Trekking The Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is infamous for being one of the best trekking experiences of your life.  That's why if you are interesting in doing this particular trail, you will need to book at least 3 months in advance, and in high season (June-August) 5 months in advance.  Why do this trail, well here is the break down and benefits of this tour over others.

"The Inca Trail" is a three day, three night hike on the most famous stretch of Inca trails still in use.  The trail trek time is relatively shorter than many of the other trails offered.  The greatest advantage of booking this trail is that on the fourth day you will enter the site of Machu Picchu through the infamous Sun Gate, an experience unique to this particular hike that provides a breathtaking sunrise entrance to one of the 7 modern wonders of the world.   Also the trail has a few modern amenities that you may not find on the thousands of miles of other Inca trails around the country. 

In short, you will be picked up from your hotel and be taken to Ollantaytambo where you will pick up equipment, food and meet your porters for your trek. You will have last minute opportunities to buy supplies such as walking sticks and coca leaves before you are bused to Piskacucho Bridge.  You will cross over the Urumbamba River and start your day's 7.5 mile trek along the river shore until you reach the community of Miskay and the Ruins of Patallacta.  These ruins are located at the junction of three valleys and utilized for farming.  Your trek will continue until you reach your first campsite of Wayllabamba at 3,000 meters above sea level.   

After breakfast you will start your second and most rigorous day of hiking.  You will traverse a narrow valley surrounded by plash vegetation and fresh water streams on your way to the village of Llulluchapampa.  Rest here before you start to climb Abra Warmihuaña, or ‘Dead Woman's Pass' which will take you around two hours to complete depending on your activity level and how many times you stop to enjoy the scenery.  After the pass you will descend a winding path about 1.6 miles long through a valley home to a plethora of wildlife, including the Spectacled Bear.  You will camp at Pacaymayo Valley at 3,600 meters above sea level before starting your final day of trekking.  

Your final day of trekking will be a 9.3 mile hike through an archeologically rich path.  Throughout the day you will start to notice that the path becomes distinctively Incan with its engineered structures of stones that hug the steep sides of the mountain.  You will start by crossing Runkurakay Pass where you will pass the ruins of Runkurakay.  After passing the ruins you will have an incredible view of the mountain ranges of Vilcabamba and Pumasillo. The day will have you pass through cloud forests and changing ecosystems of various floras, later passing through Yanachocha and into Sayacmarca.  The ruins of Sayacmarca, are a great place to rest a bit.  The ruins are of an old fortress that also houses a residential area and a solar observation point and stunning views of your surrounding landscape.   Your third Pass will be through the Abra de Phuyupatamarca before you descend to the archeological site of Phuyupatamarca, also known as the ‘Town above the Clouds', known for it's sophisticated irrigation system.  Your final destination for the evening will be Wiñaywayna where you will camp, have the chance to shower and hang out the simple bar/restaurant with your new friends. 

At 4am you will have breakfast and head out to make it to Inti Punko, or the ‘Sun Gate' to catch the sun rise over the site of Machu Picchu.  From here you will be able to watch the clouds rise and fall and enjoy the beauty and mystique of this religious site.  It is at this point you will be given the great satisfaction of your achievements.  After the sun rise, you will be taken through the ruins with a tour guide and have some free time to do as you would like either around the ruins or down the hill in the town of Aguas Calientes. 

About the Author

This guide to Machu Picchu during Peru vacations was written by a Peru travel expert at Peru For Less, specialists in high value, fully customizable tours and packages.