Classic Inca Trail 4 Day/ 3 Night Trek to Machu Picchu. Small Group Service.

Pick-up from your hotel since 05:40 am then by 5:45 am we board our private transportation that will go to the beginning of our walk. (Bring your original passport and University student card if applicable). Our journey from Cusco to Piscacucho -Km 82, takes approx. 3 hours, beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, Andean towns, and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. After 1 hour ride, we will stop in Urubamba to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, then we continue to Km 82 (Piscacucho 2,680 masl) start of the trek. There we will meet our camp crew, porters who will carry our belongings during the entire trek. Passports in hand, We clear the official Inca Trail checkpoint, cross a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba River, and begin our trek with a gentle climb. We have three hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river, rewarded with superb views of Mount Veronica (5,750 m). The easy walk passes through a forest of giant cactus and native bushes. At Miskay we take the trail to the left, ascending gradually to Willkaraccay high above the mouth of the Cusichaka stream and across from the Inca town of Llactapata (Terrace Town). Our vantage point is from a flat bluff above the extensive site, which was built as a fort because it commands the entrance to the Cusichaka Valley. The terracing system was used during Inca times for growing potatoes, maize and cereals crops that needed irrigation in the dry highlands. After a short rest, we continue another 15 minutes down to our lunch site at Tayaroc. Our path is adorned with native flowers and bromeliads growing in the boulders along the left side, and by majestic views of the mountains in both valleys. Walking times are always approximate, depending on weather conditions, group ability and other factors. After lunch, another 2-3 hours will bring us to Hatun Chaka Camp (3,000 m) You will be rewarded with a Macho Tea hot drink and a buffet dinner will be offered. Hot water buckets are offered for washing. Showers available for 10 soles. Guides will present our plans for the next great day. Have a good night. Buenas Noches!!!

After breakfast, around 7:00 am we re-start our walk for 45 minutes to Huayllabamba, then climb to Ayapata it takes around 1 hour followed by a soft uphill climb through woods and along a stream (3,300 m). Today is our challenge day the biggest climb of our hike but with plenty of time to enjoy with breaks to rest, it is strenuous because you gain 1,200 meters in elevation planned in 2 stages, but it is rewarded with spectacular views up the mountain, partly it is an old Inca Stone steps, surrounding with impressive snow-covered peaks as (Apu Huayanay mt in our back at the South). You will take 2-3 hour hike with several stops to catch your breath to reach the lunch place at Llulluchapampa Valley with expectacular views around, along the trail, we ascend steeply uphill through the Corralpunku Valley to the Llulluchayoc Zone, where you can see some species of birds, with luck we will see tinny hummingbirds, falcons and black-chested buzzard eagles or perhaps we see the king of the Andean heights the Condor, respected and venerated at Andean towns. We will soon enter into a beautiful cloud forest, or polylepis woodland (Qeuñas and Chachacomos small andean bushes) and the treeless grasslands of the Puna región, habitad of tarucas (deers) and pumas. From here, you can see the highest mountain ahead called Warmiwañusca (Dead woman´s pass 4,200 m.) At Llulluchapampa our camp crew will be have a delicious Peruvian gourmet lunch. After lunch there is a time to rest maybe a short nap. Then we continue our hike for another 2-3 hours -600 meter ascent up to the top of the mountain, Warmiwañusca mt. The path still climbs along a large number of steps, some of them newly laid to protect from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catching your breath. This last climb brings us to Dead Woman’s Pass… you made it !!! Here at this top you will discover a special feelings maybe the sacrality of this place or just is you coping with lack of oxygen at this heights. Once the entire group reaches this pass, time for a great group picture then we take a short rest, before beginning a steep descent into the Pacaymayo Valley for 2-3 hrs approx to reach our camp for tonight. This site has an incredible views over a valley, nearby waterfall and snow-covered peaks. You will find that your energy returns as we proceed along this downhill segment. Camping set, Tea time and Buffet Dinner. This campsite is popular with tour groups and although facilities here are reasonable good, with two toilets blocks. No showers, hot water buckets are offered for washing.

