a small bridge that will take us through a cloud forest, with unsurpassed beauty, down to an area called “Llulluchapampa“, this is a good place for travelers to stop for rest before climbing the last part of Warmihuañusca which is the highest point of the walk with a distance of 11 kilometers ( 6.84 miles) climb up to the highest point ofWarmihuañusca, name Quechua means “When the woman dies“, this point has a height of 4,200 m ( 13,779 ft), along the climb will appreciate how the vegetation changes however this place is one of the most beautiful and once you have conquered the summit, we will be offset by a beautiful view of the mountains and Andean scenery.

Then descend by a winding valley to reach a point where we stop for lunch. In this way it is possible to observe several types of birds. We follow the path until you reach the Pacaymayu River Valley (3,600 m / 11,811 ft), where we will have our second camp.

Day 03 Pacaymayu – Wiñaywayna (2,700 m)

For many visitors, this is one of the longest days, but at the same time one of the most beautiful, because of the presence of Inca sites along the trail. After a nutritious breakfast, we will trek ascending a steep path. We will go through a second opening where the archaeological sites of Runkuracay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) which is named for its unique shape of half circle. This semicircular shape allows protected from strong winds in the area. Then ascend towards Yanacocha (Black Lake) lagoon and then proceed to Sayaqmarca (3600 m/11, 811 ft), “The dominant people“, where we interesting Inca ruins, and will have a panoramic view of the valley Acobamba, the only how to access these buildings is via a steep stone staircase. During the tour passes Conchamarka, a small recently discovered archaeological site.

After, we continue uphill and we’ll get the first tunnel along the way, then continue climbing until you reach the third and final open, where we see the people of Phuyupatamarca (m/12.024 3,665 ft), “Village above the clouds“, which is undoubtedly one of the most original along the Inca Trail citadels. It is located on the edge of a ravine. Here we will find many cultivation terraces and ceremonial fountains.

After visiting this site, descend about 2,000 cobblestone stairs to the citadel of Winaywayna (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), which means “Forever Young“, is located at an altitude of 2,490 m / 8,675 ft, and the name derived by the typical orchids that can be found throughout the year with flowers in red, yellow and purple. This is possibly the most attractive of all the palaces along the Inca Trail, and the last urban center before reaching Machu Picchu. It was built on the slopes of the mountains, is divided into four main parts: housing at the bottom, with over 20 buildings, the area holding the ritual sources, area of cultivation terraces and the area of the tower.

After exploring every corner of Winaywayna, we head to our last camp, which is located a few meters away. In the latter camp, hikers will have access to best showers with hot water and bathrooms. Here is also a restaurant where you can buy drinks. This is the night when we say goodbye to our porters and staff of the tour, so at night a small party to thank everyone for sharing with the group this beautiful experience will take place.

Day 04 Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu (2,490 m) – Cusco

On this last day we get up early and then have breakfast and continue our walk, after three hours of walking, we reach the area Intipunkuor Puerta del Sol (2,490 m / 8,169 ft). A small complex of small buildings that apparently seem to have been used as a control. It is an excellent opportunity to take panoramic pictures of the citadel of Machu Picchu. If the traveler has begun to walk early, arrive just before dawn, this is perhaps the best place and time to contemplate the majestic splendor of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.

It was long thought that Machu Picchu was part of a legend, until 1911 that the American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu rises to a height of 2,430 m / 7,980 ft. in the middle of a tropical forest, and an extraordinary location. It was definitely one of the most amazing urban creation in Inca heyday. Its massive walls, terraces and ramps seem to be continuously cut naturally in the rocky cliffs.

Then descend to walk the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, we will have a guided tour by our local guide about 2 hours, followed by free time for you to enjoy this wonder of the world regardless visit Wayna Picchu (not included in tour).

Then descend by bus to Aguas Calientes (2,160 m / 7,087 ft), where you can visit the hot springs of the people (10 Soles entrance is not included in the tour). Return to Cusco.

Incluye:

Briefing donde nuestro guía nos explicara acerca de la caminata y nos entregara los mapas
Traslado del hotel en Cusco hacia la estación de trenes
Tren clase Expedition desde Ollantaytambo hasta el km. 82
Ingresos para el Camino Inca y Machu Picchu
Guía profesional en turismo
Guía adicional para grupos mayores de 9 personas
Cocinero
Asistente de cocina para grupos mayores a 9 personas
Porteadores que llevan el equipo de campamento y los alimentos
Alimentación (03 Desayunos / 03 Almuerzos / 03 Cenas)
Una botella de agua
Botiquín de primeros auxilios, tensiómetro, balón de oxígeno
Equipo de campamento (Carpas + Matras)
Equipo de cocina (Carpa cocina, Carpa comedor, Utensilios)
Bus de Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
Tour guiado en Machu Picchu de 2 horas aproximadamente
Tren clase Expedition de retorno de Aguas Calientes hacia Ollantaytambo
Traslado de llegada de la estación de tren de Ollantaytambo hacia el hotel en Cusco