Inca Trail & Cusco

Day 1: Cusco – City Tour

Welcome to the belly button of the World!!
Upon arrival in Cuzco city. Reception at the airport and transfer to your selected hotel where you will have spare time for acclimatization and avoid future problems with altitude.
In the afternoon, start the visit of the most important places of the city (city tour) As he first site we’ll visit Qoricancha Temple, the Main Square, and the Cathedral and then continue by bus to visit the archeological centers: Like Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara and finally Tambomachay. We’ll return to the hotel, and you’ll have a free evening.

Day 2: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo

Our best day to acclimatize!!!
8:30 am: We will make full-day excursion to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas and to the ancient Inca market town of Pisac. We will have lunch in Urubamba and then visit Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish. You will have a chance to explore the archeological site, over night in Ollantaytambo.

Day 3: Ollantaytambo – Wayllabamba

Lets start the Adventure!!!
Depart early in the morning from the hotel to rendezvous with our cook and Quechua porters. From Km. 82 (9,072 ft.), we hike along the bank of the Vilcanota River and views of the magnificent peaks of the Nevado Veronica (19,000 ft.). The overnight camp is on a terrace at Wayllabamba (9679 ft.). This is a 9.9-mile hike (6 hours trek).
Note: All camp gear is carried by the porters. Plus your personal things that need to be 8 kg. per person. You only have to carry a light backpack with personal essentials.

Day 4: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañuska – Pacaymayu

We can do it my friends!!!
We climb through the magical Polylepis forest to high camp at Pacaymayu (11,967 ft.). Today is one of the most demanding days of the trip as we climb to higher altitudes. The first pass at 13,750 ft., Warmiwañusca, offers views east to the Huayanay peaks and west into rugged Vilcabamba range. Camp at Pacaymayu after the 5.4-mile hike (6.5 hours).

Day 5: Pacaymayu – Runkuraqay – Sayacmarca – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna

Let’s immerse to the andean life!!!
We cross the second pass at 13,100 ft., and follow a fine Inca highway to the restored town site of Sayaqmarka. The Inca trail in this section is made up of white granite, crossing through a thick mountainside forest. We will visit the ruins of Phuyupatamarka (12,460 ft.), then descend to Wiñayhuayna to our campsite. Estimated time of 7 hours to cover 6.25 miles.

Day 6: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu

Today is the our big day!!!
We will get up very early around 4:00 am to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), to view Machu Picchu whit the first rays of the sun. That will be a hike of 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. You will be walking in darkness, so a headlight is strongly recommended. The trail is marked and takes about 1½ hours.
The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloud forest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu.
A final short hike will bring us to the entrance and into the heart of Machu Picchu itself, where we spend the rest of the morning with 2 hours guided tour and some more exploring on your own. The shuttle bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes is included, departs every 15 minutes and will be available for you descend to Aguas Calientes town.

Day 7: Cusco- Back Home

Time to say goodbye, my friends !!!!
Today is our last day is this beautiful city and our farewell, and for this reason, our Manager is going to organize an impressive Peruvian lunch in one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city. By the afternoon we are going to pick you up from your hotel to airport
Today is our last day is this beautiful city and our farewell, and for this reason, our Manager is going to organize an impressive Peruvian lunch in one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city. By the afternoon we are going to pick you up from your hotel to airport

Recommendations

• Original passport and (ISIC student card if applicable)
• A small backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Warm sleeping bag Minus 8ºC
• Lighter style trekking boots with good ankle support
• Warm clothes, layers for variable temperature especially at night
• Thermal underwear can be worn in the sleeping bag or cold conditions
• Gloves or mittens, scarf, wool socks, woolen hat for cold nights
• T-shirts and trekking pants that zip off to short pants for comfort
• Flash light, head torch, and extra batteries
• Camera and extra batteries
• Binoculars
• Wear a hat with a broad visor to keep the sun off your face
• Sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Personal medical kit, insect repellent
• Rain Gear: a good rain jacket, rain poncho
• Toiletries, toilet paper, small towel
• 2-litre water bottle, disposable plastic bottles are forbidden in Machupicchu site
• Water purifying tablets optional, since we provide boiled water
• Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
• Extra money for drinks & tips, souvenirs, etc.
• Emergency money at least 200-300 extra soles.

• Trekking backpack.
• Warm clothing for the night.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Energy snacks.
• Proper hiking footwear.
• Hat or cap for sun protection.
• Camera.