Inca Trail Adventure

This morning you will be collected from your hotel in central Cusco at 9am (please ensure you advise your reservations consultant of your pre tour hotel details if you have not booked this with World Expeditions). A first trip briefing will be conducted during the drive to the Sacred Valley. We leave Cusco and head to the Chinchero Plateau to explore Chinchero, an important town in Inca times. The most striking remnant of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza which has ten trapezoidal niches. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salcantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Next we visit the mysterious concentric circular terraces of Moray which, according to some scholars, could have been an agricultural research centre. From here we head to the salt mines of Maras. This village is a salt-producing centre that dates back all the way to Pre-Inca times. There are thousands of salt pools all carved into the mountain side. Due to a change in regulations, visitors are not allowed to walk through the salt mine anymore to avoid contamination of the salt. We will go to a lookout point from where we have stunning views of the salt pools. From here we will walk for about 1 hour mainly downhill to Pichingoto. Enjoy this rarely walked path and soak up the incredible setting of the Sacred Valley. Our car will be waiting for us in Pichingoto and we drive to our hotel in Ollantaytambo. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the beauty of this famous town.Overnight: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar.

Today we enjoy another day in the beautiful Sacred Valley with a tour of Ollantaytambo. During our time in Ollantaytambo we visit its remarkable temple/fortress set high on a ridge above the village. We also explore the quaint village itself with a fascinating mixture of Inca and Colonial architecture.This evening we have a pre-trek briefing with our trekking guide at our hotel and prepare for the trek. Here you will receive your kitbags and jackets for your trek.Overnight: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar.

You will be picked up early from your hotel in the Sacred Valley for the drive to Chilca or Piscacucho where we start our first day of trekking. At this point we meet our cooks, porters and camp staff before setting off on this famous ‘Royal Highway of the Incas’, built more than 500 years ago. The first day involves approximately five to six hours of walking. During the first few hours of walking we follow the course of the famous Urubamba River before stopping to admire the archaeological site of Patallacta 2750m (9,020ft) – an ancient Inca city built on a series of terraces below the trail. From here we continue to follow the narrow valley of the Cusichaca River to camp at one of two sites near the village of Huayllabamba 3,100m (10137ft). This means we avoid the very crowded camp sites within the village used by most of the trekkers on the Inca Trail. We will walk approx 12km (5-6 hours).Overnight: Campsite.*Important: Please be aware that, because of the Peruvian authorities' rules on the Inca Trail, there may be changes in the actual trek itinerary and the campsites we use.

After breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek. We continue up this narrow valley on the left bank of the river - whose source is one of the great glaciers of Mt Salcantay. We then start the steep climb up our first pass, Warmihuañusca, which is also the highest point of the journey at 4,200m (13,700ft). After a rest at the pass and time to take in the spectacular views we descend steeply into the Pacamayo Valley 3,500m (13,700ft) where we spend our second night on the Inca Trail. We will walk approx 11km (6-7 hours).Overnight: Campsite.

Today is a tough day as we being our steady ascent up to the highest point of the journey, Warmiwanusqa (Dead Woman’s) Pass (4228 metres / 13,871 feet), named for its resemblance to a woman lying down. This point is nearly 1,800m (5,905 feet) higher than Machu Picchu, and you can get a real sense of accomplishment by having overcome this challenge. From here we head down, with relief, towards the Pacaymayo River ahead of us. Stopping for lunch and to catch our breath we continue back up to the ruins of Runkuraqay, believed to be the administrative point of the Incas, and to the second pass sitting at 3,968m (13,018 feet). From here we continue along the original Trail towards the site of Sayacmarca passing via a dry lake and through the Andean cloud forest. Many plants and animals thrive in the cloud forest, including endemic species found nowhere else on Earth, keep your eye out for butterflies, hummingbirds and delicate orchids of various brilliant hues. Our trek continues along the ridge line while we admire the incredible views of the Aobamba Valley below, until we reach out camp for the night. Flanked by the snow-capped Mt. Salkantay to the west and Mt. Pumasillo to the north our camp of Phuyupatamarca, or "village at the end of the clouds" in Quechua, is a spectacular spot to enjoy both the sunset and sunrise. Overnight: Campsite. Walking: Approx. 12 km, 8 hours, max elevation 4,228m.

Today is the day you've been waiting for, your first glimpse of the incredible citadel of Machu Picchu. Waking up in time for the sunrise, take a short hike up the hill from our campsite, where our hardworking porters await us with steaming cups of tea to greet the morning. This site is known to deliver some of the most radiant sunrise views in the entire Machu Picchu Sanctuary. After heading back down to enjoy a fortifying breakfast we continue along the trek passing the ruins at Phuyupatamarca, containing an irrigation system that still works today built over five centuries ago! The flag-stoned path begins to head sharply towards the well-conserved ruins of Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”) located just below the ridge. Walking in the Inca’s footsteps, along the very same trail they would have once used, we trek for two hours through dense, misty cloud forest until we at last reach Machu Picchu via Inti Punku (the Gate of the Sun). Stop to marvel at our first sight of the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu spread out below us, perhaps a friendly alpaca or llama will join you for that epic shot. We will enjoy a guided tour of the sanctuary followed by time to explore this fascinating site at your own pace (with the accompaniment of the guide) before taking the bus down to the village of Machu Picchu, where you'll spend the night at a local hotel, be sure to take advantage of finally having a hot shower. Overnight: El Mapi Hotel or similar. Walking: Approx. 10.9 km, 7.5 hours, max elevation 3,750m. *Important: To ensure the protection and conservation of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and enhance the visitor experience, several restrictions and regulations are in place. The site features three main circuits divided into ten predetermined routes. Visitors are limited to a maximum of four hours within the site to reduce congestion and preserve the ruins, and admission is not permitted after 4pm. Additionally, all visitors must be accompanied by a guide. Despite these restrictions, World Expeditions endeavours to ensure you have a memorable and fulfilling Machu Picchu experience.

This morning we get up early to savour the views and atmosphere of the mystical morning light over Machu Picchu. We are treated to a unique second visit to Machu Picchu including another guided tour (conducted by a local guide) visiting the sites that you may have missed yesterday in this colossal sanctuary. In the afternoon or early evening we depart from Machu Picchu for the train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco. OPTIONAL HUAYNA PICCHU CLIMB OR MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN CLIMB - For the adventurous, you can purchase a permit for either the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (please enquire for costs). Choosing this option means forgoing the guided tour of Machu Picchu, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. Huayna Picchu, with its narrow trails, reaches an elevation of 2,963m, while Machu Picchu Mountain, with a wider path, peaks at 3,082m. Both climbs are steep, slippery, exposed, and involve vertiginous drops, requiring a minimum of 3 hours return. Note that these climbs are not guided. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and a waiver form must be signed before purchase. Both permits are limited and sell out quickly, so please contact us if interested.