After breakfast, around 7:00 am. The path climbs very steeply from Pacaymayo camp takes 1 hour to reach Runcuracay, a circular structure ruins with a rectangular outbuildings perched on the edge of the valley, an old Inca -tambo where chaskis rested, guard post, lookout point or a ritual building, the site is best viewed from higher up the path. The second pass Runcuracay Mt at (3,950 m), is another hour up, beyond a series of false summits and at the top of a series of steep staircases. Just before the real pass, the path winds between two tarns where Andean gulls sometimes gather. The second pass is another broad saddle, boasting exceptional views, in clear weather, you can look back to Warmiwañuska pass and forward to a breath-taking sweep of snow-capped peaks. These include the 6,000-m Pumasillo Mt (Puma’s Claw). From here, most of the trail is downhill. Having descended through a short tunnel the trail begins a series of tight switchbacks, dropping height quickly until it reaches a small viewpoint atop a promontory. Beyond here descend is more gradual and the path curls and coils across the slopes. To the right on the pass lies a small, algae-covered lake, whilst ahead of you Sayacmarca Inca town is visible. Time to explore, interesting lectures from your guides, after on we continue descending and the path bring us to Chakicocha (3,400 m) a nice camp where we stop to rest and lunch. There are toilet facilities. After lunch the hike is exceptionally beautiful because the stone paved highway, we will pass the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, then we descend to Wiñaywayna and Intipata, and enjoy dramatic vistas of the Aobamba Valley. This stretch of the trail is of well-kept paved stone, still in great condition after many centuries. Your lungs will appreciate the fact that today’s hike is much more down than up, and significantly shorter than yesterday’s. In getting to Phuyupatamarca (the Town of the Clouds), we will pass through the first of two short, natural tunnels. After visiting this ruins, we will descend about 2,000 stone steps to Wiñaywayna camp, use trekking poles to relieve some of the stress on your joints. There is an additional short hike to Intipata another impressive Inca site with farm terraces before we get to our camp. Around 5 pm, we will arrive at Wiñaywayna (2,700 m) once set in our tents and before it get dark we walk for 5 minutes to have an spectacular views and a tour around this impressive Inca citadel, the most preserved and biggest Inca site on Inca Trail. Here is probably the most crowded and noisy camp, we therefore recommend taking extra care of your personal belongings. Keep an eye on your belongings and don’t leave anything outside your tent at night. Tea time and Buffet Dinner. (Note that the hostel in Wiñayhuayna that for decades existed here is totally closed). Cold showers, no beers and basic toilets. The porters very early tomorrow will take a train return home so tonight they will appreciate a tip as appreciation and nice gesture of their work.

We will get up very early -around 4:00 am -to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), overlooking Machu Picchu for the first rays of the sunrise. This will be a hike of 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. You will be hiking in darkness for one hour, so a head lamp is strongly recommended please follow instructions of your guides and watch out your steps. From Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), a final easy 50-minutes walk downhill steps will bring us first to the upper south sector of Machupicchu (The Guardian houses) The trail ends at a series of terraces, which present classic views of the overall city, after enjoying a panoramic view we must walk straight down to the entrance of Machu Picchu. (backpacks storage for 5 Soles available at the gate.) Few minutes later we will continue on to explore the site, with explanations provided by the trek guide(s). The formal tour visiting the most remarkable temples and neighborhoods. Machupicchu, the lost city of the Incas, where the last emperors, priests and priestesses took refuge and where the empire survived for 40 years after the arrival of the Spaniards. Secret and mysterious citadel from the time of Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui (IX-Inca`s Dinasty) emperor, his presumed constructor. Then apparently its existence was even well-known only by the authorities and the priests of the Tawantinsuyo “The four lands of the empire”. Machupicchu prodigy of architecture of aesthetic recklessness and by the magestic and harmony of its forms, by the impeccable organization of its terraces, stairs, buildings, patios, passages that are set up in this nest of condors, surrounded by mountains, between the mountain range and the forest like but the extraordinary constructive feat of the pre-Hispanic man. Our visit will end in the late morning, after which there will be a couple of hours for more exploring on your own, or to just collapse under a tree in the central plaza area. In the early afternoon, bus to Aguas Calientes and lunch will be provided at “Los Viajeros” hostel down in the town of Aguas Calientes. There you will also be able to store your backpack, take a shower and/or look around the town a bit before catching the train back to Cuzco. Arrival to Cusco is generally around 8.30 -9:00 pm.