Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba – Campsite
5:00 AM - Departure from Cusco
- Meeting point at your hotel or designated station
- We start the day with an early departure from Cusco, traveling by private vehicle to Kilometer 82 (the official start of the trail), located about 2 hours from Cusco.
- Recommendation: Wear comfortable hiking clothes, suitable footwear, a hat, sunscreen, and bring enough water.
7:30 AM - Start of the Trek at Kilometer 82
- Location: Kilometer 82, marking the official start of the Classic Inca Trail.
- Altitude: 2,700 meters (8,858 feet) above sea level.
- We begin our journey along the famous Inca Trail, a path that will take us over 2 days of hiking to reach Machu Picchu. The first day’s trek is moderate with some uphill sections.
- Highlights: During this day, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the Andes, the Urubamba River, and explore some archaeological sites like Patallacta, an ancient Inca settlement.
- The hike will take about 6 hours, depending on the group’s pace.
2:30 PM - Arrival at Wayllabamba Campsite
- Location: Wayllabamba, a small village surrounded by mountains and nature.
- Altitude: 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) above sea level.
- We’ll set up camp here for the night, where you’ll have time to relax and enjoy a hot dinner.
- Recommendation: After a long day of hiking, it’s important to rest well, as the following day will be more challenging.
Day 2: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Runkurakay – Wiñay Wayna – Aguas Calientes
6:00 AM - Breakfast and start of the trek
- After an early breakfast, we’ll start the hike towards one of the most challenging parts of the Inca Trail: the Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), the highest point on the trail.
- Altitude: 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level at Warmiwañusca.
- The ascent to this pass is demanding, but the panoramic view from the top is an incredible reward.
- Highlights: From Warmiwañusca, you’ll have a stunning view of snow-capped peaks and the surrounding flora of the trail.
9:30 AM - Arrival at Warmiwañusca Pass and descent towards Runkurakay
- After reaching the pass, we’ll descend to the archaeological site of Runkurakay, a small Inca fortress offering a privileged view of the valley and surrounding mountains.
- Here, your guide will explain the significance of this site within the network of Inca roads.
11:30 AM - Descent to Wiñay Wayna
- We continue the descent to Wiñay Wayna, an incredible Inca archaeological site located by the Urubamba River.
- Altitude: 2,650 meters (8,694 feet) above sea level.
- Highlights: Wiñay Wayna is known for its agricultural terraces and impressive architecture, with magnificent views of the river and surrounding mountains.
- The trek to this site takes about 2 hours.
1:00 PM - Lunch at Wiñay Wayna
- We’ll enjoy lunch at Wiñay Wayna, surrounded by stunning nature and incredible landscapes.
2:00 PM - Continuing to Machu Picchu
- After lunch, we’ll continue the hike along the final stretch towards Inti Punku (The Sun Gate), where you’ll have a breathtaking panoramic view of Machu Picchu.
- Altitude: 2,720 meters (8,924 feet) above sea level.
- This is the perfect place for photos and to enjoy the grandeur of the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
4:00 PM - Arrival at Machu Picchu and guided tour
- From Inti Punku, we’ll descend to Machu Picchu, where you’ll be greeted by a professional guide for a tour of the famous Inca city.
- Altitude: 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level.
- Highlights: During the tour, you’ll learn about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- After the guided tour, you’ll have some free time to explore the site on your own and take additional photos.
5:30 PM - Descent to Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco
- We’ll take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy dinner or relax in the thermal baths (optional).
- Return to Cusco: We’ll return to Cusco by train from Aguas Calientes at 6:00 PM, with an estimated arrival time of 9:00 PM.
