Inca Trail 5 Days to Machu Picchu

We pick you up early from your hotel in Cusco (the exact time will be confirmed at the briefing) we will then drive for two and a half-hour to the Sacred Valley, where Piskacucho Km 82 (2,700 m/ 8,856 ft) is located, the trailhead, en route we will make a stop in Ollantaytambo town for breakfast (it isn’t included), once at the checkpoint of Km 82, we’ll show our passports to the local rangers (need to bring your original passport). 

The beginning of the trek is relatively flat, allowing for an easy start to the day. About two hours into the hike, you will see the Inca site of Patallacta, an extraordinary Inca ruins perched among the mountains, where our guide will pause to explain the history of this site. Other 45 minutes hike will get us to the lunch place. After lunch, we will still hike for 2 more hours to arrive at the first campsite called Wayllabamba. In the evening we’ll have our tea time to enjoy hot tea, hot chocolate, popcorn, biscuits, etc, followed by dinner and rest up for the second day.

• Hiking distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles.
• Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft.
• Highest elevation: 3,000 m / 9,840 ft.
• Physical rating: Moderate
• Highlight: Inca ruins.

The second day is the most challenging one, today a nutritious breakfast will make us ready for the hike. This section of the trail involves the most strenuous climbs through the ancient staircases but will offer you great views of the surrounding mountains. On this portion of the trek, expect several breaks, allowances for photos, and simply enjoy the surroundings.

The path is uphill until getting the Dead-woman pass ( 4,215 m/ 13,825 ft) which is the highest point on the Inca Trail, as we hike to this pass, we’ll get in different ecotones (a transition area between two adjacent ecological communities “ecosystems”), before reaching the top we’ll have lunch at Llulluchapampa 3,800 m/ 12,464 ft, After lunch, we’ll hike up to reach the Dead-woman pass for two more hours, upon our arrival we’ll take a very well-deserved break to enjoy the sceneries around, from this highest point we’ll walk downhill for 3 hours to get the second campsite called Pacaymayu 3,650 m/ 11,972 ft. This evening we’ll have tea time and dinner.

• Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles.
• Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 3,000 m / 9,840 ft.
• Highest elevation: 4,215 m / 13,825 ft.
• Physical rating: Demanding.

Today, we’ll wake up a bit later than other days and have a great breakfast, we’ll then start hiking up for two hours to reach the second pass called Runkurakay 3,950 m/ 12,956 ft, on the halfway to the pass, we’ll get and explore the ruins of Runkurakay, a place to get into the Incan history, archaeology and for a break before reaching the next high pass. Upon our arrival at Runkurakay pass, we’ll savor the stunning views in every direction of the Vilcabamba mountain range and Urubamba Mountain range. After a deserved rest at the top, we’ll descend down to the next Incan ruins called Sayacmarca for 1 hour and 30 minutes, where we’ll explore this place with our Tour Guide, before heading out to our lunch spot at Chakicocha. After lunch, the trail goes through the cloud forest with great scenic vistas to Phuyupatamarca 3,650 m/ 11,972 ft, the third campsite considered the most scenic campsite on the Inca Trail 5 days. The afternoon is for relaxation time, enjoy the tea time and dinner.

• Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles.
• Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 3,650 m / 11,972 ft.
• Highest elevation: 4,950 m / 12,956 ft.
• Physical rating: Moderate to demanding.

An important day, because we’ll conquer Machu Picchu today. After taking our nutritious breakfast and enjoying the sunrise, we’ll descend to Wiñaywayna ruins, which look quite similar to the ones at Machu Picchu where our Tour Guide will deliver great information about this site, on the way from the last campsite to Wiñaywayna, we’ll stop at other well-restored Incan ruins of Phuyupatamarca and Intipata for an exploration. Upon our arrival to Wiñaywayna and after the exploration of the Incan site, we’ll have our last lunch and a farewell time to our porters. We’ll then continue hiking to Machu Picchu for two more hours via Sun Gate. From the Sun Gate, we will have a spectacular view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. However, it will take other 45 minutes to hike down to Machu Picchu itself. After spending some time in Machu Picchu, we will take the bus to our hotel in Aguas Calientes town/Machu Picchu Pueblo.

• Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles.
• Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft.
• Highest elevation: 3,650 m / 11,972 ft.
• Physical rating: Moderate to demanding.

Today a great breakfast at the hotel makes us ready for a full morning exploration of Machu Picchu on a private tour with your Trek Tour Guide. We’ll take the bus back to Machu Picchu early in the morning for an amazing tour until 12:00 pm (Machu Picchu permits will be issued for the first time slot which is from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm.

If you have booked a permit for Wayna Picchu Mountain, you’ll climb the mountain after the tour and this hike might be unguided; however, spaces are subject to availability. In the unlikely event that Wayna Picchu permits are not available for your departure date, you will climb Machu Picchu Mountain instead.

After a great time at the Incan citadel, we’ll take the bus back to Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes town), where we’ll have lunch (not included). In the afternoon we’ll take the train back to Ollantaytambo train station and/or Poroy train station, here, our driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco. End of the adventure.