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INCA TRAIL HIKE TO MACHU PICCHU 10 DAYS LUXURY TOUR

Sample Itinerary

  • D-01: LIMA
  • Upon arrival at the Lima airport, one of our representatives will meet you and show you to your airport hotel.
  • Overnight in Lima
  • D- 02: LIMA - CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY
  • One of our representatives will meet you at your hotel and assist you with check-in procedures for your early morning flight to Cusco.
  • Upon arrival in Cusco, your personal guide and private driver will greet you at the airport to head straight to the Urubamba Valley. (Your guide will accompany you throughout the Urubamba Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu). En route, stop for a short visit of Awanacancha where you will have the opportunity to see the different camelids that live in the Andes such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos.
  • In Pisac you will experience the sights and sounds of the town’s famous market, with its variety of handcrafts and fresh produce. Then continue on to the Pisac ruins, with Inca masonry of superlative quality, the stunning terracing following the contours of the mountain and superior view of the valley will leave you in awe.
  • Lunch and transfer to your hotel.
  • Meals: B, L

  • D-03: SACRED VALLEY This morning, you will head to the town and ruins of the village of Chinchero (3,800m/12,500ft), once home to the great conquering emperor Inca Topa Yupanqui. The town also boasts a hillside of terraces studded with rock-outcrop shrines, a charming village and views to the snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Vilcabamba range. Lunch before heading to Maras. Maras consists of a huge number of watered terraces that collect salt by evaporation from the saline waters that gush from an underground stream. Built in a similar way to agricultural terraces seen throughout the Andes, the Salinas have been in use since pre-Columbian times. Visually, the shining, salt-encrusted terraces are extraordinary. Nearby Maras lie the most enigmatic Inca terraces at the site of Moray. This unique site, probably used for agricultural experimentation, consists of several enormous terraced circular depressions. Following your visit, transfer back to your hotel.
  • Meals: B, L
  • D-04: SACRED VALLEY - INCA TRAIL DAY 01 This morning a private transfer will pick you up at your hotel to travel to Km. 82, the starting point of the Inca Trail. We begin our hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and walking along its left shore as it flows northwest through the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay (2,800m/9,184ft), to then ascend and finally see, from the highest part of an overlook, the impressive Inca city of Llactapata (2,650m/8,692ft). We continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach the community of Wayllabamba (3,000m/9,840ft), where we set our first camp. All along the way we enjoy 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.
  • Meals: B, L, D

  • Total distance 12 km (7,47 miles)
  • Estimated hiking time 5-6 hours
  • Maximum altitude point 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
  • Campsite altitude 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
  • D-05: INCA TRAIL DAY 02
  • We wake up at around 6:00 am and after breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for nine km. 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 Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass – 4,200m/13,776ft), we may see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on “ichu,” one of the few plants that grows at high altitude. We also cross an area of the cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and sparrows, and the Andean bear, also known as the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus). We advise that on this day especially, your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3,600m/11,808ft), where we camp after approximately seven hours of hiking.
  • Meals: B, L, D

  • Total distance 11 km (6,84 miles)
  • Estimated hiking time 6-7 hours
  • Maximum altitude point 4,200 m (13,776 ft)
  • Campsite altitude 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
  • D-06: INCA TRAIL DAY 03
  • This day is the longest but also the most impressive and interesting, due the number of archaeological sites and the lush cloud forest area that we cross, so rich in Andean flora and fauna. From Pacaymayo we climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3,970m/13,022ft). Halfway up, we stop to visit the archaeological complex of the same name. This site, located at 3,800m/12,464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3,624m/11,887ft). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we arrive at the third pass, the Abra Phuyupatamarca (3,700m/12,136ft). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Appropriately, Phuyupatamarca means “town over the clouds”. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley. We continue our trek down the long descending stone steps that lead us to Wiñaywayna (2,650m/8,692ft), an impressive Inca complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, close to which our camp is located. After visiting the impressive archaeological site, we enjoy dinner at our camp.
  • Meals: B, L, D

