The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is considered one of the best treks of the world due the combination of mountains, high cloud forest and archeological Inca’s sites.
The Incas built a highly advanced network of nearly 40,000 thousand kilometers of trails to connect the distant corners of their vast empire that stretched from Quito in Ecuador down to Santiago in Chile and east to Mendoza in Argentina. The named it Capac Ñan also known as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Cusco was the heart of this great empire.
What is known as the Inca Trail is in fact only one of many Inca trails in the Cusco area. However, this trail has become famous due to its final destination: Machu Picchu. There is no better way to arrive to the citadel than on foot at the Sun Gate at dawn, visiting the ruins in the early morning light before most of the tourists arrive.
They’re many versions of the Inca trail being the 4 days trek also named Classic Inca trail, the most popular.
There are 500 permits available each day: approximately 200 are allocated to tourists and 300 to porters, cooks and guides for that reason it’s highly recommended to book this trek with at least 4 months of anticipation.
The first day of the 4-days Inca Trail starts with a transfer to Km. 82 where all trekkers hike by the shores of the Urubamba River for around 3 hours up to the archeological site of Llactapata. Then, they continue walking heading for the first camp in Huayllabamba where they have dinner and overnight.
Total distance: 12 Km (7,47 miles)
Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours
Highest altitude: 3,000 Mt (9,480 ft.)
Altitude on campsite: 3,000 Mt (9,480 ft.)
The most challenging portion of the trek is the second day with a steep ascent, followed by 3 hours walking until reaching the first step, Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman), located at 4,200 m.a.s.l. approximately. After lunch trekkers descend towardsPacaymayu for dinner and camp.
Total distance: 11 Km (6,84 miles)
Trekking time: 6 to 7 hours
Highest altitude: 4,200 Mt (13,776 ft.)
Altitude on campsite: 3,500 Mt (11,480 ft.)
The third day of the trekis a more relaxed, trekking a downhill and mostly flat trail. On route tourists visitRuncuracay andSayacmarca archeological sites and then go on to thePhuyupatamarca ruins. The last night of camping is at Wiñaywayna (always young).
Total distance: 16 Km (9,94 miles)
Trekking time: 8 hours
Highest altitude: 3,900 Mt (13,776 ft.)
Altitude on campsite: 2,650 Mt (8,692 ft.)
On the fourth and last day, trekkers start walking for one hour by the forest until reach the Inti Punku (Sun Gate), known like the front door to Machu Picchu, from where everybody have an impressive panoramic view of the Inca citadel. Upon arrival Machu Picchu, trekkers have a guided tour within the citadel visiting the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the temple of the Three Windows and cemeteries.
At the end of the guided tour they are free to stay longer in the citadel or to take right away the bus down to Machu Picchu town (also known as Aguas Calientes) where the booked hotel waits for them with a comfortable room to rest after the demanding trek.
Best time to go: during the dry season that starts in April and ends around November. The trail is availble anytime except in February when is closed.
Difficulty: more than a walk in the park but less than an alpine climb. If you are in half-decent shape, this 4-days trek will be fine.
The trail goes higher than 4200 meters so you should spend a bit of time in Cusco to adjust and avoid getting altitude sickness on the trail.
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