Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days

ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to Strenuous
The Inca Trail is by far the most famous trek in South America and is rated by many to be amongst the top 5 treks in the world. Over just 26 miles (43 Km) the Inca Trail combines beautiful mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest and subtropical; of course an outstanding mixes of Inca paving stones and ruins and tunnels. The final destination of the trail cannot be beaten: the mysterious Incan city of Machu Picchu. Trek with Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and you will have the experience of a lifetime!!

DAY 1: Cusco - Wayllabamba
DAY 2: Wayllabamba   - Pacaymayu
DAY 3: Pacaymayu – Wiñaywayna
DAY 4: Wiñaywayna - Cusco

DAY 1: Cusco - Wayllabamba
After breakfast we transfer you from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley to Piscaycucho (first check point and the start of the trail). Here you start hiking through the Urubamba river valley, After two hours, you will reach the first archaeological site called Patallacta, where we will appreciate the impressive landscapes and see the importance of this valley in the context of Incan history, later we will stop at Tarachayoq for lunch and then continue up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the Andean community of Huayllabamba, our first campsite. (L, D)

• (6 miles hiking, 4 - 5 hours) – Camping

DAY 2: Wayllabamba   - Pacaymayu
After breakfast, today we will start hiking early in the morning, here the trail ascends steeply to a large Pampa below the first pass, Llulluchapampa (the last chance to buy snacks or energy drinks) Here we have a breathtaking view of valley down and the Mt.  Huayanay, along the trail up this narrow hanging valley we begin to see a cloud forest with abundant vegetation of various types of trees including the Queuña tree (polilepis), a rare forest to be found in the Andes. From here we continue a steady ascent on an Inca Trail up to the Warmiwañusqa pass (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,200m (13,692ft) which affords a magnificent view of our ascent and the trail ahead of us.  Here we will take a well-deserved break and observe the beauty of the deep valleys. After the break we descend on a restored Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River, our 2nd campsite. (B, L, D)

• ( 8 miles hiking, 6 – 8 hours ) – Camping

DAY 3: Pacaymayu – Wiñaywayna
Today we ascend again to the second pass, about halfway up lies an  Inca ruins of Runkuraqay (small, round, roofless stone building and thought to have been an astrological site and a sort of checkpoint for couriers following the trail to Machupicchu), after a short tour, we will continue to ascend to the second pass at 4,050m (13,200ft). From here we walk down on the original Inca Trail, passing a small lake and the first signs of the cloud forest then we reach the second larger Inca site called Sayacmarca “Town in a Steep Place” at 3,850m (12,551ft) This Incan ruin was built on a rock overlooking the trail and is accessible only via a single narrow stone staircase. A beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley, it affords a respite for a leisurely walk through its imposing structures.  After touring we continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes, viewing Mt. Salkantay from the western side and Mt. Pumasillo, a silhouette to the north on the horizon. We will stop at this valley to enjoy lunch. After lunch we continue walking through a rolling flag stoned trail and a tunnel; then we arrive to next Incan site called Phuyupatamarca “the village on the edge of the clouds” We will learn about the ritual functions that the Incas used this site for. Here we will see water fountains that Incas bathed in before they reached Machupicchu. From here the flag stoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna “Forever Young” located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site; it has also well restored Inca Ruins. Our campsite is here. (B, L, D)

•  ( 11 miles hiking, 9 – 10 hours ) – Camping

DAY 4: Wiñaywayna - Cusco
On the last day of the trek, we will wake up early and follow a relatively flat path. After about an hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive to Intipunku “the sun gate” we have a well-deserved break watching the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu at our feet, our final destination. From here we continue hiking for one more hour to finally arrive to Machu Picchu in the same way the Incas used to come. Once you get there you will have a guided tour after that you are free to explore city on your own, take pictures, or take any of the extra hikes
Later in the mid-afternoon you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town to take the train back to Ollantaytambo then transfer to your hotel. (B)

• (4 miles hiking, 2 hours). Overnight in Cusco – Hotel

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Private transportation from your hotel to the start point of the trail.
• Entrance fee to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (Does not include the Huaynapicchu Mountain).
• Professional English speaking Tour Guide
• Professional chef and superb porters who grew up in the countryside (andean communities). They carry all the equipment, food, cooking gear, etc.
• Porters, who will carry your personal belongings (up to 6kg) – at no extra fee!!!
• Permits and entrance fees for our porters and cooks
• All the camping equipment: including dining tents, cooking tents, cooking stuff, sleeping tents, camping table with camping chairs and air mattresses.
• Complete meals during the trip (you’ll never be hungry!): 3 breakfasts, 4 snacks, 3 lunches, 3 happy hours, and 3 dinners. All of these meals are prepared by our cook and his assistant.
• Coca tea served each morning in your tent. When you wake up in the morning, you will be greeted at your tent with a selection of teas.
• Boiled water after breakfast, lunch and dinner to refill your water bottles.
• Snacks every morning.
• Oxygen tank and first aid kit.
• Vegetarian food and specialized diets on request at no extra cost.
• 2 people per tent (4 man tents, clean, waterproof)
• Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes town.
• Expedition Train back to Ollantaytambo at the end of your journey and the private transportation to your hotel.

NOT INCLUDED:

• First day breakfast.
• Last day Lunch
• Sleeping Bag (you can rent from Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu office)
• Trekking poles (you can rent from Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu office)
• Tips for your field staff are appreciated