Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is, deservedly, the most famous and popular trek in South America.
Our luxury trek is five days and four nights, and is the best way to thoroughly appreciate this amazing trail. We take time on the Inca Trail to enjoy all the Inca sites along the way and also to avoid the busiest campsites.
Day 1: Chillca – Huayllabamba
A spectacular drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to Chillca, our trailhead. Crossing a footbridge, we take an undulating trek through a dry cactus zone beneath soaring views to the snows of Mt. Verónica, with the turbulent Urubamba river on our right.
We pause on a bluff high above the Cusichaca valley for a view of the imposing sculpted terraces of Llaqtapata, a massive Inca farming complex. Then we turn south and follow this side valley upstream to the village of Huayllabamba, where we make camp.
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Day 2: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayo
From Huayllabamba we begin a steeper ascent, climbing the Llullucha valley along a stream that rushes through enchanted native unca woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the puna, the treeless grasslands of the high Andes.
Here a stretch of open trail climbs beneath mighty crags to our first and highest pass, Warmiwañusca or Dead Women's Pass (4,200m/13,776ft).
From Warmiwañusca we can look back to the spectacular snowpeaks and valleys of the Huayanay massif, and ahead to a distant view of tomorrow’s trail to the second pass. Descending a stepped stone trail we encounter our campsite in a clearing of the forested Pacamayo valley.
Day 3: Pacaymayo – Phuyupatamarca
We pick up an Inca stairway and ascend again past the small Inca site of Runkuracay. As we reach the second pass the landscape opens onto spectacular new views to the snowpeaks of the Pumasillo range.
We descend again to the ruins of Sayacmarca (Inaccessible Town), an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley.
The Inca trail, now a massive buttressed structure of granite paving stones, continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns. At the third pass we camp by pinnacles topped with Inca viewing platforms, overlooking the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town).
Day 4: Phuyupatamarca – Machu Picchu
We explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways spilling down the mountainside at Phuyupatamarca 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 sites. 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 Intipunku (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 walk the last half-hour or so down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings and through the heart of Machu Picchu.
We walk down through the site to the main entrance where you can safely leave your daypacks. You can also use the toilet and have a drink in the restaurant just outside the entrance before we get the bus down to Aguas Calientes and transfer to our hotel – rest those weary legs!
There are many restaurants in Aguas Calientes to satisfy all tastes and budgets. Of course you could also visit the hot springs that Aguas Calientes is named for, which will help ease those aching muscles. Entrance to the springs costs US$3, and you should allow a couple of hours to fully enjoy them.
Day 5
Returning first thing in the morning, we have Machu Picchu virtually to ourselves for a full guided tour. There is time afterwards to climb Huayna Picchu or just wander through the ruins, soaking up the amazing atmosphere.
After a late lunch in Aguas Calientes , we catch the afternoon train back to Poroy and from there our bus back to Cusco.
Included Services:
Pick-up from your hotel, transport to the Inca Trail in private vehicle. All camping and cooking equipment: this includes mats, spacious two/three -person tents, dining tent and toilet tent. An emergency first-aid kit and oxygen. A qualified, English speaking, Inca Trail guide, all porters and a cook team. Hotel in Aguas Calientes. A guided tour in Machu Picchu, entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu ruins, bus transfers to and from the ruins, Train return from Machu Picchu to Poroy or Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco, meals on trek – breakfast, lunch and dinner all days, except dinner on Day 4 and 5.
Not Included:
Breakfast on the first morning, dinner on days 4 and 5, ticket to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes. Huayna Picchu permit.
Note: Sleeping bags can be hired in the Cusco office. These are not included.
Check our Books and Maps section where you will find a range of literature to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.
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