The Classic Inca Trail

We’ll wake you up very early with a hot cup of coca tea that will help you start the day in the best way possible. Today the longest and most exhausting day on the route awaits us. We’ll go uphill for 4 hours to the highest point of the trek to the Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft). Open all your senses and connect with those immense mountains that you see all around. Feel the spirit of those thousands of ancient Peruvians who walked these roads in complete harmony with nature. Then we’ll descend for 1.5 hours to the other side of the valley where our lunch place is located. Remember that here you can refill your water bottles. After having eaten, we’ll ascend for 2 hours to the Abra Runcuraccay. We’ll visit a spectacular Inca site and will observe 2 immense waterfalls. Later we’ll descend for 1 hour to the archaeological site of Sayacmarca located in an almost inaccessible place.

We’ll stop here to discover the secrets of this ancient place in the company of our guide. The mysteries of the Incas will be revealed, little by little, as the sun descends and reddens the Vilcabamba mountain range. It’s only 20 more minutes until we reach our second camp in Chaquicocha (3,600 m / 11,811 ff). After dinner, if you still have strength, we’ll be able to observe the stars and learn a little more about the fascinating dark constellations of the Incas. The night skies in the Andes, far from the artificial lighting of the cities, deserve to be seen.

Well done, you have overcome the most difficult day! Today a beautiful reward awaits you. After having rested in our comfortable tents, we’ll begin our day at 6:30 a.m. You’ll walk for 2 hours while receiving the immense green embrace of the earth. From here the jungle begins to thicken. In addition, you’ll have the privilege of observing the impressive perpetual snows of the Apu Salkantay in the distance, the second most important glacier in the Cusco region. Let yourself be surprised by the panoramic view of the extensive Vilcabamba mountain range. Later, you’ll begin to ascend towards the last summit of the path in Phuyupatamarka (3,600 m / 11,811 ft) from where you’ll be able to appreciate the waters of the Urubamba, a sacred river that runs through this territory as if it were an immense cosmic snake. Then you will descend for 3 hours to our last camp near the Wiñay Wayna archaeological site. This complex, whose name means “eternal youth”, is considered the most impressive of the entire route, not counting Machu Picchu of course. You are now very close to the lost city of the Incas! We’ll arrive at the camp at approximately 1:00 p.m. for lunch.

Relax and become aware of where you are and the great effort you’ve made. Tomorrow you will visit Machu Picchu! At approximately 4:30 p.m. You’ll make a guided visit to the Wiñay Wayna archaeological site for 1.5 hours. The words from our guide will make this remote place come alive once again. Then, we’ll spoil you with a small celebration together with all the team that has accompanied you: guides, porters, and cooks. Remember that they have worked very hard to make you feel comfortable and calm during these hard days of walking. By doing this, we thank them for all their care and affection. Obviously, you can also thank them with some tips. We recommend that you rest early as we’ll wake up together with the sun the next day. The idea is to see how Machu Picchu begins to light up at dawn, a magical spectacle that will captivate your heart.

Every effort has its rewards. We’ll wake up at 3:30 a.m. and immediately will enjoy our delicious and healthy breakfast. At 4:00 a.m. we’ll go to the entry control point to be one of the first groups to enter. Here we’ll say goodbye to our team of cooks and porters. We’ll walk approximately 1 hour to Puerta del Sol. Get ready because from there you’ll see this marvel of Inca architecture and engineering for the first time. Bow down to this holy place that has quietly waited for your visit to change something that’s hidden deep within you. We have 1 more hour of walking to enter the Lost City of the Incas. At approximately 7:40 a.m. we’ll arrive at the last control point and enjoy a 2-hour guided tour.The intimate connection between human beings and nature is revealed in a powerful way in Machu Picchu. Immense stones harmoniously linked together form temples, alleys, houses, and aqueducts that are still working after 5 centuries. Machu Picchu was built in an inaccessible place to resist the fierce attack of oppression and oblivion, and to remind modern men that only in true communion with Pacha Mama or Mother Earth can we fully exist.

After the tour, we’ll give you the bus tickets so you can go to Aguas Calientes. In this way, you’ll have all the time available to explore this mythical citadel on your own. You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes where you’ll enjoy your last lunch at the local restaurant of your choice. Remember that this food is not included in the package. Your guide will then deliver your train tickets to you. Generally, the Expedition class train departure time is 15:20 p.m. or 16:22 p.m. You’ll arrive in Ollantaytambo or Poroy depending on the type of train you choose. There, a representative of Peru Treks will be waiting to take you to the door of your hotel in our private mobility.

Please make sure you are present on the platform at least 30 minutes before the departure of your train.