Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Ollantaytambo to Inca Trail Start
Your guide picks you up from your hotel around 5:30am for the drive to Ollantaytambo, which takes about two hours with a breakfast stop included. From there you'll continue another hour to reach the Classic Inca Trail start point at the National Park control gate. The hiking begins with a gentle 1.5-hour walk, followed by a gradual 30-minute climb up to Llactapata where you get views of snow-capped Veronica mountain. After that you'll head down to lunch, then hike for another 2.5 hours to reach Huayllabamba camping site. You'll have afternoon tea there and meet the porters who'll be helping with the trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack
Included Activities
- Hike to Llactapata Incan site
- Guided hike on Classic Inca Trail (5-6 hours total)
Landmarks/POIs Ollantaytambo Llactapata Veronica Mountain - Day 2
Dead Woman's Pass
This morning starts early around 5:30am with breakfast, then you'll hike up to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m/13,828 feet, which is the highest point on the trail. The route takes you through native forests with hanging mosses, and you'll see nice natural scenery throughout. When you reach the pass, take some time to look at the snow-capped mountains around you. From there the hiking becomes easier as you descend toward Pacaymallo camping site. You'll have lunch once you arrive, and then the afternoon is free for resting up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack
Included Activities
- Hike to Dead Woman's Pass (4,215m)
- Guided hike on Classic Inca Trail (7-8 hours total)
Landmarks/POIs Dead Woman's Pass - Day 3
Phuyupatamarka - Intipata to Winayhuayna
Start with an early breakfast, then hike up for two hours to the second mountain pass with views of snow-capped Pumacillo peak. You'll descend and explore the Incan site of Sayacmarka, then gently hike back up to reach the third pass before lunch. This day has the best views with Veronica mountain, the Vilcabamba ranges, and the Cloud Forest all visible. Along the route you'll visit the Incan sites of Phuyupatamarka and Intipata. After exploring these areas, you'll hike another three hours down to Winayhuayna campsite.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack
Included Activities
- Hike to second mountain pass
- Visit and explore Sayacmarka Incan site
- Hike to third mountain pass
- Visit and explore Phuyupatamarka Incan site
- Visit and explore Intipata Incan site
- Guided hike on Classic Inca Trail (9-10 hours total)
Landmarks/POIs Sayacmarka Phuyupatamarka Intipata Veronica Mountain Vilcabamba Mountain Range Pumacillo Peak - Day 4
Machu Picchu to Cusco
Wake up at 3:30am so you can catch the sunrise at Machu Picchu ruins. You'll enter through the Sun Gate entrance, the same way the ancient Incas did, and take in the panoramic views from up there. After that you descend into the main site for a two-hour guided tour with a local guide. Once the tour ends, you'll have free time to walk around and explore on your own. From there you head down to Aguas Calientes town and catch the train back to Ollantaytambo, then return to Cusco by private bus.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Machu Picchu
- Enter Machu Picchu through Sun Gate entrance
- Two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Self-guided exploration of Machu Picchu site
- Hike descent to Aguas Calientes (3 hours, 6km)
Optional Activities
- Huayna Picchu mountain hike
- Machu Picchu mountain hike
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu Sun Gate (Intipunku) Aguas Calientes
