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Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (4 days / 3 nights)
Itinerary
Peru's best known hike, visited by thousands
of tourists every year. The classical 43-km trek leading
to the Sacred Inca City of Machu Picchu combines the
visit of mysterious archaeological sites, amazing mountain
scenery and lush cloud forest rich in Andean flora and
fauna. Machu Picchu is reached at sunrise on the fourth
day.
Itinerary
Day
1: Cusco - Wayllabamba.- Between
4:00 and 4:30 am, we will pick you up at your hotel
in our own private bus. We will then drive to Piskacuchu
(2700 m.a.s.l), a community located on the 82nd kilometer
of the Cusco -Machu Picchu railroad. Starting at this
point, we will cross the bridge and walk along the left
shore of the Urubamba River as it flows north-west along
the Sacred Valley.
Following the trail along a flat terrain, we will arrive
in Miskay (2800 m.a.s.l), to then ascend and finally
see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the Inca
city of Patallacta (2750 m.a.s.l). We will continue
trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca river,
gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach
our first campsite in the Wayllabamba village (3000
m.a.s.l). All along the way we will see spectacular
views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of
the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak
reigns at 5832 meters above sea level. Not to mention
the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found
all along the valley.
Day 2: Wayllabamba - Pacaymayo.- We
will wake up at around 6:00 am, and after breakfast
we will leave Wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult
part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep
ascent that stretches for 9 km. Along this climb, the
landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high
area with little vegetation). On the way to the first
mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman's
Pass), we will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing
on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at that altitude.
We will also cross an area of the so called cloud forest,
which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds
like hummingbirds and sparrows and the Andean bear,
which is also called the Spectacled Bear ( Tremarctus
Ornatus). We advise that on this day specially, your
day pack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and
coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and
help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass,
we will descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600 m.a.s.l),
where we will camp after approximately 6h of hiking.
Day 3: Pacaymayo - Wiñay Wayna.- This
day is the longest but also the most impressive and
the most interesting, due the number of archaeological
sites that we will visit and learn about from our guide.
From Pacaymayo we will climb to the second pass, the
Abra de Runkurakay (3970 m.a.s.l). Half way up, we will
visit the archaeological complex with the same name.
This site, located at 3800 m.a.s.l, consists of a small
oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose
of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we will
descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the
cloud-forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624 m.a.s.l).
This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular
construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow
streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation
canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we will arrive
at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700
m.a.s.l). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude
of the Incas' ancient craft, by walking along paths
semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that
fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from
the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an
Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass
and down to the complex of the same name. This is one
of the most complete and best preserved archaeological
complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and
is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously,
Phuyupatamarca means "town over the clouds".
From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex
made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and
also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and
the long descending stone steps along which we will
continue on to Wiñay Wayna (2700 m.a.s.l). At
this campsite we will find a lodge with a restaurant,
bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite has
the same name as the complex located only five minutes
away from the lodge. Wiñay Wayna is an impressive
complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous
terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector.
Day 4: Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu.- On
this fourth and last day we will get up at 4.00 am to
leave Wiñay Wayna an hour later and climb to
Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This will take an hour of
hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of
cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot,
we will see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu
Picchu. From Intipunku we will descend into Machu Picchu,
and 40 minutes later we will enter the citadel from
the highest point through the "House of the Guardians".
We will then descend to the control point where we will
register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We will
immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca
citadel that will take approximately two hours. You
will then have free time to walk around, climb the Huayna
Picchu mountain, where one can experience spectacular
views of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains
that surround it, or you can visit the Temple of the
Moon and the fabulous Inca bridge. In the afternoon,
we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if
you like, you can visit and relax in the thermal baths.
From here we will take the train to the city of Cusco,
where we will arrive after nightfall.
* Departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to the
designation of the governmental institution regulating
the use of the Inca Trail.
Back Adventure
info@peruexpediciones.com
 perutour@hotmail.com
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