Inca Trail VIP 4 days

Day 1: Cusco - Km 82 – Wayllabamba – Yuncachimpa

We will leave Cusco by private bus at 5.30am.
Before reaching our departure point km 82, we will stop at Ollantaytambo for breakfast.
Namely, km 82 is the name of the official starting point of the Inca Trail. We will follow the Sacred Valley to this point, where we will meet the rest of the team (porters, cooks ...). The trek will start with a suspension bridge that crosses the Urubamba River at an altitude of 2600 meters. The first day of the trek, the walk will be rather easy and will be a good warm-up for the following days. After a short walk, we will discover the first archaeological site of the trek: Llactapata, agricultural center with vast Inca terraces. We will have lunch before continuing our walk. We will go up the river Cusichaca until the village of Wayllabamba (3000 meters of altitude), then we will reach Yuncachimpa (3300 meters), where we will spend our first night in camping, a splendid site with a panoramic view on the majestic Nevado de Verónica .

Difficulty level : medium
Time of walking : 7 hours
Distance : 12 km approximately
Elevation : Cusco (3400 m) - Km 82 (2600 m) - Wayllabamba (3000 m) - Yuncachimpa (3350 m)
Meals included: breakfast, dej-Gouter-dinner (table with symbols / icons)
Where do we sleep? Camping with waterproof and spacious tents, sleeping bags, ergonomic and comfortable mattresses, portable solar showers and portable toilets.

Day 2: Yuncachimpa - Llulluchapampa – Col de Warmihuañusca - Pacaymayu – Col de Runkurakay – Chaquicocha

The second day will be marked by steep drops, each of which will rise at his own pace, of course we will take many breaks. In the early morning we will cross the Llulluchapampa Valley (3850m). The first 3 kilometers, you will appreciate the wooded and humid region, rocked by the sound of the water. The trail will climb slightly through beautiful subtropical vegetation. The slope will then become steeper and the forests will gradually give away the bare landscapes of the "puna" altitude. We will climb gently to the Warmiwañusca Pass (4200 meters, the "Pass of the Dead Woman" in Quechua). This climb is known as the most grueling of all the Inca Trail. After a short break, we will descend to the other side, up to the Pacaymayo River Valley (3500 meters), before starting to climb again to the archaeological site of Runkurakay (3950 meters). Perched on a rocky outcrop, this site served as a watchtower and tambo (relay) to the Chasquis (the Inca messengers). We continue the climb to the second pass, 3950 meters above sea level, before descending to the remains of Sayacmarca (3600 meters), a small city composed of a labyrinth of alleyways, squares, houses, terraces, fountains, etc. We will soon reach the location of our second camp at Chaquicocha, 3650 meters above sea level where the view of the mountains will be the reward for your valiant efforts. After an excellent dinner prepared by our cooks, it will be time for a well deserved rest!
Difficulty level: difficult. Very good physical condition is essential.

Time of walking: 8 hours
Distance: 15 km approximativement
Elevation : Yuncachimpa (3350 m) - Llulluchapampa (3850 m) - Col de Warmihuañuasca (4200 m) - Pacaymayu (3500 m) - Col de Runkurakay (3950 m) - Chaquicocha (3650 m)

Day 3: Chaquicocha - Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna

This third day will be the most beautiful of the trek. The icing on the cake. You will witness the change of the ecosystem throughout your walk in the rainforest of Wiñaywayna. We will also walk along two lovely little lakes (3900m). We will start the day by going up slowly, and we will cross an Inca tunnel of about twenty meters then we will cross a forest, before reaching the last pass, at 3700 meters altitude. Below, the ruins of Phuyupatamarca: the "City above the clouds" (3600m), relay Inca, impresses by its circular walls and its ingenious system of aqueducts which still feeds the baths. We will enjoy a superb view of the snow-capped peaks and the Urubamba Valley. The descent on the other side will be under a thick bamboo roof. In the background, will appear the extraordinary ruins of Wiñay Wayna "Eternally young" (2700m) on a rocky spur in the heart of the forest and overlooking the valley of the Urubamba. Dominated by a vast set of Inca terraces, the urban complex is separated in two by a grand staircase that leads to a ceremonial place. The zig-zag stairs will lead us to a red building, our last camping place with hot water to fill our water bottles.

Difficulty level : medium
Time of walking : 5 hours
Distance : 9 km approximately
Elevation : Chaquicocha (3650 m) - Phuyupatamarca (3600 m) - Wiñayhuayna (2700 m)

Day 4: Wiñayhuayna - Machu Picchu – Cusco

Departure will be before dawn on this day, gently with the flashlight, to the Gate of the Sun (Inti Punku) located at 2700 meters above sea level where you will have breakfast. From here you will have a panoramic view of Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. We will end this unforgettable hike by taking advantage of the sunrise on the sacred site of Machu Picchu that will make us understand all the meaning and strength of worship that the Incas gave to the Sun God. It is a magical moment so much appreciated after the pilgrimage that we have just made in the footsteps of the Incas. After that, we will descend to the actual site of Machu Picchu (2400 meters above sea level), where our guide will explain how life was in the citadel, as well as the cults and ceremonies performed by the Incas in the many temples and sacred places of the site. After a 2-hour guided tour, you can enjoy the magic of Machu Picchu sanctuary at your own pace. We will join Aguas Calientes in the afternoon where you can relax in the natural hot water baths. Finally, we will take the train back to Cusco.

Difficulty level : medium
Time of walking : 2-3 hours
Distance : 5 km approximately
Elevation : Wiñayhuayna (2650 m) - Machu Picchu (2400 m) - Cusco (3400 m)