DAY 1: INCA TRAIL BEGINS

You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco and taken through typical Andean landscapes to the town of Ollantaytambo where you will meet the rest of the trekking team and head to the town of Piscacucho (Km 82) where the trek begins. You will walk along the Urubamba River on a moderately steep trail until you reach the archaeological site of Patallacta (Pueblo en las alturas), a place located at the foot of a mountain. You will have time to explore this interesting place and enjoy your lunch. Then, you will continue your hike for 2 more hours until you reach the Wayllabamba camp, where you will spend the night. This first day of trekking is full of impressive views of the crest of the Vilcanota mountain range.

Walk Distance: 7.5 mi (12 km)
Min Altitude: 8,230 ft (2,600 m)
Max Altitude: 9,840 ft (3,000 m)
Approx. Time: 4 to 6 hrs
Difficult level: Moderate

DAY 2: INCA TRAIL

On this second day, the most challenging of all, you will reach the highest point of the entire tour. The hike is exhausting and steep up to the highest point known as Warmihuanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) located at 4200 mts (13700 ft). After passing this point, the trail turns into a winding downward staircase in the middle of a natural valley, where wildlife watching and beautiful views are part of the journey. You will finish this second day of trekking by arriving at Pacaymayo camp where you will have lunch and spend the night.

Walk Distance: 10 mi (16 km)
Min Altitude: 9,840 ft (3,000 m)
Max Altitude: 13,830 feet (4,215 m)
Approx. Time: 7 to 8 hrs
Difficult level: Challenging

DAY 3: INCA TRAIL

You will wake up in the middle of a tropical forest to enjoy an Andean breakfast, then get ready to start an ascent hike; the longest of all; until you reach the Runkurakay pass at 3,900 mts/ 12,500 ft. In the middle of the trail you can explore the archaeological center that bears the same name and appreciate the beautiful views of the Pacaymayo Valley. The trail will allow you to enjoy beautiful views of mountains and villages along the way until you reach the archaeological zone of Conchamarca and Phuyupatamarca (the city in the clouds) where you can rest and enjoy your lunch.

After lunch and a comforting rest you will continue descending for 3 hours until you reach the Winay Wayna (forever young) camp, where you will spend your last night of camping. There, you can explore the terraces and archaeological remains that are believed to have been built to worship the water. For flower lovers, you will be able to observe the pink orchids of the place.

Walk Distance: 10 mi (16 km)
Mini Altitude: 8,700 ft (2,650 m)
Maxi Altitude: 12,500 ft (3,900 m)
Approx. Time: 8 to 10 hrs
Difficult level: Moderate

DAY 4: INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU

This last day of trekking will start very early at 5:00 am; after breakfast. After 1 hour of walking uphill, you will arrive at Inti Punku (The Sun Gate), where you will have a spectacular view of Machupicchu. From there you will start descending to the citadel where you will have a guided tour for approximately 2 hours. You will be taken through the most important places of this wonder of the world. Terraces, fine masonry, canals, aqueducts, sacred enclosures, astronomical observatories are part of what you will see in this fascinating tour. In the late afternoon, you will board a tourist train that will take you to the town of Ollantaytambo where your transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco.

Hike Distance to Machu Picchu: 3.7 mi (6 km)
Approx. Time: 3 to 4 hrs
Difficult level: Moderate