4D/3N | Cusco / Cusco | The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu closed the month of February by disposition of the Ministry of Culture for conservation work, maintenance and cleaning. The Inca Trail is reopening on March 1. The Inca Trail is by far considered the most famous trek in South America, it will fascinate you for their beautiful landscapes and magnificent mountains with clouds that seems they could be touched with the hands. The hike has a total length of about 43 km and takes 4 days to do it, including a day visiting the Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu. The surrounding nature is beautiful, with stunning views of snow-capped mountains, trek through the jungle with his amazing archaeological sites, is an unforgettable experience. It is undoubtedly one of the most popular excursions for those seeking adventure when visiting Peru, spectacular landscapes of the Andes chain, showed a great mix of jungle and saw that you enjoy from beginning to end. Not available anywhere else on the planet a natural circuit that leads you to a natural world with constantly changing ecological floors adorned with imposing mountains, rivers and great wildlife. All these natural wonders Inca buildings that are worth visiting are added, the architectural art in perfect harmony with the natural environment. The Incas built their strengths with a mindset that can see without being seen, from where they can attack without being attacked. The mysterious citadel of Machu Picchu, hidden on top of a mountain was a very difficult place to find.
Distance 10 km / Time 6hrs approximately. Distance 11 km / Time 8hrs approximately. Distance 16 km / Time 8hrs approximately. Distance 6 km. Time 3hrs approximately.
Trek experience | Peru
Inca Trail in Peru
Good to know: You need to plan your trip several months in advance. We recommend you purchase permits 6 months in advance. Limited Access, many people choose to do the this Inca route, so this make it difficult to get an available space, because of the availability of spaces offered is minimal 500 spaces per day (including support staff, porters, cooks, guides, etc.). However there are alternative routes to the Traditional Inca Trail.HIGHLIGHTS
DETAILS ABOUT THE TOUR
DAY 1 - CUSCO / HUAYLLABAMBA
Early morning, we will pick your hotel and then go by bus to a private Piscacucho located at kilometer 82 (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), in the way we will pass through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, for populations Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, to make a short stop here for you to visit the local market and buy some groceries for the walk, then continue our journey to Piscacucho. Upon arrival at Km 82 Piscacucho pass the control to start the walk along the Urubamba River.
In this first section of the Inca Trail, visit the small community of Miskay (2,800 m. / 9,186 ft), later start ascending towards a small plateau, where we will enjoy a superb Andean landscape and Inca building known as Patallacta, located at 2,750 m / 9,022 ft, here we can see some agricultural terraces that served to feed different places travelers taking this route to get to Machu Picchu.
Then continue walking through a crowded area where vegetation is very likely seen the giant hummingbird, after walking for about 2 hours we arrive at our first camp in the area Huayllabamba 3,000 m / 9,842 ft Huayllabamba is a small town surrounded by fields of corn, potato crops and other products, here we will have our first camp.DAY 2 - HUAYLLABAMBA / PACAYMAYU
On this day we will have a great challenge, to ascend the pass of Warmihuañusca, for starters we have a refreshing breakfast then begin our trek toward the Valley Ayapata which took 1 hour to get to this area, this is known to possess a micro climate of high Andean valley. Then pass through a narrow path full of vegetation, through a small bridge that will take us through a cloud forest, with unsurpassed beauty until to climb up to the highest point of Warmihuañusca, name Quechua means “When the woman dies“, this point has a height of 4,200 m / 13,779 ft, along the climb will appreciate how the vegetation changes however this place is one of the most beautiful and once you have conquered the summit, we will be offset by a beautiful view of the mountains and Andean scenery.
Then descend by a winding valley to reach a point where we stop for lunch. In this way it is possible to observe several types of birds. We follow the path until you reach the Valley of the River Pacaymayu (3,600 m / 11,811 ft), where we will have our second camp.DAY 3 - PACAYMAYU / WIÑAYWAYNA
For many visitors, this is one of the longest days, but at the same time one of the most beautiful, because of the presence of Inca sites along the trail. After a nutritious breakfast, we will trek ascending a steep path. We will go through a second opening where the archaeological sites of Runkuracay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) which is named for its unique shape of half circle. This semicircular shape allows protected from strong winds in the area. Then ascend towards Yanacocha (Black Lake) lagoon and then proceed to Sayaqmarca (3,600 m / 11, 811 ft), “The dominant people“, where we interesting Inca ruins, and will have a panoramic view of the valley Acobamba, the only how to access these buildings is via a steep stone staircase. During the tour passes Conchamarka, a small recently discovered archaeological site.
After, we continue uphill and we’ll get the first tunnel along the way, then continue climbing until you reach the third and final open, where we see the people of Phuyupatamarca (3,665 m / 12,024 ft), “Village above the clouds“, which is undoubtedly one of the most original along the Inca Trail citadels. It is located on the edge of a ravine. Here we will find many cultivation terraces and ceremonial fountains.
After visiting this site, descend about 2,000 cobblestone stairs to the citadel of Wiñaywayna (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), which means “Forever Young“, is located at an altitude of 2,490 m / 8,675 ft, and the name derived by the typical orchids that can be found throughout the year with flowers in red, yellow and purple. This is possibly the most attractive of all the palaces along the Inca Trail, and the last urban center before reaching Machu Picchu. It was built on the slopes of the mountains, is divided into four main parts: housing at the bottom, with over 20 buildings, the area holding the ritual sources, area of cultivation terraces and the area of the tower .
After exploring Wiñaywayna, we head to our last camp, which is located a few meters away. This is the night when we say goodbye to our porters and staff of the tour, so at night a small ceremony to thank everyone for sharing with the group this beautiful experience will take place.DAY 4 - WIÑAYWAYNA / MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
On this last day we get up early and then have breakfast and continue our walk, after three hours of walking, we reach the area Intipunku or Puerta del Sol (2,490 m / 8,169 ft). A small complex of small buildings that apparently seem to have been used as a control. It is an excellent opportunity to take panoramic pictures of the citadel of Machu Picchu. If the traveler has begun to walk early, arrive just before dawn, this is perhaps the best place and time to contemplate the majestic splendor of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.
It was long thought that Machu Picchu was part of a legend, until 1911 that the American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu rises to a height of 2,430 m / 7,980 ft. in the middle of a tropical forest, and an extraordinary location. It was definitely one of the most amazing urban creation in Inca heyday. Its massive walls, terraces and ramps seem to be continuously cut naturally in the rocky cliffs.
Then descend to walk the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, we will have a guided tour by our local guide about 2 hours, followed by free time for you to enjoy this wonder of the world.