Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 5D/4N

Cusco, Machu Picchu

From

Duration

5 days

Tour Type

Overview

The 5-day (4-night) Inca Trail follows the world-renowned route of the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Hikers will arrive at Machu Picchu on the fourth day of the trek and descend directly to the small town of Aguas Calientes, for a well-deserved night’s rest in a comfortable hotel. Starting early, during the following day an experienced guide will provide a tour of the Inca city, after which there will be time for the optional ascent of Huayna Picchu or a visit to the Temple of the Moon, before the return train ride to Cusco.

Travel Information

Tour Name: Classic Inca Trail – 5 Days / 4 Nights
Tour Operator: [Your Tour Company Name]
Location: Cusco – Inca Trail – Machu Picchu, Peru
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging – high-altitude trekking (2,070 m – 4,205 m / 6,791 ft – 13,795 ft)
Best Season: April to October (dry season)

Tour Category:

Adventure & Hiking: Challenging multi-day trek through the Andes
Cultural & Historical: Explore Inca ruins along the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Nature & Scenic: Stunning mountain scenery, cloud forest, rivers, and diverse wildlife

Included/Exclude

All the necessary land transport (Private bus).
English speaking tour guide.
Porters to carry equipment provided, food and up to 8 kg of your personal effects
Camp cook.
Camping equipment: Two-person tents, kitchen and/or dining tent, and toilet tent
Inflatable mattress.
Food: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner as described above.
Snacks in the morning that includes fruits, chocolates, candies, and others.
Hot drinks in the afternoon (tea or coffee).
Duffle bags
First-aid kit.
Entrance fee to the Inca Trail.
Bus ticket Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Train ticket Aguas Calientes – Cusco. (Train Expedition. We can upgrade to Vistadome under request)
Transfer from the train station in Cusco to the hotel

Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Sleeping bag (we can rent it).
Travel insurance.
Meals not included in the program.
Tips.

Tour Plan

Day 1: Cusco / Piscacucho (km 82) / Huayllabamba

Our vehicle will take us to the trail head at Piscacucho (76 kilometers by paved road and 15 kilometers by dirt road – 3 hours). From the trailhead we will follow the left bank of the Urubamba River, enjoying fine views of snow-capped Mount Veronica (5850 meters / 19,188 feet). After lunch we will visit the ruins of Llactapata before continuing along the Huayllabamba valley to our campsite near the village of the same name (2968 meters / 9737 feet).

Travel time: Cusco – Piscacucho: 91 kilometers / 56.5 miles (Paved road: 77 kilometers / 47.4 miles; dirt road: 14 kilometers / 8.7 miles); 3 hours

Trekking distance: 11 kilometers / 6.8 miles; 5-6 hours

Altitudes: Cusco 3400 meters / 11,159 feet; Piscacucho (Km 82): 2650 meters / 8692 feet; Llactapata: 2610 meters / 8563 feet; Huayllabamba: 2968 meters / 9737 feet

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2: Huayllabamba / Pacaymayo

From the village of Huayllabamba the trail climbs steadily through high Andean woodland to the plain known as Llulluchapampa, just before the first pass, from where there are excellent views of the Huayanay mountain chain. After another two hours walking we will reach Warmiwañuska Pass (4205 meters / 13,795 feet), before descending as far as the canyon of the Pacaymayo River (3604 meters / 11,821 feet), where we will make our second camp.

Trekking distance: 7.6 kilometers / 4.7 miles; 7 hours

Altitudes: Huayllabamba: 2968 meters / 9737 feet; Llulluchapampa: 3767 meters / 12,359 feet; Warmiwañuska: 4205 meters / 13,795 feet; Pacaymayo: 3604 meters / 11,821 feet

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Pacaymayo / Phuyupatamarca

The trail climbs to the second pass at Runkuracay (3950 meters / 12,956 feet), from where there are views of both the Vilcabamba and Urubamba mountain ranges. After a short rest we will descend along a paved Inca road to the ruins of Runkuracay and Sayacmarca, which have been recently restored. Here we enter the cloud forest and in the afternoon the trail continues via a series of stone steps past the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (3640 meters / 11,942 feet) where we will camp for the night.

Trekking distance: 7 kilometers / 4.3 miles; 5-6 hours

Altitudes: Pacaymayo: 3604 meters / 11,821 feet; Runkuracay Pass: 3950 meters / 12,956 feet; Phuyupatamarca: 3640 meters / 11,942 feet

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Phuyupatamarca / Machu Picchu

From Phuypatamarca, the trail descends a vertiginous slope along a remarkable set of stone Inca steps, a descent of approximately three hours to the picturesque ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2665 meters / 8743 feet), an Inca site set in dense forest.

The Wiñay Wayna complex was once inhabited by Inca farmers who used terracing to reclaim these steep slopes for agriculture. It is composed of around structures (which have all been restored), as well as an irrigation system and a splendid Inca temple. You will have at least an hour to explore the ruins of Winay Wayna on foot.

In the afternoon we will walk for another two hours, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way, with the Urubamba River far below, until we reach Intipunku (Sun Gate), from where we will get our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. From here it is a forty minute walk to the Inca city.

Bus ride to Aguas Calientes (2070 meters / 6791 feet): 30 minutes

Trekking distance: 8.7 kilometers / 5.4 miles; 5-6 hours

Altitudes: Phuyupatamarca: 3640 meters / 11,942 feet; Wiñay Wayna: 2665 meters / 8743 feet; Intipunku: 2693 meters / 8833 feet; Machu Picchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet; Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Machu Picchu

Today we will make an early start to give us plenty of time to visit this lost city, which was rediscovered in 1911. Located at the top of a steep, forested hill overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was hidden by dense vegetation for centuries until the American explorer Hiram Bingham began to clear the site.

Today the city has been completely restored and for visitors from all over the world it is an unforgettable sight.

Our guided tour includes a visit to the temples, plazas, palaces, watercourses and residential areas of Machu Picchu and you will also have time to explore the ruins independently.

Return to Cusco by train, transfer to hotel.

Optional: Hike up Huayna Picchu peak (2-3 hours), subject to availability.

Altitudes: Machu Picchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet; Huayna Picchu: 2532 meters / 8307 feet; Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet.