Compare Explore The Inka Trail by Inka Rainbow

Day 1: Cusco

Meals:  Dinner

You will be picked up upon your arrival to Cusco and transferred to your hotel.

You have the option of a free day to explore the city as you would like or at an extra cost a walking tour or a full city tour including the four ruins that surround the city. These include the Sacsayhuaman fortress overlooking the city, a pre-Inca architectural gem Kenko, the Red fortress of Puca-Pucara; a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic alter representing a puma, and finally Tambomachay which is a beautiful fountain fed by a spring that feeds a series of basins.

Overnight: Cusco

Optional: City Tour

Day 2: The Sacred Valley

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

We will get to Ollantaytambo, one of the most monumental architectural complexes of the ancient Inca Empire, then, we will follow to the town of Ollantaytambo, “the unique living Inca town”: the best surviving example of Inca city planning, with narrow cobblestone streets that have been continuously inhabited since the 13th century. We stop for lunch afterwards we will visit Chichubamba community, with approximately 180 families. This territory has a great healthy climate, surrounded by green fields mostly farmland. Agricultural activity is their main source of income, which is supplemented with guinea pig breeding, apiculture or beekeeping and making crafts such as ceramics, brewing coffee and chocolate craft. Here you will learn many of these activities and experiences.

Return to your hotel in Urubamba later this afternoon

Overnight: Sacred Valley

Day 3: Cusco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba – Yuncachimpa

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You will be picked up at your hotel, after you enjoy a delicious breakfast, at 6:30am and brought by private transport to the town of Ollantaytambo – an ancient town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here we will take a short break for you to get any snacks or last minute supplies before embarking on the trek. From Ollantaytambo you will be transported to Km 82 – the official beginning of the Inca Trail. Here you will meet your guides and porters who will make this journey incredibly special. Once you cross the Urubamba River (2,200m), you will have officially started your trek on the ancient steps of the Incas. The path today is very easy and is a great warm up for the challenging days to follow. Around lunch time we will arrive in Miskay where you will dine enjoying an amazing view. Your guides will tell you about the nearby ruins of Llactapata that you will have time to visit. From lunch the trail heads towards Wayllabamba (3,100m) then climbs up to Yuncachimpa (3,300m) where you will find tonight’s comfortable campsite. Here you will enjoy a buffet dinner prepared by some of the best chefs on the trail. Tonight you will relax in your comfortable tent amongst the tranquil mountain surroundings.

Level of difficulty: moderate

Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Total distance: 11km approx.

Overnight: Camping

Day 4: Yuncachimpa – Llulluchapampa – Warmihuañusca Pass – Pacaymayu – Runkurakay Pass – Chaquicocha

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day two of the Inca Trail is accepted as the most difficult because you have to tackle Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass). In the morning you will enjoy a hot cup of tea and a hearty breakfast before starting the hike. This leg of the trail is free hiking, meaning you should walk at your own pace that is comfortable for you – of course we will meet up for lunch and at the most challenging parts of the trial to rest. Early in the morning the trail goes through the Llulluchapampa Valley (3,850m) where you will enjoy the beautiful cloud forest. After the valley you will begin the ascent, the first 3km of the 6km trail are extremely steep but you will be walking through gorgeous thick woodlands and enjoy the complete isolation  of this magical area. After following the path uphill for another two or three hours you will finally come to the peak of Warmihuañusca (4,200m). We will take time to rest and to appreciate this incredible moment. From here we take the steep path down to the Pacaymayu River (Sunrise River) where you will walk towards the Runkurakay Pass (3,050m) where you will get to see more ruins. Later in the afternoon you will reach Chaquicocha (3,650m ) where you campsite is located, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and some well earned rest.

Level of difficulty: challenge

Hiking time: 8-9 hours

Total distance: 15 km approx.

Overnight: Camping

Day 5: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today is known as the most beautiful day of the trek as you will see a quick change in the environment to the thick tropical forest of Wiñayhuayna. You will come to the second pass at 3,950m where you will encounter mountain lakes. After the pass is an easy walk through the forest then an Incan tunnel before reaching the third pass that will give you sweeping views of the Urubamba River Valley. You will pass the ancient site of Phuyupatamarca (The Town above the Clouds, 3,600m) where you will see Inca baths that really show you their genius engineering.

Phuyupatamarca will be the last campsite, by the way, the best campsite during the trek with an amazing view and sunset. Enjoy your last night in the wilderness and delicious farewell dinner with wine included.

Level of difficulty: normal, unforgettable (easy)

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Total distance: 10 km approx.

Overnight: Camping

Day 6: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu –Cusco

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on board

Today you will wake up very early to witness the amazing sunrise over Machu Picchu. You will have your last breakfast on the trail at 4:30 am then we will hike towards the Inti Punku (Sun Gate). You will continue through another Inca tunnel towards the famous Wiñayhuayna ruins (Forever Young, 2,650m). After these incredible ruins you will follow an Inca staircase up a zig-zagging trail to a red-roofed building once you sit and appreciate the beautiful sunrise over the lost city of the Incas, you follow the trail on your final descent to Machu Picchu (2,400m). You will arrive to the ruins at about 10:00am where you will have a full tour of the amazing Lost City of the Incas that will last around two hours.

When the tour is over you will have time to explore the ruins on your own before returning down to Aguas Calientes. Catch the standard train back to Cusco where you will be greeted at the train station and transferred to your hotel

Level of difficulty: normal, unique (easy)

Hiking time: 2-3 hours

Total distance: 7 km approx.

Optional: Huayna Picchu Climb

Overnight: Cusco

Day 7: Departures

The dining room awaits a farewell breakfast, we’ll share one last time together, hoping to see you again in another adventure.

After breakfast we'll take you to the airport or if you decide to continue your trip check our Trip extensions.