1st.- DAY: CUSCO – PISCACUCHO KM 82 – WAYLLABAMBA
On this day our tour begins with picking you up at your hotel early in the morning, then go by bus to km. 82. We will pass through some typical towns of the area as well as see some snow-covered mountains that are part of the Andes Mountain Range. First we will make a small stop in Ollantaytambo (30 min) to be able to buy drinks, snacks, hiking poles, rain ponchos, flashlights etc. As well as eat the optional breakfast (it is not included), then we will continue by bus until we arrive at the starting point at PISCACUCHO or Km 82. Afterwards we will go to the checkpoint where we need to show our original documents DNI, Passport, and people who are students need to present their valid ISIC Card (originals).
This day is a very easy day since most of the trail is flat and there are not many ups and downs, we will walk along the bank of the Urubamba River and we will see some snowy peaks and landscapes until we reach the archaeological site of Patallacta, located in the valleys of Kusichaca and the Sacred Valley. You can see the said site in the distance then we will continue to our lunch spot in TARACHAYOC after a short break we will continue to our first campsite in Wayllabamba where we will spend the night.
2nd- DAY: WAYLLABAMBA- PACAYMAYU
We will have breakfast approx. at 6:00am. Then we will start our walk, which is the hardest and most difficult but not impossible day. We will ascend to the highest point of the Inca trail called the WARMI WAÑUSCA pass (Dead Woman) located at 4,200 meters. Here we will have different temperatures and at the same place you can buy some drinks in different places like: Ayapata and llullucha pampa, after this there will be no more shops to buy drinks. After reaching the summit you can see the majestic valleys that surround us and take some exciting pictures, then we will begin to descend to the campsite in Pacaymayo where we will have lunch and in the afternoon we will have free time (siesta) to recharge our batteries for the next day. We will have a mid-afternoon snack (happy hour) dinner and rest. The temperature drops a lot at night at this location.
3rd- DAY: PACAYMAYU – RUNCURACAY PASS – PHUYUPATAMARCA
This day we will also get up early to have our breakfast and after breakfast we will provide you with cold boiled water in your canteens or bottles up to 1lt per person. This is the longest day of the Inca Trail but at the same time it is a cultural day, great landscapes and part of the jungle (humid forests). We will visit the archaeological sites of Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Puyupatamarca, and the 2nd highest point which is at 3,950 m / 12,959 feet. Before we reach the half way mark we will have the archaeological site of Runcuracay where we will have a guided tour and then continue to the second highest point. After our rest stop and an average descent of 40 minutes we will visit the archaeological site of Sayacmarca. Afterwards we will continue walking about 30 minutes to the lunch place where we will have a short break and then continue to our campsite located at the last highest point in Puyupatamarca. On the way we will see some landscapes as well as the immense forests, orchids and some animals. Upon arriving at the third place we will see the beautiful sunset as well as the different snowy mountains that surround us such as Salkantay, La Verónica and in the distance we will be able to see the valleys of Urubamba as well as the Mountain of Machupicchu. This will be our last campsite where we will spend the last night.
4th-PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAYHUAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHUPICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES
On this day we will have one of the most spectacular and beautiful dawns on the Inca trail. We will have a coca tea and then we’ll climb a small mountain to observe the stunning sunrise of the mountains and the valleys that are around us and full of energy. Later we will enjoy our breakfast and continue our adventure where we will visit the archaeological site of PHUYUPATAMARCA and then begin to descend the long stone steps. Here we will see the exuberant flora and some birds that can be seen on the trail, at the end of this stone path we will take another side path of the main route that will lead us to the archaeological site of INTI PATA (SUN Terraces). From this place we will see the immense Urubamba Valley, this place was a very important part for the agriculture of Machupicchu. After having a short rest and observing the view of this impressive landscape we will continue towards the archaeological site of WIÑAY HUAYNA (Forever Young), which is one of the largest places within the Inca Trail, is composed of an impressive complex formed by an agricultural center, numerous terraces, ceremonial sources, urban sector and other religions and also with impressive views of the mountains and the Urubamba River. After visiting this impressive place, we will have our last lunch with our support team, the porters and cooks, where we will say goodbye and have a brief but meaningful ceremony for all the hard work they did for which you can give them a tip of your personal choice according to how you appreciated their work and effort.
Then we will continue for about an hour on a flat road with some small but not hard climbs until we reach INTI PUNKU (SUN GATE). This will be one of the main points and motives for we will see the first views of the citadel of MACHUPICCHU and here we will have time to take personal photos as a group. Then we will continue descending until we reach that same citadel and enjoy the sunset. We will then go to the bus that will take us to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will settle into a comfortable hotel with hot showers, but if you would like you can also go to the natural thermal baths which is an excellent way to spend the afternoon and replenish your energy and in the evening we will have our dinner in a restaurant.
5th.- MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
On this day breakfast will be at your hotel at 05.30 am then we will go to the bus station that takes 25 minutes to the citadel, it is very important to bring the original documents (passport, ID card, ISIC card for students). We will have a guided tour of the most important places such as: agricultural sector, religious sector, ceremonial sources etc. After the tour you will have free time to explore and see more the Inca citadel, if you bought the entrance tickets for Huayna Picchu Mountain your guide will indicate the point of entry, it is approximately one hour of climbing to the top and 45 minutes to descend, to be able to enter you must reserve, in advance, this ticket that is not included in the tour, the cost is $65.00. After you have finished your visit, you will need to return and take the bus back to Aguas Calientes where we will meet for lunch with the group, it is optional and is not included in the cost of the trail. Later we will go to the train station and we will board the Expeditions to Ollantaytambo where our bus will be waiting to take you back to the city of Cusco and leave you at your hotel.
IMPORTANT
In order to make the reservation for the tour of the Inca Trail 04d / 03n Machupicchu, you must send the following information: First and last names, nationality, date of birth, passport. Students must send their scanned ISIC card (valid), children up to 07 years old their scanned passport. (In case you renew your passport at any time, send the two scanned and for the walk and the entrance it is necessary to carry the two (old and new) passports for the tour of the Inca Trail).
NOTE
The time of departure depends a lot on the train schedule that is granted to you but you have to be at the station half an hour before the departure of your train. Likewise, rates are subject to any increase or readjustment by the MINISTRY OF CULTURE and PERU RAIL S.A (train company).
RECOMMENDATIONS OF WHAT YOU SHOULD CARRY
The passengers should personally carry the following:
Travel insurance, personal items, first aid kit, fever pills, upset stomach pills, altitude pills, water purifier, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, flashlights, rain ponchos, hiking poles, trekking shoes, gloves. Cap/hat for the sun and the cold, thermal clothes for at night and light clothes for the day, money (according to personal criteria) and original documents: Passport, DNI, the students need their original ISIC card.