The Sacred Inca Trail is a controlled 4-day, 26 mile hike that requires special permits in order to gain access. Here is the profile and yes we do hike just shy of 14,000 ft elevation:
Total: 27.9 miles Total Elev Change: 15012 ft Elevation Gain: 7228 ft Elevation Loss: 7784
May 22 (Tuesday) Depart USA - via Lima to Cusco. Arrive 6:25am.
Stay at Hotel Novatel Cusco and acclimate to altitude for two days.
May 24 (Wednesday) CUSCO, SACRED VALLEY ARRIVAL You will be transferred to your Sacred Valley hotel, on the way you will visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress built of enormous stone blocks expertly shaped by the Incas it is strategically located at the top of a hill overlooking the city of Cuzco. Continue to the town of Pisac to visit its lively market, where local artisans sell their wares, from alpaca clothing and accessories to silver jewelry, pottery pieces, and the like. Finally, you will be transferred to your hotel in Sacred Valley. Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley Hotel.
Accommodations: Casa Andina, 5to Paradero Yanahurar, Cusco, Peru Phone: +51 984 765 501
May 25 (Thursday) SACRED VALLEY B
Breakfast at Hotel. Enjoy a day at leisure.
Hike Day 1: May 26 (Friday) YOUR TREK BEGINS! INCA TRAIL HIKE - SACRED VALLEY- HUAYLLABAMBA B, L, D
Breakfast at the hotel and then this morning group will start their 3 night/ 4 Day Inca Trail Hike
INCA TRAIL - You will be picked up from your hotel in Sacred Valley and transferred to Ollantaytambo, where you will have time to do some last-minute shopping before starting your trek. You will then head to Piscacucho community, at Km. 82, where you will find the starting point of your excursion. You will take the course and walk about 3 hours along the Urubamba River, enjoying unparalleled landscapes and beautiful wildlife along the route. You will arrive to Willca Racay at the archaeological complex of Llaqtapata, where you will have some time to enjoy and appreciate the ruins have lunch and rest before continuing with your walk. You will resume the journey to ascend to the community of Huayllabamba, where the camp will be established.
Hike Day 1: 5.5 hours approx.
Walking distance: 12 km / 7.44 miles
Min height: 2700 masl / 8856 feet
Max height: 3000 masl / 9840 feet
Difficulty ranking: 2 of 5.
Campsite: Huayllabamba at 9,840 ft. Terrain: Plains and valleys
Included in the Inca Hike: Camping gear: Brand The North Face tent Four Season Mountain 25, Inflatable mattress Therm-a-rest, Personal duffle bag 7kls / 15.43 lbs., Dinning, tent, cook tent, bathroom tent, Kitchen dishes Bilingual speaking guide (Spanish – English) Entrance fee to the Inca trail, Private transportation to Piscacucho (where the trek begins) Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Sacred Valley hotel or Cusco hotel. (Fourth day), Bus one way (fourth day), Vistadome train until Ollantaytambo (Fourth day), Full meals during the trek (3 Breakfast, 3 wake up tea, 3 snacks, 3 Lunch, 3 Teatime ,3 Dinners) Filtered and boiled water, Chef and supporting staff, Porters for passenger’s luggage and camping equipment First aid kit, walkie-talkies, oxygen and sleeping bags
Hike Day 2: May 27 (Saturday) INCA TRAIL HIKE - HUAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYO B, L, D
After a healthy breakfast, you will begin to ascend towards the first and highest pass of the Warmiwañusca route (4215 m.a.s.l./ 13825 ft), from where you will have a spectacular view of the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota Mountain ranges. This ascent will take you almost all morning, arriving at Lllulluchapata at lunchtime. After having time to rest and eat, you will continue your walk (see note below) to Pacaymayo, where the camp will be set up at 3600 masl / 11808 ft, basically the most challenging day of the walk.
Hike Day 2: 8 hours approx.
Total walking distance: 11 km / 6.82 miles
Min height: 3000 masl /9840 ft
Max height: 4215 masl / 13825 ft
Difficulty ranking: 4 of 5
Campsite: Pacaymayo at 12,500 ft Terrain: Valleys, mountains
Hike Day 3: May 28 (Sunday) INCA TRAIL - PACAYMAYO – WIÑAYWAYNA B, L, D
Your third day of trekking will begin with an ascent to the second step, Runcuracay, which is a little lower than the first one (4000 m.a.s.l./ 13120 ft). Then, you will descend for a couple of hours to Phuyupatamarca, where you can rest and have lunch surrounded by the beauty of the place. At the end of your lunch, you will continue your journey to Wiñaywayna, enjoying the view of the snowy mountains and the valley as you go. Finally, you will arrive at the area where you will camp. This day is the longest of the entire walk, passing through cloud forests and visiting a few archeological sites built by The Incas.
Hike Day 3: 9 hours approx.
Total walking distance: 16 km / 9.92 miles
Min height: 2650 masl / 8692 ft
Max height: 4000 masl / 13120
Difficulty ranking: 3 of 5
Campsite: Winayayna at 9,200 ft Terrain: Valley, mountains, tropical mountains, woods
Hike Day 4: May 29 (Monday) INCA TRAIL - WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO B, L
Your last day will also start very early and with an energetic breakfast. The journey will start towards Inti Punku, or Sun Gate, from where you will have an impressive view of Machu Picchu. You will walk a little more and you will find yourself inside Machu Picchu, where after a short break your guide will explain the history, organization, and mysteries of the place. At the end of the almost 2-hour tour, you will board the bus that will take you to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have lunch and some free time. Then, you will board the Vistadome train that will take you back to Ollantaytambo station, from where you will be taken to your hotel in Cusco to check-in. Overnight at Novotel Cusco, Standard room (2 Nights) www.novotel.com
Hike Day 4: 3 hours approx.
Total walking distance: 6 km / 3.72 miles
Min height: 2400 masl / 7872 ft
Max height: 2700 masl / 8856 ft
Difficulty ranking: 2 of 5 Distance.
May 30 (Tuesday) CUSCO – HALF DAY WALKING TOUR B, D
Everyone always loves Cusco. Breakfast at hotel and today enjoy a half-day private walking tour through the streets of Cusco. Take a tour of Cusco, the imposing Imperial City, an example of the harmonious coexistence between the Andean and Spanish cultures. You will start with a visit to the Main Plaza, where you will visit the Cathedral, the most important temple in the city. Then, you will continue by foot until you reach the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and cult center of the Sun God, on which the order of the Dominicans built a church, which remains standing to this day. Your tour will finish with a visit to the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, also known as “the artists' district”, the cradle of well known folk artisans, with its narrow and winding streets and its popular art and knick-knacks shops. Incredible retail therapy here. Later at night, you will be transferred to Tunupa Restaurant to enjoy a farewell dinner. Tunupa is in the heart of the majestic Inca city of Cusco, offers you an impressive view of the main square and its surroundings. We toast each other goodbye with a journey well done until next year.
Overnight at Novotel Cusco
May 31(Wednesday) - Transfer to airport for flights home.
More to come -
We are getting packed and ready for our big adventure Numero Uno (need to practice my Spanish) to Peru. Machu Picchu has been high on my list of places to visit for a while. Adding the adventure of hiking the Inca Trail is icing on the cake. Here's to safe travels and a fabulous experience.
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