Inca Trail: 7-day guided trek to Machu Picchu

Optional: city tour to visit the churches of Cusco and some archeological sites like Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. City tour $ 25 per person for 4 persons as minimum. At 18 PM meeting with the guide for the preparation of the Inca Trail. Overnight stay at the hotel of the city (B/-/-).

If you want we can visit the Pisac ruins and market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress. This tour costs $ 39 per person (4 people minimum). You can also enjoy the city of Cusco or do some rafting in the river for $ 45 per person. Overnight stay at the hotel (B/-/-).

I will pick you up from your hotel and we’ll drive across the Urubamba Valley. We will then collect the porters that will help us during the program. We will cross the Vilcanota river and start walking in the shadow of the Mount Veronica (5680 m). We will stop for lunch and then, continue hiking until we reach (after 6 hours) the first campsite by the river at Huayllabamba (3000 m)(B/L/D).

This day is the most arduous of our journey. After a nice breakfast we will ascend to the Warmihuañusca pass at 4200 m. This altitude change means that we will pass through 3 ecological zones during the day: the Quechua, the Yunga and the Puna. Descending from this high point we will pass by some amazing waterfalls before setting up camp at Pacaymayu (B/L/D).

The day starts with the Runkuracay Pass (3900 m). Then we will continue to the Inca ruins at Sayacmarca and, passing through a rock tunnel, we will reach Phuyupatamarca (a city above the clouds) at 3600 meters. From this area, we can see the Salkantay Peak (6271 m), one of two most sacred peaks for the Incas. We will then descend into a cloud-forest to our last campsite. From here a short walk takes us to the impressive ruins of Wiñaywayna (2600 m). The extra time provided here allows us to recover energies to make an early start the next day and maximize the experience of Machu Picchu (B/L/D).

A really early breakfast allows us to ascend to Intipuncu (the sun-gate) (2750 m) where we may observe the sunrise over Machu Picchu. After taking pictures of such a memorable view we will descend to the Machu Picchu citadel for a guided tour. You’ll do a 3-hour hike inside the site. You will also have some extra time to explore the place on your own. Those who have some energy left might want to climb the Huaynapicchu for an unparalleled view of the lost city of the Incas ($ 65 extra and it requires to make a reservation in advance). Finally, in Aguas Calientes (the Machu Picchu town) we will take the afternoon train for Cusco. Transfer to your hotel (B/-/-).

Flight back home from Lima and end of this amazing program! (B/-/-).