The great adventure of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is for those who live passionately, always looking for a new experience! This is a fascinating dream to fulfill and is the most famous trek of all South America. The beauty of the views and the archeological sites that surround the Inca Trail are second to none. This tour is ideal for those who are filled with energy to hike all the way to Machu Picchu in the trip of a lifetime!.
Early in the morning (about 4 -5 am, time to be confirmed at the briefing time), we come to your hotel to transfer you to the Piscacucho-KM 82 where the trail starts. There will be a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo (6:30-7am), to load up on energy (breakfast is not included). Upon arrival at kilometer 82 (8:30am), we will have some time to organize ourselves (use the restrooms, apply sunscreen/insect repellent) and it will be necessary to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) the student card at the trail’s first control point. To start the trail (2720m/8923ft), we cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy (a warm-up along the Incan flat terrain), and we will have great views of the site of an Incan Fortress ('Huillca Raccay'), the vast and incredible Incan site of Llactapata. Our first campsite (Ayapata) will be an hour and a half up the small village of Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft). Temperatures at night are around 5ºC/41ºF (depending on the month).
After waking up at 5:30am (or 5:00 depending on your guide) and having breakfast, we will start a steep ascent towards the highest pass (Dead Woman's Pass at 4200m/13779ft). On this day, a real sense of achievement is felt upon reaching the top! After a rest here, we begin the descent to our lunch stop, which is located at Pacaymayu (3550m/11646ft). On the way up to the pass, we will be able to see lots of hummingbirds and other birds. We will have the time to appreciate an incredible variety of native plants and trees; such as the ´Polylepis´ or Q'ueuña trees, which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650/11972m!! After lunch, begins the second two-hour steep climb to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4000 meters). We arrive at our campsite around 5 pm. Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC/39ºF during the nights.
This is the most impressive day, so just keep thinking about that on the ascent on day 2! We wake up for breakfast at 6am and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (Town in the Clouds), and reach the third highest point on the trail (3680m). The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular! The Incan site of 'Phuyupatamarca', is located a few minutes’ walk from the third pass and after visiting this, we continue walking (3000 steps) through the cloud forest and the impressive agricultural Incan site of 'Intipata' until we arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna (2680m/8792ft). Today, we will only walk about 4 to 5 hours and arrive to camp by lunchtime! A short distance from this campsite, is located the Incan site of the same name, Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Even if you are tired after your day's trek, don't miss out on visiting the most impressive site on the trail. Temperatures during the night are about 12ºC/54ºF.
We leave the last campsite at about 5:30am on the final day (breakfast is around 3:30-4:00am). It is an early start in order to get to 'Inti Punku' ('Sun gate') (2730m/8792ft) before sunrise. This is the place where you will have your first stunning view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft), with the sun rising over it! After some time there, we will walk down the last part of the trail to a spot where you can take the classic picture postcard shot of this ancient city. Finally, we visit Machu Picchu itself! After the tour you have time to explore Machu Picchu at your own leisure before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus. From here you will take the train to Ollantaytambo where a bus to Cusco will be waiting for you
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