Starting point: CUSCO
Ending point: CUSCO
Duration: 04 Days / 03 Nights
Trip style: Archeological, Cultural and Ecological, hiking and camping
Place to visit: Wayllabamba, Puyapatamarca, Wiñay Wayna Intipunku and Machupicchu.
The Inca Trail to Machupicchu (also known as Camino Inca or Camino Inka) consists of three overlapping trails: Mollepata (Salkantay Machupicchu) , Classic ( inca trail 4 days 3 nights ), and One Day (inca trail 2 days 1 night ) Mollepata is the longest of the three routes with the highest mountain pass and intersects with the Classic route before crossing Warmiwañusqa (“dead woman”). Located in the Andes mountain range, the trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra. Settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins are located along the trail before ending the terminus at the Sun Gate on Machupicchu Mountain. The two longer routes require an ascent to beyond 4,200 metres (13,800 ft) above sea level, which can result in altitude sickness.
Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. As a result, advance booking is mandatory. A maximum of 500 people are allowed on the trail each day, of which only 200 are trekkers, the rest being guides and porters. As a result, the high season books out very quickly.
The trail is closed every February for cleaning. This was originally done informally by organizations such as South American Explorers but is now managed officially.
Note: During the hike you will have to carry the sleeping bag, pad and your personal stuff (e.g. backpack). You can request availability for a personal porter.
DAY 1: CUSCO – CHILCA – WAYLLABAMBA (L)(D)
Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco very early in the morning, to take bus to the city of Chilca to begin your trek along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu. After approximately three hours walking you will stop for lunch. Then you will continue walking towards your first camp at Wayllabamba, on the way you will have a guided tour of the archaeological complex of Llactapata. Dinner and overnight in tents at the campsite.
DAY 2: WAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSCA – PACAYMAYO (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast, the toughest part of the trail begin, walking towards the highest point in the Inca Trail where you will have an unbelievable panoramic view of the whole area and will observe different types of microclimates. After a 3 hours walk you will reach the first pass, named Warmiwañiusca or Dead Woman’s Pass, at approximately 4,200 m.a.s.l. Here, you will have a tremendous feeling of achievement mixed with relief on reaching the top. After lunch you will continue your walking down to Pacaymayo where you will camp and have dinner.
DAY 3: PACAYMAYO – PUYA PATAMARKA – WIÑAY HUAYNA (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast start the descent towards the second most important pass of the trail at 3,850 m.a.s.l. having a guided visit at the archeological complex of Runkurakay and the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca. Continue your trekking towards Puya Patamarka (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument, where lunch will be served. After a short break you will continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young) for a guided visit of this impressive archaeological complex with a spectacular setting. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
DAY 4: WIÑAY HUAYNA – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO (B)
After breakfast, have a very early start to arrive in time for sunrise at Machupicchu. After a one hour walk through the forest towards the Inti Punku or the Gate of the Sun, also known as the Entrance Gate to Machupicchu, where you will have the most impressive panoramic view of the citadel. Upon arrival at Machupicchu, three-hours guided tour around the citadel, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have free time to wander around, then you will meet with the rest of the group to drive by bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, transfer by train to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco transfer to your hotel. End of services.
- Transfer train station / Hotel.
- Transportation to head of trail (82 Km.).
- Entrance ticket to Inka Trail and Machupicchu.
- Bus ticket down to Aguas Calientes.
- Train ticket back to Cusco.
- Cook and cooking equipment.
- Porters service (to carry the tents and cooking equipment only).
- Guided visit to Machupicchu and the ruins along the trail.
- English/Spanish speaker professional guide during all Inca Trail.
- Meals as mentioned in the program.
- Personal camping equipment such as tents, pad – Vegetarian food available on request with no extra charge.
