Inca Trail Explorer 5D/4N

Cusco- Piskakucho (Km. 82) – Huayllabamba

A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 of the Machu Picchu railroad. After getting acquainted with our trail crew we set out, crossing a footbridge to hike a gentle two hours down the Urubamba Canyon, and then visit imposing, sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. We then climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Huayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we camp.

Today’s meals include morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner.

Huayllabamba–Pacaymayo

The trail climbs gently through the mountains through the last houses of Huayllabamba, and then more steeply past a rushing stream through enchanted, native Polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the “puna”, the treeless grassland of the High Andes. After enjoying a hearty lunch, we start our steady ascent towards the highest pass, which is called Abra Warmiwañusca or “Dead Woman’s Pass”, at 13,850 ft. (4,221 m). We then descend for 90 minutes through the forested Pacaymayo Valley towards our eponymous camp at 11,900 ft. (3,620 m), where our staff will receive us with warm tea and a tasty dinner. All meals and snacks are included.

Pacaymayo- Phuyupatamarca

We ascend an old Inca stairway that passes by the intimate Inca site of Runkurakay towards the second-highest pass of the trip, which reaches 13,113 ft. From the pass, we enjoy a spectacular view of the snow-capped peaks of the Pumasillo Range. Next, we descend the trail to the Sayacmarca archaeological site, which is an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas, and water channels perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba Valley. After enjoying lunch at a location named Chaquicocha, we continue our hike as the trail morphs into a massive, buttressed walkway composed of granite paving stones. The trail continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest, through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses, and ferns. At the third pass on our trip, we camp near a rock pinnacle topped with Inca viewing platforms, which overlook the archaeological site known as Phuyupatamarca (“Town of the Clouds”). This camp site allows for fantastic sunrise views of the gigantic, Matterhorn-like, snow-capped peak named Salcantay, the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, and a stunning view down the valley towards the steamy heat of the Amazon rainforest. All meals and snacks are included.

Phuyupatamarca – Machu Picchu

We explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways spilling down the mountainside at Phuyupatamarca, and then begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us finally to the site of Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail archaeological sites that we encounter before the relatively gigantic grand finale at Machu Picchu.  In the afternoon, we follow the last stretch of trail across a steep mountainside through a lush, humid cloud forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Inti Punku (“The Sun Gate”) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry -a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu. We sleep in our selected hotel, either in the valley 2,000 feet below or up at the Sanctuary Lodge by Orient Express. Today’s meals include breakfast and lunch.

We return to Machu Picchu by shuttle bus up the switchback road to the site and spend the day in both guided and individual exploration, visiting the best-known features of this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement. Some will want to get up extra early to be among the lucky few who “make the cut” to be permitted to do the optional hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu for an amazing overview of the site, while others may want to investigate Machu Picchu's multitude of hidden nooks and corners. After a full-on experience of this glorious monument to the Inca achievement. Lunch will be up top at the restaurant of the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge