Peru Here & Now - Classic Inca Trail

CLASSIC INCA TRAIL

4 days / 3 nights

Important Notice: The government has strictly limited the number of people permitted on the Inca Trail during 2008 (permits are issued to 250 trekkers per day plus 250 porters.) Permits are issued to individual passport numbers so that companies are not able to reserve them for future customers. We advise you to make reservations with great anticipation.

Alternatively, and for those who would rather enjoy less crowded routes and still wish to visit Machu Picchu, we offer other fabulous treks that we highly recommend.

Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO - Km 82 - WAYLLABAMBA

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel around 6 am for a 2-hour bus ride to Piskacuchu (2,700 m / 8,900 ft), a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railroad.

We will start our trek escorted by our native staff, on semi-arid terrain along the left shore of the Urubamba River, with magnificent views of the snow-capped Vilcanota ridge and Mount Verónica (5,900 m /19,000 ft).

We will have lunch in Llactapata (3,000 m / 9,000 ft), where we will visit the Inca archeological site.

Then we set off up the Kusichaca river to our first campsite (3,800 m / 12,500 ft) on a terrace near the small village of Wayllabamba. Dinner will be served.

(14 Km / 8.7 miles - 6 hrs hiking)

Day 2: WAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYO

We will wake up at around 6:00 am, and after breakfast we will begin the most strenuous part of the trek, which consists of a 9-km-long (5.6 mi) steep ascent. The landscape changes from “sierra” (mountain) to “puna” (a dry and high plateau with little vegetation). We advise you, on this day in particular, to carry with you enough dry fruits, nuts and coca leaves to keep your sugar level high and prevent altitude sickness.

We will go through the Inca hamlet of Wayllabamba (3,000 m / 9842 ft) and enjoy a spectacular view of the valley below.

On the way to the first mountain pass, Abra Warmihuañusca ("Dead Woman's Pass" 4,200 m / 13,800 ft), we will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at that altitude. We will be moving from the dry puna to the so-called Cloud Forest, one the highest tropical forests, which is habitat for innumerable types of orchids and birds, as well as for the Andean bear (Tremarctus Ornatus), nicknamed the Spectacled Bear.

After the pass, we will descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3,600 m / 11,800 ft), where we will have dinner and camp.

(12 Km / 7.5 miles - 7 hrs hiking)

Day 3: PACAYMAYO – WIÑAY WAYNA

This is the longest but also the most impressive and interesting day in terms of archaeological visits. From Pacaymayo we will ascend to the second pass, Abra de Runkurakay (3,900 m / 13,000 ft). Half way up, we will visit the archaeological site of the same name (3,710 m / 12,200 ft), which consists of a small oval structure believed to have served as a guard post.

After crossing the pass, we will descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon), enter the cloud forest and reach Sayacmarca (3,580 m / 11,800). Sayacmarca ("dominant town") is an impressive complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. It offers stunning views of the valley and river below.

After a moderate climb, we will go over the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3,700 m / 12,100 ft), to continue through an Inca tunnel and reach the highest and one of the most preserved archaeological ruins along the Inca Trail , Phuyupatamarca (town above the clouds— 3,600 m / 12,000 ft). We will see terraces, a serpentine vantage point and an intricate series of ceremonial baths connected by water channels and irrigated by an underground river. We will also enjoy impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we will continue on to Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m / 8,900 ft), our campsite.

Wiñay Wayna’s spectacular ruins are believed to have served as a ceremonial and agricultural center, with their numerous terraces and what seems to be a religious sector and an urban sector. At this campsite we will find a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite is located only five minutes away from the lodge.

(16 km /10 miles - 6 hrs hiking)

Day 4: WIÑAY WAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

After an early rise (4:00 am) and breakfast, we will walk for one hour up to Inti Puncu ("Sun Gate") to watch the first sun beams over the Machu Picchu citadel (2,400 m / 7,900 ft)

After a short hike down to Machu Picchu, we will register, leave our excess luggage and start on a complete guided visit (approx. 2 hrs). You will then have free time to walk around. You can climb the Huayna Picchu mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu and the mountains that surround it, or you can visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca bridge. Lunch is on your own.

In the afternoon (you decide the time), a bus will take you from Machu Picchu to the picturesque town of Aguas Calientes, where you can bathe in the Hot Springs if time allows.