  • Total distance 16 km (9,94 miles)
  • Estimated hiking time 8 hours
  • Maximum altitude point 3,900 m (12,792 ft)
  • Campsite altitude 2,650 m (8,692 ft) D-07: INCA TRAIL DAY 04 - MACHU PICCHU
  • On this fourth day, we get up at 4:00 am to leave Wiñaywayna an hour later and climb to the Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we may see the sacred citadel of Machupicchu. From Intipunku we descend into Machupicchu, and 40 minutes later we enter the citadel from the highest point through the “House of the Guardians.” We then descend to the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We immediately begin a complete guided visit of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. Then, if you would like, you can choose to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valleys and mountains or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge. Check in at your hotel and rest of the day at leisure.
  • Meals: B

  • Total distance 4 km (2,49 miles)
  • Estimated hiking time 2 hours
  • Maximum altitude point 2,700 m (8,829 ft)
  • D-08 MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO This morning you’ll return to the ruins with your guide. “Magnificence” is the only word to describe the scene, as you gaze upon the ruins of Machu Picchu. The main destination on many travellers’ lists, the ‘lost city of the Incas’ is a man-made marvel that has become a symbol for the ingenuity and prosperity of one of the most expansive empires in Latin American history. Only a century ago were the incredible ruins uncovered; a two year-excavation led by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham and the National Geographic Society of Washington DC allowed Machu Picchu to gain the prominence that it deserves. Its fascination is due in part to its position, high on a mountain ridge and 2,430m/7,972ft above sea level. Believed to be an Inca settlement built to control the economies of neighboring communities, it is associated with being the royal estate of Pachacuti, the great Inca who sparked the expansion of the empire. Following your visit, take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes to catch the Vistadome train (approx. 1.5hrs) back to Ollantaytambo, where a private vehicle will be waiting to transfer you by road to Cusco (approx. 2hrs) to check in to your hotel. Meals: B
  • D-09 CUSCO Since its narrow alleyways were originally designed by the Incas as a city for walking, start your exploration of Cusco on foot. Begin at the Plaza de Armas, the Main Square, which is marked by the exquisite Spanish Colonial architecture and ornamentation imposed by Spanish colonists to exert religious and political influence. Underneath it all, however, you can clearly see remnants of Inca Cusco in the solid stonework. Visit Koricancha, the most sumptuous “Sun Temple” in the Inca Empire, and the breathtaking Cathedral, a repository for Cusco’s colonial art, as well as many other important archaeological relics and artifacts. You will also stop by the colourful San Pedro market and pass through the charming neighborhood of San Blas. Next, visit Sacsayhuaman, an Inca citadel atop a hill, on the outskirts of the city. Not only are the imposing terraces of masterful stonework a sight to behold, but the vistas overlooking the sienna rooftops of Cusco provide a whole new perspective to the city you traversed. Afterwards, return to your hotel. Meals: B

  • D-10 CUSCO - LIMA Transfer by private vehicle from your hotel to the airport in Cusco for your early morning flight to Lima. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide for a half-day city tour. One of the main fascinations of Lima is the concentration of ancient history in the area; not only do the origins of the city pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia, its museums are full of the artistic treasures of magnificent pre-Columbian civilizations that flourished throughout the coastal deserts of Peru. Visit the colonial area of Lima, featuring the Cathedral, the Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Main Square with its beautiful baroque style buildings. You will also have a chance to visit Casa Aliaga, reportedly the oldest home on the Continent and still family-owned after 17 generations. After visiting the city, transfer back to the airport for your international departure flight.
  • Meals: B

Recommended Packing List

  • A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
  • Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
  • Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
  • Warm clothes, including jacket and fleeces. Thermal clothing is recommended, especially for sleeping
  • Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
  • Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
  • Sun block
  • After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  • Insect repellent – minimum 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
  • Toilet paper and tissues
  • Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, dried fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
  • Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed on the Inca Trail
  • Optionally: water-sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has never reported any health issues.
  • Small towel
  • Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
  • Cash in soles and/or US$
  • Original passport
  • Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)

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