+51 992947871
ONE OF THE WORLD’S TEN BEST HIKES
The Classic Inca Trail Trek is known as one of the world’s ten best hikes, the Classic Inca Trail is unparalleled for its ecological diversity and wealth of archaeological treasures. The Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary covers 32,952 acres and it is home to a network of Inca highways, scores of archaeological sites, 10 ecological zones (from glacial peaks to tropical forests), over 450 species of birds and 200 species of orchids, as well as the legendary city of Machu Picchu.
Early this morning your tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your Cusco hotel, and you will be privately transported to Piscacucho/Km 82 to begin your journey on the Inca Trail. Once we’ve passed through the checkpoint we will trek for approximately 2 hours to the archeological site, Llactapata (2650m), where we will stop for lunch. After lunch, we will continue on to the valley of Wayllabamba and set up camp for the night. Here we will have dinner and an “optional” tea-time.
Day 2 is the most difficult day of the hike. After an early breakfast, we will begin trekking towards the highest point of the Inca Trail, Warmiwanuska (4215m), famously known as “Dead Woman’s Pass”. Over the next 5 hours we will pass through a variety of micro-climates, and once on top we will have an amazing view of the Vilcanota and Vilcabamba mountains and possibly spot some Andean camelids such as Llamas and Alpacas. After a well-deserved rest and some photo opportunities, we will begin a 2-hour descent through a winding valley to our second basecamp, Pacaymayu. Here we will have lunch, set up camp and enjoy a leisurely afternoon and evening.
Day 3 is the longest and the most unforgettable day of the hike. We will spend the day exploring several small Incan sites we will encounter along the trail. Approximately one hour in to our trek, we will reach the first archeological site, Runkuracay (3750m). After a brief exploration of the site, we will trek through rolling hills, at one point reaching the second-highest point on the trail (3900 m), and then descending towards the next historical site, Sayaqmarca (3600m) or “The Inaccessible Town”. After visiting the site, the trek continues through the valley to our lunch stop for the day, the archeological site of Chaquicocha. After lunch we will continue to gradually climb and will pass through a tunnel prior to reaching one of the oldest towns on the Inca Trail, Phuyupatamarca (3700m) or “Town Above the Clouds”. (3700m). We will then begin the descent of approximately 3000 stone steps to the ancient site of Wiñaywayna (2700m) or “Forever Young”. We will set up camp nearby, relax, have dinner and retire early for the evening in preparation for the final day of the hike.
After a 3 a.m. wake-up call and a light breakfast, we will begin our shortest and final day of the hike. After approximately 2 hours of hiking we will arrive at Inti Punku (2490m) also known as the “Sun Gate” where we will catch our first glimpse of “The Lost Inca City”. After watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu, we will begin a 45-minute descent in to Machu Picchu (2430m), perhaps the most important urban constructions of the Inca Empire. Once we reach the citadel, you will be given a 2-hour guided tour followed by free time to explore on your own. After some time to explore, we will board a bus to the town of Aguas Calientes (2040m) where we will have lunch and prepare to catch the train back to Cusco.
