The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Welcome to Peru! Arrive Lima and transfer to the Wyndham Airport Hotel located adjacent to the terminal.

Arrive Cusco and enjoy a city tour with your guide including the Qoricancha Temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun, the cathedral on the Main Square, and finally, the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a colossal stone structure, carved and fitted together with incredible precision.

Today you’ll head to the Sacred Valley by way of Chinchero. Your journey continues up to the Moray archeological site. Used as an agricultural testing ground, the site’s system of concentric terraces served as a perfect agricultural laboratory for the Incas. Next, head to the Maras salt works. Here, over 5,000 evaporative salt ponds are hand-tended and produce some of the purest salt in the world.

Today is your warm-up hiking day. Head far above Ollantaytambo to Huilloc and hike down through remote farmhouses and roaming llama herds to the bucolic village of Patacancha. Here you’ll meet a local family for a traditionally prepared lunch, tour their homestead, and learn about their way of life. Visit with local weavers and learn what it takes to create the amazing and intricate textiles this region is known for.

Today your Inca trail trek begins! Rise at dawn and you’ll begin the scenic trek starting from a section of the Inca Trail that few people visit. You’ll cross the Urubamba River at a more remote spot than most trekkers do. Your first break is at the ruins of Q’oriwayrachina, a complex of 200 ancient stone structures. After a picnic lunch, cross the Urubamba River at Q’ente and, time permitting, visit the archaeological sites of Wayna Q’ente and Llactapata. It’s amazing to stroll amid the Inca stone walls, hand-made stairs, and other ancient constructions, all set amid the vast terraces covering the nearby hillsides. Arrive at your group’s private campsite at Chamana, a small village that’s part of the Llaqtapata Community. Enjoy a hot shower before dinner and an amazingly comfortable night’s sleep. 6.5 miles; 5 hours

Today is a full day of trekking. Continue your journey up the Cusichaca Valley, passing houses inhabited by farmers and herdsmen, until the Andean community of Huayllabamba. From here, the cobble-stoned Inca Trail ascends steeply through an ancient native forest bursting with exotic birdsong. The trail begins to level out just before reaching your private campsite at Llulluchapampa, situated just below the first pass. Here, you are surrounded by the breathtaking views of Mt. Huayanay and a first glimpse of the rare Quenua cloud forest. The reddish bark of the stands of Polyepis trees peels into paper-like sheets, hence their familiar name, “Paper Tree.” Hot soup on arrival and a hearty dinner punctuate this active day. 7.5 miles; 8 hours

Today begins with a challenging but steady ascent up to Warmiwanusqa, the Dead Woman’s Pass at 13,871 feet, where you’re met with panoramic views all the way to the Sacred Valley. Your reward is a long descent down to the Pacaymayo River and a hearty picnic lunch in Pacaymayo. This afternoon, you’ll ascend up to the ruins of Runkuraqay and the second pass of the day at 13,018 feet. Now trekking along a ridge above the beautiful Aobamba Valley, you’ll pass a dry lake and enter into the mist-filled Andean cloud forest, where you can spot hummingbirds, butterflies, and delicate orchids of various brilliant hues.

On clear days, the snow-capped Mt. Salkantay and Mt. Pumasillo silhouette the horizon. Tonight camp is set at Phuyupatamarca, whose name in Quechua means “village at the edge of the clouds”. 7.5 miles; 8 hours

Today you’ll get your first glimpse of the citadel of Machu Picchu! Awaken early for a short hike up the hill from your campsite, where the porters will help you greet the splendid sunrise with steaming cups of tea. This site is known to deliver some of the most radiant sunrise views in the entire Machu Picchu Sanctuary. After breakfast, you’ll strike off for the ruins at Phuyupatamarca. These ruins contain an irrigation system that was built over five centuries ago, and still works today! Descend off the ridge into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”). Walking in the Inca’s footsteps, along the very same trail they once used, you’ll continue through the cloud forest until Intipunku (the Gate of the Sun) and the entrance to the Machu Picchu complex. From the gate, the great city in the sky will spread out below in a surreal panorama. After some time soaking up the glorious view, you’ll take a bus to the village of Aguas Calientes. 7 miles; 7.5 hours

A quick, half-hour bus ride brings you up the road to the gates of Machu Picchu, where you’ll enjoy a half-day tour led by your expert guide. Exploring the different pathways and entering some of the houses and temples brings these iconic ruins to life. As you immerse yourself in this mystical place, the mind cannot help but wonder what life was like here. The fit and bold may be so inclined to scale Huayna Picchu for a bird’s eye view over this mountain settlement – be sure to inquire ahead about this. In the afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes where a train will take you to the Sacred Valley.

The morning is yours to rest in the tranquility of the valley or head to Cusco for some last-minute souvenir shopping before heading to the airport to catch your departing international flight.