The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (4 days)

One of the evenings prior to your trek we coordinate a meeting at your hotel with our mountain guide. This allows you to get to know each other; we brief you about the trail, answer all your questions and make sure that you have everything you need for this adventure.

TIP: For the Inca Trail we recommend to sleep the night before the trek starts at the beautiful Inca town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This town is 2 hours closer to the trek starting point than Cusco, which allows you some extra sleep and to start in a more relaxed way on the morning of day 1.

After breakfast you join our expeditions team of porters, cook and your professional mountain guide to the starting point of the famous classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu.  We cross the bridge over the Urubamba river and we begin an easy hiking day, passing by small ruin sites, the first of which is Llactapata.  You stop for a nice lunch break, hike further in the afternoon and we then camp near the town of Huallabamba, located around 3,000 meters above the sea level. We enjoy tea time and dinner in the dining tent and your guide looks for the perfect moment to introduce you to our staff.

Be ready for some incredible views today and the physical challenge to hike over the highest pass of the trek. It is the long steep path to Warmiwañusca. Literally translated from Quechua, this means ‘dead woman’s pass’ because the shape of the mountain is like a women laying down looking up. We climb up to her breast located at 4,198 m.a.s.l., which is the highest point of the entire trek.  We then recharge our batteries during our lunch break. In the afternoon, we continue to the Runkurakay pass (3,998 m.a.s.l). Runkurakay means “basked shaped” in Quechua, referring to the unique circular Inca structure that is found on the trail up and from where in clear days, it is possible to have super views of the snow-capped Vilcabamba cordillera.

Later in the afternoon, you arrive at our tent camp where you can enjoy tea time with popcorn, a nice dinner, and rest.

Today the landscape changes a lot as the trail starts winding through beautiful cloud forest. A gentle climb takes us to the third pass. You hike on a causeway and through a tunnel, both original lnca constructions. The third highest pass is at 3,700 meters above sea level, and it is possible to get beautiful views of the Urubamba Valley below of this point (on clear days). We keep walking and soon we reach the serene-looking ruins of Phuyupatamarca, also known as “the town above the clouds”, located at about 3,650 meters above sea level. Our camp for tonight is close to the Wiñay Wayna ruins (meaning “forever young”). You have the chance to visit this grandiose terraced hillside site with waterfalls and enjoy panoramic views of the valley.

We get up early today to hike the last part of the trail to the Sun Gate. Here, all your efforts are rewarded with a panoramic and unique view over Machu Picchu. From the Sun Gate, we hike down to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Here you are able to use the bathrooms and then you have a guided tour of this amazing Inca site.

You some have free time to take it all in and enjoy lunch in the little town. In the afternoon, we take the train back to Ollantaytambo and transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.