Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo at a time that will be confirmed at your briefing. After a delicious breakfast, we will drive to Km 82, the starting point of the Inca Trail. The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy, leading to our first Inca site, Patallacta, an ancient checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu. After another 2-hour hike, we will stop for lunch. Then, we will hike for 2½ hours more to reach our first night's campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters). On this last stretch, we will pass through 2 small communities where you can buy snacks, drinks, and other essentials.

We will arrive at our campsite by 5:00 PM. After settling in, you can relax and enjoy a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chefs, and guides. Dinner will be served at 7:30 PM, followed by a well-deserved night's rest.

On the second day of the Inca Trail, your porters will wake you up early with a cup of coca tea. We will have an early start, as this is our longest day.

We will hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman's Pass (4215 meters/13829 feet). At the pass, we will take a short break to enjoy the breathtaking views before descending into the Pacaymayu Valley (Hidden River).

After a 1.5-hour descent, we will stop for lunch. After lunch, we will begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It is a 2-hour hike over the pass, where we will stop at the small Inca site of Runcu Raccay to see two large waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley.

Upon crossing the second pass, it is another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site of Sayacmarca—an otherwise inaccessible village. Here, we will rest and have a quick tour.

Subsequently, we will have the privilege of watching the sunset cast its enchanting glow over the Vilcabamba mountain range.

Day 3 is often considered to be the most beautiful day of the Inca Trail. We will wake up early, at 6:30 AM, and start our trek with a gentle 2-hour ascent into the Cloud Forest.

Along the way, we will have the opportunity to see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and the majestic Vilcabamba mountain range.

Towards the end of the gradual incline, we will begin our ascent to the highest peak of the day, Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters). From here, we will have stunning views of the Urubamba River and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain.

From Phuyupatamarka, we will descend for 3 hours via a series of stone steps to our final campsite, near Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and is a popular campsite due to its proximity to the citadel.

During our descent, we will explore two Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We will arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM to have lunch.

After lunch, we will relax and prepare for our final day at Machu Picchu. At around 4:30 PM, your guide will give you a short orientation, followed by a 1.5-hour exploration of the Inca ruins at Wiñay Wayna. Your guide will explain the significance of the site and summarize all the information you have learned throughout the trek, so that you are fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day.

In the evening, there is a traditional ceremony to introduce our team to our guests and to thank them for their hard work.

Rise bright and early at 3:30 AM to embark on your final leg of the journey. Breakfast awaits at 4:00 AM, and assemble at the checkpoint at 5:30 AM to be among the first to set forth when the gates open. Bid farewell to your devoted team of porters and chefs before pressing on toward the Sun Gate, known as Inti Punku

From the Sun Gate, a breathtaking vista unfolds, revealing the majestic mountains and a resplendent Machu Picchu in all its grandeur. By 6:30 AM, arrive at the Sun Gate and from there, it's merely an hour-long trek downhill, leading to the fabled Lost City of the Incas.

As you approach Machu Picchu, the cityscape becomes increasingly mesmerizing, offering a truly captivating view. Around 7:40 AM, reach the final checkpoint and gain entry into Machu Picchu, where you'll commence your private 2-hour guided tour.

Post-tour, you'll receive your bus tickets for your descent to Aguas Calientes, affording you ample free time to explore the city at your leisure or even undertake the ascent of one of the nearby mountains, such as Huaynapicchu (pre-arrangements required).

Your guide may propose a rendezvous in the village of Aguas Calientes for your last lunch at a local eatery, though this is optional and not included. During this meal, your guide will distribute train tickets. If you choose to forgo the lunch, kindly arrange to collect your tickets before parting ways at Machu Picchu.

Unless you've arranged for an upgraded train, we'll secure reservations for the Expedition class train, departing Aguas Calientes at either 2:55 PM or 3:20 PM. Please ensure you're on the platform at least 30 minutes before departure. This 2-hour train journey will transport you to either Ollantaytambo or Poroy, where a dedicated Alpaca driver will be awaiting your arrival. They will chauffeur you back to the city aboard our bus and drop you off at your hotel, completing this remarkable journey.