Inca Trail Discovery, Machu Picchu

DAY 1 - CHILLCA – LLAQTAPATA

A spectacular drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to Chillca, our trailhead. Crossing a footbridge, we take an undulating trek through a dry cactus zone beneath soaring views to the snows of Mt. Verónica, with the turbulent Urubamba river on our right. We reach our campsite at the imposing sculpted terraces of Inca Llaqtapata, and explore further downstream to the outlying areas of this massive ancient farming complex.

DAY 2 - LLAQTAPATA - LLULLUCHAPAMPA

The trail climbs gently into the mountains through the last inhabited village of Huayllabamba, and then more steeply past a rushing stream through enchanted native polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the puna, the treeless grasslands of the high Andes. We camp below mighty crags, looking eastward to the snowpeaks and valleys of the Huayanay massif.

DAY 3 - LLULLUCHAPAMPA - PHUYUPATAMARCA

We climb to the first and highest pass, Warmiwañusca (4,200m/13,776ft), with spectacular views of the trail ahead to the second pass. Descending to the forested Pacamayo valley we pick up an Inca stairway and ascend again past the small Inca site of Runkuracay. We reach the second pass, where the landscape opens onto spectacular new views to the snowpeaks of the Pumasillo range, then descend to the ruins of Sayacmarca (Inaccessible Town), an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley. The Inca trail, now a massive buttressed structure of granite paving stones, continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns. At the third pass we camp by pinnacles topped with Inca viewing platforms, overlooking the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town).

DAY 4 – PHUYUPATAMARCA – MACHU PICCHU

We explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways spilling down the mountainside at Phuyupatamarca then begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us finally to the site of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites. In the afternoon we follow the last stretch of trail across a steep mountainside through a lush, humid cloud-forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry –a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu..

DAY 5 – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We return to Machu Picchu by bus and spend the day in both guided and individual exploration, visiting the best-known features of this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement. Some will want to take the optional hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu for an amazing overview of the site, while others may want to investigate Machu Picchu’s multitude of hidden nooks and corners. After a full-on experience of this glorious monument to the Inca achievement, we return to Aguas Calientes and board the return train to Cusco.

Shared Service

Booking

	Single	Double	Triple
Frist Class		Contact Us

Price for Person
Departs from Cusco: Monday and Friday. Minimum 2 passengers, Maximun 8.

SERVICES INCLUDED
Transportation by vehicle to start of trek and from the end of trek to the city of departure, tents including sleeping pads, porters, kitchen crew and commissary gear with all meals according to the itinerary, bilingual guide on the trek, first aid kit and train ticket to Cusco (Vistadome).

NOT INCLUDED
Inca trail entrance fee, Meals in the cities, alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service, additional tours, insurance and airline tickets (where applicable), sleeping bags, hiking boots and other personal gear or items.

We Recommend
- A backpack
- Sleeping bag and mattress.
- Camera gear (ASA 50, 100 and 200 recommended)
- Rain suit or long poncho (100 % waterproof - test before you leave home)
-One complete change of clothing (trousers, socks, T-shirts, shorts and underwear)
- Sweater and jacket for cool days or nights
- Trekking shoes
- Sunscreen lotion
- A bottle or canteen to carry water
- Water purifying tablets
- A hat
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Coramina (Glucose)
- A photocopy of your passport
- A flashlight and batteries
- Personal toiletries and medications
- Towel and toilet paper
- Snacks
- Peruvian currency (soles)
- There is a limit of 10 kilograms per person.

General Information
Although the trek is rated as moderate, we strongly suggest spending at least two nights before the start of the trek to totally adjust to the altitude.
In each booking please include the following information: complete name of the passengers, age, occupation, passport number, nationality and any special medical or food requirements (vegetarian, low salt, low fat, diabetic or other) .
Maximum allowance of 10 kilograms per person.
We recommend combining the Inca trail program with an Amazon adventure in the species-rich rainforest of Tambopata or Manu.