The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu starts when we pick you up from your hotel or hostel (5:30 approx.). We will go in our transport for an hour and a half to Ollantaytambo, where we will make a stop for breakfast (not included in the price of the tour). After making a stop, we will continue our trip by car to km 82, where the respective entrance controls to the Inca Trail are carried out. In this place, you must present your tickets along with your passport or identity document with which you made your reservation.

The Inca Trail begins at an altitude of 2,720 m. Once we have passed the respective controls at the checkpoint, we will cross a hanging bridge over the Vilcanota River. The first day is easy and is considered the warm-up day as the terrain is relatively flat. This day we will have wonderful views of:

• the Inca fortress Huillca Raccay
• the incredible archaeological site of Llactapata (officially called “Patallacta”)
• the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle with the Andes
• snowy W’akay Willca 5,860m, also known as the Veronica.

Our first camp will be in Ayapata, which is located 60 minutes walk from the small town of Wayllabamba, at an altitude of 3,300m.

• Distance covered: 14 km
• Hiking Time: 6 to 7 hours
• Camp height: 3,300 m
• Difficulty: Moderate.

This day is considered the most difficult and at the same time most gratifying of all the Inca Trail 4 Days, we will enjoy appreciating beautiful Andean landscapes and natural beauty.

The day begins at 5:00 and after a good breakfast, we will begin the ascent for 4 hours until the highest point of the road, the Abra de Huarmihuañusca or “Paso de la Mujer Muerta” with a height of 4.200m.

During the hike we will be able to appreciate that the vegetation is varied with native plants and trees like the “Polilepys” or “Q’ueuña”, which grow in the cloud forest at an altitude of 3,650m. After touring the 4 hours of ascent, we will celebrate together having reached the highest point.

After our celebration, we will descend for an hour and a half to Pacamayo at 3.550m, where we will have lunch. In the evening we will start with the last part of the climb for 2 hours towards the Runkuraqay pass at an altitude of 3900m. Once in the pass and after a rest, we will continue the descent for 1 hour and a half until we reach our camp  Cachicocha (3600m).

• Distance to travel: 16 km
• Hiking Time: 9 to 10 hours
• Camp height: 3,600 m
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Temperature: Cold and with afternoon winds.

On the third day we will only have 5 hours of walking approx. we will arrive at Wiñay Wayna which means: “Forever Young” to an Inca archaeological site that bears the same name as the camps; this archaeological site is 10 minutes from the third camp. This day we will start with a gentle moderate walk until we reach Phuyupatamarca which will be the third-highest point on the road at an altitude of 3,680m. The views of the mountains, canyons, and surroundings from this point are simply spectacular. After a brief rest, we will visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, which means “City of Clouds”. The Inca site Phuyupatamarca is just a few minutes walk from the third pass. After visiting this site, we will continue walking through cloud forest until we reach the impressive Inca agricultural site of Intipata. From there we walk to our camp Wiñay Wayna (2,680m).

• Hiking Time: From 4 to 5 hours
• Camp height: 2,600 m
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Temperature: Temperate

We will start the day at 3:30, after a very light breakfast we will go to the last checkpoint of the Inca Trail which is 10 minutes from the camp. After passing through this checkpoint we will go for 1 hour towards Inti Punku or “Puerta del Sol” (Sun Gate) where we will witness the arrival of the sun to Machu Picchu. This is the same place where you will have the first opportunity to admire Machu Picchu after 3 intense days of walking. After admiring the view of Machu Picchu from the door of the sun, we will walk for the last part of the tour to the place where you can take the classic photo of this ancient city. Finally, we enter Machu Picchu! Once in this modern wonder of the world, you will have a 2-hour guided tour by your own guide. After your guided tour, you will have some free time for you to continue exploring the citadel.

Once you have finished exploring the Inca City, you will have to take a bus that will take you to the town of Aguas Calientes. Our guide will hand over you your return tickets to Ollantaytambo. From there, we will transfer you by car back to Cusco.