Cuzco to Km 82 to Ayapata: We will leave Cuzco at 5:00 am by a private bus heading to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will make a short break in the beautiful town of Ollantaytambo for breakfast. The official beginning of the Inca Trail is called Km 82. Here we will meet our crew and register for our trek.
After crossing the Rio Urubamba we start the legendary Inca Trail. The first day of the trail is relatively easy and a good warm up for the following days. On the way we will pass a beautiful archaeological site called Llactapata before we reach Tarayoc. After that, we will continue our hike to Ayapata (3300m), the camping site where we will spend the night, passing Wayllabamba on route.

Ayapata to Choquicocha: Leaving early in the morning, our trail first leads through the Valley of Llulluchapampa (3750m). The first 4 km trekking are steep and take approximately 2 hours. From Llulluchapampa, the path continues less steeply for another 2 hours until we reach the Warmihuañusca Pass (Dead Woman Pass), the first of three passes on the Inca Trail and the highest point of our trek at 4200m. This climb is the most difficult part of the Inca Trail. After a short break at the summit, we continue our hike down with a long and steep descent to the Pacamayo River where we will have lunch overlooking the cloud forest. After a well deserved break and feeling re-energised, we climb up to the oval-shaped ruin of Runkurakay, which is believed to have once been an Inca tambo or post house. From here we continue to ascend to the summit of our second pass, Runkurakay Pass at 3900m. From here you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the entire snow-capped Vilcabamba range, before another steep descent down to our campsite for the night.

Choquicocha to Winay Wayna: This morning we will climb up to our third pass, to Phuyupatamarka, an Inca ruin named “The Town in the Clouds” from where there are great views of the Urubamba river far below. From Phuyupatamarka, we continue to descend into a beautiful orchid-filled cloud forest, visiting the site of Intipata (Terraces of the Sun), before reaching our campsite at Wiñay Huayna. Arriving here by early afternoon we have plenty of time to explore the nearby ruins and have a lesson in cooking Lomo Saltado, a Peruvian specialty.

Winay Wayna to Machu Picchu, transfer to Cuzco: An early start is required today, and we will have breakfast around 4:30 am so that we are ready to hit the trail. We say goodbye to our porters and set off on the final section of the Inca Trail to the famous Inti Punku (The Sun Gate) which will take around 2-3 hours. Weather permitting, from here you will enjoy your first views of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. You will be given a guided tour of the site which will last for around 2½ to 3 hours. There is also an option to climb Huayna Picchu, the famous mountain behind the ruins, but you will need to book a permit in advance. In the afternoon, we will catch the train from Agua Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where you will be met by our driver who will transfer you to Cuzco.