Spectacular Inca Trail (7 Days)

• Cusco Airport Transfer: Arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transport to your hotel.
• The rest of the morning is free to rest in order to avoid ill effects due to the high altitude.
• Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
• Meals included: None.

• Breakfast at hotel; pick up from the hotel at 08:00am our private transport drives us to local Andean community of Taucca populated by 20 families and located at an elevation of 3,850 meters. The villagers will share with you their traditional Andean way of life through different activities you can engage in, like weaving demonstrations, plowing with Andean tools, etc. In addition, you will see them spin and dye wool thread using natural dyes as well as weave fabric following their ancient techniques.
• After having an unforgettable experience with these people we will move towards Moray archeological site. This site houses enormous circular and Pre-Incan semi-circular agricultural terraces that were constructed with the intention of being used as a botanical laboratory to carry out experiments on plant domestication and foreign crop acclimatization. The area stretches so long and widely that at least 3000 plant varieties, including potatoes and corn, may have been grown there.
• Afterwards, we will carry on visiting the largest salt pans in the region “Las Salineras de Maras” that have been mined continuously, dating all the way back to the Incan Empire. This site has been exploited since the time of the Incas as a source of economic exchange.
• After the salt pans, you will pass through the village of Pichingoto, which was once the top salt producer during the Spanish colonial era followed by drive through the Sacred Valley to admire its corn fields and green prairies.
• Finally, we will meet our vehicle again beside the Urubamba River. Back to Cusco, arriving time to Cusco around 17:00pm.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
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• Breakfast at hotel. Pick up from the hotel at 05:00am and transfer to the head of the Inca Trail at Piscacucho, Km 82 (2,850m/9,350ft) where we will meet the porters. The car trip from Cusco to Piscacucho takes around 3 hours. Our vehicle usually stops at the town of Ollantaytambo on the way for about an hour so that people can have breakfast. 
• We begin our trek of the Inca Trail by crossing the suspended bridge over the Urubamba River. We then hike on the shore, left of the Urubamba River as it runs northwest towards the Sacred Valley. We will continue on a flat surface to Miskay. As we continue on we will have the opportunity for an aerial panoramic view the inspiring Inca City of Llactapata from a vista adjacent to these amazing Ruins.
• Resuming our trek through the valley, carved out by River Kusichaca, we will begin our ascent for around five hours until we arrive at the archaeological site of Huayllabamba (3,000m/9,840ft) where we will camp for the night. Throughout the journey we will enjoy the extravagant sights of the fantastic Vilcanota ridge which is located on the far side of Urubamba River. The imposing Veronica peak looms over us standing tall at (5,832m/19,134ft) over sea level. The first day of the Trail is simple and offers sufficient training for the days ahead.
• Overnight in camp.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

• Approximate walking distance: 10.5 km (6.52 miles)

  Estimated time walking: 5-6 hours

  Maximum altitude point: 2,970 m (9,744ft)

  Campsite altitude: 2,970 m (9,744ft)

• This day is without a doubt the toughest and highest in terms of altitude on the trail, which includes a sudden and sheer ascent that goes on for about 11 km, so inexperienced hikers are allowed time to settle in. We recommend that you make special preparations for this day by packing your day bag with plenty of chocolates or candies to keep your blood sugar level high and curb the threat of altitude sickness.
• After breakfast we will begin our demanding day with a sharp climb to the Warmiwañusca Pass, also called the Dead Woman´s Pass (4,200m/13,776ft). Along this path, the surroundings begin to transform to a mountainous terrain where we may see local alpacas and llamas grazing on the Ichu grass. 
• We will continue downhill from here using a winding path that bypasses a valley beside our next campsite. We will also go by an area known as the cloud forest, a habitat for various species of birds such as sparrows, hummingbirds and also the Andean bear better known as the Spectacled Bear.
• After 6 hours of trekking we will descend into the valley of Paqaymayu (3,500m/11,480ft) where we will find our campsite. You will enjoy a wonderful meal and rest after an exhausting day. 
• Overnight in camp.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Approximate walking distance: 7.5 km (4, 66 miles)

Estimated time walking: 6-7 hours

Maximum altitude point: 4,210 m (13,812ft)

Campsite altitude: 3,600 m (11,811ft)

• After Breakfast we will make our way along the longest and most remarkable part of the trail. The presence of numerous archaeological sites as well as the green cloud forest and the rich presence of Andean flora and fauna will take your breath away. We will make our way from Paqaymayu to Abra Runkurakay, the second pass (3,955m/12,975ft).
• Midway along the Inca trail, you will come upon the remains of Runkurakay, a semi-circular Inca domicile overlooking the Paqaymayu valley. After a short visit we make our way into the Cloud Forest to the Archaeological site of Sayacmarca where you will have a chance to explore. Continuing the hike we will approach the third mountain pass at Abra Phuyupatamarca and descend to the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, also known as “The Town in the Clouds” where you will have a chance to explore this astounding Inca vestige. 
• Next, we will make our way down a long stone stair case that will lead us to Wiñayhuayna (2,700m/8,858ft), an inspiring Inca center consisting of a thriving agricultural complex, an urban sector and a religious hub in close proximity of our camp. Wiñayhuayna becomes the last official camp before Machu Picchu. Ensure that you are well rested so that you wake up in time to catch the marvelous sunrise at Machu Picchu.
• Overnight in camp.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

• Approximate walking distance: 10.6 km (6. 58 miles)
• Estimated time walking: 7-8 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 3,955 m (12,975 ft)
• Campsite altitude: 2,700 m (8,858 ft)

• At around 04:00am you will get up, have breakfast and continue on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. This is the last part of the journey so we will arrive to the Sun Gate by 06:00am. Out of the blue every part of Machu Picchu will materialize before your eyes stuttering with its immense beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. The sight is overwhelming and you can imagine what the ancient Inca must have perceived after their taxing expedition to this expansive temple. At this point we move downhill towards Machu Picchu (2,430m/7,972ft), after a period of 40 minutes we will enter the citadel through the “House of the Guardians”. We then proceed to the control point where we register and leave our belongings. At 08:00am the guided tour begins, your guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can then wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered to be the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. From 10:30am to 12:00pm once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own, relax, or meditate. From 12:00 to 13:00pm take bus to Aguas Calientes. From 13:00pm to 14:30pm take lunch at local restaurant in Aguas Calientes. Return to Cusco: later board the train for the return trip to Cusco. You will stop at the Ollantaytambo Station and then be picked up and driven to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch. Expedition Train schedule — Aguas Calientes (15:20pm) – Ollantaytambo (17:08pm) Approximate walking distance: 4.4 km (2.73 miles) Estimated time walking: 2 hours Maximum altitude point: 2,670 m (8,759 ft) Train tickets; we will attempt to book tickets on this train but this depends on availability; if there is no availability, we will book other train schedules with the same train service. New rules to visit Machu Picchu; Peru’s Ministry of Culture announced the new entrance rules for visiting Machu Picchu. From July 1, 2017 entrance tickets to Machu Picchu will be split into 2 entrance times. AM entrance from 6am – 12pm and PM entrance from 12pm – 5:30pm About Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain; Entrance times to Huayna Picchu Mountain from 7 to 8am and 10 to 11am. Entrance times to Machu Picchu Mountain from 7 to 8am and 9 to 10am. * Departure and arrival times are approximated. ** Campsites are subject to change according to the designation of the governmental institution regulating the use of the Inca Trail as well as to our guide’s criteria and the group progress.

• Breakfast at hotel; at the scheduled time our representative will meet you in the hotel lobby, transfer and assistance on your departure.
• Meals Included: Breakfast.