We will then take the train back to Cusco to arrive after nightfall.

(7 Km / 4.3 miles - 2 hrs hiking)

Note: All distances, altitudes and times and durations are approximate.

Included

An informative presentation of the trek (the evening before)

All hotel (double room basis) and camping accommodations

Road transportation & train ticket back to Cusco

Entrance fees for Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and other archaeological sites

All meals except lunch and dinner of day 4 (plentiful, nutritious meals—vegetarian option available)

Snacks and hot drinks, including coca leave tea (excellent for altitude sickness)

Drinking water throughout the trek (filtered with Rotoplas system)

Emergency oxygen bottle and a first aid kit (traveler's diarrhea, cuts/ scrapes, etc.)

Toilet paper

Tent (Igloo tents - 2 persons in each 4-person capacity with plenty of space for your backpacks) and mattress

Camping equipment (kitchen and dining tents, camp tables)

Porters, cook and helpers. (Note: Porters only carry camping equipment but not trekkers’ extra bags.)

Professional Spanish/English-speaking local guide

What to bring

Medium size back pack for hiking. If you bring extra gear, you will need to hire an extra porter at your own cost.

Sleeping bag (light and warm)

Good and well-fitted trekking shoes

Change of clothes for the whole period of the trek (recommended “safari” type with lots of pockets, and pants that unzip into shorts). We suggest you reserve a set of clean clothes for the final day in Machu Picchu and the train ride back. You will be more comfortable and your fellow train passengers might thank you.

Warm and light clothes for evening and night: jacket, polar fleece, sweaters, thermal underpants…

Warm gloves, scarf & socks

Sunglasses

Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold

Rain plastic poncho or good rain gear in rain season (November to March)

Personal toiletry (incl. towel, wipes, tissues…) and sunscreen, lip balm, band-aids (special for blisters), aspirin, etc.

Insect repellent (very important)

Refillable water bottle and sterilizing tablets (ie. Micropur)

Flashlight and batteries

Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)

Snacks: dried fruit, nuts, energy bars, chocolate, biscuits, etc.

Swimsuit (if you intend to enjoy the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)

Cash in Soles and US $ (There are ATM machines in Cusco but not in Aguas Calientes – Carry plenty of small bills for tipping purposes, drinks, snacks, etc. Change is hard to get)

Photocopy of you passport. We recommend leaving the original passeport in a safety box at your hotel. If there is no safety box, then bring it with you too.

Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required)

Note: We recommend you travel “light” (8 kg–18 lb max) since you will carry your personal items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Maps

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Distance Hours

Altitude

Inca Trail

(miles) (km)

(feet)

(m)

KM 82

9,020

2,750

Llactapata

3 4.8 2

8,790

2,680

Wayllabamba

4 6.4 3

9,840

3,000

Llulluchapampa

4 6.4 4

12,300

3,750

Abra Warmihuañusca 1 1.6 2

13,769

4,200

Pacaymayo Camp 1 1.6 2

11,808

3,600

Runcuraqay

1 1.6 1

12,464

3,800

Abra Runcuraqay

1 1.6

13,120

4,000

Sayacmarca

2 3.2 2

11,742

3,580

Phuyupatamarca

2 3.2

11,939

3,645

Wiñay Wayna

4 6.4 3

8,692

2,650

Inti Puncu

3 4.8

8,856

2,700

Machu Picchu

2 3.2

8,036

2,450

Total distance: 28 mi (45 km).

We hike roughly 5-6 miles (8-10 km) each day.

All these numbers are approximate

The Classic Inca Trail is probably the most famous trek in South America, consisting of a 45-km (28 mi) long journey along a stone-paved road built by the Incas, and leading to the citadel of Machu Picchu. It is just a small section of the approximately 23,000 km (14,000 mi) of roads built by this great civilization. The route includes an impressive variety of altitudes, climates and ecosystems that range from the Altiplano (high Andean plain) to the cloud forest. One of the main attractions along the route is the web of ancient settlements built in granite rock by the Incas and immersed in overpowering natural scenery.

Every year, nearly 20,000 travelers from around the world hike the Classic Inca Trail. If you want to know what “all the fuss is about”, this trek is for you. If you are a true adventurer who would rather follow the “road less traveled”, we suggest you consider one of our other unique and breathtaking routes.