Peru: The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The legendary Inca Trail takes you through the diverse wilderness of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, passing numerous Inca ruins on the magnificent stone highway before descending to the famed citadel of Machu Picchu. Starts with arrival in Lima and two days visiting Cusco and surrounding sites. Overnight at a ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Cusco, Peru; Machu Picchu, Peru; Peru
- Trip Length:
- 5 days
- Price Range:
- From $0 to $2000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended for:
-
Infants (under 2)
Children (2 - 5)
Children (6 - 8)
Children (9 - 11)
Children (12 - 14)
Children (15 - 17)
Adults (18 - 20)
Adults (25 - 29)
Family Trip, Group Retreat
Detailed Trip Description
The legendary Inca Trail takes you through the diverse wilderness of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, passing numerous Inca ruins on the magnificent stone highway before descending to the famed citadel of Machu Picchu. Starts with arrival in Lima and two days visiting Cusco and surrounding sites. Overnight at a local hotel. (luxury hotel optional)
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Cusco
Sacred Valley/Q’ente.
Private Car Service
With your guide, you will take a private car to Km 82 on the railway to Machu Picchu.
Hiking
From here, you hike along the Urubamba River and, at Km 88, cross the small bridge to the Q’ente campsite. If there is time before lunch, 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. (Time: 4 hours; Distance: 6kms)
Sightseeing
In the afternoon visit the surrounding archaeological remains of Qente and Machu Qente – located amidst Inca terracing.
Camping
Overnight at Q'ente campsite. (BLD)
Day 2 - Peru
Qente/Llulluchapampa.
Hiking
The Inca Trail winds slowly 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 (meadow) below the first pass. At this campsite there is a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Along the Trail up this narrow hanging valley is a rare Andean cloud forest that harbors the Queñua tree. (Time: 6 hours; Distance: 9kms)
Camping
Overnight at Llulluchapampa campsite. (BLD)
Day 3 - Peru
Llulluchapampa/Phuyupatamarca.
Hiking
The Trail ascends at 30 degrees as it leaves Llulluchapampa campsite and beyond the treeline arrives at Warmiwañusca Pass (4,200m/13,280ft). The Inca Trail descends to the Pacaymayo River and then climbs slowly past Runkuraqay ruins. Over a low pass to Sayacmarca ("the waiting village”) the Inca Trail crosses a causeway on a now-dry lake past a cave and continues along a ridge to Phuyupatamarca ("village on the edge of the clouds"). (Time: 8-9hrs; Distance: 10 kms).
Camping
Overnight at Phuyupatamarca campsite. (BLD)
Day 4 - Machu Picchu
Phuyupatamarca/Machu Picchu.
Hiking
After continuing along a buttress and passing the Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. The recently restored Inca ruins are located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest the Inca Trail arrives at Machu Picchu and the magnificent citadel, Intipunku ("door of the sun").
Hotel
Shuttle to and overnight at a hotel in Aguas Calientes. (BLD) (Optional luxury hotel available).
Day 5 - Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu/Cusco.
Hiking
The whole day is dedicated to exploring these extraordinary Inca remains with your guide, including an optional climb up Wayna Picchu, the hill overlooking the site.
Train
At mid-afternoon return to Cusco by train with your guide.
Hotel
Transfer to and overnight at a local hotel. Dinner on your own. (BL)
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