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Inca Trail 4 day Trek to Machu Picchu - Trek Itinerary
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Day 01: Cusco to
Wayllabamba (12km)
The first day of the trek is relatively easy and serves as
training for the days to follow. Travelers are collected early
from their hotels (5-5:30am) and travel by bus, past the
picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, for
the 2½ hour scenic trip to kilometer 82 (the start of the trail).
Buses normally stop at the town of Urubamba or Ollantaytambo in
the Sacred Valley for about an hour to give people the opportunity to have
breakfast.
 Having arrived at km 82 hikers cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right
as it climbs steeply up from the river. After passing through a
small village, the ruins of the Inca hillfort of Huillca Raccay
come into view high above the mouth of the river Cusichaca ('happy
bridge'). The Incas, when they conquered the area, built a fort
here since the site commanded an excellent view up and down the
Urubamba valley and controlled the entrance to the Cusichaca
valley. It is a simple descent down to the Cusichaca river. From
parts of this trail there are great views of the Cordillera
Urubamba (Urubamba mountain range) and the snow capped peak of
Veronica 5860m.
You'll also get a good view over the extensive Inca ruins of
Llactapata (also known as Patallacta on some maps). Llactapata
means 'upper town' in Quechua and was first discovered by Hiram
Bingham in 1911 and was primarily an agricultural station used to
supply Machu Picchu with maize, the staple crop of the Incas. The
settlement comprised over one hundred buildings, houses for the
workers and soldiers, including five baths.
For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the river up
to the small village of Wayllabamba (3,000m). The name in Quechua
means 'grassy plain'. We will probably spend the night here
depending on the speed of the group. This is the last place along
the trek that you can buy snacks and drinks.
Day 02: Wayllabamba to Pacamayo (12km)
 Climbing up from
Wayllabamba following the left bank of the Llulluchayoc river for
about 1 hour brings you to 'Tres Piedres' (three stones) and a
small bridge over the Huayruro river. There is a small campsite
here toilet facilities. The stream is named after the Huayruro which is an
ornamental tree. It's seeds are red and black. Many of the porters
from the Ollantaytambo district are also known as Huayruros
because of their traditional red and black ponchos! A little
further on you'll enter a beautiful cloud forest passing a
waterfall.
A further three hours trek through steepening woods and
increasingly spectacular terrain brings you to the treeline and a
meadow known as Llulluchapampa (3,680m). It is another 1½ hours
climb to the first and highest pass of the trail (Abra de
Huarmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,200m. During this part
of the trail hikers are exposed to the Andean elements: first
scorching sun and then, closer to the pass, freezing winds. Once
at the top hikers can celebrate having completed the most
difficult section of the trail.
The decent from the pass is steep although not difficult,
following the trail on the left side of the valley to the valley
floor and to the 2nd night's campsite at Pacamayo (3,600m). There
are toilet facilities here.
Day 03: Pacamayo to Wiñay Wayna (15km)
From Pacamayo it takes
about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay. These small
circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the
Pacamayo valley below.
 Another 45 minute hike will bring you to the top of the second
pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you'll feel that you
are walking along the trail of the Incas with paving, for the most
part, being original. The descent down the steps from the pass is
steep so take care. This section of the trail, up until the 3rd
pass, is particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone
embankments and skirts deep precipices. After about 1 hour from
the 2nd pass you'll arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a superbly
designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means 'Inaccessible
Town' and describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected
on three sides by sheer cliffs. No one knows the exact purpose of
these ruins.
You have to backtrack a little to rejoin the trail as it passes
Conchamarca, a small Inca dwelling situated in the shadows of
Sayacmarca, which was probably a tambo for weary travelers on
their way to Machu Picchu.
From then on the path descends into magnificent cloudforest full
of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing
through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the rock, on the
way.
 The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (3,700m). The view from
the pass offers excellent views of several snow-capped peaks
including Salkantay (6,180m) and Veronica (5,750m). A few minutes
after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so
far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds'. Access to the ruins is
down a steep flight of stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably
used for the ritual worship of water.
Leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase leading from the
west side of the ruins (the far end from the baths) you descend a
thousand or so steps. Be careful with your knees which will feel
the strain by the end of the day.
After about an hour of walking through cloudforest you may just be
able to see the tin roof of the Trekkers Hostal at Wiñay Wayna,
although it probably won't be for another 2 hours until you
arrive.
Wiñay Wayna is the last official campsite before Machu Picchu.
There is a restaurant where you can purchase drinks and even a
well deserved beer, as well as hot showers ($1.5) and toilets.
 A short trail leaves from the southern end of the hostal to the
ruins of Wiñay Wayna. The name in Quechua means 'forever young'
and is named after a variety of pink orchid which grows here. The
ruins comprise magnificent agricultural terraces set in an
impressive location. There are also many buildings of good quality
stonework and a sequence of 10 baths, suggesting that the site was
probably a religious center associated with the worship of water.
Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the
final leg of the trail to Machu Picchu.
Day 04: Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu (5km), Return to Cusco:
The trail from the
hostal to Machu Picchu is clearly marked and takes about 1½ hours.
We'll wake early at 4.30am, have breakfast and set off on the
trail again by 5.30am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The
sky starts getting light by 5:30am and the first rays of the sun
reach Machu Picchu at about 7am. The trail contours a mountainside
and drops into cloudforest before coming to an almost vertical
flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun
Gate). Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you
in all its glory - a fantastic sight for all.
 When you arrive at the ruins you'll have plenty of time to take
photos of Machu Picchu from the classic view point. Most groups
wait at this point for a while so most of your photos should be
'tourist free'. When the group is back together again we descend
to the main entrance where you can safely leave your large
backpacks. You can also go to the toilet and have a quick coffee
in the restaurant just outside the entrance. The group will re-enter the ruins with the same guide
for a complete tour of the major sectors. The tour takes about 2
hours so by about 10:30 you'll have free time to explore the ruins
alone.
The train back to Cusco departs from Aguas Calientes which is the
nearest village to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The train departs at
approximately 15.55pm (time can vary
subject to ticket availability) and you'll arrive back in
Cusco for about 20:45. Included in our standard service is the
tourist bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes and the train
back to Cusco.
Sometimes, however, we buy train tickets just back as far as Ollantaytambo and then bring you back to your hotel in Cusco by
private bus. The later method usually works out about 30 minutes
quicker.
We suggest that after visiting Machu Picchu that you take the bus
down to Aguas Calientes by 15:00 at the latest (assuming train
departs at 15:55). Buses depart every 15 minutes. Check with the
guide for actual times. Most people, however, leave the ruins at about 13:30 and
return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (at the ruins there is only
one restaurant and it's very expensive). There are several small
restaurants in Aguas Calientes to satisfy all budgets. You may
also wish to pay a visit to the town's famous thermal springs
which feel great after having completed the trail. Entrance to the
springs costs US$2, allow 2 hours to really enjoy them.
Important note:
The above trek itinerary is typical of 98% majority of our Inca trail 4 day
groups. However campsites used during the trek may be subject to
change depending on availability of spaces as issued by the UGM
(the government authorities that control access to the Inca
Trail). The UGM are responsible for allocating the campsites to
the various trekking companies. Although we try to make Wiñay
Wayna our last campsite (since it is only a 2 hour trek to Machu
Picchu) we cannot guarantee this to be the case and on occasions
we have been allocated space at Phuyupatamarca (nearly 5 hours
from Machu Picchu). These matters are the same for all trekking
companies and are outside of our direct control.
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