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Itinerary – Extended Inca Trail – 5 Days

“We travel for romance; we travel for Architecture, and we travel to be lost.”

Ideal for photographers and families with younger kids, this version of the Inca Trail hike moves at a slightly slower pace. While following the same trail as the classic 4-day trek, we will stop at alternative campsites to avoid crowds and have more time to enjoy the amazing scenery. This version also gives you a night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes so you can shower and clean up for an additional entry to Machu Picchu on day 5.

Day 1 – CUSCO – HUALLABAMBA
  • We will pick you up from Cusco at 6:00 am from your hotel. After a stop in Ollantaytambo for breakfast and supplies, we will drive to the official beginning of the Inca Trail: Kilometer 82.
  • After showing your passport to get through the first check point, we will cross the Urubamba River and begin our trek. In addition to the amazing scenery of the Andes Mountains, we will pass a few Inca sites during our first three-hour hike to get lunch.
  • After lunch, we will hike for another two hours until we reach the first night’s campsite at Huallabamba a small communities where you will have an opportunity to purchase drinks, snacks, or supplies and interact with our F.S.E staff and locals. Dinner will be prepared at the campsite.
Day 2 – HUALLABAMBA- LLULLUCHA
  • After breakfast, we will hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass. At the top of the pass, we will stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend for an hour and a half to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley) for lunch.
  • After lunch, we will begin ascending again for an hour and a half to the second pass. From there, it is another hour and a half downhill to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca. Here we will have time to explore and watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountains before descending for 25 minutes to our campsite for dinner.

Walking Distance: 16k/9.94miles(9 hours)
Elevation: 3330m/10,925ft to 4215m/13,829ft to 3600m/11811ft
Difficulty: Challenging to Difficult (altitude and terrain)
Weather: Cold in the morning; warm while walking; cold at night. Always a chance of rain.

Day 3 – LLULLUCHA- P’UYUPATAMARCA
  • This day is felt to be the most impressive, gorgeous day of the whole Inca Trail. We will begin early at 6:30am with breakfast and coca tea. We will hike for two hours along what we like to call the “Indiana Jones Path” where we begin to enter the jungle.
  • Towards the end of the Indiana Jones Path, we will begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) where we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Further down the valley, we will get our first views of Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself will still be hidden from view.
  • From Phuyupatamarka, we will pass Intipata (Terraces of the Sun) during our three-hour walk down Inca stairs to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). We will have lunch at this campsite. At around 4:30PM, your guide will give you a short orientation and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna, spending about an hour and a half there.

Note: We like to enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs. It’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony this evening for the chefs and porters to thank them for their help during the trek (if you wish to provide tips for them, you can do so at this time. Please see our notes on tipping here.) It is advisable to go to bed fairly early this night to get up for the sunrise over Machu Picchu.

Walking Distance: 10km/6.2miles (6 hours)
Elevation: 3600m/11,811ft to 2600m/8,530feet
Difficulty: Moderate (mostly downhill, but many stairs)
Weather: Chilly morning; mild/warm while walking; warm at night

Day 4 – P’UYUPATAMARCA- SUN GATE – AGUAS CALIENTES
  • Today you will get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.  After breakfast, you will walk to the Machu Picchu checkpoint.  After one hour, we will arrive at the Sun Gate where we will see Machu Picchu for the first time. 
  • We will walk down to the city of Machu Picchu where you will have time to explore on your own. 
  • You will have the option to walk down to the town of Aguas Calientes or take a bus. 
  • After checking into your hotel and taking a well-deserved shower, we will meet for dinner in the town.  

Day 5 – MACHU PICCHU
  • Today is the highlight of the trek. Waking up early, we will meet at the bus station to try to take the first bus up to Machu Picchu city. 
  • Once we enter the citadel, you will have a 2 hour guided walking tour.
  • After the tour, you will have the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu mountain (must be reserved in advance for an additional fee) or explore the city at your own pace.
  • When you are finished, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes where you will take the train back to your hotel in Cusco. 

Walking Distance: Varied! You can see as much of Machu Picchu as you like.
Elevation: 2400m/7,847feet
Difficulty: Moderate – Machu Picchu is very large with a lot of stairs.
Weather: Warm/Humid – always a chance of rain.

Includes
  • All transportation (car, train, bus)
  • All Entrance fees
  • English speaking guide
  • Tent for double occupancy (single tents will be an extra charge)
  • Basic First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
  • Accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a three star hotel (Double occupancy. Single occupancy available for additional charge)
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary (dietary restrictions can be honored with proper notice)
  • Sleeping mat
  • Duffel bags to be carried by porters (up to 15pounds/7kilos per person)
  • Clean water at every meal stop
Does Not Include
  • Breakfast – Day 1
  • Lunch and Dinner – Day 5
  • Tax
  • Ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu optional climb (+ $65)
  • Tips for the guide, cook and porters. (To see our guide for tipping, please click here.)
  • Walking Sticks (+$12 per pair)
  • Sleeping bag (+$30 per person)
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