Our trek starts at the 82Km or Piscacucho. As opposed to every other travel company, we won’t enter into the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu at this location. Instead, we will walk along the right bank of the Urubamba River towards Qoriwairachina or 88Km. As we follow an original off the beaten track Inka Trail, we will pass the Inkan sites of Rumipunku and Salapunku; these are some of the Inkan sites that no other trekker on the Inka trail gets to visit. At Qoriwairachina, we will not check in with the park rangers yet; instead, we will hike for an extra mile to visit the impressive Inkan site of Machu Q’ente. After your guide gives a brief presentation of this wonderful place, we will walk back towards Qoriwairachina to make our official entry into the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. At Qoriwairachina we will see the foundations of an ancient Inkan hanging bridge and a watchtower. After a well-deserved lunch break, we will walk uphill for one hour to visit the impressive Incan site of Wayna Qente; another of the off the beaten track archaeological site that only our exclusive tour allows us to visit. In this place, we will explore the ruins of Wayna Qente and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Urubamba Mountain range and the snowcapped peak of Wakay Willca (Veronica), which is located at 5860m/19225ft. We will stop here to watch the sunset over a nice cup of hot cocoa before we continue to our campsite at Chamana, next to the Incan site of PataLllaqta.
On this day, we will walk towards the Llaqtapata Inkan site, which is a massive city built at the juncture of the Urubamba and Wayllabamba rivers. We will visit the religious area of Pulpituyoq and part of the urban area before we continue hiking towards Wayllabamba. From Wayllabamba we will take a brief detour to explore the Incan site of Inka Rakay, before we return to have lunch at Wayllabamba. In the afternoon, the trek will turn a bit strenuous as we start the climb towards our campsite. Due to the vast changes in the ecosystems in the area, flora and fauna on this part of the trek are incredibly varied. You will see many birds such as hummingbirds and other exotic birds, plants, and trees such as the ‘Polilepys’ or Q’ueuña tree which grows in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft! You will feel a real sense of achievement reaching the campsite at Lluluchapampa from where we will be able to see the highest point of the trail, the Warmihuañusca/ Dead Woman’s Pass’ 4200m/13779ft.
This is a challenging day for us. We will keep climbing the mountain towards the Abra de warmihuañusca/Dead Woman’s Pass 4200m/13779ft. The views from here are simply amazing. Once we get to the highest point and we take the mandatory pictures, we will continue to go downhill for about 2.5 hours, towards Pacayamayo, our lunch spot. After lunch, we will climb the second mountain pass of the trail. Along the way, we will visit the unique Incan sites of ‘Runcuracay’ and ‘Sayacmarca’ and gaze at the magnificent scenery as you pass through the lovely cloud forest. Our campsite will be located right outside the Inca site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’)
Early in the morning before breakfast we will go on a short climb towards the Incan religious center called “Ushnu” to observe the sunrise. It is here we will be served hot chocolate and sandwiches for breakfast. After we pack our things, we will head downhill towards Machu Picchu and the Sun Gate. The trail in this part is quite steep and full of steps, the altitude loss will be quite dramatic as we will be dropping almost 1000m/3000ft in altitude. Along the way we will visit the Inkan sites of Phuyupatmarca, Intipata and Winaywayna. This last place is perhaps one of the most beautiful sites of the whole Incan trail. After lunch we will head towards Intipunku and Machupicchu. Our goal is to reach Machu Picchu right before sunset and the closing time for Machu Picchu. Once Machu Picchu is closed, we will take a 30- minute bus ride towards Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night.
All locations or itineraries are subject to change depending on time of bookings, and campsites provided by INC (institution that runs the Inca Trail).
We will wake up early in the morning to catch one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. Once at Machu Picchu we will go on a 3-hour tour of this beautiful Incan site. Our guide will explain the history of this site part by part. After the tour has concluded, you will go on your alternative adventures toward the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains respectively. In the afternoon, we will catch our train back to Cusco.
Trek Briefing: A detailed briefing held at our Cusco office the evening before your trek to prepare you with essential information, including duffle bag logistics.
Expert Guides: Our bilingual guides are licensed and extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of the Inca civilization, ensuring you have both enjoyable and educational experiences throughout your trek.
Transportation: Convenient round-trip transportation from Cusco to the trailhead at Kilometer 82, making your journey hassle-free.
Professional Support Team: A dedicated team of chefs and porters will carry our camping gear, set up camps, and prepare delicious meals, allowing you to enjoy the hike.
Meals: Enjoy four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners made from organic, locally-sourced ingredients, ensuring you stay nourished during your journey.
Camping Equipment: Stay comfortable with a high-quality tent shared by two people, equipped with foam mats for a restful night’s sleep under the stars.
Guided Tour at Machu Picchu: Experience a guided tour of the iconic remains to understand the significance of this archaeological marvel.
Bus and Train Transfers: Included are bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town and train tickets back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.
Safety Equipment: We prioritize your safety, providing first-aid kits, oxygen, and experienced staff trained in wilderness first aid.
Additional Amenities: vegetarian meal options available upon request.
Porter Services:
Important Note: Our porters carry cooking and camping gear only. If you don’t want to carry your personal belongings on the trail, we recommend hiring an extra porter. If you choose to rent sleeping bags and pads, they typically weigh about 3 kg. However, keep in mind that if you rent camping gear from us, we won’t carry those items.
Don’t wait! Book your Inca Trail and Machu Picchu tour with us today for an unforgettable adventure!
When choosing a destination for your backpacking trip, it is important to consider the level of difficulty of the trail and the weather conditions. Some popular backpacking destinations include national parks, wilderness areas, and mountain ranges. It is also important to obtain any necessary permits and to be aware of any regulations or rules for the area you plan to visit.
The classic route of the Inca Trail stretches approximately 26 miles (42 kilometers)and is typically completed over a period of four days, allowing trekkers to explore the magnificent scenery and historical elements along the way.
Absolutely! To hike the Inca Trail, you must obtain a permit. These permits are limited to about 500 per day (including guides and porters), making early booking essential—ideally several months in advance.
The prime hiking season for the Inca Trail falls between April and October, coinciding with Peru’s dry season. June through August is the peak season, attracting more trekkers due to favorable weather conditions.
A moderate level of fitness is recommended for the Inca Trail. While you don’t need to be an expert hiker, some sections can be challenging due to significant altitude changes and varying terrain
When preparing for your trek, essential items to include are:
There are no established age limits for the Inca Trail. However, children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult, and some tour operators may enforce their own age restrictions.
A typical Inca Trail tour package includes:
Our organized tours provide well-prepared meals by a designated cook accompanying the group. Be sure to communicate any dietary restrictions upon booking to ensure your needs are accommodated.
With peaks reaching 13,828 feet (4,215 meters), altitude can be challenging on the Inca Trail. It’s crucial to acclimatize by spending a few days in Cusco before your trek to minimize the risk of altitude sickness.
If permits for the Inca Trail sell out, consider alternative routes like the Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, or Inca Jungle Trek, all of which offer stunning views and lead to Machu Picchu.
