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Cusco Treks

4 Day / 3 Night Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is situated in the region know as the Villcabamba. This area extends between the Apurimac and Urubamba rivers where the 45km Inca trail lies within. Visitors from all around the world come to Peru, not only to see Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, but also to hike the Inca trail. The Inca Trail links a range of stunningly preserved Inca ruins. Along the way the natural scenery is breath-taking, with views of snow capped mountains and the lush cloud forest vegetation.

Trek difficulty: Moderate Start point: Cusco End point: Cusco

Day 1 Cusco - Huayllabamba

6.30am transfer from your hotel to journey to kilometer 82 where we will begin the trail. The trail begins by first crossing the river Vilcanota, then to the ruins of the Inca hill fort of Huillca Raccay. After 7 hours (13km) of hiking, you spend the night in Huayllabamba.

Day 2 Huallabamba - Pacamayo

6.00am Breakfast and we climb up from Huallabamba until we reach the meadow of Llulluchapampa (3680m). A quick tea break and we are heading up again to Abra de Huarmihuañusca (meaning 'Dead Woman's Pass'), our highest point of the trail at 4200m. After celebration of having completed this section, the decent from the pass is steep but not difficult! Once we reach the valley floor we spend our second night camping in Pacamayo.

Day 3 Pacamayo - Wiñay Wayna

6.00am Breakfast and we climb to the ruins of Runkuracay. From the ruins the view of Pacamayo valley is well worth it once the hard part is over. From here we continue our trek to the second pass of Abra de Runkuracay (4000m). Now walking along a cobbled path we again begin a deep decent until we reach Sayacmarca (meaning Inaccessible Town). Before reaching the 3rd pass we walk through an astonishing cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, not to mention the Inca tunnel. The 3rd pass is at 3700m, before arriving at the most spectacular ruin so far; Phuyupatamarca (meaning Town in the Clouds). After this long day we camp the night in Wiñay Wayna where you have access to a shower and bar!

Day 4 Wiñay Wayna - Aguas Calientes / Machu Pichu town.

04.00am Breakfast before hiking while it is still dark so don't forget your flashlight. The trail today contours a mountainside and into the cloud forest stopping quickly for sunrise at our final pass, the Intipunku (meaning 'Sun Gate').

Once we have reached Machu Picchu, you will enjoy a 2 hour guided tour, then it's your choice whether to climb Wuaynapicchu for fantastic views. Finally you will make your way to the town of Aguas Calientes below.

5 Day Salcantay trek to Machu Picchu.

This newly discovered route to Santa Teresa and thence to Machu Picchu covers another stretch of Inca roads. This route offers everything there is to offer on a hike; from amazing views of the Andean mountain chains, to waterfalls, flora and fauna, and last but not least, now one of the new wonders of the world - Machu Picchu. 

Difficulty of trek: Moderate Start point: Cusco End point: Cusco

DAY 1 - Cusco to Soraypampa

5.00am Pick-up and departure to Mollepata. From Mollopata we set off by foot towards CruzPata where we will see the Apurimac river canyon (the deepest in Peru). After lunch we continue our hike to Soraypampa. On the way we will see views of Humantay snow peak (5902m). Another 4 hours of walking and we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3900m) and observe the magical Apu Salkantay (6271m). Be prepared for a cold first night of camping!

DAY 2 - Soraypampa to Collpapampa

5.30am Wake-up call, then we start our hardest ascent of the Apacheta pass (4590m). After the breathtaking view of the snow capped Mountain Salkantay (6264m), we can also observe the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. After 5 hours of hiking in the morning, we stop for lunch, then we only have a 2-3 hour walk down hill to camp in Chaullay (2920m).

DAY 3 - Collpapampa - Santa Teresa

6.00am Wake up and start with an easier 3 hours hike to Uscamayuc, where we enter a high jungle niche called "Ceja de Selva". Lunch is at Winaypoq'o, then it's a 3 hour walk to our last campsite in La Playa (2400m).

DAY 4 - La Playa to Aguas Calientes

7:00am Breakfast and we begin our hike in the direction of Colpani or Llactapata (2700m) - depending on the group decision. Afterwards we go to the hydroelectric plant (1870m) where we have lunch. From here you will take the 45minute train to Aguas Calientes (2000m) where we have our last dinner together and spend the last night in a hotel.

Day 5 - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu

7.30am We take a bus to Machu Picchu. We will have a guided tour for 2 hours then have free time to visit the town of Aguas Calienties, perhaps the hot springs, and finally it´s time to head back to Cusco by train.