Day 1:
After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred
to Chilca by bus, where we will meet the Quechua porters and
have breakfast. Crossing over the turbulent Vilcanota River,
with magnificent views of Nevado Veronica (5,900m/19,000ft)
we will continue the expedition admiring the Llactapata archaeological
site, and stopping at the Huayllabamba river for lunch. We
will visit the archeological sites of Patallacta, Qente, and
the valley of Cusichaca and the magical Polylepsis forest.
Today the hike will last approximately 7 hours. Camp and dinner
at 3,800 meters. Overnight on the trail .
Day 2:
Today is one of the most demanding days of the trip
as we gain a lot of altitude. We will see outstanding views
east to the Huayanay peaks and west into the rugged Vilcabamba
Range. After breakfast, we will climb up through the first
pass at 4,200 m/13,750 feet at Warmiwanusqa. Passing 3 ecological
areas such as the Yunga, Quechua and Puna. we will climb 1000
metres in 5 hours. Today camp and dinner near Pacaymayu. Overnight
on the trail.
Day 3:
After breakfast, we will trek down through the valley of Pacaymayu
to the famous archaeological sites of Runquraqay and continue
to the second pass and the restored townsite of Sayaqmarka
("Town in a Steep Place") and explore the Sayaqmarka Ruins.
The Inca Trail in this section is a white granite roadway,
traversing a thickly forested mountainside. We will then descend
to the magnificent archeological Phuyupatamarka ("Cloud Level
Town") and have lunch. We will then begin the decent to Winaywayna
where a visit of the ruins and have dinner will conclude the
day.
Day 4:
Early morning wake up at 4:30 a.m. for breakfast and to begin
the trek to be the first at the archaeological site of Machu
Picchu for the sunrise. We will descend rapidly from cloud
forest into high jungle habitat. Orchids and hummingbirds
are commonly seen along this spectacular section of the trail
high above the river. We will arrive at Intipunko "Gate of
the Sun" to observe the sunrise over Machu Picchu from an
elevated vantage point. We continue down to the royal road
and at last the "Lost City of the Incas". A guided tour of
the marvelous citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Royal
Quarters, the Temple of Three Windows, the Circular Tower
and the Sacred Sun Dial and Burial Grounds. After the guided
tour, we can enjoy an afternoon of self-exploration and discovery.
In the afternoon, we will take the train back to Cuzco.