Our vehicle takes you from your hotel to the station to catch the train, travelling until km88 to begin the hike.  You pass Llactapata, a slow ascent up the Huayllabamba Valley.  We´ll stop for lunch beside a fresh mountain stream then continue further to reach the first campsite in the vicinity of the small village of Huayllabamba.  Depending on the group’s ability the hike may continue to Llulluchapampa (Time: 6hrs, Distance: 9kms).

A spectacular day, the trail ascends at an angle of 30 degrees towards the pass across the hillside of Puna grassland as we leave our campsite and the edge of the treeline behind, bringing us to Warmiwañusca pass 4,200 m.a.s.l (13,776ft.). The trail descends to the Pacaymayo River and then climbs slowly past Runkuraqay ruins.  From here over a lower pass to Sayacmarca, the “waiting village”.  A clear Inca Trail across a causeway on a now dry lake past a cave, we continue our way along a ridge to finally reach Phuyupatamarca,  the village at the edge of the clouds) where we camp.  (Time: 8hrs, Distance 11km).

After continuing along a buttress and passing the Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins.  After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, through Intipunku, the door of the sun, with a view of the magnificent citadel below

The whole day can be dedicated to explore these extraordinary Inca remains, including a guided visit to Wayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking the site.  The mid-afternoon train takes us back to Cusco, transfer to your hotel. Lunch and dinner on your own.