Day 1: CUSCO- PISKACUCHO Km 82- PATALLAQTA -CUSIPATA- WAYLLABAMBA (CAMPING). Vamos Amigos !!

Early pick-up from your hotel will begin around 5:00 am. We will meet at our departure point, Plaza Regocijo, by 5:30 to board our private transportation. Make sure you carry your original passport or ISIC card. Our journey from Cusco to Piscacucho takes approximately 3 hours, with many beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, Andean towns, and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Along the way, we will stop to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, and enjoy a small breakfast, before continuing on to Piscacucho (2,680 m / 8,790 ft) start of the hike. There we will meet our camp crew and porters who will carry our belongings during our 35-mile hike (43 Km). Passports in hand, We clear the official Inca Trail check point, cross a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba River, and begin our trek with a gentle climb. We have three hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river, rewarded with superb views of Mount Veronica (5,750 m). The easy walk passes through a forest of giant cactus and native bushes. At Miskay we take the trail to the left, ascending gradually to Willkaraccay high above the mouth of the Cusichaca River and across from the Inca town of Llactapata (Terrace Town). Our vantage point is from a flat bluff above the extensive site, which was built as a fort because it commands the entrance to the Cusichaca Valley. The terracing system was used during Inca times for growing maize, a prestige crop that needed irrigation in the dry highlands. After a short rest, we continue another 15 minutes down to our lunch site at Tayaroc. Our path is adorned with native flowers and bromeliads growing in the boulders along the left side, and by majestic views of the mountains in both valleys. Walking times are always approximate, depending on weather conditions, group ability and other factors. After lunch, another 3-4 hours will bring us to the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,840 ft), You will be rewarded with a Macho Tea hot drink and a buffet dinner will be offered. Guides will present our plans for the next great day. Have a good night. Buenas Noches!!!

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 3,000 m/10,824 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2,680 m/8,790 ft

Distance Travelled: 12 km approx

Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours / Ascent up: 620 m

Day 2: WAYLLABAMBA- AYAPATA- LLULLUCHAYAQ- DEAD WOMAN`S PASS- PACAYMAYO VALLEY (CAMPING).

After breakfast, around 8:00 am we re-start our walk from camp to Ayapata valley first, it takes around 1 hour followed by a soft uphill climb through woods and along a stream (3,300 m / 10,824 ft) Today is our great challenge day but with plenty of time to enjoy, it is the biggest climb of our hike, strenuous because you gain 1,200 meters in elevation planned in 2 stages, but it is rewarded with spectacular views up the mountain, partly it is an old inca Stone steps, surrounding with impressive snow-covered peaks as (Apu Huayanay mountain in our back). You will take 2-3 hour hike with several stops to catch your breath to reach the lunch place at Llulluchapampa Valley with expectacular views around, along the trail, we ascend steeply uphill through the Corralpunku Valley to the Llulluchayoc Zone, where you can see some species of birds, withith luck we will see tinny hummingbirds, falcons and black-chested buzzard eagles or perhaps we see the king of the andean heights the Condor, so respected and venerated at andean towns. We will soon enter into a beautiful cloud forest, or polylepis woodland (Qeuñas and Chachacomos small andean trees) and the treeless grasslands of the puna región, habitad of tarucas and pumas. From here, you can see the highest mountain ahead called dead woman´s pass. At Llulluchapampa our camp crew will be waiting for us with a delicious Peruvian lunch. After lunch there is a time to rest maybe a short nap. After lunch we continue our hike for another 2-3 hours -600 meter ascent up to the top of the mountain, Warmiwañusca mt. (Dead Woman’s Pass) located at 4,200 meter /13,776 feet. Here you will discover a special feelings at this top maybe the sacrality of this point or just you coping with lack of oxygen in your brain. The path still climbs along a large number of steps, some of them newly laid to protect the mountain from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catch your breath whenever you like. This last hard climb brings us to Dead Woman’s Pass… you made it !!! Once the full group reaches this pass, we take a short rest break before beginning a steep descent into the Pacaymayo Valley for 2-3 hrs approx to reach our camp for tonight. This site has an incredible view over a valley, nearby waterfall and snow-covered peaks. You will find that your energy returns as we proceed along this downhill segment. Camping set, Tea time and Buffet Dinner. You are free to walk in you own pace. This campsite is popular with tour groupsand although facilities here are reasonable good, with two toilets blocks.No showers, hot wáter buckets are offered for washing.

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 4,200 m / 13,776 ft

Minimum Altitude: 3,000 m/9,840 ft

Distance Travelled: 12 Km approx.

Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours / Ascent up: 900 m

Day 3: PACAYMAYO - CHAKICOCHA- AOBAMBA VALLEY- PHUYUPATAMARKA- INTIPATA- WIÑAYWAYNA (CAMPING).

At sunrise, you will catch sight of Sayacmarca back along the trail, perched on the side of one of the many mountains that surround our campsite. Today’s hike is exceptionally beautiful because we will pass the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, Winaywayna and Intipata, and enjoy dramatic vistas of the Aobamba Valley. This stretch of the trail is of well-kept paved stone, still in great condition after many centuries. Your lungs will appreciate the fact that today’s hike is much more down than up, and significantly shorter than yesterday’s.
In getting to Phuyupatamarca (the Town of the Clouds), we will pass through the first of two short, natural tunnels in the mountains. After visiting this site, we will descend about 2,000 stone steps to Winaywayna. If you have not had any knee problems up to this point, you may after this descent. If you have had prior knee injuries, we recommend the use of trekking poles, and perhaps an extra porter, to relieve some of the stress on your joints.
Around mid-day, we will arrive at the site of Winaywayna, which we will explore before completing a short additional hike to our camp site for the night (2,700 m / 8,856 ft). After lunch, we will visit the adjacent site of Intipata with its dramatic terrances.
A number of creature comforts will be available at this camp site. There is a bar and a small gift shop, and best of all, hot showers for a small fee. There will also be many more trekkers gathering here, ready for the final hike into Machu Picchu tomorrow. We therefore recommend taking extra care of your personal belongings here. Keep an eye on your daypacks and don’t leave anything outside your tent at night. Tea time and Buffet Dinner.

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft

Distance Travelled: 14 Km approx.

Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours / Descent : 700 m

Day 4: WIÑAYWAYNA- INTUPINKU- SUN´S GATE- MACHUPICCHU- AGUAS CALIENTES (HOSTEL).

We will get up very early - around 4:00 am - to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), overlooking Machu Picchu for the first rays of the sunrise. This will be a hike of 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. You will be hiking in darkness for one hour, so a head lamp is strongly recommended please follow instructions of your guides and watch out your steps.
From Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), a final easy 50-minutes walk downhill steps will bring us first to the upper south sector of Machupicchu (The Guardian houses) The trail ends at a series of terraces, which present classic views of the overall city, after enjoying a panoramic view we must walk straight down to the entrance of Machu Picchu. (backpacks storage for 5 Soles available at the gate.) Few minutes later we will continue on to explore the site, with explanations provided by the trek guide(s). The formal tour will end in the late morning, after which there will be a couple of hours for more exploring on your own, or to just collapse under a tree in the central plaza area.
Additional Options: If your legs, lungs and energy still hold up after our four days of hiking, it may be possible to climb the peak of Huayna Picchu, behind the main site. However, special permits are required and they are issued in limited quantities. So if you are interested please book and pay in advance for this Ticket ad request for the 2nd turn at 11:00 am , otherwise you may instead hike to the Inca Bridge or do others walks around Machupicchu.
In the early afternoon you can spend more hours at Machupicchu, bus to Aguas Calientes and lunch will be provided at “Los Viajeros” hostel down in the town of Aguas Calientes. Double private room is included. Dinner not included. Also you can enjoy the hot spring pools.

Meals: BL

Accommodation: Viajeros Hostel. Private rooms.

Maximum Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft (Machupicchu)

Distance Travelled: 8 Km approx plus exploration of Machu Picchu

Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours / Descent : 300 m

Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES- OLLANTAYTAMBO- (Bus return to Cusco extra 15-20 Soles)

After Breakfast you are assisted to board the train that departs Aguas Calientes at 08.53 am and arrives at Ollantaytambo at 10.50 am. This tour ends at Ollantaytambo. If you have time, explore this charming town, relax and have lunch here! Try and spend a few hours here as there are many more buses in the afternoon. It is a lovely place to walk around, visit the Incan sites and even to spend the night. There are many tourist buses now departing regularly from the bus station (leaving the train station walk 100 m and turn right -also will be drivers offering this service) they provide a transport to Cusco for around 15-20 Soles approx $6 directly. This transport usually takes about 2 hours so don`t expect to be back in Cusco before 13:30 pm
If you choose this overnight option, we will automatically register you for the morning train at 08:53 am train. If you would like another option you must indicate this very clearly and receive a clear confirmation. Please note if you request an afternoon train which has transport through to Cusco then the additional cost on the package will be $20pp extra but includes transport back to the main plaza in Cusco.

Meals: B

Accommodation: N/A