This is the classic trek in Peru, following the old Inca trail to the fabulous citadel of Machu Picchu.

This trip leaves from Cusco and takes you to km.82 of Machu Picchu railway in Ollantaytambo. From here we will start trekking for three hours, passing Inca sites arriving at our camp site in Llaqtapata. Then we will continue trekking on the classic Inca Trail, through the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, starting at a little visited section of the trail at the beginning and ending with the spectacular flagstone trail, through incredible landscapes and mountain scenery, entering Machu Picchu the way the Incas did, through the Inti Punku (The Sun Gate), with a guided tour of the citadel, returning to Cusco in the afternoon on the last day.

Day 1
We transfer you from the hotel to the Cusco train station (or includes the transfer from a hotel in the Sacred Valley to Ollanta train station in order to take the train that brings us to Km 82 at Q'oriwayrachina . From here we cross the small bridge over to Q'ente where we will camp a little further on at Llaqtapata. Before lunch we will walk through the archaeological site of Patallacta (also known as Qentemarca) - a large Inca settlement for storage of grain and protected by a fortress type structure.
In the afternoon we visit the surrounding archaeological remains of Qente and Machu Qente - located amidst Inca terracing (Time; 4 hours, Distance: 6kms)

Day 2
The trail winds slowly uphill up the Cusicacha Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the andean community of Huayllabamba. From here the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass, where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Along the trail up this narrow hanging valley we begin to see a cloud forest that harbors the Queñua tree, a rare forest in the Andes. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa. (Time: 6 hours, Distance 9kms.)

Day 3
The trail ascends at a typical angle of 30 degrees towards the pass across the hillside of Puna grassland as we leave our campsite at the edge of the treeline behind, bringing us to Warmiwañusca pass (4,200 m). The trail descends to the Pacaymayo River and then climbs slowly past Runkuraqay ruins. From here we cross a lower pass to Sayacmarca, the "waiting village". A clear Inca Trail across a causeway on a now dry lake past a cave, we continue our way along a ridge to finally reach Phuyupatamarca (the town at the edge of the clouds in Quechua) where we camp. (Time: 8-9hrs. Distance 10 kms

Day 4
After continuing along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. There recently restored Inca Ruins are located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the door of the sun. Overnight at a hostal in Aguas Calientes.

Day 5
The whole day can be dedicated to explore these extraordinary Inca remains, including a visit to Wayna Picchu, the hill overlooking the site. The mid-afternoon train takes you back to Cusco, and you are transferred to your hotel.

NOTE:
Overnight at Machu Picchu on day 4 can be at a first class hotel for an additional charge.

SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle from hotel to km. 88 of the railway to Machu Picchu, train from Aguas calientes to Cusco, two person tents including sleeping pads, porters, kitchen crew and commissary gear with all meals included during trek, bilingual guide on the trek who will handle the first aid kit.
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Hotel and dinner in Aguas Calientes, Inca Trail entrance fee (approx. US$88), alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service, additional tours, insurance and airline tickets (where applicable), sleeping bags, hiking boots and other personal gear.)

NOTE: There are now restrictions on numbers on the Inca Trail, resulting in problems with late bookings, particularly in July and August. We strongly advise booking as early as possible.


This trip can be organized start and/ or finish in Lima. We can also arrange this to be part of a longer trip in Peru.