Hike the Inca Trail

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Machu Picchu Susie Green

The Inca Trail is still largely paved with the original stones and you travel past stunning scenery and many ruins. The trail begins at the edge of the highlands and takes you all the way to the cloud forests and lofty pinnacles surrounding the sacred site of Machu Picchu. It is a challenging walk, but our guides and porters take care of hauling food and camp supplies, leaving you to enjoy the changing, breathtaking scenery. Reaching Machu Picchu as the old ones did via the Inca Trail, you will have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the ancient Incas and their sacred world.

Day 1, Friday: Arrive Lima, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in 3 or 5-star hotel.

Day 2, Saturday: To Cuzco
Transfer to airport, fly to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco and nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Punca Pucara and Tambomachay. Visiting the ruins in this order, enables us to better understand their interconnectedness.
Overnight in 3 or 5-star hotel.

Day 3, Sunday: Cuzco/Chillca/ Patallacta
Leaving the city behind, our vehicle heads north over the plateau of Chinchero. We'll view the snowcapped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon, descending into the Urumbamba Valley visiting the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo on the way. We continue for about another hour to the trailhead where our hike begins. We walk along the snowcapped peak of Mt. Veronica (Waka Wilqe) and pass by the ruins of Sallapunku and Torontoy to reach Q'oriwaynachina. From here a small bridge brings us over to Q'ente, where we will camp. There is a chance to visit the surrounding archaeological remains of Q'ente and Machu Q'ente - located amidst Inca terracing. (Time: 4-6 hours, Distance: 11 kilometers)

Day 4, Monday: Patallacta/ Llulluchapampa
Our trail begins at the moderate altitude of about 2,000 meters, and we climb slowly until we reach the Indian village of Huayllabamba. The trail ascends steeply to a large open area below the first pass, where we will camp for the night. We have a breathtaking view of Mt. Hauyanay. (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 9 kilometers)

Day 5, Tuesday: Llulluchapampa/ Phuyupatamarca
After several hours of hiking we will arrive at Warmlwanusca Pass (13,280 feet). The trail starts to descend to the Pacamayo River, climbs slowly past Runkuraqay ruins and over the pass to Sayacmarka until arrival to a dry lake where we will camp for the night. (Time: 8 hours, Distance: 9 kilometers).

Day 6, Wednesday: Phuyupatamarca/Machu Picchu
After continuing along the buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Winay Wayna. We now arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas arrived, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the Door of the Sun. Overnight at ruins or continue down for overnight in 3 or 5- star accommodations.

Day 7, Thursday: Machu Picchu/Cuzco
The entire day can be devoted to exploring the Inca ruins or the town of Aguas Calientes. The midafternoon train takes you back to Cuzco. Transfer to a 3 or 5- star hotel.

Day 8, Friday: Cuzco to Lima
Transfer to airport, fly to Lima, Lima city tour with Gold Museum.
Overnight 3 or 5-star hotel.

Day 9: Saturday: Lima/Fly home
Transfer to airport and fly home.

Date Information

Year-round departures, excluding December.

Rate Information

Price: 3-star hotel package from $2,695.00 USD, 5-star package from $3,995 USD from Lima plus air from Lima to Cusco based on double occupancy. Deposit: $500. Single supplement of 30% applies.

Tour price includes all meals while on the Inca Trail, lodging 2 nights in Lima, 2 nights in Cuzco, overnight at the ruins (5-star) or Aguas Calientes (3-star). Porters to carry bags, cooking equipment, tents, oxygen

Currently there is no lodging information avaliable please contact our office for more information.