Day 1: CUSCO- PISKACUCHO KM 82- PATALLAQTA- CUSICHAKA- HATUN CHAKA..(CAMPING) Vamos Amigos !!

Pick-up from your hotel by 06:00 am, we board our private transportation that will go to the beginning of our walk. (Bring your original passport and University student card if applicable). Our journey from Cusco to Piscacucho -Km 82, takes approx. 3 hours, beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, Andean towns, and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. After 1 hour ride, we will stop in Urubamba to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, then we continue to Km 82 (Piscacucho 2,680 masl) start of the trek. There we will meet our camp crew, porters who will carry our belongings during the entire trek. Passports in hand, We clear the official Inca Trail checkpoint, cross a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba River, and begin our trek with a gentle climb. We have three hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river, rewarded with superb views of Mount Veronica (5,750 m). The easy walk passes through a forest of giant cactus and native bushes. At Miskay we take the trail to the left, ascending gradually to Willkaraccay high above the mouth of the Cusichaka stream and across from the Inca town of Llactapata (Terrace Town). Our vantage point is from a flat bluff above the extensive site, which was built as a fort because it commands the entrance to the Cusichaka Valley. The terracing system was used during Inca times for growing potatoes, maize and cereals crops that needed irrigation in the dry highlands. After a short rest, we continue another 15 minutes down to our lunch site at Tayaroc. Our path is adorned with native flowers and bromeliads growing in the boulders along the left side, and by majestic views of the mountains in both valleys. Walking times are always approximate, depending on weather conditions, group ability and other factors. After lunch, another 2-3 hours will bring us to Hatun Chaka Camp (3,000 m) You will be rewarded with a Macho Tea hot drink and a buffet dinner will be offered. Hot water buckets are offered for washing. Showers available for 10 soles. Guides will present our plans for the next great day. Have a good night. Buenas Noches!!! Accommodation: Camping (Tents for 2 person) ; Meals: Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner ; Minimum altitude:2,680 m/8,790 ft ; Maximum altitude: 3,000 m/10,824 ft ; Distance:12 km approx ; Duration: 6-7 hours / Ascent up: 620 m

Day 2: WAYLLABAMBA- AYAPATA- LLULLUCHAYOQ- DEAD WOMAN´S PASS- PACAYMAYO- (CAMPING),

After breakfast, around 7:00 am, we continue our hike from the campsite towards the Ayapata Valley, which takes approximately one hour, followed by a gentle climb through the forest and along a stream (3300 m / 10,824 ft). Today is our big day of challenge, but with plenty of time to enjoy it. It's the biggest climb of our trek, strenuous because we'll ascend 1200 meters of elevation in two stages, but it's rewarded with spectacular mountain views, some of which are ancient Inca stone steps, surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks like Apu Huayanay (behind us). You'll hike for 2 to 3 hours with several stops to catch your breath until you reach the lunch spot in the Llulluchapampa Valley. Enjoy spectacular views along the trail. We'll then ascend steeply through the Corralpunku Valley to the Llulluchayoc area, where you might spot various bird species. With luck, we'll see small hummingbirds, hawks, and black-chested eagles, or perhaps even the king of the Andean highlands, the condor, so respected and revered in Andean communities. Soon, we'll enter a beautiful cloud forest, or Polylepis forest (made up of queuña and chachacomo trees, small Andean species), and the treeless grasslands of the puna region, inhabited by tarucas (white and gray deer), foxes, and pumas. From here, you'll be able to see the highest mountain ahead, called Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwañusca). In Llulluchapampa, our camp team will be waiting for us with a delicious Peruvian lunch. After lunch, there will be some time to rest, perhaps a short nap. After lunch, we continue our trek for another 2-3 hours, climbing 600 meters to the summit of Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass), located at 4,200 meters / 13,776 feet.
Here you'll discover special sensations on this summit—perhaps the sacredness of this place, a spiritual connection, gratitude, or simply your ability to cope with the lack of oxygen in your brain. The trail still ascends a large number of steps, some of them recently placed to protect the mountain from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catch your breath whenever you like. This last challenging climb leads us to Dead Woman's Pass—you made it! Once the whole group reaches this pass, we take a short break before beginning a steep descent into the Pacaymayo Valley for approximately 2-3 hours to reach our campsite for the night. This site has an incredible view of a valley, a nearby waterfall, and snow-capped peaks. You'll feel your energy returning as we make our way down this section. Camp setup, afternoon tea, and buffet dinner. This campsite is popular with tour groups. While the facilities are quite good (with toilets and two loo blocks), there are no showers. Hot water buckets are available for washing, or you can wash briefly in the nearby pristine river.
DAY 2 Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Camping (tent for 2 people) Minimum altitude: 3000 meters/9840 feet; Maximum altitude: 4200 meters/13776 feet; Distance: Approx. 12 km; Duration: 7-8 hours / Ascent: 900 meters.

