Camino Inca Trek to Machu Picchu

Description Inca Trail Machupicchu Tour

With the Machupicchu Inca Trail Machupicchu Tour, you can enjoy an excellent hike to know the Inca sanctuary of Machupicchu. The Inca Trail is considered the best hike in South America, it is a route of 43 kilometers by ancient Inca trails to Machu Picchu and along the route many archaeological sites that left us to see its grandeur. The duration of the tour is 4 days and 3 nights come and join us in this exciting adventure.

The Incas covered a large part of the South American continent. To maintain communication in such a vast territory it was necessary to build a network of roads. Thus, the Inca ordered the construction of a network of roads called Qhapac Ñan (Inca Trail). These roads covered up to 30 thousand kilometers of the current countries of Peru, Ecuador and part of Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Colombia. The trekking route of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is only a small part of the extensive network of Qhapac Ñan trails.

THE INCA TRAIL was revealed to the world in 1915 while excavating in the Inca City. Three decades later, the route was traced by the Viking expedition in 1942. Today, thousands of visitors choose to walk the 43 kilometers to the Sun Gate in Machu Picchu. However, Machu Picchu is not the only archaeological site we will see on the Inca Trail. In the tour we will also appreciate the archaeological centers of Llactapata, the archaeological site of Runkurakay, Saycamarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna.

THE ROYAL INKA ROAD TO MACHU PICCHU, was a royal route to Machu Picchu used by the Inka or emperor in the fifteenth century. It existed and was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham when he realized his cleaning work between 1913 and 1915. There are different sites between the Inka city of Ollantaytambo and the Inka city of Machupicchu, where you can observe the variety of architectural resources that give rationality, importance and mysticism to this road.

It did not have a commercial use; there were other simpler paths to transport products, llamas and people to Machu Picchu. The purpose of the Inka Trail to Machupicchu was religious and ceremonial, which included rituals to honor the mountains and peaks along the route, such as La Veronica or Wakaywilka.

At the end of the hike we will be able to observe petroglyphs made by the Wari culture more than a thousand years ago. Before returning to the city we will observe the Apachetas, stone formations placed one on top of the other that are a symbol of gratitude towards nature.

MAIN POINTS OF VISIT

• Cusco (3,399 masl)
• Piscacucho (2,709 masl)
• W’akay Willca (5,860 masl / 16,860 fasl)
• Wayllabamba (3,000 masl)
• Pacaymayu (3,550 masl)
• Runkuraqay (4,000 masl)
• Wiñaywayna (2,680 masl)
• Inti Punku (2,745 masl / 9,745 fasl)
• Machupicchu (2,400 masl)
• Aguas Calientes (2,040 masl)

Day 1: Cusco KM 82 – Piscacucho – Wayllabamba

• 05.30 hrs Today begins the adventure of your life, very early we will pick you up at your respective hotel in our private transportation and we will move through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• 06.30 hrs On the way, we stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo to recharge our energy (breakfast is not included), then we will start the tour of our trail.
•  09.30 hrs We will arrive at Piscacucho or kilometer 82, which is the first check point of the Inca Trail, we will show the entrance tickets, passports and if you are a student; your valid student card.
• At the beginning of the trail (2,720 masl) we will cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy, a warm-up along flat Inca terrain with hiking on steep, open trails.
• There are excellent views of the Huillca Raccay Inca Fortress, the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata (officially called Patallacta) and the beautiful snow-capped peak of ‘W’akay Willca’ (5,860 masl) known as Veronica.
• Our first camp is in Wayllabamba (3,000 masl) a temperate green valley with the same name. Night temperatures are around 5ºC depending on the month.
• During the day, we will enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains, the lush green valley surrounding us and a myriad of flora and fauna.

Camping: WAYLLABAMBA.
Breakfast – Passenger/ Snack, Lunch & Dinner – Agency

Day 2: Wayllabamba – Pacaymayu – Runkuraqay

• 05.30 hrs After waking up very early and enjoying a hot breakfast, we will begin a steep ascent to the highest pass, Warmihuañusca pass or Paso de la mujer muerta at 4,200 masl. This day, you will feel a real sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit, after a well-deserved rest, we will begin the descent to Pacaymayu where we will stop for lunch (3,550 masl).
• On our way to the pass, we will be able to see a variety of hummingbirds and a combination of other bird species. We will have plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and ‘Polylepis’ or Q’ueuña trees that grow in the amazing cloud forest located at 3,650 masl.
• After lunch, we begin the second steep 2-hour climb to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4,000 masl). We will arrive at our campsite at 17.00 hrs. Temperatures in this camp are 4ºC during the night.

Camp: RUNKURAQAY
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – Agency

Day 3: Pacaymayu – Wiñayhuayna

• 06.00 hrs This is the most impressive day, keep this in mind when ascending on day three. We will rise for breakfast and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (meaning City in the Clouds).
• Here we reach the third highest point of the Inca Trail (3,680 masl). The views of the mountains, canyons and surroundings are spectacular, the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca is a few minutes walk from the third pass.
•  After visiting this site, we continue down 3,000 stairs through the cloud forest to the impressive Inca agricultural site of Intipata. After taking some time to visit the site, we will continue until we reach our third camp Wiñay Wayna (2,680 masl).
• Today, we will only walk for about 4 to 5 hours. We will arrive at the camp at lunch time. Temperatures during the night are approximately 12º C.
• A few steps from our camp is the famous Inca site of Wiñay Wayna or Forever Young. Even if you feel tired after the hike, it is a moment not to be missed, as it is the most impressive site on the Inca Trail.

Camping: WIÑAYHUAYNA.

Breakfast – Passenger / Lunch & Dinner – Agency

Day 4: Wiñayhuayna – Inti Punku – Machupichu – Cusco

• 04.00 hrs It is time to get up, have breakfast and start the 4th day on the Inca Trail to arrive on time to Machu Picchu. This is the final part of our trip.
• 06.00 hrs We will arrive at Inti Punku or the Sun Gate. At that point, the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu is in front of us with its intense beauty, an incredible sight for everyone. The reality of what the Inca people must have encountered on their exhausting journey to this expansive temple of Machu Picchu.
• At this point, we walk downhill to the citadel of Machu Picchu (2,400 m.a.s.l.). After walking 40 minutes, we enter the citadel from the top through the House of the Guardians. From there we proceed to the checkpoint where we register and leave our belongings.
• The guide will lead us through the amazing ruins and its main streets. We will stroll through the city squares and climb the intricately carved staircases made of stone.
• Machu Picchu is considered the spiritual center of the world for esoteric wisdom. Once the guided tour is over, you will have free time to explore the site on your own.
• We will also have time to enjoy climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there some of the following activities on your own if you wish, also in Aguas Calientes visit the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs (not included in the price).
• At the end of the tour, we will descend to Aguas Calientes and then board the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo train station. At the station we will meet our transportation and transfer to the hotel in Cusco.

Breakfast – Agency / Lunch & Dinner- Passenger