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Trekking tours around Cusco
Inka Trail to Machu Picchu (Cusco to Cusco)
The trips leave from Cusco by bus (4 to 5 days option) or by train (2 days option). The long one entails a trek on the classic Inca Trail through the Machu Picchu Sanctuary starting at a little visited section of the trail at the beginning and ending with the spectacular flagstone trail through incredible landscapes and mountain scenery entering Machu Picchu the way the Incas did through Inti Punku (the door of the sun), with a guided tour of the citadel, returning to Cusco in the afternoon on the last day. The short version starts at Km104 (104 kilometres along the railway from Cusco) and involves a four hour walk uphill to Wiñay Wayna and a couple of hours further to Machu Picchu.
ITINERARY (4 days/ 3 nights, with an optional extra day)
Day 1. CUSCO/ WAYABAMBA
We transfer you from the hotel to the km. 82 trailhead. From here the small bridge brings us over to Wayabamba where we will camp. The trail winds slowly along the Urubamba river and then uphill through a small forest to reach the site of Patallacta. After a short visit we continue up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the andean community of Wayabamba. (Time: 4-6 hours, Distance: 11 kms). (L,D)
Day 2. WAYABAMBA/PACAYMAYO
From here the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass, where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Along the trail up this narrow hanging valley we begin to see a cloud forest that harbors the Queñua tree, a rare forest to be found in the Andes. The trail ascends at a typical angle of 30 degrees towards the pass across the hillside of Puna grassland as we leave the edge of the treeline behind, bringing us to Warmiwañusca pass (4,200 ma.s.l./13,776 ft.). The trail descends to the Pacaymayo River Camp overnight at Pacaymayo ( Time: 9 hours. Distance: 12Kms.) (B,L,D)
Day 3. PACAYMAYO/PHUYUPATAMARCA
The trail ascends slowly past Runkuraqay ruins. From here over a lower pass (3830 m.s.l) to Sayacmarca, (the waiting village) A clear Inca Trail across a causeway on a now dry lake past a cave, we continue our way along a ridge to finally reach Phuyupatamarca (the town at the edge of the clouds in quechua) were we camp. (Time: 6 hrs. Distance 8 Kms). Camp could be also in Wiñaywayna, depending on INC decisions.
Day 4. PHUYUPATAMARCA/MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO
Early in the morning, after continuing along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the Gate of the Sun. Visit to the ruins and early afternoon bus drive down to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Aguas Calientes included. (Optional overnight at El Pueblo or Sanctuary hotel available).
Optional: Extra day in Machu Picchu.
Day 4. MACHU PICCHU
Overnight at hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Day 5. MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO
The whole day can be dedicated to explore on your own these extraordinary Inca remains, perhaps even climbing the Wayna Picchu, the hill overlooking the site. The mid-afternoon train takes you back to Cusco, transfer to your hotel.
ITINERARY (2 days/ 1 nights)
The trek starts at Km 104 (104 kilometres along the railway from Cusco) and involves a four hour walk uphill to Wiñay Wayna and a couple of hours further to Machu Picchu making it ideal for trekkers wanting to experience at least a part of the Inca Trail.
Day 1. CUSCO/ MACHUPICCHU
Transfer to the train station. The train usually departs Cusco at 06:15 for the three and a half hour scenic train journey to the start of the trek at kilometer 104 along the railway from Cusco to Aguas Calientes.
The trail heads down to the river where you'll find a gate that guards the bridge over the River Vilcanota. On the other side of the river the trail heads off to the right towards the ruins of Chachabamba. These ruins, discovered in 1940, are located on the old Inca road that ran along the southern bank of the Urubamba river. The style of buildings and stonework suggest that this was an important religious site, as well as a gate house guarding this entrance to Machu Picchu.
2 and a half hours uphill trek after leaving Chachabamba, the path descends into a forest and you will arrive at the foot of the superb ruins of Wiñay Wayna. The trail from the Wiñayhuayna hostel to Machu Picchu takes about 2 hours. The trail contours the mountain side into cloud forests before coming to the final pass at Intipunku (Gate of the Sun). Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you, an unforgettable sight. The trail descends to Machu Picchu. Walking slowly and enjoying the beautiful scenery you should arrive at Machu Picchu by about 4:00 pm. Usually you'll have a short time to take photos, but you will have to wait until the following day for a more extensive visit and guided tour. You'll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (20 minute ride) where you'll be spending the night in a hotel.
Day 2. MACHUPICCHU/CUSCO
You'll return to Machu Picchu, taking the early morning bus up to the ruins which arrives just in time to enjoy the sun rising over the mountains. The guide will start a tour of the most important sectors of the ruins which takes about 2 hours. After the tour you will have free time to climb the mountain of Wiñay Wayna overlooking the ruins of Machu Picchu (allow about 2 hours to climb and descend). You can have lunch just outside the ruins or take a bus to the town of Aguas Calientes where there are many restaurants to choose. The train departs Aguas Calientes in the late afternoon.