Classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu 10 Days and 9 Nights

Upon arrival in Lima, your Travelution Peru host will escort you to the nearby Wyndham Costa Del Sol Hotel at Lima’s airport. If you arrive early, we can arrange optional Lima tours and trips to nearby sites to fill your time. With most international flights arriving quite late and flights to Cusco departing early, staying in an airport hotel will allow you to maximize your sleep so you can begin your vacation feeling well-rested.

Upon your arrival, one of our representatives will be waiting for you right outside of the baggage claim area holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel in the sacred valley, (9290ft / 2830 mt). You will make a stop at Awanacancha, where you will see the four Andean camels (Llamas, Alpacas, Huanacos and Vicuñas) and then see a traditional Andean textile center that serves as a perfect introduction to the Andean life.

You will visit the colorful and famous market of Pisac, which has a large number of local artisans that gather from different communities to sell their handicrafts and unique food. You can then go to Pisac’s impressive archeological complex, which has a simply breathtaking view. Then you will be transferred to your hotel for a light lunch and rest in order to acclimate better to the altitude.

We leave Cusco and head to the Chinchero Plateau to explore Chinchero, an important town in Inca times. The most striking remnant of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza, which has 10 trapezoidal niches, and the colonial church. Next, we’ll proceed to the enigmatic Inca ruins at Moray. Visually, these stepped-terrace ruins resemble an ancient amphitheater, though some experts believe they served as agricultural laboratories where the Incas could experiment with new farming techniques. Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch, where we will savor dishes made with locally grown produce. Visit the salt mines of Maras. This village is a salt-producing center that dates back all the way to pre-Inca times. There are more than 4,000 salt pools carved into the mountain.

Our excitement mounts as we board our private bus for the hour-long drive to the trailhead at Piscacucho Km 82, (2675 mts / 8776.3 ft), here our porters and support staff along with all the camping equipment, will prepare all the final details and make sure that everything is ready to deliver a memorable experience for us.

Afterward, we will officially start our adventure following the same ancient steps of the Incas. If you require it in advance, we will provide you with a pair of standard walking sticks to support you during the hike, with the help of your guide you will learn the correct technique to use them making sure your knees are well cared. Once we are ready to go, we will start our amazing hike passing through various archaeological sites and seeing lavish vegetation and fauna, learning about them and taking stunning photos on the process. After 4 hours hike, we will arrive to Tarayoc site (2675 mts/8776.3 ft) and placidly have our sumptuous lunch and recover energies.

We will continue a 2 hours hike towards the village of Huayllabamba (2970 mts/9744.1 ft) where our luxury campsite will be waiting for us. Then, it is time to visit our dining tent for a fantastic gourmet dinner prepared with organic food from the region by some of our best chefs and served by a special waiter for your personalized attention. Meanwhile, your tent will be waiting for you to enjoy a comfortable evening surrounded by nature and mountains.

Overnight: Huayllabamaba, 2970 mts / 9744.1 ft

Hiking Details: 6.8 miles / 11 km; approximately 6 – 7 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 2792 mts / 9160.1 ft to 2970 mts / 9744.1 ft.

After our breakfast, we will initiate our 1.5 hours hike towards the Ravine of Ayapata (3328 mts/10918.7 ft), as we climb over the ravine and suddenly we will be walking in the middle of a forest with a stream of crystalline waters aside the road, following another 3 hours and resting periodically in different places, so you can catch your breath and reach our lunch and resting place called Llulluchapampa (3760 mts/12335.9). Here we will have our exquisite picnic lunch appreciating spectacular views, especially of the vegetation and the humid Andean forest which covers the majority of our hike; from here we will catch a glimpse of Warmiwañusca Pass (mostly known as Death Woman’s Pass for its appearance of woman lying on her side).

Once is time, we will keep walking up for another 2.5 hours in order to reach the top of the Warmiwañusca Pass located at 4215 mts/13828.7 ft., the ascent is made of a set of cobbled steps which were disposed to protect the mountains from erosion. In the process, you can walk at your own pace stopping whenever you prefer as this last stretch will be a bit difficult but will definitely worth it. Upon our arrival, we will appreciate the magnificent traveled path and on the other side the Pacaymayo ravine, with the help of your guide you will be able to take some heroic photos as you had accomplished the highest point of our escapade.

