INCA TRAIL

Arrival in Cusco – You will be collected from the airport for a 20-minute ride into town, where you will be accommodated at your hotel. Cusco is one of the world’s top travel destinations and offers many activities. There are several wonderful art and history museums that can be visited, countless shops with a great variety of handicrafts, a wide variety of restaurants, pubs, numerous churches and cathedrals, and other outstanding historic architectural buildings line the cobblestone streets. Hotel: bed and breakfast sharing rooms. Meals: lunch and dinner not included.

Sacred Valley Tour – After an early breakfast, we will travel by bus through the Sacred Valley to the ancient, picturesque town of Chinchero with its fascinating archaeological history. Along the way, we will enjoy commanding views of the snow-capped Andes mountains and the river below. We will then travel to Pisac, which is strategically located on a ridge-top overlooking two scenic valleys that have extensive Inca agricultural terraces. We continue on through the Urubamba Valley with its quaint villages, terraced valleys, and towering snow-capped peaks. After lunch, we will travel to Calca and, finally, to Ollantaytambo for a tour of this ancient Inca fortress and city. Hotel – bed and breakfast sharing rooms. Meals: lunch included; dinner not included. Duration: 8 – 9 hours.

Cusco –> Wayllabamba – We depart Cusco early morning by bus and continue our drive through the Sacred Valley to the community of Piscaycucho (2,700 m), where we cross the Urubamba River by bridge and our trek of the Inca Trail begins! We will walk along the left-hand shore of the Urubamba River, enjoying stunning views of the snow-capped Mount Veronica (5,830 m) and the Inca archeological remains at Llactapata. Continuing through lush farmland and woodlands, we gradually climb for approximately 5 hours to our first campsite at Wayllabamba (3,000 m). Meals: lunch, dinner, snacks, and tea time. Duration: 5-6 hours walking time. Distance: 12 kilometres.

Wayllabamba –> Pacaymayo – After breakfast and an early start, we begin a steep climb through Andean cloud forest and puna grasslands to the highest point on our trek, Warminwanusca or Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200 m). As we climb, we can appreciate the wide variety of plant, flower, and bird species supported by this unique eco-climate. Once we reach the pass, our efforts are rewarded by an astonishing panoramic view of the Vilcanota and Vilcabamba mountain ranges. From here, we descend into the Pacaymayo River Valley and on to our second campsite (3,600 m). Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and tea time. Duration: 6 -7 hours. Distance: 11 kilometres.

Pacaymayo –> Wiñay Wayna – On this day, we follow ancient stone paths and steps to the well-preserved Inca remains of Runkurakay, Sayaqmarca, and PhuyuPatamarca. During our visit to the sites, we can appreciate the Incas’ complex architectural style and reverence for natural geography and beauty. Heading down the sub-tropical Andean slope, we reach another strategic and aesthetically situated site at Wiñay Wayna, where we camp for the night (2,700 m). Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and tea time. Duration: 8 hours. Distance: 16 kilometres.

Wiñay Wayna –> Machu Picchu –> Agua Calientes – Leaving Wiñay Wayna, we descend gradually through the highland jungle to our destination: the Inti Punku “Sun Gate” and the final section of the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu. It is believed that the steps were a control gate for those who entered and exited this sacred city. Arriving at daybreak, we will catch our first breathtaking views of this architectural wonder and have the rest of the morning to learn about and explore the Machu Picchu Sanctuary before taking the bus (5 km) to Aguas Calientes. Meals: breakfast, snacks, and dinner at the hotel. Lunch for own account. Duration: 2 hours walking time. Distance: 4 kilometres. Hotel: Overnight at the hotel includes breakfast. Dinner for own account.

Machu Picchu –> Cusco – We have a 2-hour train and 2-hour bus ride back to Cusco. Hotel: bed and breakfast sharing rooms. Meals: Breakfast at the hotel and a snack on the train. Lunch and dinner for own account.

Depart Cusco – Departure for onward journey or Amazon Add-on. See the separate information pack for Amazon.