Day 1: Cuzco – Cruzpata
We will leave Cuzco at 7:00 am in our own private bus, and drive to Mollepata. Along the four and a half hour drive, we will stop in the town of Limatambo (2100 masl), an important point of access to the city of Cuzco during the time of the Inca Empire. Here we will visit the archaeological remains of Tarawasi, where we can appreciate an Inca Usno, or place where ceremonies for mother earth were conducted. We will leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac river, to reach Mollepata (2800 masl) where we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100 masl) along a slight climb where we will appreciate various plants, native birds, the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru), and a communitarian irrigation canal. In Cruzpata we will set up our first camp.
Day 2: Cruzpata – Soraypampa
We will depart at around 8:00 am in the direction of Soraypampa along a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl). After approximately six hours of walking, we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3900 masl). From here we can appreciate the majestic Apu Salcantay (6271 masl). We will camp and dine at this place.
Day 3: Soraypampa - Pampacahuana
We will leave the campsite at around 7:00 am to start the four hour steep climb towards the Incachiriasca pass (4850 masl), the highest of the entire trail, and from which we will have impressive views of the Salcantay snow peak. We will immediately descend towards our lunch spot, observing Salcantay´s neighboring valleys (it is possible that you will see condors in this area). After lunch we will descend towards the Pampacahuana community, next to which exists an original Inca canal. We will camp and have dinner at this place.
Day 4: Pampacahuana – Wayllabamba
We will leave camp at around 8:00 am to start a downhill walk along the shores of the Pampacahuana river following its course towards the Wayllabamba community (3000 masl). On the way down we will visit the Incaracay archaeological complex (Paucarcancha) which is made up of rectangular constructions, plazas, retaining walls and terraces. After approximately four hours, we will arrive in Wayllabamba, where we will camp and dine.
Day 5: Wayllabamba – Pacaymayo
We will wake up at around 6:00 am, and after breakfast we will leave Wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km. Along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass), we will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at that altitude. We will also cross an area of the so called cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and sparrows and the Andean bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus). We advise that on this day specially, your day pack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we will descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600 masl), where we will camp after approximately 6h of hiking.
Day 6: Pacaymayo – Wiñaywayna
This day is the longest but also the most impressive and the most interesting, due the number of archaeological sites that we will visit and learn about from our guide. From Pacaymayo we will climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3970 masl). Half way up, we will visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800 masl, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we will descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud-forest to finally arrive at Sayamarca (3624 masl). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we will arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700 masl). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phyupatamarca means ¨town over the clouds¨. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2700 masl). At this campsite we will find a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite has the same name as the complex located only five minutes away from the lodge. Wiñaywayna is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector.
Day 7: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu
On this last day we will get up at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna an hour later and climb to Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we will see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku we will descend into Machu Picchu, and 40 minutes later we will enter the citadel from the highest point through the ¨House of the Guardians¨. We will then descend to the control point where we will register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We will immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or you can visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca bridge. In the afternoon, we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in the thermal baths. From here we will take the train to the city of Cuzco, where we will arrive after nightfall.
