Classic Four Day Inca Trail

We'll pick you up at your hotel or hostel in Cusco early, at about 5:30am and then depart by private bus for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our starting point for the trek will be close to Ollantaytambo, at Pisqacucho alongside the Urubamba River, often referred to as Km 82, its reference checkpoint along the railroad tracks to Machu Picchu. Our first day's trek will be relatively easy. On this day you'll be able to see Quechua-speaking locals from communities which actually live inside the protected area of Machu Picchu Sanctuary as we make our way to Wayllabamba (2740 meters above sea level), our first campsite. We'll have our lunch en route around 12:00pm and dinner at the campsite.

05:30am

We'll rise early, and after a fortifying breakfast, we'll continue our trip passing through Llulluchayoc and then ascending to Wuarmiwañusca Pass (Dead Woman's Pass) which is the highest point of our trek at 13,800 feet above sea level, the trail becomes more pristine, featuring paved stones put in place by the ancient Incas. As we hike we'll be able to appreciate abundant flora and fauna of the zone. We'll have lunch en route around midday.

4:30pm

We'll arrive at the Pacaymayu River Valley where our second camp will be, dinner and spend the night.

After our 6:00am breakfast, we'll exit the Pacaymayu Valley, making our way to the circular walled Inca ruins of Runcuracay (Pile of Ruins in Quechua), thought to have been a tambo, or roadside rest stop and inn for couriers along the trail. We'll pass through Runkuracay Pass at 3924 meters above sea level. From here you'll have amazing views of the snow-capped Veronika and Salkantay peaks. Continuing on, to a site located atop a cliff, we'll visit the Sayacmarca Ruins (Dominant Town). At this point we will be entering the tropical Cloud Forest, a part of the Amazon jungle which boasts exotic plants and orchids.

Our next stop is Phuyupatamarca with its ritual baths. Along the trail you'll be able to notice some of the engineering feats involved in its construction with have survived through the centuries, such as the tunnels passing through the mountains.

The ruins of Intipata and Wiñay Wayna (Quechua for Forever Young) will be our final stops for the day. This area boasts one of the greatest varieties of native tropical orchids in the world.

We'll then set up our final camp and share a delicious dinner (having had our lunch en route around midday) before settling down to rest.

05:30am

After an early breakfast we will depart along a path en route to Intipunku (Sun Gate), where the ruins of Machu Picchu Citadel will come into striking view. The Sun Gate is the entrance point to Machu Picchu; from here we'll descend into the archeological site for a fascinating tour of these enigmatic ruins. The guide will give us a two hour tour of the site's most impressive features, teaching us all about their history and significance, the beauty and method of architecture, and the culture of the Inca.

12:30pm

We'll descend to the small and bustling town of Aguas Calientes shortly after midday so that you'll have time for lunch. (Lunch on this day is not included in the trek, but you'll find that there are many restaurants for you to choose from.)

4:00 - 6:30pm

In the late afternoon/early evening we'll board the train which will take us back to Poroy or Ollantaytambo Station, where our transport will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco.

9:30 - 10:00pm

Approximate time of arrival of Cusco, where you'll be dropped back off at your hotel or hostel.