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Over 300 species of orchid have been counted in the Machu Picchu historic sanctuary, as well as numerous rare birds, animals, reptiles, including several species considered to be in danger of extinction. During the days of hiking (approximately 6 hours or 12km a day), you will be looked after by our crew. This includes : a professional bilingual guide who will explain to you the wonders of the Inca Empire, an excellent cook, and Quechua porters. You will be staying in well-maintained campsites with flushing toilets.

You will get your first glimpse of the marvelous and mysterious Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. You will have enough free time to appreciate these amazing sights and to relax in the hot springs before you take the train back to Cusco.

In order to complete the Inca Trail, you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness - age shouldn't be a barrier. Our oldest trekker so far was 76 years old. The most important thing is to be well acclimated to the altitude, as the maximum height above sea level along the way is 4200m. Therefore we recommend anyone who comes from the coast to spend at least 3 days in Cusco before attempting this trek. This period is the ideal opportunity to visit the city of Cusco, the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, and the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 : CUSCO / KM 82 / WAYLLABAMBA (12 km.)

The first day of the trek is relatively easy and serves as training for the days to follow. We pick you up from your hotel at around 6:30 am. We will travel by bus, passing through many picturesque villages such as Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo in the sacred valley of the Incas where we stop for about 30 minutes to buy some goods such as walking sticks, rain ponchos, or to have breakfast. Then we continue down river up to km. 82 (trailhead).

After taking the first group pictures we cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right. After passing through small farms, you will see the Inca fort of Willkaraccay before reaching the mouth of the Cusichaca River (Happy Legs River). When the Incas conquered the area, they built a fortress here as the site commanded an excellent view across the Urubamba Valley, and controlled the entrance to the Cusichaca valley. From this trail, there are great views of the Urubamba mountain range and the snow-capped peak of Veronica (5750 m). There is also a great view over the extensive Inca ruins of Llactapata or Patallacta, which means “Upper Town“ in Quechua and was first discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.It was used primarily as an agricultural station to supply the inhabitants of Machu Picchu with maize, which was the staple crop of the Incas. The settlement is comprised of over one hundred buildings, including houses for the workers and soldiers, and five baths.
For a further 7km, the trail follows the left bank of the river up to the small village of Wayllabamba (3,000 m). The name in Quechua means “the place of the morning dew”. It is here we will spend the night. This is the last inhabited town on the way to Machupicchu.

DAY 2 :  WAYLLABAMBA / PACAYAMYU (11 km)

On the second day, you will climb up from Wayllabamba following the left bank of the Llulluchayoc river for about one hour. This will bring us to Tres Piedras (three stones) and a small bridge over the Huayruro River. There is a small campsite here, which is sometimes used on day one if the group is making good progress. The stream is named after the Huayruro, an ornamental tree. Its seeds are red and black. Many of the porters from the Ollantaytambo district are also known as Huayruros because of their traditional red and black ponchos. A little further on, you’ll enter a beautiful cloud forest.
After a two-hour trek through steep woods and increasingly spectacular terrain, we will arrive above the treeline at a meadow known as Llulluchapampa (3,800m). It is another 1½ hours climb to the first and highest point of the trail (Abra de Huarmiwañusqa or Dead Woman´s pass) at 4,200m During this part of the trail, hikers are exposed to the Andean elements : first the scorching sun and then, closer to the pass, the freezing winds. Once at the top, hikers can celebrate having completed the most difficult section of the trail. The descent from the pass is steep although not difficult. It follows the trail on the left side of the valley to the valley floor to the 2nd campsite at Pacaymayo (3,600m).

DAY 3 : PACAYMAYO TO WIÑAYWAYNA (17 Km.)

From Pacaymayo, it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay. These small, circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Pacaymayo Valley below. Another 45 minutes of hiking will bring us to the top of the second pass, Abra de Runcuracay (3,900m). The descent down the steps is steep, so take care especially when it is wet. After about one hour from the 2nd pass, you’ll arrive at Sayacmarca by climbing a superbly designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means “Inaccessible Town”, and describes the position of the ruins perfectly, as they are protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. You will have to backtrack a little to rejoin the trail as it passes Conchamarca, a small Inca dwelling situated in the shadows of Sayacmarca. This was probably used as a tambo for weary travelers on their way to Machu Picchu.
The path then descends into a magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the rock. The trail then climbs up to the third pass (3,700m). The view from the pass offers excellent views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (6,271m) and Veronica (5,750 m). A few minutes after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive of the Inca ruins so far. The meaning of these ruins is “City Inside the Cloud”, which were probably used for the ritual worship of water.
After about an hour of walking through cloud forest, we may be able to see the tin roof of the trekkers hostal at Wiñaywayna. It will probably take another two hours until we arrive. Wiñaywuayna is the last official campsite before Machu Picchu. There is a restaurant where you can purchase soft drinks, snacks, and even a well-deserved beer. You can also use the hot showers for 5 soles.
A short trail leaves from the Southern end of the hostal to the ruins of Wiñaywayna. The name in Quechua means “Forever Young”, and is named after the variety of pink orchids, which grow here. The ruins are comprised of magnificent agricultural terraces set in an impressive location. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10 baths, which suggests that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship of water. The cleansing ritual may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the trail to Machupicchu.

DAY 4 : WIÑAY WAYNA TO MACHU PICCHU ( 5 Km.) - CUSCO

We’ll wake up early at 4:00am. After breakfast, we will set off on the trail to see the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu (at around 7am). The trail goes around the mountain side, and drops into a cloud forest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Suddenly, the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you. It is another 30 minutes walk down to Machu Picchu itself. We’ll arrive at the Watchman’s Hut from where you’ll be able to appreciate the ruins in all their glory. This is the classic postcard viewpoint.
Then we descend to the main entrance to leave our backpacks in a secure deposit. We then re-enter the ruins for a guided tour of the major sections of the ruins with your guide. The tour takes about 3 hours, after which you’ll have free time to explore the ruins independently if you have any energy left, there is enough time to climb Huayna Picchu, which is the steep mountain you see dominating the background of the ruins, the summit offers superb views of the ruins. After exploring by yourself you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. There are regular buses down to the village ($US4.50 and it takes 25 minutes) or you can walk (60 minutes), so you can return whenever you want. The guide will tell you a time and location for the group to meet up in Aguas Calientes so your guide can give you your return train tickets. After eating lunch, you may want to relax in the hot springs. We then  take the train back to Cusco, the end of our service

TREK OPTIONS  

(1) Personal porter.- can be hired to help carry your personal items such as sleeping bag, mattress (we will provide you with this), complete change of clothes, etc. however the porter will not walk at your side during the trek so you will still need to bring a day pack to carry essential items such as water, snacks, camera, rain poncho, etc. If you hire an extra porter we will give you a big sack for the porter.
(1) An extra night in Aguas Calientes.- can easily be arranged for you if required. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to trek costs.
(2) Vegetarian Meals.- We can provide vegetarian meals or special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days prior to trek departure.
(3) Sleeping bag hire.-We have sleeping bags in our office for rent. 

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