Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail begins either at Km 82 – Piscacucho, that its the Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights or at km 88 – Qorihuayrachina (at 2600m) and the Inca Trail 2 days tour is starting on the Km 104 or Chachambamba.
In order to reach km 82 hikers are transported by their TOUR OPERATOR in a minibus on the road that goes to Quillabamba. From Piri onward the road follows the riverbank and ends at km 82, where a bridge is placed. First, the “SERNARP” and “Ministerio de Cultura” will check you personal details and they will compare your full name, passport number and nationality with your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu permits,
it is very important to take your original passport for the Inca Trail
The first point of the trek is Huayllabamba, following the Cusichaca river, is about 3 hrs and isn’t too arduous. Beyond Huayllabamba, a popular camping sport for tour groups, there is a camping places about an hour ahead, at Llulluchayoc (3200m). A punishing 1 1/2 hr climb further is Llulluchapampa, an ideal meadow for camping. If you have the energy to reach this point, it will make the second day easier because the next stage, the ascent to the first pass, Warmiwañuska (Dead Women’s pass) at 4200 m, is utterly exhausting 2 1/2 hrs.
Afterwards take the steep path downhill to the Pacaymayo valley, beware of sleeping on the rainy Inca steps. You could camp by a stream at the bottom (1 1/2 hrs from the first pass). It is no longer permitted to camp at Runkuracay, on the way up to the to the second pass (a much easier climb 3850 m). Magnificent views near the summit in clear weather. A good overnight place is about 30 mins past the Inca ruins at Sayacmarca (3500 m), about an hour on after the top of the second pass.
Then, a gentle 2 hr climb on a fine stone highway leads through an Inca tunnel to the third pass. Near the top there’s a spectacular view of the entire Vilcabamba range. You descend to Inca ruins at Phuyupatamarca (3650 m), well worth a long visit, even camping overnight. There is a ‘Tourist bathroom’ here, where water can be collected (but purify it before drinking). From there, steps go downhill to the impressive ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2700 m) with views of the recently cleared terraces of Intipata. Access is possible, but the trail is not easily visible. There is a small campsite.
The path from this point goes more or less level through jungle until the steep staircase up to the Intipunku (2 hrs), where there’s a magnificent view of Machu Picchu, especially at dawn, with the sun alternately in and out, clouds sometimes obscuring the ruins, sometimes leaving them clear.
