Itinerary
- Day 1
Inca Trail Trek Begins
Your guide picks you up at 6 a.m. from your hotel for the private bus ride to km 82, where the Inca Trail trek actually starts. You'll hike through mountain terrain passing ancient ruins like Huillca Raccay and Llactapata forts, with lunch happening at Llactapata. The path continues downhill along the Rio Cusichaca valley with views of snow-capped peaks before you reach your first camp at Huayllabamba by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike from km 82 on the Inca Trail
- Visit Huillca Raccay fort ruins
- Visit Llactapata fort ruins
- Hike to Huayllabamba camp
Landmarks/POIs Huillca Raccay Llactapata Veronica Mountain Cordillera Urubamba - Day 2
Dead Woman's Pass
Wake-up tea and breakfast come before 6 a.m., then you head into a challenging 7-hour hike with significant elevation gain. The terrain changes throughout, moving through polylepis forests and past a waterfall as you climb toward the trail's highest point at Abra de Huarmiwalusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4200m/13,780 ft. After that, you'll descend steep Inca steps down to camp at Pacaymayo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike from Huayllabamba to Tres Piedras
- Cross Rio Huayruro on narrow bridge
- Hike through polylepis forest
- Climb to Abra de Huarmiwalusca (Dead Woman's Pass)
- Descend to Pacaymayo camp
Landmarks/POIs Abra de Huarmiwalusca (Dead Woman's Pass) - Day 3
Winaywayna Ruins
This is about 7 hours of hiking covering roughly 15 km through some of the most dramatic sections of the trail. Starting from Pacaymayo, you'll check out Runcuracay ruins and climb to the second pass, then explore the impressive clifftop ruins of Sayacmarca and continue over the third pass where you get panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. The day ends at Puyupatamarca (City of Clouds) and Winaywayna ruins where you'll set up camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Runcuracay ruins
- Climb to Abra de Runkuracay (2nd pass)
- Visit Sayacmarca ruins
- View from 3rd pass
- Visit Puyupatamarca ruins
- Guided explanation of Inca bath
- Hike through cloud forest
- Visit Winaywayna ruins
Landmarks/POIs Runcuracay Abra de Runkuracay Sayacmarca Salkantay Veronica Puyupatamarca Winaywayna - Day 4
Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco
Breakfast happens at 4:30 a.m., then you hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. By 8 a.m. you'll reach the ruins for a guided 2-hour tour with your guide, after which you have free time to wander around at your own pace or take an optional hike to the Inca Bridge. You'll grab lunch in Aguas Calientes (at your own expense), then return to Cusco by train and private vehicle transfer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
- Watch sunrise over Machu Picchu
- Guided 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu ruins
- Free exploration of Machu Picchu ruins
Optional Activities
- Hike to Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes town
Landmarks/POIs Inti Punku (Sun Gate) Machu Picchu Inca Bridge
