Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Huaynapicchu Mountain 5 Days

We pick you up at your hotel and travel by bus for a bit more than three hours, passing by the picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, until reaching the kilometer 82, the start of the trail.
From kilometer 82, we hike, along with native “Quechua” porters going through semi-arid terrain along the Urubamba River valley, with magnificent views of the snowcapped mountain, Veronica (5,822 meters).
We cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right as it steeply climbs 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”). It is then a simple descent down to the Cusichaca River.
For a further 7 km the path follows the river to the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 meters). The name in Quechua means “Grassy plain”. We spend the first night here, beside spectacular ruins which we have time to explore.

We 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”). It is then a simple descent down to the Cusichaca River.

For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the river up to the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 meters). The name in Quechua means “Grassy plain”. We spend the first night here beside some spectacular ruins which, if you have the energy, we have time to explore.

After a delicious breakfast, we start our second day of hiking, perhaps the most difficult, as we climb to the pass of the impressive Warmihuañusca (“Dead woman’s Pass”, 4,200 m). Warmihuańusca is the highest in the Inca Trail an offers a spectacular view of the Andes. The path continue, following a mountain stream, where we may see hummingbirds framed by the cloud forest. We pass by the beautiful grassy area at Llulluchapampa (3680 meters), which also boasts outstanding views down the valley.

After lunch, we start the descent towards the valley of Pacaymayu, where we make our second camp.

From Pacaymayu, we hike about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay. These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Pacaymayu valley below. Another 45 minutes’ hike brings you to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000 meters). You’ll be transported in time, walking along the trail of the Incas with preserved Inca stones throughout this area of the trail.

We have a steep descent along this part of the trail, though you will be rewarded with beautiful scenery of stone embankments and deep precipices. After about 1 hour from the 2nd of the 3 passes, we arrive at Sayacmarca (“Inaccessible Town”) by way of a superbly engineered stone staircase. The name describes the position of the ruins perfectly; protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. To this day, no one is certain of the exact purpose of these ruins.

We 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.

After an early morning chance to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snowcapped mountains of Salcantay and Veronica, we say farewell to our porters. Our porters send us off with a traditional song an dance. Our final day of hiking brings us down the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairs to Winay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. We reach Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We pass through the ruins and catch a bus down to our hotel in the colorful town of Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes).

In the late morning we have Machu Picchu virtually to ourselves for a full guided tour, after which you have a couple of hours for more exploring on your own, or just collapse under a tree in the central plaza area. If you are exhausted from so much walking just stay in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo) and enjoy its hot springs as you have a second opportunity to see all of Machu Picchu well rested the day after!

After an early breakfast you can walk or take the bus back up to explore more of Machu Picchu on your own after your climb of Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. The first buses are available from 5:30 am and depart every 10 minutes.

You can store your backpack in your hotel and make sure you get back down to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo) at least an hour before your train departure which is generally at 6:45 pm but you should recheck this with your guide on day 4. Grab some snacks and drinks before boarding the train as the journey back to Cusco is about 4 hours long!