Your adventure begins in Cusco, the oldest constantly inhabited city on the continent, where colonial Spanish architecture and ancient Incan ruins merge to create a unique and culturally bountiful city full of artisan shops and sumptuous local delicacies. Arrive early to explore the city sights, before heading to the designated meeting point to get acquainted with the rest of the tour. After that its time to head back to your hotel for a good night's sleep ready to begin your trek the next day!
After breakfast you'll be picked up and driven to the starting point of the Inca trail, to begin your ascent to the ancient Incan citadel.
Carving your way through dense forests and cascading waterfalls, you'll take in the bountiful Andean flora and fauna, with colourful plants and birds at every turn.
You'll also pass a number of smaller ruins and enjoy some dramatic mountain views, before arriving at Wayllabamba where you'll settle down for the night.
Your day begins early with a spot of breakfast, then it's time to make the long, steep ascent to Warmiwañusca (the highest point of the trek at 4,198m) better known as 'Dead Woman’s Pass'. A challenging trek, you should be prepared for steep terrain and strong Andean weather (blazing sun or cold winds) near the pass, but this is tempered by the spectacular views on offer throughout.
You'll reach your camp in the afternoon, giving you plenty of time to rest and recoup, ready for the following day.
Continuing along the trail you'll cross the 3,950m Runquraqay pass, where, if conditions are good you'll enjoy dramatic views of the snow-tipped Cordillera Vilcabamba mountains. You'll continue on, ascending gently through scenic cloud forests before reaching the second pass of the day where you'll navigate original Incan constructions, and take in breathtaking views of the Urubamba Valley.
At 3,650m you'll arrive at the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." where you can set up camp, or alternatively continue on for a further 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins ("forever young").
The crowning moment has arrived and you'll finally get to step through the Sun Gate and bask in the spectacular wonder that is Machu Picchu. Overflow your camera's storage capacity snapping the ornate details of this ancient ruin and capturing the Wayana Picchu (little peak) that has become the iconic photograph that resonates with travellers everywhere. The cocktail of endorphins from the long climb, the unassailable height and sense of stepping among the clouds, and the sheer marvel that is this legendary citadel make for a unique experience that has to be felt first hand to be understood. Tonight we can rest smiling with one more epic adventure ticked off of our bookitlist!
You'll begin the final stage of your trek before dawn in order to reach the iconic Sun Gate viewpoint by sunrise. As you arrive at the viewpoint you'll catch your first sight of Machu Picchu, stopping to enjoy awe-inspiring panoramas of the ancient citadel illuminated by the rising sun. Take in the extraordinary beauty of this unique spectacle, and the incredible euphoria of this once-in-a-lifetime moment that is sure to stay with you forever.
Then it's time to head into the citadel itself, (a 45-minute ascent) for a guided tour, and the chance to take some close up photos of its incredible details and gain fascinating insights into features like the Mach’ay cave, Inti Watana, the Temple of the Water, the Temple of the Condor, and the Room of the Three Windows. If there is enough time, you'll also have the chance to visit the Inca Bridge (a 30-min return hike) for no additional charge, before boarding your bus to nearby Aguas Calientes where you'll have time to relax and grab a bite to eat before your train journey to Cusco.
Nothing can machu a vision you've chalked up for yourself can it? If you're dreaming of an adventure but have some specific details in mind, perhaps a private group booking to keep things intimate or an additional set of activities, let our travel experts curate a custom package for you and your hiking crew!
Make My TripA moderate level of fitness is required. You don't need to be very strong or dynamic, just fit enough to walk for the majority of the day with some ascension thrown in for good measure.
The tour will be meeting in Cusco so you're being guided and catered to right from the off and don't need to second guess anything once the trek begins.
Comfortable and quick drying clothes are preferred. It can get humid and warm on the Inca Trail and clothes suitable for long sweaty days are a must.
UK Passport holders do not currently need a visa to enter Peru. If you're not a UK resident simply check the visa status for your nationality with the Peruvian government website.
Rob was a fantastic guide. The trip was very enjoyable and Robs knowledge and expertise were great. Would defo recommend
Excellent service from start to finish. I booked the National 3 Peasks challenge in 24 hours. i had regular communication from Rob and the team prioe to the event checking in on my progress, which really spurred me on as well as a helpful fitness plan i has to folow. For the challenge itself Rob and Tim really helped put the group at ease, and was very encouraging. Such a credit to business. i would not hesitate at all in recommending bookitlist to friends and family and will define use again in the future. Thank you for pushing me to finish the challenge!
Just come back from completing the 24 hour natinal 3 Peaks Challenge with Bookitlist. 25-27th June 2021. From start to finish the group I was in was well looked after. From pick up to drop off the team were well organised & made the experience/challenge as enoyable & relaxing as possible. an unforgettable experience & will definitely be looking out for what other trips they have to offer.
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