Over the mountains, in a path of landscapes of indescribable Andean beauty that runs, throughout the days of this adventure, archaeological centers that can only be reached by it; that is the Inca Trail. With a controlled capacity of visitors, per month and per year, there is no visitor who does not wish to visit it.One of the main attractions along the route is the ancient network of settlements built in granite rock by the Incas such as Wiñay Wayna and Phuyupatamarca immersed in a magnificent natural setting. Hundreds of varieties of orchids, multicolored birds, and dreamy landscapes provide the ideal setting for a route that the walker should walk at least once. Inca Trail is part of the 23,000 kilometers (approximately 14,000 miles) of roads built by the Incas in South America. It is the most famous route for hiking in Peru and possibly the most spectacular in the Americas. Every year, more than 25,000 walkers from around the world walk along the 43 kilometers of this cobblestone road built by the Incas that leads to the amazing citadel of Machupicchu located deep in the jungle of Cusco. The trip starts in the town of Pisqacucho, at kilometer 82 of the Cusco - Quillabamba railway line and takes 3 or 4 days of intense walking. The route includes an impressive variety of altitudes, climates and ecosystems that goes from the punas to the cloud forest. Travelers will cross two high altitude passes (the highest will be in Warmiwañuska at 4,200 m.a.s.l) to complete the walk with a magical entrance to Machupicchu through Inti Punku or Sun Gate.Tourists from all over the world are attracted by this great adventure; adventurous travelers who come to explore the fantastic nature, the beauty of the landscape and the archaeological sites that surround the Inca Trail,always returning to their country impressed by such beauty and charm of Inca trail;This tour is ideal for those who come full of energy to take a hike to Machu Picchu.Inca Trail is the route in which varied ecosystems unite with a sequence of monuments of the finest Inca architecture, ending in the classic postcard view of Machu Picchu observed from above. That is why this road was designed as a route of pilgrimage and purification to access the sacred construction of Pachacutec; that run through the valley of the Cusichaca River, Warmihuañusca, the Pacaymayo ravine, passes through the archaeological sites of Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñayhuayna.On the way you can see tunnels constructed in live rock.
Day 1: Cusco - KM. 82 - Llulluchapampa
Day 2: Llulluchapampa - Wiñaywayna
Day 3: WIiñaywayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
We will leave Cusco at 5:00 am in a private transport, which will take us to km. 82, starting point of the Inca Trail. We begin our walk along the left bank of the Urubamba River. Following the path along a flat terrain, we arrive at Miskay (2800m), then ascend and finally see, from the highest part of a viewpoint, the Inca city of Llactapata (2750m). Then we continue walking through the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually rising until we reach the rural community of Wayllabamba (3000m). Along the way we see spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range on the opposite side of the Urubamba River,where the impressive peak of the Veronica at 5832 meters above sea level.Also you will enjoy to see the diversity of flora and fauna that can be found throughout the valley. Continuing along the path, we leave Wayllabamba to start the most difficult part of the hike, which consists of an abrupt ascent that extends for 9 km and reaches the first mountain pass on the Inca Trail, the Abra Warmihuañusca). We only climbed halfway through the pass, stopping at Llulluchapampa, where we camped and spent the night. Along the rise, the landscape changes from "sierra" to "puna" (a dry and high area with little vegetation), having the opportunity to detect domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing in ichu, one of the few plants that grow at that altitude. We also crossed an area called cloud forest, which is the habitat of many different types of birds such as hummingbirds and sparrows and the Andean bear, which is also known as the Bear of Glasses (Tremarctus Ornatus). We advise for this day and the next especially, your day package is well stocked with sweets, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and help with altitude sickness.
After breakfast, we continue our hike to the highest point of the Inca Trail, reaching the Abra known as Warmihuañusca mountainpass ( Step of the Dead Woman- 4200m / 13776ft) after approximately 2 hours. Immediately after the pass, we went down toPacaymayo Valley (3600m), from where we started climbing to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3970m / 13022ft). Half way, we visited the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800m / 12464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After passing, we went down to Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and entered the cloud forest to finally reach Sayacmarca (3624m). It is a beautiful complex formed by a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, courtyards and irrigation canals. Continuing for an easy climb, we reach the third step, the Abra Phuyupatamarca (3700m / 12136ft). Throughout this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the ancient Inca boat, walking along separate mountain trails and seeing rocks that fill ravines in perfect order, saving the trail of Andean geography of various levels. We pass through an Inca tunnel to then reach the step mentioned above and go down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu, and is located at the highest point of a mountain. Interestingly, Phuyupatamarca means "city above the clouds". From above, you can see a sophisticated sacred complex composed of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the valley of the Urubamba River. We put our camp in Wiñaywayna and spent the night there.
Today, we could have the opportunity to appreciate one of the most spectacular sunrises of the Inca Trail; the location of Phuyupatamarca offers stunning views at this time of day. Then, we start our way through the long descending stone steps that will take us from Wiñaywayna (2650m / 8692ft), where we find a camping equipped with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite has the same name as the complex located just five minutes from the country house. Wiñaywayna is the largest archaeological site of the Inca Trail, in addition to Machupicchu, and consists of an impressive complex formed by an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, offering spectacular views over the narrowest valley of the Urubamba River. After our visit, we leave Wiñaywayna to climb Intipunku, or Sun Gate. This will take an hour of walking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in the highland jungle. From this fabulous place, we can enjoy spectacular views over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu, weather permitting. From Intipunku, a short walk takes us to the entrance from where we continue with a guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. Then, take the bus to Aguas Calientes and board our train back to Cusco, where we arrived after dark.
