Day 1
Today you will transfer to the airport for your flight from Lima to Cuzco. Upon arrival you will be greeted for airport reception and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is at your leisure to acclimate.
Cuzco’s elevation is approximately 3,400 meters (11,200 feet), so we highly recommend resting as soon as you arrive for a few hours and taking in some coca tea.
Note: Check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed). Also, if you take a day flight to Lima, we can accommodate a night at the airport hotel (at extra cost). Please ask your Yampu Travel Consultant.
Day 2
This morning enjoy a private walking tour of Cuzco where you will visit the Korikancha Temple, or Temple of the Sun, and the Cathedral and its Art Museum. During your private tour today you have the option to visit the Casa Concha museum or the San Pedro Market.
The Casa Concha museum was recently renovated and houses over 360 archaeological pieces from Machu Picchu, recently returned by Yale University.
San Pedro Market is a lively, local market where you will receive a briefing about the local Andean ingredients and have an opportunity to purchase them. This market visit is a great opportunity to interact with the locals either selling or purchasing items from the market.
This afternoon there will be time for lunch before continuing to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), the amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress. This afternoon, return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Note: For more adventurous travelers, we suggest an optional sunset horse back riding tour through the Sacsahuaman Ruins. Please ask your Yampu Travel Consultant for more information.
Day 3
Cusco - Huayllabamba
Between 4:00 and 4:30 am you will be greeted at your hotel and transferred by private bus to Piskacuchu (2,700 meters above sea level). A community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco - Machu Picchu railroad, this will be the starting point of your trek. You will cross the bridge and walk along the left shore of the Urubamba River that flows northwest along the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along a flat terrain, you will arrive in Miskay (2,800 meters), to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the Inca city of Patallacta (2,750 meters). Continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River as you gradually climb for about five hours until reaching your first campsite in the Huayllabamba village (3,000 meters). Along the way you will see spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5,832 meters above sea level. Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley.
Total distance: 12 km (7.5 miles). Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours. Maximum altitude point: 3,000 meters (9,840 feet). Campsite altitude: 3,000 meters (9,840 feet).
Day 4
Huayllabamba - Pacaymayo
This morning you will wake around 6 am for breakfast before leaving Huayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek. Today’s climb will consist of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for nine kilometers; along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuańusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), you will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at this high altitude. You will also cross an area of the so-called cloud forest, the habitat for a variety of bird species including hummingbirds and sparrows, and the Andean bear (also known as the Spectacled Bear).
Immediately after the pass you will descend into the Pacaymayo valley (at 3,600 meters) where you will spend the evening at camp.
Total distance: 11 kilometers (6.9 miles). Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours. Maximum altitude point: 4,200 meters (13,776 feet). Campsite altitude: 3,500 meters (11,480 feet).
Note: We strongly advise that on this day your daypack should be well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves to keep your sugar level high, and help prevent altitude sickness.
Day 5
Pacaymayo - Wińaywayna
Today is the longest day in our trek, but also the most impressive and interesting due to the number of archeological sites that you will visit and learn more about from your guide.
This morning from Pacaymayo you will climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (at 3,970 meters). Halfway up you will visit the archeological complex of Pacaymayo; this site consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower.
After traversing the pass, descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (at 3,624 meters). This is a beautiful complex of semicircular construction enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals.
Continuing up an easier climb you will arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (at 3,700 meters). Along this climb you will be able to appreciate the magnitude of the Incas’ ancient craft as you walk along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and bearing witness to rocks placed purposely to fill up ravines, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography.
You will pass through an Inca tunnel to arrive at the Abra de Phuyupatamarca and the complex of the same name. One of the most complete and best-preserved archeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Abra de Phuyupatamarca is located on the highest point of a mountain and translates to “town over the clouds”.
This evening at the campsite you will be treated to a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite has the same name as the complex located only five minutes away from the lodge, Wińaywayna, an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector.
Total distance: 16 kilometers (10 miles). Estimated walking time: 8 hours. Maximum altitude point: 3,900 meters (12,792 feet). Campsite altitude: 2,650 meters (8,692 feet).
Day 6
Wińaywayna - Machu Picchu
On this fourth and last day you will get up at 4 am to leave Wińaywayna and climb to Intipunku, or the Sun Gate. This trek will take approximately an hour along a trail of flat stones following the cliff’s edge in the highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, you will see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu before descending into Machu Picchu. After a 40-minute trek you will enter the citadel from the highest point through the “House of the Guardians” and continue your descent to the control point where you will register and leave your backpacks.
Immediately following your trek enjoy a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel before enjoying some free time to walk around, or climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain for spectacular views.
This afternoon you will return to Aguas Calientes for an evening at your leisure at your selected accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
Total distance: 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). Estimated walking time: 2 hours. Maximum altitude point: 2,700 meters (8,829 feet). Campsite altitude: 2,400 meters (7,872 feet).
Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice so we may confirm your entrance to the ruins. Machu Picchu entrance tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Day 7
Today is at your leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. In the afternoon you will board the train to return to Cuzco. Upon arrival you will be greeted for the train station reception and transferred to your hotel for an afternoon at your leisure.
Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please contact your Yampu travel consultant if you think you would like to go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability).
Day 8
Today you will transfer to the airport in Cuzco for your return flight to Lima. Once in Lima you will connect with your international flight home or the Yampu add-on of your choice.
Peru
Hiking The Inca Trail
Magical Machu Picchu
The Peak of Huayna Picchu
