South
America Travel Destinations |
Trek Along the Royal Inca Trail
Through the Andes to Machu Picchu |
4
Days / 3 Nights – Small
Group Tour
|
| Peru’s most famous trek
brings thousands of visitors to the Andes every year. This
classical 43-kilometer hike culminates at Machu Picchu - the
lost city of the Incas. and combines a visit to mysterious
archaeological sites, spectacular mountain scenery and cloud
forests rich in Andean fauna and flora. Hikers arrive at Machu
Picchu on sunrise of the fourth day. |
|
Day
1: From Cusco – Visit to Wayllabamba
Approximately 4:30 AM , guides will meet you at the hotel lobby and drive to
the embarkation point of Piskacuchu (2700 meters above sea-level), along the
Cusco –Machu Picchu rail line. Beginning here, you will cross the bridge
and begin hiking along the left shore of the Urubamba River. Pursuing the trail
along flat terrain, you pass Miskay (2800- masl), and ascend to see, from a tall
overlook, the Inca city of Patallacta (2750 -masl). The hike continues for approximately
five hours reaching the first campsite at Wayllabamba (3000 - masl). Along the
way are spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge seen on the opposite side of
the river valley, as well as the stately Veronica peak reigning at over 15,000
feet above sea level.
|
|
|
Day 2: From Wayllabamba
to Pacaymayo
Awaking around 6:00 am, breakfast is served and then departing form Wayllabamba,
you will enter the most difficult part of the trek with a steep ascent
that continues for about 18 miles. Along the way, the terrain changes
to a very dry area with little vegetation. You will encounter the first
mountain pass, Abra Warmihuañusca, where llamas and alpacas graze
Here too is an area of cloud forest,where a variety of hummingbirds and
sparrows and also the Andean bear can be found. After crossing the pass,
your hike descends into Pacaymayo - a valley (3600 - masl), where your
second campsite awaits.
|
|
Day 3: From Pacaymayo to Wiñaywaynaa
Day 3 contains a number of archaelogical sites to explore and is the longest
day. Departing from Pacaymayo you will ascend to the second pass, the Abra de
Runkurakay (3970 - masl). Along the way, you will encounter a site that served
as a guard post. Traversing the pass, you will continue to descend into a beautiful
village complex composed of buildings at differing levels with narrow streets,
patios, fountains, and canals. From here you continue on to the third pass, at
Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700 -masl). Along the way, you will appreciate the skill
and craftsmanship of the Incan builders as you encounter an archaeological site
along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu, located on the high point of a mountain.
The name of this town, Phuyupatamarca signifies "town over the clouds".
From the height above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up
of water fountains with solid foundations, and from here too panoramic views
of the Urubamba River valley below as well as and the descending stone steps
from which we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2700 masl). At this campsite
is located a lodge with restaurant, a bar and also bathrooms and hot showers.
Wiñaywayna is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center
with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector.
|
|
|
Day 4: From
Wiñaywayna and into Machu Picchu
On this fourth and last day we get up at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna an
hour later and climb to the Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This takes an hour of
trekking on a trail of flat stone steps on the edge of a cliff. From this impressive
location, you will see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machupicchu. From
Intipunku your hike continues on to descend into Machupicchu, and forty minutes
along the trail, you will enter the lost citadel from the high point known as
the ¨House of the Guardians". You will then begin a complete guided
tour of Machu Picchul that will take approximately two hours. There is time to
walk around, and to ascend up Huaynapicchu. From this mountain, you will experience
spectacular views of all of the abandoned city, verdant valleys and the mountains
surrounding. In the afternoon, there is time to visit the town of Aguas Caliente
and check-in to your hotel. Return by train to Cusco on the following day.
|
|
