DAY 1: CUSCO- PISCACUCHO- WAYLLABAMBA
We will pick you up from your hotels, afterwards we will drive towards Ollantaytambo town (2hours), here you can have breakfast, buy some coca leaves and we recommend to buy a pair of wooden walking sticks (10 soles) after that we will continue our bus trip now to Piskacucho (2700 m.a.s.l.) a community located on the kilometer 82 of the Cusco –Machupicchu railroad. At this point all hikers must show their original passport so that they may enter to the Inka trail towards Machupicchu. Starting at this point we will hike 12 km.
We cross the bridge and walk along the left shore of the Urubamba River. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we reach the little community of Miskay (2800 m.a.s.l.), where we make a little break and try just if you want some local chicha (corn beer) from the Andean ladies sitting along the way, and then continue walking for a steep path that will lead us to a high plateau, from where, all hikers will be rewarded with an amazing view of an Inca Building called Patallacta (2750 m.a.s.l.). After the explanation of our tour guide, we carry on along a gorgeous valley .We will gradually climb for about 2 hours, till we reach a nice natural spot where our cook and porters await for us to have lunch. Later on, we will walk up hill for about 2 hours till we reach our first campsite at Wayllabamba (3000 m.a.s.l.). Hikers will enjoy along the route spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, and appreciate the Veronica snow covered(5832 m.a.s.l.)
DAY 2 WAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYO
We will wake up early and after breakfast we start to climb up 9 km along a narrow valley full of vegetation and nice streams. On this section visitors will experience a hard path, full of steps, so we advise you to take it easy and stop to rest along the way at any time you wish. Later on we will reach Lluluchapampa Village. At this point we will be starting the climbing to the highest and most famous mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass 4200 m.a.s.l.). It will take about 2 hours to get to the top; we recommend just to do it slowly, without pushing yourself too much. Usually our tour guide will be with us till the end, so even if you got delayed, don’t worry; the group will wait for everyone at the top of the Pass. Try to carry some chocolates, candies and coca leaves on your day backpack, this will help to keep your sugar level high, and also help to ward off altitude sickness. Once reach the pass, we will descend a winding way of steps 2.5 km, that cross a narrow valley, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds, like hummingbirds and sparrows and the Andean bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus). We will have lunch along the way, and afterwards continue till our campsite at Pacaymayo Valley (3600 m.a.s.l.), where we will have dinner and take a deep rest after such a hard day.
DAY 3 PACAYMAYO- WIÑAYWAYNA
After breakfast we will continue hiking, this day is the longest 15 km. but also the most impressive and the most interesting day, due to the number of archaeological sites that hikers can see along the way. Start off following a steep path that will lead us to the Runkurakay pass (3970 m.a.s.l.). Half way up, we will stop to visit the archaeological complex of Runkurakay 3800 m.a.s.l. It is very likely that this Inca building served as a watchtower. Some meters before the Runkurakay Pass. After going over the pass, we will walk down to Yanacocha and arrive at Sayacmarca (3624 m.a.s.l.). After visiting this archeological place, we enter the cloud-forest, walking up and down, and then comes the last climb, that will lead us to the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700 m.a.s.l) From this point the rest of the trail is mostly downhill. We will descend some steps, and then will see the ruins of Phuyupatamarca. From above, trekkers can observe a sophisticated complex made up of water fountains.
The end of the day lead us to Wiñaywayna, we will spend the night in this camping zone, close to a restaurant where usually may enjoy a hot shower after these long days, as well as cold beers and party in the evening. This will be the night in which we will say good bye to our porters and cooker, as the next day they will leave early to take the local train that will take them back to Cusco.
DAY 4 WIÑAYHUAYNA – MACHUPICCHU- CUSCO.
This day we will wake up very early at 4.00 am, have breakfast at 4:30 am, and by 5:00 am, we must be on the trail towards IntiPunku (Sun Gate). This will take about an hour of hiking along a narrow trail of cloud forest. At the Sun Gate visitors will be able to see the Sunrise over Machupicchu Mountain. After take some pictures we will descend to Machupicchu, where our guide will give us a full explanation about this wonderful Inca Citadel. The tour will last about 2 hours, and then we will have time to take more pictures, explore or you might climb the WAYNA PICCHU mountain, the huge mountain that appears in every classic picture of Machupicchu. It takes about an hour to get to the top, following very steep stairs, though is a little hard, at the top you will be rewarded with one of the most impressive views in your lifetime. After that you have take the bus to Aguas calientes town, if you wish, you can visit the thermal baths. The hot springs are located on the upper section of the village of Aguas Calientes, ask to your guide how to get there .then have lunch and take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we will arrive after nightfall.
