7. Cusco: 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Small Group Trek
Day 1: Our team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 am, we will drive another hour to the trailhead located in Piscacucho or Km 82. Upon arrival at Kilometer 82, you will have some time to organize and get ready for the hike. We will start our journey along the ancient path of the Incas. We will hike to Llactapata, our first Inca site. From here we will hike for another 2 hours until our lunch spot. Our team of porters and trekking chefs will have the campsite ready for you to enjoy a hot lunch. All the meals will be cooked at the spot and you will have the chance to refill your camel bags with safe drinkable water. After a rest, you will continue for about 2 hours until getting to Ayapata. Our campsite to spend the night. Dinner will be served here and you will enjoy the open sky and the silence before resting. Day 2: After breakfast, we will begin with a 4-hour ascent to the highest point of the Inca Trail: the Paso de la Mujer Muerta or Warmi Wañusqa (4,215 meters/13,829 feet). Admire the entire route from the highest point to the descent towards the Pacaymayu River. Take in incredible views and then head over to our lunch spot. After a break, begin the ascent to the second pass, Runccuracay Pass. Once here, you will be able to enjoy the archaeological site and also the privileged views of two beautiful waterfalls. The walk down will be short and easy. We will go to Chaquicocha where our camp is located. You will enjoy a great dinner. This is the hardest day and you will be rewarded for doing it. Day 3: Our last day of hiking. We will have impressive views of the snowy Salkantay and also of the Vilcabamba mountain. We will start our last ascent towards Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from this place we can witness the Urubamba river and also glimpse Machu Picchu from a distance. It will take a 3-hour walk to reach our last camp. On the way we will discover beautiful sites such as Phuyupatamarka (Pueblo en las Nubes) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). Our lunch will be served at the last camp. Once you have eaten and rested, we will continue and head to the largest site on the Inca Trail, the beautiful Wiñay Wayna (forever young) site. This day is the easiest day of the Inca Trail and it is in order to save energy for the last day, Machu Picchu. Day 4: After an early breakfast, say goodbye to the team and start your way to Machu Picchu. We will walk for about 2 hours until we reach the Sungate (Intipunku). This site will give you a different view of Machu Picchu. Take some amazing photos and then head towards the ancient site. At the entrance, your guide will give you a complete guided tour throughout the great Citadel of Machu Picchu. The guided tour will last about 2 hours. After the tour, your guide will wait for you in Aguas Calientes. After lunch, you will go to the train station to take your train back to Ollantaytambo, where our driver will pick you up and take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.