Tour sumary:

Day 1: Cusco to Wayllabamba
Day 2: Wayllabamba to Pacamayo - Dead Woman's Pass
Day 3: Pacamayo to Winaywayna
Day 4: Winaywayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Introduction And Itinerary: The famous Inka trail to machu picchu is a particular trek in the worl, the trail sets out from at Kilometer 82 of the Cusco-Quillabamba railway, and takes three to four days of tough hiking. The route runs through an impressive range of altitudes, where climates and eco-systems range from the high Andean plain down to the cloud forests. The trail climbs up through two highland passes (the higher of the two, Warmiwañuska, lies at 4,200 masl) before reaching Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku or Gateway of the Sun. One of the attractions of the trail is that it winds past carved granite Inca settlements (Wiñay Wayna, Phuyupatamarca), and is surrounded by breath-taking natural scenery. The forests abound in hundreds of species of orchids, brightly-colored birds and dream-like landscapes, the ideal complement to this indispensable hikers' route. Machu Picchu was connected with the city of Cusco and the rest of the Inca empire by amazing trails, specifically designed for the use of the Inkas in a perfect harmony with the flora and fauna of the area. It has to be said that they had an absolutely wonderful knowledge of architecture and construction. Throughout the whole trail you can locate some shelters surrounded by gorgeous country sites and great views, some of the trails lead you to a few archeologycal rests. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is known as the most famous and tough hiking circuit all over South America, because of the conjuntion of different elements that it offers to its visitors.

Day 1: Cusco- Huayllabamba.
An hour ride by private bus takes us to Urubamba or Ollantaytambo village, where we stop for 30 or 50 minutes and organize porters and optional breakfast, after we continue to the 82 Km, the beginning of the trail, during 5 or 6 hours we hike to the village. Includes: lunch, dinner and camping.

Day 2: Huayllabamba-Pacamayu
A steeper climb takes us through on the area of the rain forest and up to Llulluchapampa and the valley. There are some very good views on the way to the Warmiwañusca pass (4 200 m. s .n .m.) (13 700 ft.) That hikes take 5 hours approximately. After the pass we steep down again into the valley of Pacaymayu.

Day 3: Pacymayu-Wiñayhuayna
At 7:00a.m.we are continuing to climb to the second pass a small look out from here we look back to the first pass and forward to high Ice covered and the cordillera Vilcabamba. A cross the other side of the Runcuracay passes (3,800m.s.n.m.)(12,900ft.). we quickly notice a change in the vegetation, since we have, now across the continental divided into the Amazon basin. The Inca trail itself now became more apparent, a defined path made of flat boulders descending into the valley and visit the ruins of Sayacmarca. After crossed the dry lake, and enter on the rain forest; the trees are hung with orchids paradise flowers and flock parrots can be see on the trail, now unforgettable fowl lodge along the valley and passed at one point through an Inca tunnel before opening out at the ruins Phuyupatamarca, the 3th. Pass (3,600m.s.n.m.)(11,600ft.) Far a way we get glimpses of Pumasillo and Salkantay and neared, but thousands of feet below, in once again the Urubamba river. Soon we can see Machupicchu huge mountain around it the long desert begging towards and 2hours on way down we stop neared of the lodge of Wiñaywayna.

Day 4: Wiñayhuayna-Machupicchu
Finally we walk one hour to the sun gate after check the view of Machu picchu and the full grandiose of the world greatest ruins in revealed. We should arrive at 7.00 a .m. Before the mayor of the tourist arrived, so shall have place our self for two hours in the morning, From Aguas Calientes we get the train in the afternoon to Cusco.

DAY 01-Total distance: 12 km (7,47 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)

DAY 02.-Total distance: 11 km (6,84 miles)
Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,200 m (13,776 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)

DAY 03.-Total distance: 16 km (9,94 miles)
Estimated walking time: 8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,900 m (12,792 ft)
Campsite altitude: 2,650 m (8,692 ft)

DAY 04.-Total distance: 4 km (2,49 miles)
Estimated walking time: 2 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (8,829 ft)
Campsite altitude: 2,400 m (7,872 ft)

* Departure and arrival times are approximated.

** Campsites are subject to change according to the designation of the governmental institution regulating the use of the Inca Trail, as well as to our guide’s criteria and the group progress

Climate and Environment

The climate is relatively mild all year- round, with heavy rains from November to March, and dry and hot weather from April to October, which is a recommendable time to visit. The annual minimal temperature runs from 8° to 11.2°C. In the months of June, July and August the temperature can often fall below zero. I

The annual maximum temperature varies from 20.4° to 26.6°C. The terrain is fairly jagged, with many gullies and streams fed by glaciers which eventually pour into the Urubamba river, which crosses the area forming a deep valley which runs through the granite base of Vilcabamba for more than 40 km through a variety of eco-systems.

Landscape

The natural surroundings are impressive and the balance achieved between nature and Inca architecture is striking. The Vilcabamba mountain range boasts peaks higher than 6,000 meters such as Salcantay and Huamantay among others. The blend of mountains, jungles and valleys create a fantasy world where the spectacular dawn and sunset are shrouded in mystery.

Fauna

This is abundant and varied. The existence of species in danger of extinction such as the spectacled bear (Tremarctos omatus), the Andean Cock-of-the-Rocks (Rupicola peruviana), the dwarf deer (Pudu mephistopheles), etc. was one of the reasons why the government decided to declare it a Conservation Unit.

The park includes species like the puma, Andean fox, river otter, Taruka (Huemul deer), wildcat, ferret, etc. There are birds like the Mountain Caracara, hummingbirds, torrent duck, parrot, wild turkey, and many other colorful smaller birds. There are also reptiles like the Jergon Bothrops and the coral micrurus snake (lethal for its venom), lizards, frogs, and numerous Andean and jungle fauna which inhabit the Sanctuary. This abundant wildlife makes the Sanctuary ideal for tourists and researchers who wish to watch or study the animals.

Flora

The large natural areas are filled with a variety of forest species which vary according to the habitat. The forest vegetation is represented by trees such as cedar, romerillo or intimpa, laurel, etc. There are also species like Ocotea, Pedocarpus, Guarea, Weinmania, Clusia, Cedropia, Cinchena, Eritrina or Pisonay, and Ilex among others. The decorative plants have made the Sanctuary famous. Experts have identified more than 90 species of orchids, and many species of begonias and puya cacti. Most of the area is covered by herbaceous, shrub like and arboreal plants. The varied conditions have created an ideal environment for the growth of diverse plant life that runs from thick jungle like the cloud forest to the sparsely covered mountain tops.

Archaeology

Apart from everything that has been mentioned, there is also the Incas cultural heritage. The Inca Trail which was well built, crosses dense forests and deep canyons. There are 18 archaeological complexes dotted along the trail which can be seen in all their splendor. These are made up of housing, irrigation canals, agricultural terracing, walls and shrines, which are irrefutable proof of the existence of important human ettlements.r