The Inca Trail 4D/3N

Itinerary

DAY 1: CISCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – WAYLLABAMBA

• We'll pick you up from your accommodation early in the morning. Our transport will take us to the community of Piscakuchu (2700 m a.s.l.), located at kilometer 82 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu route. We'll get to the checkpoint where we'll start our walk.

The first 2 hours are relatively easy: we will walk through the Miskay Pass (2800 m a.s.l./8692 ft), then we will arrive at Patallacta, the first impressive Inca archaeological site, 1 hour after visiting this place, we will make a stop to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our cook.

After lunch, we will continue our walk through the valley and the Kusichaca River for almost 2 more hours, until we reach the Wayllabamba community (3000 m a.s.l./9840 ft.), where our first camp is located. Here we can enjoy the spectacular view of the Vilcanota River on the slopes of the wonderful Nevado Verónica (5832m a.s.l.), in the evening we will enjoy our dinner and then go to rest.

• Distance travelled: 8 km (5.5 miles)
• Estimated time: about 6 hours
• Altitude: 2700 m a.s.l. minimum (Piscocuchu) and 3000 m a.s.l. maximum (Wayllabamba)
• Meals: A, C
• Accommodation: Camping (camp tents for up to 4 people)

DAY 2 : TREKKING THROUGH THE PASS OF THE DEAD WOMAN

• WAYLLABAMBA – WARMI WAÑUSCA PASS – PAZAYMAYO
• Early in the morning 5:30 we will have breakfast, then we will start our walk for approximately 45 minutes until we reach the second control point called Wayllabamba. This day is harder than the others. We'll have to go up about 4 km. (2 hours) until the second resting point called Llullucha Pampa (3800 m a.s.l. 12460 ft).

On the way we will see the change of climate from mountain range to Puna (a dry and high area with some vegetation). Then we will continue the walk for 4 km. more (2 hours approx.) through the first mountain pass in our walk, the Pass of Warmiwañusca ("The Passage of the Dead Women", at 4200 m a.s.l. / 13776 feet). In this place we will have our Lunch, on the way we can see domesticated flames and alpacas eating Ichu (one of the few plants that grow at this altitude). In addition, we will appreciate the cloud forest, where there are many types of birds such as hummingbirds, sparrows and also if we are lucky we will see the Andean bear (tremactus ornatus). We especially suggest this day to bring sweets, chocolates and coca leaves to prevent dizziness caused by height.

After lunch, we will continue our walk down 4 km and cross the pass and continue until we reach the Pacaymayo Valley (3600 m a.s.l./11808 ft.), where we will camp, have dinner and rest until the next day.

• Distance travelled: 12 km (7.5 miles)
• Estimated time: approximately 7 to 8 hours
• Altitude: 3600m a.s.l. minimum (camping Pacaymayo) and 4200m a.s.l. maximum (step of the woman of death)
• Meals: D, A, C
• Accommodation: Camping (camp tents for up to 4 people)

3RD DAY : PAMAYMAYO – WIÑAYWAYNA

• This is the longest day, but also the most impressive and fantastic due to the variety of archaeological sites it offers, with the cloud forest and its landscapes.

After a delicious breakfast, we will start our walk for 45 minutes approx. towards the open of Runkurakay, which houses the archaeological site of the same name (3750 m a.s.l./13022 ft.). We will stop here to visit the archaeological site, which consists of a small circular structure that was designed for sacred purposes or as a checkpoint.

Then, we will continue our descent for 1 hour 30 minutes where we will see the Yanacocha (black lagoon) and continue until we reach the archaeological site of Sayacmarka (3624 m a.s.l./11887 ft). It was designed in a semicircular way and has three different levels, sacred fountains, patios and irrigation canals, we will continue walking for 25 minutes to our lunch point.

We will have lunch near Chaquicocha and with the energy recharged we will continue for 2 hours 30 minutes by the open of Phuyupatamarca (3750 m a.s.l./12300 feet). We will pass through an Inca tunnel to reach the archaeological site of the same name (Phuyupatamarca) This is the most preserved and complete site of the Inca Trail, located in the highest part of the mountain. We will see a sacred complex formed by liturgical sources with solid foundations. In addition, we will enjoy an impressive view of the Urubamba River.

We will continue the walk going down 3 hours approx. by stone stairs to Wiñaywayna (2650 m a.s.l./8692 ft.). It is an Inca complex with cultivated terraces, religious and urban sectors. Near there, we'll find our camp. To end the day, we will enjoy a special dinner, as our team will say goodbye to the porters and cooks who accompanied us during the walk.

• Distance travelled: 16 km (10 miles)
• Estimated time: approximately 12 hours
• Altitude: 2650m a.s.l. minimum (Camping Wiñaywayna) and 3870m a.s.l. maximum (Step Runkurakay)
• Meals: D, A, C
• Accommodation: Camping (camp tents for up to 4 people)

4TH DAY : WIÑAYWAYNA TO MACHUPICCHU

• On our last day we will get up early around 03:30 approximately to have our breakfast and leave Wiñaywayna to descend to the last control point, where we will wait 1 hour approx. until there will be doors to allow us to pass, then we will walk 1 hour 30 minutes approx. to the Intipunku (door of the sun).

From this point we can appreciate the amazing sunrise inside the magical citadel of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku we will descend to the citadel of Machu Picchu and after 40 minutes we will pass by “The Guardian’s House” and reach the point of control to leave our things and immediately start our tour in Machu Picchu for approximately 2 hours, knowing the place and exploring with the tourist guide.

Important!!! People who have the hike to Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional US$65 ticket) will also do this additional hike at this time on their own (optional climb to Huayna Picchu US$65 ticket).

Then we can take the optional bus ($12 25 minutes) or walk to the village of Aguas Calientes (1 hour 30 minutes).

Depending on the time, we can enjoy lunch in Aguas Calientes and then take the train back to Ollantaytambo, we must be 30 minutes before departure at the train station (schedules are subject to availability). When we arrive in Ollantaytambo, our representative will be waiting for us with our names written in a small sign to take us back to Cusco leaving us as close as possible to the Main Square (central square).

• Distance travelled: 6 km (3.7 miles)
• Estimated time: approximately 3 hours
• Altitude: 2430m a.s.l. (Machu Picchu)
• Meals: B
• IMPORTANT: Camp sites depend on the designation that the Ministry of Culture sees fit in the use of Inca Trail.