Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
CUSCO – PISKACUCHO (KM 82) - MACHU PICCHU - OLLANTAYTAMBO
04 DAYS/03 NIGHTS
Cusco was the heart of the Inca Empire. Almost all of the principal trails in the mountains surrounding Cusco were built or improved upon by the Incas. However, a particularly beautiful 43km section of mountain trail connecting the important Inca archaeological sites.
The Classic 4-day Inca Trail can be hikes all the year. Around although the months of April till October are probably more comfortable since the weather is drier. June, July and August are in the high season when the trail can become fully booked so be sure to make a reservation in advance. The 4 day Inca Trail is closed each year during the month of February to allow conservation work to take place. The months of January and March are in the wet season so hiking the trail can be a little miserable unless you have a good rain jacket and waterproof tent.
This classic trekking is recommendable for those who look for a life changing experience. With Machu Picchu as its final destination this is a unique trekking and very famous for its exquisite beauty and natural environment. It is considered as one of the world’s best trekking options. You will appreciate ecological areas from high deserts to Andean tropical forests. This fantastic trekking experience is for travelers who are able to walk up to 7 hours a day, including some breaks along way. On this ancient Inca Trail we will pass by unforgettable archaeological sites and majestic vegetation, which create the impression of being discovered for the first time. Finally reach the lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu.
Cusco Peru itself is richly blessed with mountain ranges with a beautiful scenay and diverse areas for hiking. Meanwhile the scenery is only one of the elements that create the magic of the Inca Trail. The various archaeological sites along the way before ending the Inca Trail at the Sungate of Machu Picchu serve to heighten the hiker’s sense of anticipation as he or she approaches the sanctuary.
Hiking the Inca Trail can be very rewarding, available for all ages as long as you are fit and in good physical condition. Previous acclimation to the altitude is highly required, since you will be hiking through different levels of altitude.
INCA TRAIL DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Moderate to Challenging. It is recommended to acclimatize before the trekking for at least 3 or 4 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Day 1
CUSCO – PISKACUCHO (KM 82) – LLACTAPATA AYAPATA (L, D)
Your first day trekking the renowned Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
A representative from Easygoing Peru will pick you up between 04:30 – 05:00 am. You will be transferred to Km 82, where you arrive at 07:00 am. After a delicious breakfast we will start our adventure by going to the first checkpoint to actually start the trek (to enter the Inca Trail it is necessary to have your original passport, please make sure you have it before starting the trekking). The first hours of this trekking are easy.
Patallacta is a typical ancient Inca checkpoint approaching Machu Picchu. After arriving to Patallacta the trekking continues for another 2 hours. Then we really deserve to have our lunch. After lunch we will hike for another 2½ hours until we reach the first night’s campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters). On this last stretch we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drinks or snacks you can do so here. You can buy any essential items such as batteries, as well. We will arrive to our campsite at 17:00 pm and after settling in for a bit you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chef and guide. By 19:30 pm your dinner will be ready and afterwards you can get some welldeserved rest.
Overnight at campsite.
Day 2
AYAPATA – DEAD WOMAN´S PASS – RUNCURACCAY PASS – CHAQUICCOCHA (B, S, L, D)
Your second day on the Inca Trail
This is the longest day during the trekking and we will start with an early breakfast and a coca tea. The trekking is hard along the way for around 4 hours. We will pass the Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 meters). On reaching the pass we will stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot and a chance to refill our water bottles. After lunch we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It is 2 hours to the pass and along the way 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 is another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village).
We will stop here to have a break and go for a quick tour through the site and then watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. Now there are only just another 20 minutes missing until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). If you are not too exhausted we can do some star gazing after dinner so that you can learn about the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent Southern Hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold!
Overnight at campsite.
Day 3
CHAQUICCOCHA – WIÑAYWAYNA CAMP (B, S, L, D)
Your third day on the Inca Trail
Along the way you will pass through the most beautiful landscapes of the whole Inca Trail.We wake up at 06:30 am in the morning, to soon start the hike for this day for around 2 hours. Arriving to the “Inca flat” we begin to enter the jungle known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk we will have the chance to see the majesty of the Salkantay, one of the highest mountains around with an incredible beauty. Also we can enjoy the fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Then we arrive to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we will enjoy unique views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley we get our first look at Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself is still hidden from our eyes. Arriving to Phuyupatamarka it is only 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 also 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). The estimated time to arrive at our campsite is around 13:00 pm to have lunch and then relax the whole afternoon so that you are full of energy and ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. Approximatly at 16:30 pm your tour guide will give you a short orientation and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna, where you are going to spend about an hour and a half. We will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek so that you are fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the next morning.
Today is our last feast and we would like to share it with the porters and chefs. It is a tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again and 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 recommended to sleep early to go up to Machupicchu the next morning and enjoy the sunrise.
Overnight at campsite.
Day 4
MACHU PICCHU, “THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS” – AGUAS CALIENTES – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO (B)
Your Final Day on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
We will get up early in the morning at 03:30 am and breakfast is ready at 4:00 am. Then we start the trekking, because the sun gate opens at 05:30 am. We will wave goodbye to our team of porters and chef and later we will arrive at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). In this place we have majestic views of the mountains and Machu Picchu. Until the 06:30 am we will be at the Sun Gate and then it is just an hour trek downstairs to get into Machu Picchu. As we approach this Historic Santuary the views are amazing! Around 07:40 am we will reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hour private guided tour. After the tour you have free time to enjoy of panoramic views at your own. Then you will receive your bus tickets for the way down to Aguas Calientes.
In Aguas Calientes you will take the train to return to Poroy, where a representative will be waiting for you with a sign with your name to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.
More information about Julia and her family:
- Julia lives on her farm together with her husband and three children.
- Her property lies at an altitude of approx. 1500m and includes about 3 hectares of plantations (coffee, bananas, tea, mangos, passion fruits, mandarins, avocados, coca tea…).
More information about Rosa and her farm:
- On the cocoa plantation of Rosa Maranura you will learn the secrets of the tree Theobrama cocoa (also known as “food of the Gods “). With the cocoa beans you will prepare a delicious hot chocolate.
- Rosa has two types of cocoa trees on her property: the “chuncho” and the “híbrido”.