The Inca trail is one of the most impressive hikes around the world. Take this 5-day option will give you a chance to enjoy more of the scenery, Inca sites, flora and fauna as the hiking distances on this Machu Picchu trek by Inca trail 5 days are shorter than the classic Inca trail 4 days.
Machu Picchu trek by inca trail Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – km 82 – Wayllabamba.
Today we will pick you up from your hotel and we will drive for about two hours through the Sacred Valley until Ollantaytambo.
In Ollantaytambo, we will make a stop for breakfast (first breakfast is not included in your tour package). After enjoying this magnificent town we will continue our drive for 1 hour to Piscacucho KM 82 (2,700 m/ 8,856 ft), which is the starting point of the hike to Machu Picchu!
Once in Piscacucho, we will meet our porters who will be ready packing all the necessary equipment for our 5 days adventure.
At the time that everybody is ready, we will walk to the control where will have to show our passports before entering this sacred Inca Trail Path.
This day our hike is easy and almost flat in order to adapt to the hike. Along the way, we will have a chance to stop in Llactapata which is a beautiful Inca site with terracing and temples. Our tour guide will explain all the history that surrounds this magnificent place.
After exploring we will continue to Tarayoc which will be our site for lunch approx 1:00 pm.
After enjoying lunch we will continue our easy walk to Wayllabamba where we will have our first night.
– Hiking distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles.
– Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours.
– Lowest elevation: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft.
– Highest elevation: 3,000 m / 9,840 ft.
– Physical rating: Moderate
– Highlight: Llactapata Inca ruins
Day 2: Wayllabamba – pacaymayu
Today we will have a wake-up call in order to get ready for the second day to Machu Picchu trek.
After enjoying our breakfast, we will start our uphill hike until Llulluchapampa 3,800 m / 12,464 ft, where we will stop for Lunch.
this will be halfway to the summit.
After enjoying the lunch we will continue our uphill hike until warmiwañuska or better know and dead-woman pass ( 4,215 m / 13,825 ft ) which will be the highest point on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Once we get there, we will enjoy both sides of the valley.
We will start our downhill for about 2 hours in order to get to our second campsite called Pacaymayo 3,650 m / 11,972 ft.
This evening we’ll have tea time and dinner.
– Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles.
– Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours.
– Lowest elevation: 3,000 m / 9,840 ft.
– Highest elevation: 4,215 m / 13,825 ft.
– Physical rating: Demanding.
– Highlight: dead woman pass, Scenic views.
Day 3: Pacaymayo – Phuyupatamarca
Today after enjoying breakfast we’ll start hiking up for two hours to reach the second pass called Runkurakay 3,950 m / 12,956 ft. On the halfway to the pass, we’ll get and explore the ruins of Runkurakay, a place to get into the Incan history, archaeology and for a break before conquering the next summit.
Upon our arrival to Runkurakay pass, we’ll enjoy the stunning views in every direction of the Vilcabamba range and Urubamba range. After a deserved rest at the top, we’ll descend down to the next Incan ruins called Sayacmarca for 1 hour and 30 minutes, where we’ll explore this place with our tour guide, before heading out to our lunch spot at Chaquicocha.
After lunch, the trail goes through the could forest with great scenic verdant vistas to Phuyupatamarca 3,650 m / 11,972 ft, our third campsite considered the most scenic campsite on the Inca Trail 5 days. The afternoon is for relaxation time, enjoy the tea time and dinner.
– Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles.
– Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours.
– Lowest elevation: 3,650 m / 11,972 ft.
– Highest elevation: 4,950 m / 12,956 ft.
– Physical rating: Moderate to demanding.
– Highlight: Runkurakay Inca site, Sayacmarca Inca site.
Day 4: Phuyupatamarca – wiñayhuayna – puente ruinas.
Once again after enjoying breakfast we will start walking down to Wiñaywayna one of the most impressive archaeological site on the Machu Picchu Trek. Also, we will have a chance to enjoy the Inca sites like Phuyupatamarca and Intipata.
Upon our arrival to Wiñaywayna and after the exploration of the Inca site, we’ll have last lunch with our Inca Trail porters. We will have time to say goodbye to our great porters.
After lunch, we will continue walking to the sun gate from where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu. we’ll take our time to make great shots of the Inca city, as the afternoon is usually with fewer people.
We’ll then take the bus to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes town) where we’ll stay at the hotel, and have dinner.
– Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles.
– Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours.
– Lowest elevation: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft.
– Highest elevation: 3,650 m / 11,972 ft.
– Physical rating: Moderate to demanding.
– Highlight: wiñayhuayna, Intipata, sun gate – Machu Picchu.
Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco.
This day, you will have your breakfast in the hotel, and then your tour guide will pick you up and take you to the bus station where you will take the bus up to the majestic Machu Picchu. Once there, you will begin your guided walking tour.
After enjoying Machu Picchu, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, picking up your bags from your hotel, and then take a train back to Cusco or Ollantaytambo, where a representative of Kaypi Peru tours will pick you up to transfer to your Cusco hotel.
