Day 1: Cusco Inca Trail – Chilca –Wayllabamba (3,300m)
Hiking Distance: 12km, 5-6 Hours
You will be collected from your hotel at 7am and head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas; here you will meet with your Quechua porters. From Chilca (2765).We will hike along the bank of the turbulent Vilcanota River, with magnificent views to Nevado Veronica (5900m / 19000ft). All camp gear is carried by our porters, leaving you free to walk with only a light pack with essentials for the day’s hike. Our first nights camping will be spent in the small village of Wayllabamba (2950) Km/6 hours trek. (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Wayllamba – Pacaymayu (3650m)
Hiking Distance: 11km, 6-8 Hours
Day 2 is the most demanding day of the Ink Trail. You will climb through the magical polylepis forest to the high camp at Pacaymayu. The highest part of the trail “Warmiwañusca” offers breathtaking views. From here you descend into the valley of the Pacamayo River, where the camp for the second night is set up.
Day 3: Paqaymayu – Wiñaywayna (2650)
Hiking Distance:16km, 8 Hours
This day you will hike through the most important archeological ruins in the trail, such as Sayaqmarca, Phuyupatamarca (3,600 m) The second part of this trail offers astonishing views of the Vilcabamba range and its snow-capped mountains. The trail descends into cloud forest and to the impressive ruin of Sayacmarca, then follows the side of the mountain, passing through an Inca tunnel. After entering the ruins of Phuyupatamarca with its fine ritual baths, the trail rapidly descends Inca steps to Wiñay Wayna. Following the beautiful sunset we will make our way to our camp for the evening.
Day 4: Wiñayhuayna – Machupicchu ( 2350)
This day will live with your forever. The checkpoint at Wiñay Wayna opens at 5.30am, so you usually arrive at the sun gate at approximately 7 - 7.30am, where you will catch the first glimpse of Machupicchu. The trail down to the ruins themselves takes about half an hour and a guided visit of Machu Picchu is included. You then have the rest of the morning to further explore the ruins or the surrounding area at your leisure, before catching an afternoon train back to Cusco, estimated arrival time to Cusco is 20:00 hours.