Your short Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail hiking tour to Machu Picchu starts with you being picked up from your hotel at 4 a.m. Next, we’ll go to the train station and leave on the 6:10 a.m. train from Ollantaytambo. The trail follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km 104, where we'll begin our trek. Along the way, you’ll see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains, and the mighty Urubamba River. The Urubamba River is one of the sources of the massive Amazon River, so it’s very impressive to see. At 104 km (2,000 m), we’ll begin our breathtaking trek. Once you’re off the train and ready to go, we’ll provide you with snacks and take a group photo. Then we’ll set off to visit our first Inca site. We’ll give you a short orientation about this historical Inca site as well as a walking tour. Then we’ll begin hiking as we head for the Classic Inca Trail. We'll have tremendous views of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba River, and other surrounding Inca Sites.
After hiking for three hours we’ll reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,600 m/8,500 ft. Few people get the opportunity to see these elaborate water fountains, temples, and agricultural terraces. These provide a perfect opportunity to learn about the history of the Incas. The backdrop of this site is a dramatic cliff drop with beautiful mountains surrounding the area.
A few minutes of walking from there and you’ll arrive at the Alpaca Expeditions campsite used by hikers who have chosen to do the Classic Inca Trail. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the hot homemade lunch that’s been freshly cooked by Alpaca Expeditions’ chefs. You’ll also get a chance to refill your water and get a little rest after you’ve eaten.
From Wiñay Wayna, we’ll walk to the Sun Gate. This is where we’ll see the picturesque landscape of the famous Machu Picchu. After taking in the once-in-a-lifetime views, we’ll begin our descent to Machu Picchu.
One of the many advantages of this trek is that by the time you reach Machu Picchu the day travelers will have left. This leaves youwith the whole area to explore with no interruptions. After taking photos and exploring the area, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and head to your hotel. After that we’ll head to Indio Feliz for dinner (included). This restaurant is considered to have the best food in Aguas Calientes. After dinner we recommend going to bed early to make the most of the next day.
* This hiking route is identical to the 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
Accommodations: La Cabaña (or similar)
Meals Included: Lunch and dinner
