Day 1

Cusco-Wayllabamba (12 km/7.5 miles)

We’ll come pick you up between 5 and 5:30 a.m. at the hotel. In a private bus, we’ll go to Piskacuchu (2,700 m/8,910 ft), a small community at kilometer 82 on the Cusco-Machu Picchu route. This is the trek’s starting point. We’ll cross the Vilcanota river and pass through the village of Miskay. Then, we’ll climb to the enormous ruins of Llactapata (also known as Patallacta), which was originally an agricultural center that helped to supply Machu Picchu with maize. The site includes about a hundred buildings and farmers’ and soldiers’ houses.

After walking for another 7 kilometers (4.3 miles), we’ll get to the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 m/9,900 ft), where we’ll camp for the night.

During the hike, we’ll enjoy a beautiful panorama: the Vilcanota river, the Urubamba Cordillera with the snow-covered peak of Mount Veronica (5,750 m/18,975 ft), and a great variety of plants and wildlife.

Day 2

Wayllabamba-Pacamayo (12 km/7.5 miles)

We’ll get up at 6 a.m., have breakfast and leave Wayllabamba to begin the hardest day of the trek, which includes an approximately 9-km (5.6-mile) uphill hike. During this journey, the landscape changes, as we pass from the sierra to the puna (a high-altitude region with little vegetation).

Arriving at the first and highest pass of the trek (4,200 m/13,860 ft), Warmihuañusca Pass (“Dead Woman’s Pass”), we’ll see llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grows at that altitude. After crossing the pass, we’ll hike down into the Pacaymayo Valley (3,600 m/11,880 ft), where we’ll camp for the night.

Day 3

Pacamayo-Wiñay Wayna (15 km/9.3 miles)

This day is the longest but also the most interesting, as we’ll come across diverse Incan ruins along the way.

From the Pacamayo camp, we’ll climb to the second pass, Runkurakay (3,970 m/13,100 ft). On the way up, we’ll visit the archeological site of the same name, which consists of an oval structure that is thought to have been used as an observation tower over the Pacamayo Valley. After the pass, we’ll hike down to Yanacocha (“Black Lagoon”) and, an hour later, we’ll arrive at the ruins of Sayacmarca (3,624 m/11,959 ft). Sayacmarca (“Inaccessible City” in Quechua), is a marvelous, semicircular archeological site, with alleys, religious fountains, courtyards and irrigation canals.

Hiking on, we’ll arrive at the third pass, Phuyapatamarca (3,700 m/12,210 ft). From there, we’ll enjoy the incredible view of the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay (6,180 m/20,394 ft) and Veronica (5,750 m/18,975 ft).

A few minutes after the pass, we’ll come upon Phuyapatamarca, one of the most complete and best preserved Incan archeological sites. Its name means “city in the clouds,” and here we’ll see fountains, impressive buildings and six Incan baths, probably used in the rite of water worship.

From there, we’ll walk down about a thousand steps to get to Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m/8,910 ft), another impressive site. Its agricultural and religious center has numerous terraces, an urban area and fountains, these too probably used in the rite of water purification. We’ll camp there for the night, only five minutes away from the ruins. At the campsite, there’s a restaurant, a bar and hot showers.

Day 4

Wiñay Wayna-Machu Picchu (5 km/3.1 miles)

On the fourth and final day, we’ll get up at 4:15 a.m., have breakfast and start the hike through the jungle to get to Intipunko (“The Sun Gate”). Once there, we’ll enjoy an unforgettable spectacle: the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. Afterwards, we’ll start the 40-minute walk down to Machu Picchu itself, where we’ll enter the archeological site from its highest point, the “Guardians’ House.” After registering our names and leaving our backpacks, we’ll start our two-hour guided tour. Afterwards, we’ll have time to do what we like: we can climb Huayna Picchu (where you can enjoy an incredible panorama of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains) or visit the Temple of the Moon or the legendary Incan bridge. In the afternoon, we’ll go down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have time to relax in the hot springs.

Finally, we’ll take the train back to Cusco, getting in at night.

Please note the following:

ATTENTION: The Inca Trail must be reserved at least 2 months in advance. If you want to do it in August, it’s better to reserve at least 3 to 4 months in advance.

Remember to bring your passport with you; you will need it at the entrance to the trail.

Don’t be fooled by cheap prices for this trek. A low price means terrible service, low-quality equipment and exploitation of the guides and porters. PeruEtico doesn’t organize this trek directly. We work with a serious, professional agency that respects both the environment and the wage and working conditions of its employees.

The tour is not private; the group is made up of 12-14 people.

This trek is considered level 3 (on a scale of 1 to 5); we recommend it to people in good shape.

All PeruEtico tours require a project contribution, even if, as in this case, they don’t include a visit to the projects we support. We invite you to get to know the organizations and the children when you come to Cusco (Hogar de las Estrellas and Mosoq Runa) and Lima (CEPROF).

The project contribution will go to the projects Mosoq Runa, Hogar de las Estrellas and CEPROF.

This tour includes:

Transport in a private bus from your hotel to kilometer 82 (trek starting point).

Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.

Inca Trail entrance fee.

Machu Picchu entrance fee.

Camping equipment.

Spanish and English-speaking guide.

All meals.

Porters (to carry the tents, food and cooking equipment).

First-aid kit.

This tour does not include:

Lunch and dinner on the last day.

Entrance fee for the Aguas Calientes hot springs (US$1.50).

Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.

Project contribution (US$20 per person). The contributions will be given in full to the three Children’s Homes, so they may finance their own projects planned for 2010. For more information, please go to the PeruEtico Italia Association website.

Suggested packing list:

Backpack

Rain jacket

Hiking boots

Heavy clothing

Sleeping bag and sleeping pad

Flashlight and batteries

Hat

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Toilet paper

Snacks: cookies, energy bars, chocolate, etc.

Water bottle and water purification tablets

Towel

Swimming suit (if you want to go in the hot springs)

Cash (Nuevo Soles and US Dollars). There aren’t any ATMs in Aguas Calientes!!

Passport