Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Overview

Join our experienced crew for the Classic four day Inca trail to Machu Picchu. We offer a high class trek service including high-tech camping equipment and an experienced team of guides and supporting crew. Trek through a variety of different ecological zones including a dry arid Cactus zone, the Polylephis area with its gnarled foliage, the high grasslands and the humid cloud forest full of exotic flowers. The Inca trail is full of archaelogical sites and is considered one of the top treks in the world with the lost city of Machu Picchu as a fantastic finale. We offer a group tour trek service where you will meet people from all over the world and also a private service. Whichever option you choose we guarantee you will have the time of your life.

4 days – 3 nights

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

Cusco / Sacred Valley - Km. 82 - Wayllabamba

Wayllabamba - Pacaymayu

Pacaymayu - Winay Wayna

Winay Wayna - Machu Picchu

Activity:

Trekking, flora and fauna; archeology

Destinations:

Machupicchu

Reservation code:

CHA-IT4D-S

Best season:

May – October

Trek grade:

Moderate

Altitude:

from 8694 to 13779 feet / from 2650 to 4200 meter

This day, we will have an early start with a pick up from your hotel in either Cusco or the Sacred Valley for your transfer to the trailhead.

The starting point for the trek is at Km 82 of the way to Machu Picchu, we will begin our trek by hiking along the left bank of the Vilcanota river with a view of the summit of Mount Veronica at 5,800 mts / 19,028 ft. approximately.

At the Km 82 we will pass through the control point where they will check the proper documents with the authorization for entering to the Inca Trail and the weight for each porter (according to the Porter Law the maximum weight they can carry is 20 kilos per porter), at this point also you will be introduced to our great team of porters and cooks coming from indigenous communities that will accompany us the 4 days of our trek

Today we will have a light trek enjoying some spectacular views of the landscape and archeological sites, getting into the feeling of the Inca Trail and  preparing ourselves for the next days that will be more demanding physically but full of incredible experiences.

We will camp this night on a terrace near the small village of Huayllabamba (3,000 mts / 9,842 ft).

15.8 km –9.8 mi / 6 hours walking approximately.

Lunch and dinner included.
Overnight at camp-site.

We will trek upward through native forest to Pacaymayu – the highest campsite of the Inca Trail. Today will be one of the most demanding days of the trail as we ascend to the mountain pass called in quechua «Warmiwanuska» (Dead Woman´s Pass at 4,200 mts /13,779 ft). At this point we will be rewarded with spectacular views of the peaks of Huayanay to the east, and the rugged Vilcabamba range to the west. Afterward, we will descend to our campsite at Pacaymayu (3,600 mts / 11,8011 ft).

8.6 km – 5.3 mi / 6.5 hours walking approximately.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight at camp-site.

Today, we will cross a second mountain pass at 3974 mts / 13,038 ft and follow a finely-paved and well-preserved Inca trail to the restored archaeological site of Sayacmarka. This section of the Inca Trail is paved with white granite and traverses a thickly forested slope. We will camp at Wiñaywayna (2650 mts / 8694 ft) after a spectacular descent from the cloud forest and high jungle. Wiñaywayna is a beautiful ceremonial site divided into two sectors and fashioned from finely-carved stones fit together with great precision.
We recommend to consider the walking time this day to arrive early before 5:00pm to explore Winay wayna as it is one of the most important archeological sites in the route that definitely worth the visit as the next day you will leave the camp very early in the morning and there will be no chance for visiting the site.

15 km – 9.3 mi / 7 hours walking

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight at camp-site

Orchids and hummingbirds are a common sight along this stretch of the Inca Trail and the Urubamba river is a constant presence far below us.

From Wiñaywayna we will have one of the most beautiful trails through the real Inca paths hidden in the forest in an enigmatic route until we reach the Intipunku or The Sun Gate. On our way we will enjoy the abundant flora and fauna contrasting the perfect Inca stairways.

Once we get the Intipunku we will be reworded with the most spectacular view of the Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and the famous Huayna Picchu Peak. You will feel that all your energy is renewed by the satisfaction of getting to Machu Picchu on your own feet!

We are sure that this journey will be one of the best experiences in your life.

From Intipunku, we need only to stroll down the final stretch of the royal trail and enter at last the enigmatic citadel, which lays hidden for four centuries before being revealed to the world by chance discovery.
(5 km – 3.1 mi / 2.5 hours walking approximately)

We will have a guided excursion of Machu Picchu With your Official guide you will visit the enigmatic Citadel of Machu Picchu following a specific route where you will walk through the different sectors such as the Urban and Ceremonial and other places of interest. You will also have time for taking memorable pictures.

The Citadel of Machu Picchu was declared by UNESCO a world heritage in 1983. It is believed to have been built in the 15th century and abandoned by the Inca Empire when the Spaniards conquered them. The locals always knew about the ruins and some locals lived around it. The ruins were brought to the world’s attention in 1911. Visit the Sun Temple, the Room of the Three Windows, the Royalty sector and more. Afterwards you will take the bus down to Machu Picchu town, where you will be able to find many restaurant options for lunch.

In the afternoon, we will return to Cusco by train, arriving in the late evening.

Breakfast included
Overnight in Cusco

Note: Campsites may change as dictated by government regulation.
* Additionally if you would like to climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain for about 2 hours, it can be possible before 11:00 am which is the last schedule to enter to the Mountain. You would do this climb on your own and entrance tickets need to be booked in advanced. Please ask your travel consultant for this option.

Included

Pick up at your Hotel.
Transportation by Bus to km 82.
Entrance Ticket to the Inca Trail and Machupicchu.
Professional bilingual guide (two guides for groups of over 8 people)
Mountain Hardwear tents (Three-person tent shared by two people)
Foam mattress (self inflatable mattress can be rented)
Cooking equipment, mess tent, dining tent, chairs, tables, accommodation for the porters and cooks
Cooks to prepare all meals
Meals: three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners and snacks; food is programmed for trekking and is rich in carbohydrates.
Boiled water provided at meal times to refill your water bottle.
Porters (to carry the tents, food and cooking equipment)
First aid kit, Emergency oxygen
Bus from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes where the train station is located.
Return by Expedition train: Machupicchu to Poroy.
Radio communications.
Transfer from Poroy station to hotel.

Not Included

Lunch on the last day

Sleeping Bag

Tips for the porters, cook and guide (See Inca trail information for recommendations)