The Inca Trail is consistently rated by many to be one of the best treks in the world, In just 43km, the trail passes through a myriad of impressive natural landscapes from jungles, cloud forests to montane forests, and ingenuous ancient man-made structures before culminating in the crown jewel of Machu Picchu, the mysterious “Lost City of the Incas”. Feel a sense of history as you hike along original Inca stone pavements and tunnels that that still lined some of the trail today. With a single day ascend of over 3,000 feet on certain days, this hike is not for the faint hearted. YOLO anyway:)
ITINERARY
Day 01
CUSCO – AYAPATA (14km, 6-7 hours)
We start off with a moderate distance in the first 2 days to leave some buffer and shorter distances for the last 2 days of the hike. Our friendly guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 400-430am. After a short drive, you will stop at our porter house in Ollantaytambo for breakfast and meeting with your porters who will also be busy with final preparations. Continue the drive to the beginning of the trail at Piskacucho which you will reach at around 9am where you will register for the hike and visit. From the Km82 trailhead, you will cross the roaring Rio Urubamba (aka Rio Vilcanota) and trek for 2-3 hours to the first Inca ruin, Llactapata (aka Patallacta). Llactapata means ‘upper town’ in Quechua was first discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. This site housed a large number of occupants, including travellers and soldiers who manned the nearby “hill fort” of Huillca Racay. The campsite here is known as Hatunchaca and it is where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will trek for another 2-3 hours to Wayllabamba (‘grassy plain’ in Quechua) before It begins with a steep 1.5 hour climb to Ayapata (3,300 m) where you can buy some snacks and drinks from the entrepreneuring villagers. Here, you will set up camp for the night. Along the trail you can enjoy great views of the Cordillera Urubamba and the glaciated peak of Veronica (5,860m).
Overnight: Tents with sleeping bags at Ayapata (3300m)
Day 02
AYAPATA – CHOQUICOCHA (16km, 7-8 hours)
A 2.5-3 hours ascend through cloud forests and polylepis woodlands brings you a pretty meadow known as Llulluchapampa (3,680m). The Llulluchapampa area is a rich birding zone where you can find hummingbirds, flacons, eagles and the majestic Andean Condor. Another 1.5 hour uphill workout will bring you to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200m), the highest point along the Inca Trail where you will be rewarded with amazing 360 degree mountain vista. Dead Woman’s Pass is called so because its mountain ridge resembles the contours of a supine woman. Thereafter you will descend for 1.5 hours to the valley floor towards Pacamayo (3,600m) where you will have lunch.
It’s 2 hours over the pass where we will stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village). You will stop here to rest and have a quick tour. Afterward, we will be able to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After dinner, if you’re not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing, and we’ll point out the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent Southern Hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold!
Overnight: Tents with sleeping bags at Chaquicocha (3600m)
Day 03
CHAQUICCOCHA – WINAY WAYNA (10km, 5 hours)
Many hikers consider today’s trail to be the most beautiful of the whole Inca Trail.
We hike for 2 hours along what we like to call “Inca flat” (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk, we will have the opportunity to see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flats, we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley, we get our first view of Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself is still hidden. From Phuyupatamarka it´s a 3-hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of its proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent, we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM to have lunch.
Then we will relax so that you are ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. At around 4:30 PM your guide will give you a short orientation, and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half there. Your guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek. This way you will be fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day. We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs. It’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again. This is to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them then you can do so at this time). It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn in the hopes that the weather will give us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins at Machu Picchu.
Overnight: Tents with sleeping bags at Winay Wayna (2600m)
Day 04
WINAY WAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (5km)
Wake up early and have breakfast around 300am. At 4am, don your headlights and we will begin a short walk to the park ranger checkpoint, where we will wait in line until the gate opens at 5:30 a.m.
Why so early? Our porters must walk approximately 1 hour from Wiñaywayna to the railway at Kilometer 107 to catch the only daily train that passes at 5:30 a.m. If they miss it, they would have to walk all the way to Km 82 or wait until the next day. Out of respect for their effort, all groups wake up early so the porters can make it on time. Your duffle bags will be transported by the porters to Aguas Calientes and left at a restaurant where you’ll later have lunch.
The checkpoint at Wiñaywayna opens at 5:30 a.m. because this section of the Inca Trail leading to the Sun Gate is narrow and, for safety reasons, park rangers do not allow tourists to hike it in the dark.
The hike from the checkpoint to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) takes about 1 hour, during which you’ll enjoy lush flora such as orchids and cloud forests. Just before arriving, you’ll encounter the steep “Gringo Killer” stairs, a section of about 20 Inca steps.
Upon reaching Intipunku, you’ll enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu in all its glory. This gate served as the main entrance to the citadel during Incan times and also as a solar observation point during the spring solstice, when sunlight passed through the gate and illuminated the Sun Temple window.
We will spend 15 to 30 minutes at the Sun Gate, depending on the weather, and then continue for another hour of gentle downhill hiking to reach Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll see spectacular views of the citadel, Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba River, and the surrounding valleys.
At approximately 7:30 to 8:00 a.m., we’ll arrive at the main lookout point of Machu Picchu, the iconic spot where postcard photos are taken. You’ll have about 30 minutes to enjoy the view and take photos with help from your guide. For many, this is the moment when the dream of “surviving the Inca Trail” comes true.
After taking pictures, we’ll briefly exit the citadel to use the restrooms (S/2), and anyone with large backpacks can leave them in the storage area (US$5).
We will then re-enter to begin a guided tour along Circuit 3, which covers the most iconic areas of Machu Picchu: temples, palaces, religious houses, water fountains, and astronomical observatories. Your guide will explain every detail, and you’ll also have time to take photos.
Those with a ticket for Huayna Picchu will head to the entry checkpoint and hike up independently, as guided tours are not allowed on that trail.
The rest of the group will continue the tour through other sectors such as the Temple of the Condor, followed by about 30 more minutes to explore and take pictures.
At the end of the visit, everyone will head to the exit to take the bus to Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
At 2:55 p.m., you will board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes), with comfortable seats and impressive views of the river and mountains. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, our bus will take you back to Cusco (approx. 2 hours).
You are expected to arrive in Cusco around 8:30 p.m., where your stored luggage will be returned to you and you’ll be dropped off at your hotel.
Package includes:
- All local land transfers
- Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance fee
- English speaking trekking guide
- Experienced cook
- All meals and drinks (boiled water, coffee and tea) during the trek
- All camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags)
- Porters for tents, sleeping bags, food and communal equipment
- Shuttle bus ride from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Tourist train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Package excludes:
- Return international air tickets
- Travel insurance
- All meals not indicated
- Porters for personal bags
- Tips for guide and porters
- Entrance fee to climb Huayna Picchu (optional)
- All expenses of a personal nature
HIKING GRADE
Contact us today to find out more!
DISCLAIMER
IWT LLP, acts only as an agent for The Client in acquiring transportation, accommodations, sightseeing, trekking and other services for The Client’s benefit, and on the express condition that IWT LLP shall not be liable nor responsible for any loss (including without limitation, direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential loss, economic loss), damage, mishap, bodily injury, death, delay, defect, omission or any irregularity that may be caused to The Client, third parties or properties. IWT LLP is to be released from all liabilities deriving from acts of terrorism, hijacking, civil unrest, natural calamities, labour strikes, thefts or any other factors beyond IWT LLP’s control. Any losses and expenses are to be borne by The Client. In the event that IWT LLP is found liable by a court of competent jurisdiction on any basis in relation to The Client’s booking done via IWT LLP, IWT LLP’s maximum liability to the client is limited to the cost of the booking in question. See our full Terms and Conditions.