Following the route, we will begin the descent to Pacaymayo Ravine for 2 hours more and arrive to Pacaymayo 

Overnight: Pacaymayo, (3500 mts/11482.9 ft)

Hiking Details: 4.1 miles / 6.6 km; approximately 3-4 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 3328 mts/10918.7 ft to 4215 mts/13828.7 ft

We cross the Runkurakay Pass (3955 mts / 12975.7 ft) Being a wide platform of exceptional views, from here, most of the Inca trail is seen downhill; this will definitely be an impressive sight. Along our 1-hour gradual descent, we will feel how the wind meander in the hillside while we will find a long seaweed-covered lake and have the opportunity to take some beautiful photos. Then, the road will become narrow and zigzag-shaped until we reach our next stop which is the impressive Inca Town of Sayacmarca (3585 mts/11761.8 ft) After having our informative explanation from our guide, we will continue descending for 30 min to Chaquicocha (3535 mts/11597.8 ft) to find our well-organized staff waiting with our lunch. After finishing the delicious lunch, we will move ahead for 2.5 hours through the incredibly well-preserved path to Phuyupatamarca Pass (3640 mts/11942.3 ft), we will traverse a small tunnel made of stone and witness the overwhelming views of the surrounding valleys and mountains; just a few meters above is our next official campsite called Phuyupatamarca as well.

Overnight: Phuyupatamarka, 3670 mts/12040.7 ft

Hiking Details: 5.6 miles / 9 km; approximately 6 – 7 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 3535 mts/11597.8 ft to 3670 mts/12040.7 ft

As we leave Phuyupatamarca, we begin a steep stone staircase descent (approximately 3,000 steps cut into indigenous rock), followed by a series of additional descents varying in grade, to the Wiñay Wayna ruins, where we stop for lunch. During the afternoon, our anticipation rises as we make our way to Intipunku or the Sun’s Gateway, (2750 masl/9022.3 ft). We arrive at Intipunku in mid-afternoon and are rewarded with our first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu. After spending time at the lookout point, we descend to the ruins and briefly explore some areas close to the trail. This evening, we enjoy a well-deserved shower and hotel stay in the nearby village of Aguas Calientes, on the valley floor. BL

Overnight: Aguas Calientes, 6,232 ft / 1,900 mt

Hiking Details: 4.1 miles / 6.2 km; approximately 5-6 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 7,970 ft to 2750 masl/9022.3 ft

We have an early breakfast and head up to the ruins to experience the peace and solitude of this magical place. Our knowledgeable guide leads us through, explaining the significance of the various structures and the theories behind Machu Picchu’s purpose and construction methods. We have the rest of the morning and early afternoon to attempt the optional hike up Huayna Picchu and/or explore the ruins on our own. We catch the afternoon tourist train to Ollantaytambo and from there take the bus to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7 p.m. The day concludes with our guide joining us for a final celebration dinner at a traditional local restaurant. Overnight in Cusco. 

Hiking: Optional Huayna Picchu hike may be unguided and is steep with some exposure. Permits are limited. An alternative optional hike may be available if Huayna Picchu permits cannot be obtained. 

Overnight: Cusco City, 11260 ft / 3435 mt

Huayna Picchu – 07:00 am Shift

Hiking Details: 1.25 miles; approximately 2-3 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 7,970 ft to 8,835 ft

In the morning, privately guided walking tour of Cusco begins with a pleasant stroll through the cobbled streets of the San Blas district where you will visit a colonial church notable for its incredibly ornate wood-carved pulpit. Carrying onward, proceed to the Koricancha Temple, once walled in plated gold and featuring courtyard statues made of solid gold, Conquistadors described it as “fabulous beyond belief.” Today, the Church of Santo Domingo rests on the site of the original temple, making it an excellent location to learn about the intersection of Inca and Spanish culture and architecture from your expert local guide. Concluding with a visit to Plaza de Armas and Cusco Cathedral, this encompassing tour is an excellent introduction to the traditions and history of this incredible city. After a local lunch, we have a guided tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins; you’ll tour prominent Inca sites in and around Cusco, including temples, the megalithic Sacsayhuaman fortress, the carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars of Kenko, the small Puka Pukara fortress that protected the capital and the Tambomachay water temple.

After breakfast, transfers back to the Cusco airport will be arranged for travelers departing today. Trip members can opt to return to Lima for connecting flights home or extend their travels in Peru. Breakfast included.