The Inca Trail is a Peruvian hiking route that leads to Machu Picchu. It is one of the most famous trekking routes in Cusco. It connects the Sacred Valley of the Incas with the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail was part of a vast network of ancient trails that spanned more than 23,000 km (14,291 miles) and connected the Inca Empire. This network was known as the Qhapaq Ñan, and at its largest extension connected the territories of the modern countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. These Inca paths mostly ran along the coast or through the mountains, but they occasionally even reached the edge of the forest in the tropics.
Even though the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous, other Inca trails still exist in Peru. The size and condition of these ancient Inca roads vary. Some are 6 to 8 meters wide along the Peruvian coast, while the pavement on the Andean highlands was only one meter wide.
There are a number of old Inca routes near Cusco, such as the one at Ccorca. Another intriguing Inca trail may be found on the way to Huchuy Qosqo. These were expertly built, and some of them are still used nowadays.
We now know that the Inca Emperor utilized the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu as a pilgrimage route to the ancient citadel in the 15th century. Between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, there are a number of locations where you may observe the incredible Inca architecture of this ancient road.
The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best treks available in Peru. During 4 days, you will visit the most iconic Inca ruins of Cusco. It is highly recommended to take this trek to Machu Picchu during the dry season, between April and October. During these months, the trail is easier to walk on due to the lack of rain.
We are a local tour operator specialized in providing luxury tours to Cusco. We have years of experience planning tours and treks. Our tour guides are professionals authorized by the local government to provide their services.
We also offer guided tours to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Humantay Lake, and the Salkantay Trek. Explore the incredible Inca archaeological sites of South America with us.
Cusco Hotel Transfer.
6:00 am
We will pick you up from your hotel room in Cusco around 6:00 am. Then, we will drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo town. Once we arrive there, we will board a train to Piscacucho, located at the Km 82 of the railroad that connects Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo.
Once at Piscacucho, we will pass some security checkpoints before entering the Inca Trail. First, we will hike to the Miskay campsite, where we will stop to have lunch. Then, we will hike to the Patallaqta ruins.
After exploring Patallaqta, we will cross the Kusicacha valley to finally arrive at the Wayllabamba village. Then, we will visit the nearby Patawasi Inca ruins. Afterwards, we will set up our campsite to have dinner and spend the night.
We will wake up early in the morning to have breakfast. Then, we will hike to Warmiwañusca or “Dead Woman’s Pass”. This is the highest point of the Inca Trail. It is located at an astonishing altitude of 4200 meters (13779 feet) above sea level.
After traversing Warmiwañusca, we will hike to Pacayamayo, where we will stop to have lunch. Then, we will set up our campsite to spend the rest of the afternoon resting. Before going to sleep, we will have dinner.
After having breakfast early in the morning, we will ascend to the Runcuracay Pass, located at 3,950 meters (12,959 feet) above sea level. Then, we will go to the Sayacmarca Inca ruins, an ancient Inca outpost used to guard Machu Picchu. Afterwards, we will hike to Phuyupatamarka, where we will stop to have lunch.
After lunch, we will pass to the Inca terraces of Intipata, to finally arrive at the Wiñay Wayna Inca ruins. These ruins were a resting place for the Inca royalty during their pilgrimage to Machu Picchu. We will set up our campsite near Wiñay Wayna, have dinner and spend the night.
We will leave Wiñay Wayna around 5:30 am, after having breakfast. Then, we will hike to Inti Punku, which marks the entrance to Machu Picchu citadel. After passing Inti Punku, we will finally enter the lost city of Machu Picchu.
Afterwards, you will have a guided tour of Machu Picchu. You will explore the most emblematic places of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, the Intihuatana, among other Inca structures. If you have purchased an entrance ticket to Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu mountain, our staff will guide you to the respective entrance. After the tour, we will go by bus to Aguas Calientes.
Once in Aguas Calientes, you will have time to have lunch at a local restaurant. The lunch is not included in the tour price. Later, in the afternoon, we will catch a train to Ollantaytambo. Once we arrive there, our staff will transfer you back to Cusco city, where you will be arriving around 9:00 pm.
This well-crafted tour provided an incredible opportunity to experience the magic of the Inca Trail in a shorter timeframe. The knowledgeable guides led us through stunning landscapes and ancient ruins, sharing captivating stories along the way.