DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 - CUSCO TO PATALLACTA
This morning we travel out of the city in our private transport to arrive early in the morning to the tranquil Plaza of Ollantaytambo, located deep in the heart of the beautiful Sacred Valley. We can choose to explore this imposing Inca site or simply enjoy the morning in this picturesque town. We have lunch here before we head off on the track road leading from Ollantaytambo to Km82, this is our checkpoint at the start of the trek.
The trail follows the river valley for a while; today is a great training day before our second more challenging day. We have chosen a campsite nearby Patallacta which used to be an important Inca construction along the Inca Trail. This is just the beginning of a holy trail abounding with Inca sanctuaries
On arrival we will be greeted by our trek team. Our cook is in charge of conjuring up the most deliciously satisfying meals from the best local produce to be served in our comfortable private dining tent. Our porters will have already set up our luxury camp to include our massage tent and hot shower tent. Relax and feel refreshed at the end of our first trek day, who said camping needs to be arduous!
Maximum Altitude: 2788 m / 9146 ft
Minimum Altitude: 2670 m / 8760 ft
Approximate Walking Time: 4 hours
Meals: L, D. Snacks
DAY 2 - PATALLACTA TO LLULLUCHAPAMPA
After a great night's sleep on thick inflatable mattresses and a beautiful breakfast we will climb through the Cusichaca Valley. It’s a hot and humid ascent set in a magnificent landscape, with attractive flora and fauna. As we walk we will be accompanied by beautiful indigenous hummingbirds.
Today is a challenging day, not very long but it serves as good preparation for our day three ascent to the highest pass of the Inca Trail. We spend tonight at the Llulluchapampa campsite a halfway point towards tomorrow's Mountain Pass. We will be welcomed to our campsite by hot showers and a soothing massage for any aches you may be feeling after completing our second day hiking this fabulous trail.
Maximum Altitude: 3680 m / 12073 ft
Minimum Altitude: 2788 m / 9146 ft
Approximate Walking Time: 6 - 7 hours
Meals: B, L, D. Snacks
DAY 3 - LLULLUCHAPAMPA TO PHUYUPATAMARCA
An early morning wake up call with a hot cup of your preferred beverage served in your tent and an awaiting breakfast fit for a Royal Inca sets us up for our long trek day ahead. Ever hopeful, the sun will be shining on us this morning as we follow the Inca Trail to Warmiwañusta (Dead Woman's Pass). This is our high mountain pass at 4212m/13825ft.
It is all uphill until we reach the summit and then we follow a beautiful stone trail. We continue along this ancient trail passing small ponds, over mountain passes, caves and forest, and surrounded by sweet songbirds. This trail will guide us to our second high pass.
Today is gruelling but after our second high pass of the day at 3970m/13022ft, our luxury lunch stop awaits. The food is divine, we are now located over 3600m/11800ft on one of the world’s most famous trails with stunning 360 degree views. Life doesn’t get much sweeter.
After a fulfilling and well-earned lunch the next two hours before our campsite of Phuyupatamarca is quite possibly the most memorable section of an original cobblestoned Inca Trail. The scenery is unbelievable and if the weather permits, we may see Apu Salkantay and the Vilcabamba mountain range! Along this section we have the best chance to spot indigenous birds such as Tanagers, as well amazing orchids, a variety of ferns, essentially a plethora of flora and fauna to delight and amaze.
Our camp tonight is Phuyupatamarca (Quechua for ‘town over the clouds’) a befitting name as this spectacular campsite is situated up above the clouds, a great welcome for a nice quiet night. Tonight is our last luxury camping night, let’s make the best use of our amenities with a soothing massage and maybe even savour a celebratory glass of wine as we enjoy our fine dining evening meal set above the clouds. If we have a little luck, tonight’s sky will be clear enough to marvel at the countless stars twinkling just for us!
Maximum Altitude: 4212 m / 13819 ft
Minimum Altitude: 3680 m / 12073 ft
Approximate Walking Time: 10 - 11 hours
Meals: B, L, D. Snacks
DAY 4 - PHUYUPATAMARCA TO MACHU PICCHU
While everybody else arrives rushing into Machu Picchu, this morning we take a leisurely, luxurious approach, behind all the crowds. Let’s not miss the opportunity to catch one of the most spectacular sunrises with an incredible backdrop of Salkantay Mountain. We have a beautiful route ahead to Machu Picchu Citadel and it’s all downhill. We will visit yet more interesting Inca sites stopping at Intipata pre lunch and visiting Wiñayhuayna one of the most impressive Inca sites along our route. We take our last lovely trail lunch just further on from this incredible site with now only 2 hours more before we reach the Sungate. This is the Inca’s original entrance to Machu Picchu, where we catch our first glimpse of the citadel from afar. The Sungate is probably the most sensational part of the trail.
Today is for tantalizing our Inca taste buds! We will see just a little part of Machu Picchu, in anticipation for our full visit tomorrow. We now take the bus trip down to arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes in the early afternoon and check in to our sumptuous 5 star accommodation, Inka Terra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. After acquainting ourselves with our rooms and refreshing, this evening we dine together as a group with our guide, exchange trek tales and congratulate each other, we have completed the Inca Trail! We have a big day tomorrow.
Maximum Altitude: 3688 m / 12100 ft
Minimum Altitude: 3688 m / 12100 ft
Approximate Walking Time: 6- 8 hours
Meals: B, L, D. Snacks
DAY 5 - MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOUR
Good Morning! Rested and enthusiastic for our ultimate day we have the option to relax in the morning or choose from the various early activities our hotel has to offer, such as bird watching or a local orchid trail.
Today we will lunch early in one of Aguas Calientes’ excellent restaurants in order to arrive to the Citadel in good time for our full afternoon tour. Accompanied by our guide, we take a 25 minute bus ride to the sanctuary of Machupicchu (2400m/7874ft). Our guide will lead us in a tour of exploration and discovery of the many curious corners within this enigmatic Citadel. Our guided tour will have an average duration of 2 hours.
Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu : If you feel like you could take on another uphill challenge, you have the option to climb the famous mountain of Huayna Picchu this morning, pre afternoon tour. It is important to mention that to climb this mountain, you need to buy a separate ticket in advance. Please confirm that you want to make this climb at the time of making your booking with us. The trail consists of many steep narrow steps (not recommended for people who suffer vertigo), the height of the mountain is 2700m/8858ft (the climb is about 300m/980ft). We will climb Huayna Picchu at 10am. The route is around 3 hours round trip. We will then exit Machu Picchu citadel and have our lunch at Sanctuary Lodge just outside the entrance to the Citadel. After lunch we re-enter the citadel at 2pm for our guided tour of the citadel itself.
As the site closes for the day at 5:30pm we bus back down to Aguas Calientes. We then have a charming train journey on the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo and time to reflect on, quite possibly, one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Our private transport will be waiting to take us back to your hotel.
