Hiking the Inca Trail - Information on Peru Inca Trail Machu Picchu

News Clips and Reviews

Inca Trail Day 1 - Cuzco to Pisonay (7.5 miles)

The first day of the trek is relatively easy and serves as training for the days to follow. We are collected early from our hotel (6:30-7am) and travel by bus, past the picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, for the 2½ hour scenic trip to Kilometre 82 (the start of the trail).

We cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right as it climbs steeply up from the river. After passing through a small village, the ruins of the Inca hillfort of Huillca Raccay come into view high above the mouth of the river Cusichaca ('happy bridge'). The Incas, when they conquered the area, built a fort here since the site commanded an excellent view up and down the Urubamba valley and controlled the entrance to the Cusichaca valley. It is a simple descent down to the Cusichaca river. From parts of this trail there are great views of the Cordillera Urubamba (Urubamba mountain range) and the snow capped peak of Veronica (18200feet).

Want to know more? Request our brochure for ideas on how to hike the Inca Trail, quotes from past travellers, photos and information about our trips. Click here to Request your FREE travel brochure.

From here we'll get a great view over the extensive Inca ruins of Llactapata (also known as Patallacta on some maps). Llactapata means 'upper town' in Quechua and was first discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and was primarily an agricultural station used to supply Machu Picchu with maize, the staple crop of the Incas. The settlement comprised over one hundred buildings, houses for the workers and soldiers, including five baths.

For a further 4.5 miles the path follows the left bank of the river up to the small village of Wayllabamba (9,500feet). The name in Quechua means 'grassy plain'. We will spend the night close to here at Pisonay. Our porters will have our tents up and have snacks ready when we arrive in camp. Time to rest up!

Inca Trail Day 2 - Wayllabamba to Pacamayo (7.5 miles)

Climbing up from Wayllabamba following the left bank of the Llulluchayoc river for about 1 hour brings us to 'Tres Piedras' (three stones) and a small bridge over the Huayruro river. The stream is named after the Huayruro which is an ornamental tree. It's seeds are red and black. Many of the porters from the Ollantaytambo district are also known as Huayruros because of their traditional red and black ponchos! A little further on you'll enter a beautiful cloud forest passing a waterfall.

A further three hours trek through steepening woods and increasingly spectacular terrain brings you to the treeline and a meadow known as Llulluchapampa (11,800 feet). It is another 1½ hours climb to the first and highest pass of the trail (Abra de Huarmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass) at 13,800 feet. Once at the top we can celebrate having completed the most difficult section of the trail. The descent from the pass is steep although not difficult, following the trail on the left side of the valley to the valley floor and to the 2nd night's campsite at Pacamayo (11,900 feet). This will prove to be one of the most rewarding days hiking you're ever likely to have!

Inca Trail Day 3 - Pacamayo to Wiñay Wayna (9.5 miles)
From Pacamayo it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay. These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Pacamayo valley below. Another 45 minute hike will bring us to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (13,200 feet). The views are simply unforgettable. This section of the trail, up till the 3rd pass, is also particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and skirts deep precipices. After about 1 hour from the 2nd pass we'll arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a superbly designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means 'Inaccessible Town' and describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. No one knows the exact purpose of these ruins.

We have to backtrack a little to rejoin the trail as it passes Conchamarca, a small Inca dwelling situated in the shadows of Sayacmarca, which was probably a tambo for weary travelers on their way to Machu Picchu. From then on the path descends into magnificent cloudforest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the rock, on the way.

The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (12,200 feet). The view from the pass is stunning with several snow-capped peaks towering above us. A few minutes after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds'. Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual worship of water. Leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase leading from the west side of the ruins (the far end from the baths) we descend a thousand or so steps. After about an hour of walking through cloudforest you may just be able to see the tin roof of the Trekkers Hostal at Wiñay Wayna. This is the last campsite before Machu Picchu. There are hot showers here!

A short trail leaves from the southern end of the hostal to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. The name in Quechua means 'forever young' and is named after a variety of pink orchid which grows here. The ruins comprise of magnificent agricultural terraces set in an impressive location. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10 baths, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship of water. Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the trail to Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail Day 4 - Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu (3 miles), Return to Cuzco

The trail from the hostal to Machu Picchu takes about 1½ hours. We'll wake early at 4.30am, have breakfast and set off on the trail again by 5.30am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The sky starts getting light by 5:30am and the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu at about 7am. The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloudforest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you in all its glory - a fantastic sight for all.

When you arrive at the ruins you'll have plenty of time to take photos of Machu Picchu from the classic view point. From the sungate we make our way down the cobbled stairs to Machu Picchu where our guide will take us through the city for a complete tour of the major sectors. The tour takes about 2 hours so by about 10:30 you'll have free time to explore the ruins alone. Your trip leader will then lead a hike up Huayna Pichu mountain. This is a steep hike up the towering peak that overlooks Machu Picchu. The all around views of Machu Picchu and the Urubamba valley below are unbelievable. You can do this hike or explore more of Machu Picchu on your own.

From Machu Picchu we make our way down to Aguas Calientes which is the nearest village to the ruins of Machu Picchu. We meet here for a late lunch and a soak in hot springs after which the town is named. Sit back in a warm water tub, relax and reflect on walking one of the greatest walks in the world.

The following trips include the 4-day Peru Inca Trail:

Jaguar - 14, 10 or 7 day Peru trip
Capybara - 11 day family trip in Peru