We leave your Sacred Valley hotel early this morning and transfer to Km 82, the starting point of the famous Inca Trail. Over the next four days we will walk 27 miles (44 km) at high altitude to the most famous Inca citadel in the world.
Machu Picchu is a magnificent mountain top city situated in a beautiful cloud forest, that was abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911. This legendary "Lost City of the Incas" is without a doubt one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built on the summit of Machu Picchu (meaning "Old Peak"), on a natural saddle between steep forested mountains, it overlooks the deep canyon of the Urubamba River some 3,400 m above sea level. With its giant walls, terraces and ramps that appear to have been cut naturally out of the rock escarpments, Machu Picchu's history remains shrouded in mystery as the Incas did not leave any written records.
We will walk 7.5 miles today (12 km) along the banks of the Urubamba River (walking time approx. 5 to 6 hours), stopping at the first archaeological site of Llaqtapata. Here we enjoy lunch in a beautiful setting before continuing into a side valley and starting to gain alltitude, as we walk to our campsite in the village of Huayllabamba.
Note: Inca Trail tickets go on sale on 1 January each year and cannot be guaranteed until secured, although (provided booked in advance) we usually get all the tickets we need.
The best months to walk the Inca Trail are from April to October when the weather is usually fairly dry and sunny - but June, July and August (the high season) can be very cold at night. The Inca trail is closed each February for conservation work. The trail is rated as moderate so any reasonably fit person should mange it, but the challenge is that it is at very high altitude (up to 4,200 m) so ensure you spend at least two full days in Cusco to acclimatise.
As conditions can vary from intense equatorial heat to cold mountain nights, dress in several layers & take a fleece (or buy a warm alpaca jumper locally). You will need good walking boots, a daypack & water bottle. Also pack lightweight trousers, shorts & T-shirts, thermal underwear, rainwear, hat, sunglasses & sunscreen, torch, insect repellent, lipsalve & personal snacks. Sports bag (7 kg), mountain quality sleeping bag, inflatable mattress & toilet tent will be provided, as well as filtered water & all meals. You will need your passport to enter Machu Picchu. During your trek, your main baggage will be stored at your hotel.