Inca Trail Relaxed Hike 5 Days
“INCLUDES A FULL DAY IN MACHUPICCHU”
Exists many ways to get to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu, but the most spectacular has always been the touristic route, notoriously named as “Camino Inca” or Inca Trail. It represents an approximately 45-km route, passing through high mountains and extraordinary landscape, showcasing different ecological wonders and climatic zones. The best way to thoroughly appreciate this amazing trail while avoiding the busiest campsites is our relaxed Inca Trail Relaxed Hike – 05 days / 04 nights Trekking, culminating with the stunning sunrise view of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, with the unique feeling of arriving by foot. This is for every nature lover’s eager to visit extraordinary ruins conveying a sense of Incan magnificent history. An unforgettable and mystical experience.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
The difference between our service Inca Trail Relaxed Hike – 5 Days and other companies is that we will take care of everything from the moment you have decided to go trekking with us until we safely bring you back to the hotel we picked you up from. You will just have to enjoy the fantastic scenery along the way and nothing more.
Our policy the fair treatment of our staff and porters, providing them with good food, shelter and decent salary.
We are proud to say that we run Ecological safe trips and that we try to recycle everything possible.
All the inorganic and human waste is collected in different containers and taken back to Cusco, to be disposed of at the local dump.
All entrance fees, bus/train tickets and transportation included.
Important: Your Passport detail is needed for the Machu Picchu Day Trip (Full name and Passport ID). Plus it is always nice to add in the famous stamp to your collection.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Cusco is our base for this great expedition, a wonderful place full of culture, history, good restaurants and fun nightlife: it is recommended to arrive at least one day earlier (3 days is even better as there is really plenty to do) for a better acclimatization and to enjoy some of the treats the city has to offer : nearby Inca ruins at Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, as well as spending a day or two exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas visiting the tradition market town of Pisac and the fascinating Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo.
- A night is spent in the colorful town of Aguas Calientes.
- Day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco : walking past mysterious archaeological sites, half covered by jungle overgrowth, that looks like you are discovering them for the first time.
- Going through the Inti PunKu (Gates of the Sun) where a magnificent view of the lost city of the Incas Machupicchu will be printed in your mind forever, alongside a guided tour of the sacred city.
- Crossing two high altitude passes (highest being WarmiwaNuska or Death Women pass at 4200m).
- Over 250 species of orchid have been counted in the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, as well as numerous birds such as hummingbirds, waterfalls and the majestic Andean Condor. You might even have the chance to get a glimpse of the spectacled bear – a shy, herbivorous animal that is extremely rare and close to extinction.
DAY 1: CUSCO – KM 82-PISCACUCHO – WAYLLABAMBA
At 6:00 a.m., our local guide picks everyone at the various hotels and you are then transported by bus to Km 82 where we arrive at approximately 10:00 am in Piscacucho. This is your chance to buy any last minute supplies if needed as this is quite a nutrient consuming journey you are entering. We then officially introduce the team that accompanies you during the whole trek, such as porters, camp assistants, cooks, and everyone else involved. Any doubts? Just ask us and we will try our best to clear them all.
It is finally time to start walking. Remember, you have signed for quite some hiking? But keep in mind that while cross-country all you need to carry is a daypack, as all camping equipment is carried by the porters. All camp chores are done for you and delicious food is served by a cook and his helpers, so you can fully appreciate the fantastic background and nothing else.
This first day is pretty easy for the first kilometers, with a beautiful view of Mount Veronica and a walk along the river Vilcanota until Patallacta archaeological site.
After lunch we continue until the small hamlet of Wayllabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail, where we set up camp for our first night.
DAY 2: WAYLLABAMBA – LLULLUCHAPAMPA – PACAYMAYO
After a delicious breakfast, we will start our second day of trekking, perhaps the most difficult, as we will have to climb to the pass of the impressive Warmihuañusca (Dead woman’s pass) at 4,200 meters high. In this place, the highest in the Inca Trail, we enjoy a spectacular view of the Andes. The path continues on following a mountain stream up past hummingbirds and amazing stunted cloud forest. We pass by the beautiful grassy area at Llulluchapampa (3680m), which possesses outstanding views down the valley.
After lunch, we start the descent towards the valley of Pacaymayo, where we make our second camp.
DAY 3: PACAYMAYO – PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAYWAYNA
At the early morning after our delicious breakfast, we are back on the trail. We then descend into the Pacasmayu valley and climb again passing the Inca ruins Runkuracay to visit its archaeological remains. We continue hiking to the 3,900- meter mountain with the same name, where we use an incredibly well-preserved Inca pathway, enjoying the ruins of Sayacmarca. We continue along the bridge, passing through tunnels and discovering even still fantastic views, and a slight ascent brings us to Phuyupatamarca ruins (the place above the clouds, 3650m).
After lunch, our hike takes us to WiñayWayna, which is our last night in camp.
Optional: we can use the showers of the restaurant nearby, which might appear as a nice option if you fancy a hot shower.
DAY 4: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU FULL DAY
After breakfast, our final day of hiking brings us down into the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairway to Winay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. We continue the hiking to reach Intipunku (Door of the Sun), where we have a spectacular panoramic view of the citadel of Machu Picchu, and incidentally our first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
We descend to the city of Machu Picchu and start a guided tour (of approximately 2 hours where your expert guide will walk with you through the main streets of these amazing ruins), after which you can explore the mysterious city of Machupicchu at your own pace. You have Machu Picchu virtually to ourselves for your own full tour of the religious, residential and agricultural sections, or else just wandering through the precious pieces of rock, soaking up the amazing atmosphere. Stroll through town squares and climb delicately carved stone stairways. Esoteric wisdom holds Machu Picchu as the new spiritual center of the world. There will be time to be alone and fully embrace this magnificent wonder of the world, letting this once in a lifetime experience set in and feeling the mystical ancestral energy.
Optional: Huaynapicchu Sacred Mountain, “limited to 400 spaces per day”, so we highly recommend you to book in advance -> if you still have some energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu Sacred Mountain (2720m/8923ft)! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top, the entrance fee is at extra cost and you might need to skip the Machu Picchu tour to be able to climb this mountain.
Once you feel you have enough of the sacred site, we take the bus back to the village of Aguas Calientes where you can enjoy the tiny but colorful city.
You have a hotel with hot water and a nice a comfortable bed for you!!!
Optional: You can give an early night visit to the Aguas Calientes’ Hot Springs where the entrance fee is US $4.
DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
After breakfast we take the train back to Ollantaytambo followed by a bus to Cusco.
We are in Cusco at around noon.
End of our services.
