Day 1 - Cuzco - K.82 - Piscacucho - Huayllabamba
A mid morning you will be met by our guide and transferred by private bus to the starting point at
k. 82. in Piscacucho. After a short hike you will enter into the National Park at Llactapata where you
will be registered and the porters will be adjusted for the proper weights of all the equipment.
At one time this was used as utilitarian center of large settlement of farming terraces which probably
supplied the other Inca trail sites.( All the camping gear is carried by our staff giving you the
time to enjoy the beautiful scenic views. Today you will get your first taste of the environment
with all the diversity of plants as you hike along the Cusichaca river then on to Huayllabamba which
leads into the Amazon basin. All the camping gear is carried by our staff giving you the time to
enjoy the beautiful scenic views like the snow capped peak of Mt Veronica that tops out at 19,200
ft. As you make your way through the most intricate pre-Columbian highway system of the Americas
(some say the world) you will continue to the village of Huayllabamba. Here we will settle in for
the day and the camp site will be set by the porters at Huayllabamba.
(Camp)( L/D )
Travel time Cuzco � Piscacucho: 91 kilometers / 56.5 miles (Paved road: 77 kilometers / 47.4 miles; dirt road: 14 kilometers / 8.7 miles); 3 hours
Trekking distance - 11 kilometers / 6.8 miles; 5-6 hours
Altitudes - Cuzco 3400 meters / 11,159 feet; Piscacucho (Km 82): 2650 meters / 8692 feet; Llactapata: 2610 meters / 8563 feet; Huayllabamba: 2968 meters / 9737 feet
Meals - Lunch, dinner
Day 2 - Huayllabamba - Warmiwa�uska Pass - Pacaymayo
After a early breakfast we depart from the village of Huayllabamba the trail climbs steadily through
high Andean woodland to the plain known as Llulluchapampa, where there are excellent views of the
Huayanay mountain chain. After a 2 hour climb of the most difficult part the Inca Trail trek we will
reach the highest point(4205 meters / 13,795 feet)the Warmiwa�uska Pass. After a time is spent to catch
your breath and take some fabulous photos we will begin descending into the canyon of the Pacaymayo
River (3604 meters / 11,821 feet), where we will make our second camp.
(Camp)( B/L/D )
Trekking distance - 7.6 kilometers / 4.7 miles; 7 hours
Altitudes - Huayllabamba: 2968 meters / 9737 feet; Llulluchapampa: 3767 meters / 12,359 feet; Warmiwa�uska: 4205 meters / 13,795 feet; Pacaymayo: 3604 meters / 11,821 feet
Meals - Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 - Pacaymayo - Runkuracay - Sayacmarca - Phuyupatamarca
After breakfast you will proceed on the hike to the second pass at Runkuracay(3950 meters/12,956 feet),
from where there are views of both the Vilcabamba and Urubamba mountain ranges. After a short rest we
will descend along a paved Inca road to the ruins of Runkuracay and Sayacmarca, which have been recently
restored. Here we enter the cloud forest and in the afternoon the trail continues via a series of stone
steps past the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (3640 meters / 11,942 feet) where we will camp for the night.
(Camp)( B/L/D )
Trekking distance - 7 kilometers / 4.3 miles; 5-6 hours
Altitudes - Pacaymayo: 3604 meters / 11,821 feet; Runkuracay Pass: 3950 meters / 12,956 feet; Phuyupatamarca: 3640 meters / 11,942 feet
Meals - Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 - Phuyupatamarca - Wi�ay Wayna - Machu Picchu
After a crisp fresh awakening to the breeze flowing through the mountains we enjoy the prepared breakfast
and give respect to the mother earth for the gifts she bares. A rapid descent takes you through the cloud
forest where a variety of flowers and tropical vegetation, mosses & tree ferns escort you to the magical
ruins of Wi�ay Wayna (2665 meters / 8743 feet). Here there are several baths and terraces that we will have
time to admire before we start a the final portion of the hike. Early afternoon we will walk for another two
hours, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way, with the Urubamba River far below, until we reach the
Intipunku Pass (Sun Gate), from where we will get our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. From here it is a forty
minute walk to the Inca city. As we continue on to the base town of Aguas Calientes or where we
will transfer to the hotel of choice.( B/L/D ) ( NOTE: hotel night not included.)
Trekking distance - 8.7 kilometers / 5.4 miles; 5-6 hours
Altitudes - Phuyupatamarca: 3640 meters / 11,942 feet; Wi�ay Wayna: 2665 meters / 8743 feet; Intipunku: 2693 meters / 8833 feet; Machu Picchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet; Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet.
Meals - Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 5 - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Early morning wake we enjoy the prepared breakfast then proceed to the
Mythical site of Machu Picchu. ( You can either board the tourist bus or for the hearty hiker you can
proceed by foot.) Apon your arrival to watch the sunrise you will get a magnificent view of the forgotten
city of Machu Picchu. As you proceed into the National Park your guide will explain the history and the
myths that surround this archaeological wonder. Several ideas or possibilities have been noted of this
massive archaeological complex of acropolis proportion. Your guide can as well take you to the the top
of Huayna Picchu or a visit to the Inti Punku Pass ( Gate of the Sun ) Time will also be allowed for
more exploration and photography of the area. Wether this site was pre Incan, a previous leaders sanctuary
for his retirement, maybe a location for the virgins to be separated from the kingdom and used as wives
for the Inca rulers or even sacrificial for the gods. It seems that the world will never know.
After a time spent visiting the more important locations, you will continue to Aguas Calientes to
board the by Expedition or Vistadome train (Hiram Bingham train available on request.)for your return to Cuzco.
After your arrival into the Cuzco our staff will meet and transfer you to the hotel of choice.( B ) ( NOTE: hotel night not included.)
Altitudes - Machu Picchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet; Huayna Picchu: 2532 meters / 8307 feet; Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet.
NOTE : Inca Trail permit allows for 1/2 day visit of Machu Picchu. Additional 1/2 day entry are available for $50.00 U.S.
The Silver, Gold & Platinum services operates in Private services year round. (except February)
Platinum Class includes: a personal Massage Therapist for days 1 - 4 of the trek, teas, coffees, wine plus all our award winning ammenities.
Bronze Class are in group daily year round. (except February)
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