Inca Trails to Machu PIchhu - 5 days

Day 1 CUSCO/LLAQTAPATA (Sunday or Wednesday)

We transfer you from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley to Piscaycucho. Start hiking for about 5 hours through a little visited section of the trail. We will stop at Q’oriwayrakina for lunch and then cross the Urubamba River at Q’ente, with an option to visit Wayna Q’ente and Machu Q\'ente., then keep on walking until we reach Llaqtapata archaeological site, in whose vicinity we will camp amidst Inca terracing. (Time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 11 km).

Day 2 QENTE/LLULLUCHAPAMPA (Monday or Thursday)

The trail winds slowly 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 Huayllabamba. 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 (polilepis), a rare forest to be found in the Andes. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa. ( Time: 6 hours. Distance: 9Kms).

Day 3 LLULLUCHAPAMPA/PHUYUPATAMARCA (Tuesday or Friday)

A steady ascent on an Inca Trail up to the Warmiwañusqa pass at 4,200m (13,692 ft) affords a magnificent view of our ascent and the trail ahead of us. We descend on a reconstructed Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River to then ascend again to the ruins of Runkuraqay and the second pass at 4,050m (13,200 ft). From here we walk down to the site at Sayacmarca at 3,850m (12,551 ft) on the original Inca Trail, passing a dry lake and the first signs of the cloud forest. A beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley, it affords a respite for a leisurely walk through its imposing structures. Continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes, viewing Mt. Salkantay from the western side and Mt. Pumasillo, a silhouette to the north on the horizon. Walking through a rolling flagstoned trail we arrive at Phuyupatamarca (the village on the edge of the clouds) in whose vicinity we camp. (Trekking: 7-8 hours, Distance 14kms)

Day 4 PHUYUPATAMARCA/MACHU PICCHU (Wednesday or Saturday)

An early departure today will have us trekking 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 door of the sun. Overnight at Aguas Calientes . (Optional overnight at luxury hotel or country inn available).

Day 5 MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO (Thursday or Sunday)

The whole day can be dedicated to explore these extraordinary Inca remains, including a visit to Wayna Picchu, the hill overlooking the site, Lunch included. The mid-afternoon train takes you back to Cusco, transfer to your hotel, dinner on your own.

Note: Private services are available.

SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle from hotel to km. 82 of the railway to Machu Picchu, train from Aguas calientes to Cusco, two-man tents including sleeping pads, porters, kitchen crew and commissary gear with all meals included during trek, bilingual guide on the trek who will handle the first aid kit. SERVICES

NOT INCLUDED:Hotel and dinner in Aguas Calientes, Inca Trail entrance fee (aprox. US$80), alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service, additional tours, insurance and airline tickets (where applicable), sleeping bags, hiking boots and other personal gear.)