Hike the Inka Trail
4 Days / 3 NightsHike the Classic 4-day Inka Trail
Duration: 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS
Group Service
Budget: $842 p.p.
Covering a distance of 43km (26 miles), it is full of Andean valleys, Inca archaeological sites, breathtaking mountain scenery, snowcapped mountains and cloud forests.
Completing this hike is definitely a one in a lifetime experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories to share with friends and family!
- Active 40%
- Archeology 100%
- Responsible travel 100%
- Connection with community 100%
Included:
- Group excursion with Transportation and Guide
- Train ticket from Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) to Poroy
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- Full board during the trek
- Bus ticket going down to Aguas Calientes.
Not included:
- Lunch on the 4th Day
- Entrance fee to the thermal pools of Aguas Calientes
- Personal Insurance
- Personal porter
- Sleeping bag
Itinerary
Day 1
It is time to start hiking the world-famous Inca Trail! You can leave part of your luggage safely behind at your accommodation before being picked up with your backpack between 5.30 and 6.30 am. You will be transferred to KM 82, situated between Cusco and Machu Picchu, you will show your passport to the Sanctuary personnel before crossing a bridge that officially marks the start of your Inca Trail experience… pause for a photo! The first section of today will take you along the shores of the Urubamba River until you reach the little community of Miskay. From there, the uphill trekking really begins. Up and up you go to a high plateau where you can see the stunning Inca ruins of Patallacta. Your local guide will be on hand to provide you with information of the area from the Inca legacy to its diverse flora and fauna.
After stopping for lunch at a beautiful spot with panoramic views and with some time to rest a bit, it is then, guess what… time to keep on hiking up some more until you reach your first campsite! It is tiring but the views of the Vilcanota ridge and the snowcapped Veronica Mountain make it all worthwhile.
Day 2
Following an early rise and breakfast, get ready to tackle the most challenging day of the Inca Trail. The day begins with a 5.5 mile uphill climb along a narrow ravine but do not worry as there are plenty of stunning views, flora and pretty streams to distract you! After scaling a number of Inca steps, you will be feeling the burn as you arrive in Llulluchapampa, where you can take a short rest. Get as much breath back as you can for this next part, as you will be climbing up to the highest and most famous mountain pass on the Inca Trail; the Abra Warmyhuañuska (or foreboding Dead Woman’s Pass). Here you are at 13,780 ft above sea level and so, even the fittest among you will be breathing pretty heavily! It takes about 2 hours but really, do this at your own pace! It is quite common to see llamas and alpacas grazing in this area as well as the Ichu plant, which is one of the few plants that can grow at such high altitudes. At the summit, you will receive the fruits of your labor as the Andean landscape, and what seems like the whole world, opens up in front of you. This is also where you will see the classic view of the Inca Trail sneaking through the valley below. Having completed the most challenging section of the Inca Trail, you will finally start heading downhill for a while to your lunch stop, crossing a narrow valley, which is home to lots of birds and even the Andean speckled bear. You finish today in your campsite in the Pacaymayo Valley, where your porters will be waiting for you -they carry all the stuff for the campsite (limited to 11 lbs per porter) and they still get there in half the time it will take you to get there! Here you eat and get some well-earned sleep!
Day 3
This is the longest day, but do not despair, it is also the most impressive because you will see and explore loads of Inca ruins and pass through a cloud forest full of exotic birds! We are sorry but from the get-go, it is uphill again to start with to the Runkurakay Pass, but first you get to stop off at the archaeological complex of the same name, which is believed to have been an Inca watchtower. Then, it is down (yay!) to Sayacmarca palace where you will come across one of the most complete and well-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Next, you go through an enchanting cloud forest before heading up again to the next pass known as Phuyupatamarca. From the top of Phuyupatamarca, stop and look down at the intricate water fountains in the Inca complex below before taking a moment to rejoice as the rest of the trail is pretty much downhill from there. Welcome to Wiñaywayna, your last campsite on the Inca Trail! Get ready for the final day of the Inca Trail tomorrow and your arrival at the World Wonder of Machu Picchu.
Day 4
The day you have been waiting and hiking for has finally arrived! Today, you have to get up really early, but it is worth it, we promise! In order to arrive at the Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate, in time to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu, you will have to wake up and have breakfast at 4.30 am before going back out on the trail by 5 am. After about an hour of hiking through mystical cloud forests, you arrive at the Sun Gate and there, it will be in front of you… Machu Picchu at sunrise. We do not even have words to describe how breathtaking this is -it’s an experience that you will never forget. After taking a moment to soak up what you’ve just witnessed, as well as your sense of accomplishment, it is time to descend into the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. Your guide will give you a full explanation of the Lost City of the Incas, as well as its history, the surrounding areas and the sacred legends of Machu Picchu.
Then, it is down to the quaint town of Aguas Calientes where you can enjoy strolling through its cobblestone streets lined with small restaurants and shops, or you can soak away some of those muscle pains at the nearby hot springs. After lunch, it is time to take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco. You will be met at the station before being transferred back to your accommodation.
