DAY 01: CUSCO – KM 82 – WAYLLABAMBA – AYAPATA

Today begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel at 06:00 a.m., and a bus journey to KM 82 which is the starting point of our walk. On our way to KM 82, we’ll pass through the towns of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo and begin our walking for the day by walking alongside the Urubamba River, where we’ll have a stunning view of the snow-capped mountain, Veronica (5900m/19000ft). Afterwards, we’ll continue to the archaeological site of Llactapata by the Cusi Chaca River Valley, pass through the village of Wayllabamba (3,000m) to arrive at our campsite in Ayapata (3300m).

• Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours

DAY 02: AYAPATA – WARMIWAÑUSCA PASS – PACAYMAYO – RUNKURAKAY PASS – CHAQUICOCHA

After breakfast, we’ll start our walk and slowly ascend to the Warmiwañusca Pass (4,200m) through a beautiful forest of Queñua trees. Along the way, we will walk by Llulluchapampa (3,750m) which is a typical Pampas (flat) area at the foot of the pass. After taking in great views of the Andean landscape, we will arrive at the Warmiwañusca Pass where we’ll descend to the Pacaymayo Valley (3,620m) to have lunch. Later on, we’ll head up to the Runkurakay Pass and then descend to our campsite for the evening, Chaquicocha, where you’ll see a good example of the extraordinary construction of the Inka Trail.

• Estimated walking time: 9-10 hours

DAY 03: CHAQUICOCHA – WIÑAYWAYNA

This is one of the most beautiful days on the Inka Trail, where you’ll observe the remarkable balance achieved by the Inkas and the environment they lived in. We’ll start our trek after breakfast, beginning by visiting the archaeological site of Runkurakay from which you will have a spectacular view of the area. Afterwards, we will continue towards the archaeological sites of Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna which are linked by a wonderful path of original Inka white granite, and set amongst the lush vegetation of the forest. Our campsite for the evening is located near the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna (2,650m).

• Estimated walking time: 5 hours

DAY 04: WIÑAYWAYNA – INTI PUNKU – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We’ll get up very early today at 04:00 a.m., have breakfast, and start walking around 05:00 a.m. We’ll also say goodbye to the porters because they’ll return to Cusco with all of the camping equipment.

We will begin our walk through a dense rainforest towards Inti Punku, or Puerta del Sol / Sun gate where we will have a spectacular panoramic view of the Inka Citadel. Arriving at Machu Picchu around 07:00 a.m., we’ll have a 2-hour guided tour of the most important sites within. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to explore Machu Picchu by yourself.

In the afternoon, we will take a train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo and a bus back to Cusco.