Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Classic Trek

You will be collected very early in the morning from your hotel in Cusco and transported by bus through the Sacred Valley to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Following a short rest, during which time you will be able to purchase breakfast, we will continue further to a point of the route known as Kilometre 82, where you will leave the bus and civilization behind, meet your guide, porters, cook and the other members of your group, and will officially start your Inca Trail! The first days trekking is a relatively easy section of the trail route and great to allow time to acclimatise, listen to the guide explain some of the flora and fauna or history of the Inca empire, or simply admire the stunning view. Later in the day you will pass your first Inca site – the impressive and large terraced ruin of Llactapata sitting below you near the base of the valley. This site was used by the Inca as a farming site to supply Machu Picchu with maize. You will spend the evening in 2-man tents underneath the Andean sky.

Meals: Lunch, Evening Meal

Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Approximate Distance: 12 kilometres

Altitude: Start at 2750m, Finish at 3000m

After a hearty breakfast at camp you will set off on your second day of the Inca Trail, which is the most difficult but as beautiful as it is tough-going. You will start the day in the Huayllabamba valley and initially find yourself walking through the trees of a cloud forest habitat, but as the path starts to rise the landscape changes to more sparse shrubbery and you will leave the forest, passing a meadow called Llulluchapampa, to discover outstanding views of the valley below you and the climb ahead of you. At the peak of the climb you will pass over a section of the Inca Trail 4200 metres above sea level, known as “Dead Woman’s Pass”, or Warmiwañusca, named not due to some dreaded accident but to the shape of the landscape resembling a woman lying down. After taking a short well-deserved rest at the top of the pass the route continues over the pass and descends down Pacaymayu valley to your campsite for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Meal

Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours

Approximate Distance: 13 kilometres

Altitude: Start at 3000m, Highest Point at 4215m, Finish at 3800m

Day 3 of the Inca Trek is, for many, the most enjoyable day of trekking on the route towards Machu Picchu. The route follows a slow descent down the valley as the Inca Trail slowly descends and on the way passes many other smaller but equally impressive Incan structures that are only accessible via the Inca Trail. The first ruins you will encounter, around an hour into the trek, are those of Runkurakay, which are a small Inca site poised on the edge of a valley from where there are impressive views. Further into the trek you will visit the ruins of Sayacmarca, which is translates to “Inaccesible Town” due to its position precariously situated on the top of some cliffs. Sayacmarca was probably used as a resting station on the route towards Machu Picchu, although its precise role is not fully understood. The route continues along original Incan stone pathways, passing some enjoyable and impressive precipices and tunnels in and amongst the mountain-top cliffs. Further into the descent you will arrive at Phuyupatamarca, the largest and most impressive Inca site on the trek so far, with its ancient yet still functioning water fountains. Later in the afternoon the trail descends further and finally reaches the campsite near the ruins of Wiñayhuayna. If you have the energy then you have the option to visit these outstanding and very large ruins before you reach the campsite. The ruins, often referred to as mini Machu Picchu, are visually astounding and have literally been built into the steep valley side, with an extensive terracing network and building complex. If you feel up to it then Go Andes would definitely recommend you make the effort to visit before arriving at the campsite for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Meal

Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours

Approximate Distance: 15 kilometres

Altitude: Start at 3800m, Finish at 2650m

On the final day of the trek you will wake very early and, after breakfast, will set off on the short walk to the Sun Gate at the entrance to Machu Picchu. From this position you will suddenly find the whole of Machu Picchu, one of the modern 7 Wonders of the World, spread out before you… truly one of the most famous and awe-inspiring sites in the world, and a site that we guarantee will make the hard work of the trek so much worth while. From the Sun Gate you will be able to appreciate the first rays of the sun glisten over Machu Picchu and the mountain of Huayna Picchu in the background. After descending from the Sun Gate to the site itself you will have time to appreciate the view from the classic “post card” view of Machu Picchu, as well as have time to take photos, before starting a 2 hour tour of the site and its most important features, after which you will have free time to explore the remainder of the site as you wish, or climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu. If you do wish to climb the mountain please let us know. Later in the afternoon you will take a bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the valley below Machu Picchu, where you will be able to have some lunch before taking the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo, from where a bus will transport you back to Cusco. Upon arrival at Cusco you will be transported to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Walking Time: 2 hours

Approximate Distance: 6 kilometres

Altitude: Start at 2650m, Finish at 2400m