4 DAYS INCA TRAIL TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

Today is the climax day hiking through the most popular ancient past through highlands to Machu Picchu citadel of the Incas.

Around 5:30AM the travelers will be collected for their hotels in downtown – Cusco. The travelers will be transferred by private van with enough room for the backpacks, foods and the other personal items. This journey goes through Andean village of Chincheros, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba and finally Chilca. The tour guide will recommend stopping at Ollantaytambo to have country breakfast (no included in the trek price).

After 3 hours of drive the journey ends at kilometer 82, this point is the trail head of the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Before to start the hike the hiker will make the check in at the control point, this is the place to check everything before to start the hiking.

The trail takes us to the first Inca ruins as Huillca Raccay, this offer spectacular view of Urubamba valley and the Cusi Chacca River. The trekking includes break stop for pictures and relaxing according your felling.

Continue hiking on the left bank of Urubamba River the hiker will be awarded with spectacular views of Veronica snowcapped mountain, this is considerate one of the highest mountain with 5870 meters above sea level on the Cordillera Urubamba (Urubamba Mountain range).

After 3 hours of hike you will enjoy the lunch near of Llaqtapata ruins (Upper Town in Quechua ancient language) and surrounded by pure nature and amazing views and of course guided visit of the ruins.

3 hours more of uphill and following the ancient path by the left bank of the river (around 7 kilometers) the hikers will arrived to the little village of Wayllabamba. This place will be to set up the tents and spend the first night at 3000 meter above the sea level.

MEALS INCLUDED

Lunch, tea time and dinner.

Available COLD SHOWER in the camp site.

After country breakfast the hikers will be ready to leave the first campsite and start the hike following the ancient path along the left bank of the Lluyuchayoc River. Today we recommend to hike very slow and take your time because is the hardest day to climb up the pass. After 1 or 2 hours arrival to Tres Piedras (Three Stones), there is small bridge to be crossed named Wayruro (seed of good fortune) and there the hiker will stop for break and use the toilets facilities before to continue going up through cloud forest.

Uphill hike for around 3 or 4 hours depending your physical condition and seeing spectacular views of Lluyucha Pampa (3680M). Continuing going up and following the amazing landscape you will get to the first and highest pass of the Inca trail, called in Quechua ancient language “Abra Huarmy Wañusca” or Ingles means "Dead Woman's Pass" (4200M). The final part of the uphill trail will be the hardest because the altitude start to make effect to the hiker don’t got good acclimatization before to this trek. PERU ADVENTURE TOURS recommend expending few nights at 3400 meters above sea level (Cusco) before to do this trek and reach this pass.

At the Abra Huarmy Wañusca normally many people reach this altitude and this is the best award for celebrate. Some hikers bring some special drink to share with the others taking resting, making pictures and if weather permit seeing spectacular scenes of uphill trail where some people still are making the effort to reach top.

After plenty time on the top we start a nice downhill path to the second campsite at Paqaymayo valley (3600 meters above sea level). This valley offer nice views of the mountain range.

MEALS INCLUDED

Breakfast, lunch, tea time and dinner.

Available COLD SHOWER in the camp site.

Today the hiker will have breakfast at 7AM and the start another 15km of hiking passing through archaeological site as Runkuracay (Pile of ruins). This circular complex is located on the top of a mountain and between the border of the Andean climate and the cloud forest. To reach these ruins the trail climbs steeply up the opposite side of the valley towards the second pass. The investigation says this was a place to storage food and contains sleeping areas for the Inca army.

After the guide tour of Runkuracay we follow the trail leads us to the second larger Inca ruins as known Sayaqmarca (Dominant Town or Inaccessible Town). On the way to the ruins the hikers passing through two small beautiful lagoons next of the trail. After Sayaqmarca the trail winds through jungle with orchids and bromeliads, through a tunnel, and along ridge above Urubamba River to Puyupatamarca (Town in the clouds). With stunning views of Salcantay, Veronica, and Pumasillo. Puyupatamarca, spreads out on either side of the trail with many agricultural terraces, a long series of baths (one and then a run of five going down the slope), and at the top of the site a large bedrock platform. Some archaeologists interpret the site as primarily a place to worship the mountains, but also see important water source association with the springs feeding the baths. Puyupatamarca offer spectacular place to have lunch seeing the surrounded mountains.

From Puyupatamarca descends via steep staircase to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) is an Inca complex neighbor to Machu Picchu, on an elevated perch overlooking the Urubamba River. The site consists of upper and lower house complexes connected by a staircase and fountain structures, beside the houses lies and area of agricultural terraces. This place was discovered in 1941 by Paul Fejos.

After exploring the ruins we go to the campsite, there is a little hostel and restaurant where you can purchase some drinks available.

Wiñay Wayna is the last campsite before to enter to Machu Picchu.

MEALS INCLUDED

Breakfast, lunch, tea time and dinner.

Available HOT SHOWER in Wiñay Wayna old lodge for additional cost ($3.50 USD).

Today hikers will wake up early, plenty breakfast will be served in the campsite and the follow clearly market path to Inti Punku (Sun Gate). After one hour the hikers will be awarded with more than 50 steps before to reach the pass of Inti Punku.

Inti Punku or Sun Gate is entering to Machu Picchu citadel, the complex can be seeing from Inti Punku. The hikers can arrive here before sunrise and enjoy the first rays of the sun reaching Machu Pucchu.

After cross the stony door the hikers will see the magnificent and beauty of Machu Picchu, from where hikers will be able to have an impressive panoramic view of the Inca Citadel. Upon arrival to Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. Free time to stroll around the Citadel and then meet the rest of the group to be transferred by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Around 4PM the hiker will aboard the train from Aguas Calientes town to Ollantaytambo (sacred valley) and from there one more of transfer via private van to your selected hotel in Cusco.

MEALS INCLUDED

Breakfast.

NOTE

A day before the tour, you and your fellow trekkers are given a "briefing" session where you receive information and recommendations about the trek schedule, locations of the campsites, park ecological regulations (UGM the government authorities that control access to the Inca Trail - Machu Picchu is a Natural Reserve protected by the Peruvian State), equipment and essential materials, clothing, food, security aspects, first aid, transportation and a customer suggestion sheet.