Inca Trail Classic 4-Day Hike to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Start of the Inka Trail:

The Inca trail begins in Cusco with a nice breakfast from where you will then head to the start point of the trail (82km). There, you will begin the journey, warming up on a relatively flat part of the trail. After two hours, you will reach the first archaeological center of Patallacta. After lunch, you will continue ascending to a semi-tropical valley for two hours until arriving at our camp, Huayllabamba, where you will spend the night.

Day 2: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayo

After an early breakfast, you will start hiking and passing through different climatic and ecological zones. You will ascend to Warmiwañusca. Thereafter, you will arrive at the highest point, known to some as the Dead Woman’s Pass. After resting you will descend towards the second camp at Pacaymayu.

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Wiñay Huayna:

You will climb steeply up the opposite side of the valley, towards the second pass. About halfway up a small, round, roofless Inca construction is located. This Incan monument is known as Runkuracay, a building known as an astrological site and a sort of checkpoint for couriers following the trail to Machu Picchu. The tour leads you further on the trail which contains the exact same stones which were presented when the Incas walked the trail. The trail after the pass leads to a second, larger Inca site, Sayacmarca (“Town in a Steep Place”). You will also see an aqueduct, which once carried water to the farmlands. After touring Sayacmarca, you will descend to the bottom of the valley. After lunch, you continue climbing and hiking towards the third pass and enjoy the third Incan site, Phuyupatamarca (“Cloud-level Town”). You will learn about the ritual functions that the Incas used this site for. Here you will see water springs that the Incas used before they reached Machu Picchu. There after you will reach another site, Huiñayhuaina (“Forever Young”). At this site, you will enjoy dinner and settle for the night.

Day 4: To Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco

On the last day of your adventure, you will wake up early and follow a wide, relatively flat path. After about an hour and a half, you will climb a narrow path of stone steps leading to Intipunko, the Sun Gate. After three and a half days of trekking and struggling, you will look through the rectangular doorway of the sun gate and finally take the first views of the lost city of the Incas and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. From there, you will descend into Machu Picchu. There your guide will give a thorough three-hour tour through the ruins. After the guided tour, you will have time for yourself to explore the city before taking the bus to Aguas Calientes from where you will return to Cusco.