4Day Trek to Machu Picchu Through the Inca Trail

4Day Trek to Machu Picchu Through the Inca Trail

Enjoy this trek to Machu Picchu, which is the only one to take you along the original Inca Trail, and reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Along the way, you will enjoy incredible landscapes and changing environments. This is a spectacularly rich experience in the Andean Mountains in which you will immerse yourself in the Inca culture as you hike 26 miles (43 kilometers) through the heart of the beautiful Andes.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cuzco - Ollantaytambo - KM 82 (2,570m) - Trek to Wayllabamba Camp (2,980m) (L/D)

Stop At: Inca Trail, Cusco 08000 Peru
Accommodation pick-up is between 5:45-6:00 am. Please make all of the necessary preparations one day prior to the trek. You will be taken by bus to the town of Ollantaytambo, where you will have an hour to eat breakfast on your own and purchase last-minute snacks, water and walking sticks. Then you will hop back on the bus to Piscacucho (KM 82) where the famous Inca Trail journey will begin. Bring your original passport, student card (if applicable) for the first Inca Trail checkpoint. Your guide will have your tickets for you. Hike along rolling hills in the Vilcanota River Valley passing by several small archaeological sites along the way. Lunch will be prepared half-way and you will have time to relax before reaching Wayllabamba camp (2,980m).

Inclusions: Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up, Bus Cuzco – KM 82 (starting point of trek), 1 Night Camping

Meals: 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner

Trekking: 10 kilometers / 6 hours

Difficulty: Moderate trek along a rolling path gradually ascending from Piscacucho KM 82 (2,570m) through the Urubamba river valley for 10 KM to reach Wayllabamba Camp (2,980m).
Duration: 18 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight camping at Wayllabamba camp

Day 2: Trek to Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m) via Dead Woman's Pass (4,215m) (B/L/D)

Stop At: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Peru
After an early breakfast around 6:00 am you will start off on the most challenging day along the trail, with a vertical hike of 6 km (approx. 5 hours) to reach Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m followed by a 3 km hike down stone steps to reach Pacaymayo camp at 3,600m (approx. 2 hours). Take your time and rest as much as you need, as you will ascend more than 1,200 meters over the course of the morning. Just after you cross Dead Woman's Pass you will be rewarded with spectacular views of nearby snow-capped mountain peaks and roaring waterfalls. Stroll slowly down to Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m) to enjoy the scenery. Arrive in time for lunch and a well-deserved nap. Then you will have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the camp before dinner and an early bedtime.

Inclusions: 1 Night Camping

Meals: 1 Breakfast / 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner

Trekking: 10 kilometers / 7 hours

Difficulty: Difficult trekking day starting at Wayllabamba Camp (2,980m) with a constant and demanding ascent of 6.4 KM to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m), an elevation gain of 1,200 vertical meters. Descend another 2.4 KM along a stone staircase to reach Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m), a decrease in elevation of 800 vertical meters.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Pacaymayo Camp

Day 3: Trek to Wiñayhuayna Camp (2,650m) via Runquracay Pass (3,950m) (B/L/D)

Stop At: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Peru
Start with a one-hour hike uphill to visit the Pacaymayo archaeological site. Continue one hour to Runquracay Pass (3,950m) where you can summit the mountain for incredible views of surrounding peaks. Visit 2 more archaeological sites called Sayacmarca & Phuyupatamarca with your guide and have lunch along the way. By late afternoon you will reach Wiñayhuayna High Jungle camp (2,650m) set above a river valley in a high jungle climate. After dinner, say a big THANK YOU to your porters and guides.

Inclusions: 1 Night Camping

Meals: 1 Breakfast / 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner

Trekking: 15 kilometers / 9 hours

Difficulty: Moderate ups and downs along ancient Inca stairways for 15 KM from Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m) crossing over Runquracay Pass (3,950m) ending at Wiñayhuayna High Jungle Camp (2,650m) with breaks at scenic archaeological sites along the way.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Wiñayhuayna High Jungle camp (2,650m)

Day 4: Trek to Sun Gate (2,720m) - Explore Machu Picchu (2,400m) - Return to Cuzco (B)

Stop At: Machu Picchu, 08680, Peru
Wake up between 3:30 and 4:30 am and have breakfast. Get on the trail early and head to the Wiñaywayna checkpoint, joining the lineup to wait for the gate to open at 5:30 am. Once the gate opens, hike about an hour to reach the Sun Gate. We'll keep our fingers crossed for a clear day! Catch the first glimpses of light over the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Then continue down the final length of the trail for 40 minutes to reach the Machu Picchu archaeological complex.

Visit this magical site on a 2-hour guided tour and learn about the history of this incredible Inca citadel. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. If you're feeling adventurous, take an optional trek to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (must be booked in advance). Return to Aguas Calientes from where you will catch a train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus back to Cuzco, arriving back by 8:30pm. You will be dropped off late in the day at the Plaza San Francisco. Please make your own way back to the accommodation of your choice.

Inclusions: 2-Hour Machu Picchu Guided Visit, Bus Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes, Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo, Bus Ollantaytambo - Cuzco

Meals: 1 Breakfast

Trekking: 7 kilometers / 2 hours

Difficulty: Follow an easy, flat and narrow 7 KM path from Wiñayhuayna High Jungle Camp (2,650m) to the Sun Gate (2,720m) and finally descend into the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (2,400m)
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.