Day 3: RUNKURAKAY- SAYAQMARKA- CHAKICOCHA- AOBAMBA- PHUYUPATAMARKA- INTIPATA- WIÑAYWAYNA (CAMPING)

After breakfast, around 7:00 am. The path climbs very steeply from Pacaymayo camp takes 1 hour to reach Runcuracay, a circular structure ruins with a rectangular outbuildings perched on the edge of the valley, an old Inca -tambo where chaskis rested, guard post, lookout point or a ritual building, the site is best viewed from higher up the path. The second pass Runcuracay Mt at (3,950 m), is another hour up, beyond a series of false summits and at the top of a series of steep staircases. Just before the real pass, the path winds between two tarns where Andean gulls sometimes gather. The second pass is another broad saddle, boasting exceptional views, in clear weather, you can look back to Warmiwañuska pass and forward to a breath-taking sweep of snow-capped peaks. These include the 6,000-m Pumasillo Mt (Puma’s Claw). From here, most of the trail is downhill. Having descended through a short tunnel the trail begins a series of tight switchbacks, dropping height quickly until it reaches a small viewpoint atop a promontory. Beyond here descend is more gradual and the path curls and coils across the slopes. To the right on the pass lies a small, algae-covered lake, whilst ahead of you Sayacmarca Inca town is visible. Time to explore, interesting lectures from your guides, after on we continue descending and the path bring us to Chakicocha (3,400 m) a nice camp where we stop to rest and lunch. There are toilet facilities. After lunch the hike is exceptionally beautiful because the stone paved highway, we will pass the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, then we descend to Wiñaywayna and Intipata, and enjoy dramatic vistas of the Aobamba Valley. This stretch of the trail is of well-kept paved stone, still in great condition after many centuries. Your lungs will appreciate the fact that today’s hike is much more down than up, and significantly shorter than yesterday’s. In getting to Phuyupatamarca (the Town of the Clouds), we will pass through the first of two short, natural tunnels. After visiting this ruins, we will descend about 2,000 stone steps to Wiñaywayna camp, use trekking poles to relieve some of the stress on your joints. There is an additional short hike to Intipata another impressive Inca site with farm terraces before we get to our camp. Around 5 pm, we will arrive at Wiñaywayna (2,700 m) once set in our tents and before it get dark we walk for 5 minutes to have an spectacular views and a tour around this impressive Inca citadel, the most preserved and biggest Inca site on Inca Trail. Here is probably the most crowded and noisy camp, we therefore recommend taking extra care of your personal belongings. Keep an eye on your belongings and don’t leave anything outside your tent at night. Tea time and Buffet Dinner. (Note that the hostel in Wiñayhuayna that for decades existed here is totally closed). Cold showers, no beers and basic toilets. The porters very early tomorrow will take a train return home so tonight they will appreciate a tip as appreciation and nice gesture of their work. Accommodation: camping ; Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ; Minimum altitude: 2,700 m/8,856 ft ; Maximum altitude:3,750 m/ 12,300 ft ; Distance: 16 Km approx. ; Duration: 7-8 hours / Descent : 700 m

Day 4: WIÑAYWAYNA- INTUPINKU - MACHUPICCHU (HUAYNAPICCHU) -CUSCO.

We will wake up very early, around 4:00 a.m. After breakfast, we continue hiking the last leg of the trail toward -Inti Punku (the Sun Gate -viewpoint). This hike will last between 1.45 and 2 hours approximately, with some considerable easy uphill and flat sections in the second half. We will be walking in the dark for 30 minutes, so bringing a headlamp is recommended (there is an option to wait a bit until it is clear). From this point of view Machu Picchu is not yet fully visible, but you can observe the mountain environment and its geographical location. Please follow your guides' instructions. Walk slowly, watching your step, as the path is uneven in some places and you can easily trip. We recommend to give way to others who wish to go faster. Always walk close to the left side of the path -do not run or rush. This section is the most dangerous. In some parts, the path is very narrow, so be very careful. Do not rely on the wooden railings placed along the edge of the precipice (right side), be careful while walking. From this viewpoint –Inti Punku (the Sun Gate)-you will have enough time to enjoy the views and take pictures. Then, we will begin the descent toward the Citadel. It's not very dangerous, but descend slowly, watching your step again. A final 1 hour downhill walk will take us first to the upper southern sector of Machu Picchu (the Guards Houses). The trail ends at a series of terraces offering panoramic views of the Citadel, from this point you will better distinguish and appreciate the temples, residences and neighborhoods. After enjoying the panoramic view long enough, we will descend directly to the entrance of Machu Picchu -park check point, (backpack storage is available for 5 soles at the gate. 20-30 minutes -free time to go to the toilets, there are no toilets inside Machu Picchu). Then the group will re-enter the Citadel for a full guided tour. Our guided tour will end by 10:30/ 11:00 am. Afterward, you will have free time for an extra walk around (Check with your guide due to new park regulations recently set). By 12:30 or 1:00 pm take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town. There you will also be able to store your backpack, take a shower and/or look around the town a bit before catching the train back to Cusco. Lunch is not included. By 2:45 pm the train returns to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco is generally around 7.30 pm.
DAY 4 Meals: Breakfast. Maximum altitude: 2700 m / 8856 ft Minimum altitude: 2400 m / 7872 ft (Machu Picchu) Distance covered: Approx. 8 km plus exploration of Machu Picchu Approximate hiking time: 6-7 hours / Descent: 300 m