Sacred Trail to Machu Picchu

DÍA 01: WELCOME TO LIMA

Arrival to the city of Lima, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.

DÍA 02: WELCOME TO CUSCO

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Arrival, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 03: CUSCO AT YOUR PACE

Free day. Cusco offers many cultural, archaeological and adventure-oriented activities. Reserve the activities with anticipation. We recommend:

Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain. Located at 5000 m.a.s.l. in the heights of the Valley of the Vilcanota River in the mountain range of the Ausangate snowcapped mountain, this beautiful mountain has become one of the main attractions and great wonders of Cusco.

Kayak in the Huaypo Lake. One day of contact with our inner being, paddling in a kayak on the Huaypo Lake with the snowcapped mountains as the backdrop. A moment to relax and let the silence invade and renew our energy. Lunch on the lake banks.

DAY 04: INCA TRAIL: PISCACUCHO TO WAYLLABAMBA

The great adventure starts! After pickup from our hotel, we will stop by Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 ft) to take care of the last shopping and later go to Piscacucho (2,750 m / 9,022 ft), in the Km 82 of the railroad track, to enter the network of the Inca Trail. Start with a light walk that will allow us to get acclimatized. Appreciate the beautiful snowcapped mountain Veronica and will arrive to a natural observation point from where we can see at a distance the archaeological site of Llaqtapata. Continue till our first camp in Huayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,842 ft)

Distance: 12 km / 7.45 mi

Approximate time: 5-6 hrs.

Maximum altitude reached: 3,000 m / 9,842 ft

Camp: Huayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,842 ft)

Highlights: Panoramic view of Llaqtapata and of the snowcapped mountain Verónica.

DAY 05: INCA TRAIL: WAYLLABAMBA, LLULLUCHAPAMPA, WARMIWAÑUSCA, PACAYMAYO

We are approaching the most intense day of the Inca Trail, let’s make sure that we have some extra candy in our traveling bag for the extra energy. Move forward through the Valley of Huayllabamba while we observe the ecological change going from the mountain range to the high Andean plateau (puna). In Yunca Chimpa get ready for the ascent to Llulluchapampa (3,750 m / 12,303 ft). While we enjoy a refreshing snack, appreciate the Valley of Huayanay and our challenge of the day, the defiant Warmiwañusca Pass (4,200 m / 13,799 ft), also known as “Of the Dead Woman”. If we are fortunate enough, we might be able to enjoy the beautiful hummingbirds and sparrows that live in the area. Finally, descend till we reach our camp in Pacaymayo (3,600 m / 11,811 ft) to have lunch and rest after this day of challenges and spectacular views.

Distance: 11 Km / 6.83 mi

Approximate time: 6-7 hrs.

Maximum altitude reached: 4,200 m / 13,799 ft

Camp: Pacaymayo (3,600 m / 11,811 ft)

Highlights: Pass of Warmiwañusca.

DAY 06:  INCA TRAIL: RUNCURACAY, SAYACMARCA, PHUYUPATAMARCA, WIÑAY WAYNA

Today awaits us the largest archaeological load of our walk, it will be the longest day but at the same time the day that will impress us most and with less difficulty. We will ascend to the Runcuracay Pass (3,860 m / 12,664 ft) where we will visit the archaeological complex that has the same name and will continue to the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca (3,580 m / 11,745 ft). After lunch, cross the Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,700 m / 12,139 ft). In the area, appreciate the Inca complex best preserved of the whole Inca Trail, its meaning in Spanish is “over the clouds”. After a refreshing rest, continue to Wiñaywayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), an Inca complex that will leave us astonished with its many agricultural terraces and its religious and urban centers. Here we will finish this day, camp out and have our farewell dinner.

Distance: 16 km / 9.93 mi

Approximate time: 8 hrs.

Maximum altitude reached: 3,860 m / 12,664 ft

Camping area: Wiñaywayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft)

Highlights: Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna

DAY 07:  INCA TRAIL: WIÑAY WAYNA, INTI PUNKU, MACHU PICCHU, CUSCO

We are one step away from reaching our main objective. Get up at dawn to ascend thru a narrow path of stairs until we reach the Intipunku or Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate) (2,720 m / 8,923 ft) and enjoy a view of Machu Picchu (2,450 m / 8,038 ft) that will leave us breathless, we can appreciate the daybreak and photograph this Inca refuge at a distance. Descent to benefit from a guided visit to the citadel, where we will get a detailed explanation of the different areas of this Wonder of the World. Descent to the village located on the foot of the mountain. Lunch. At the appropriate time, departure by train to Cusco. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Distance: 4 km / 2.48 mi

Approximate time: 2 hrs.

Maximum altitude reached: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft

Highlights: Intipunku and Machu Picchu.

DÍA 08: FAREWELL DAY

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Lima and connect with your international flight to your home.