The Original Inka Trail to machupicchu, also known as Qhapaq Ñan or the Royal Road, is one of the best adventure routes to explore.
This ancient trail, which was the main artery of the Inca Empire, connects territories that today belong to six countries.
Over its 4-day journey, you will experience not only a challenging trek but also a trip through living history that still preserves its cultural value and functionality.
Along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in spectacular landscapes and reach Machu Picchu inka, one of the wonders of the world.
This trek is not just a physical challenge, but also an opportunity to connect with one of the greatest feats of engineering and state power in pre-Columbian America.
Don’t miss the chance to live this unique adventure. Book now and uncover the secrets of the Inka Trail original to machupicchu.
This unforgettable Inka road experience begins with a pickup from your respective hostels at 5:00 AM. From there, we will embark on a 1 hour 45-minute drive to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we’ll take a short break.
You also have the option to enjoy breakfast (not included) before continuing our journey for an additional 50 minutes to Km 82, the starting point of the trek.
At Km 82, we will meet our porters, who will carry our equipment, such as tents and food for the trek. The guide will introduce the porters and cooks, who will accompany us along the way.
Afterward, we’ll go through an official government control, where we’ll present our passports and official permits to proceed.
Once everything is in order, we’ll begin our trek by following the Urubamba River (also known as the Vilcanota River) for about 1 hour until our first break at the Miscay community.
Following our break, we will embark on a 30-minute ascent to reach the Llactapata archaeological site inka, a stunning Inka site featuring terraces, ceremonial areas inkas, and housing sectors.
After a brief explanation from our guide, we’ll continue for another 50 minutes to our next stop.
After lunch, we’ll trek for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to our campsite in the Huayllabamba community, located at 3,000 meters above sea level.
Here, we’ll settle into our tents and enjoy a delicious dinner before resting for the night.
This original inka trail exciting day begins bright and early at 4:30AM, with a warm cup of tea or coca tea in your tent to help you wake up and prepare for the day ahead.
Afterward, take some time to organize your backpack and enjoy a nutritious breakfast, as today will be a challenging but rewarding experience.
We’ll be ascending to the highest pass of the trek inka trail, known in Quechua as Wuarmi Huañusca, or “Dead Woman’s Pass,” which stands at an impressive 4,200meters.
The climb will take approximately 4 to 5 hours, depending on your physical condition, but the sense of achievement upon reaching the summit will make it all worthwhile.
After taking in the spectacular views, we’ll begin the descent, which will last around 2 to 3 hours, bringing us to our next stop, Pacaymayu camp at 3,600meters.
Here, you will be able to relax and enjoy a well-deserved lunch and dinner, all while surrounded by stunning mountain vistas.
This is the perfect place to rest in your tent and prepare for the next day’s adventure.
The day begins early, with a wake-up call at 5:00AM, followed by a hearty breakfast at 5:30AM.
We will then start our original Inka trail treks at 6:00AM, and today promises to be one of the most beautiful and enriching days of the journey.
Along the way, we will visit several remarkable Inka archaeological sites.
Our first stop is an ascent of approximately 50 minutes to reach Runkuracay (altitude 3,800 meters), a small yet stunning site known for its circular construction.
After a guided tour, we will continue with a 1-hour ascent to the second pass, Runkuracay Pass (altitude 4,100 meters), where we’ll be treated to an impressive view of the surrounding valley and mountains, including the Pumasillo Snowcap in the Vilcabamba Valley.
After taking photos and a short rest, we will descend for about 1.5 hours to Sayacmarca (altitude 3,600 meters), a beautiful site with an incredible strategic location.
Following the tour at Sayacmarca, we will walk for about 40 minutes to our lunch stop at Chaquicocha.
After lunch, we will continue along the Inka trail original, surrounded by lush vegetation, until we reach our third pass, Puyupatamarca (altitude 3,580 meters).
This pass, which means “Place in the Clouds,” offers breathtaking views of the surrounding magical mountains.
From here, we will descend for 20 minutes to the archaeological site inka of Puyupatamarca, known for its ceremonial fountains, terraces, and Inka constructions.
It is also one of the few places where we can see the mountain of Machu Picchu, though not the citadel itself.
After taking in the views, we will begin a long descent (around 3 to 4 hours) down original Inka stairs, offering spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley, until we reach our final campsite.
For many, the best campsite on the entire trail is Wiñayhuayna (altitude 2,700 meters), a stunning site that promises the most beautiful scenery along the Inka road.
After setting up camp, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Wiñayhuayna archaeological site inka, which, in Quechua, means “Forever Young.”
It’s a truly magical place to end the day.
We will then have dinner and rest, ready to continue the adventure the next day.
The final day of the walk We start very early at 4:00a.m., breakfast at 4:30a.m. and we begin the walk at 5:00a.m.
along a very beautiful original Inka road with an impressive forest duration approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes until we reach the Inti punko or Puerta del Sol in Spanish
where we can appreciate Machupicchu and from that place we can see the sunrise and then continue to the control of Mahupicchu to do our check-up and start with our guided visit to the citadel inka of Machu picchu.
For a period of approximately 2 hours, it is the new government regulation due to the pandemic that occurred, but you will have a guide for 4 days who will be informing you and giving you good options for your visit to Machu Picchu and after your visit to Machu Piccho,
you have to go down for the town of Aguas Calientes and to go down you have 2 options depending on your physical condition after the trek…..
First option… A walk of 1 hour and 30 minutes to the town of Aguas Calientes (pueblo Machupicchu) …….
Second option… Bus x 30 minutes to the town of Aguas Calientes price 12 dollars per person not included,
then you have time to have a lunch not included with some free time then you will take the train to Ollantaytambo for a time of 1 hour and Approximately 40 minutes and then a bus to Cusco for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to the center of Cusco
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The Machupicchu mountain and the Huaynapicchu mountain are extra challenges to have good views of Machupicchu…
but you don’t need it because you will have good views from the Sun Gate…
or it could be the Huaynapicchu mountain that has a different view but after the 4-day trek I don’t know if you will have that physical condition to go up.
How long is the climb to Huaynapicchu Mountain?
The climb time for Huaynapicchu Mountain is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
How long is the climb to Machu Picchu Mountain?
The climb time for Machu Picchu Mountain is approximately 2 hours
What is the price of tickets to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain?
The price is 60 dollars per person but you have to reserve it in advance because the spaces sell out very quickly
What is the price of tickets to climb Machu Picchu Mountain?
The price is 60 dollars per person but you have to reserve it in advance because the spaces sell out very quickly
The Inka Trail original is not exclusively for professional hikers; it is designed for people who enjoy walking and being in contact with nature.
The most important and recommended thing is to acclimate properly. To do this, it is essential to arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek to allow your body to adjust better to the altitude.
For good acclimatization, we suggest doing activities that do not involve excessive physical effort. For example,
on day 1, you could take a city tour, a half-day sightseeing activity.
On day 2, we recommend visiting the Sacred Valley, a full-day tour.
Finally, day 3 should be a rest day, where you can prepare for the trek by following the information provided by your Okidoki agency and the responsible guide for the trek inka trail original.
For the original Inka Trail trekking, we provide appropriate equipment for your comfort, including tents, inflatable mattresses, and sleeping bags.
Everything you need for a safe and comfortable experience.
Porters are responsible for carrying the tents, mattresses, and food for the 4 days of the trekking original.
On the other hand, you will need to carry your sleeping bag and personal belongings, such as a change of clothes for 3 days.
It is important not to carry too many things or items you will not use.
To ensure you have what you need, the guide will give you detailed information about the trekking and what to bring the day before, at the Okidoki office.
The most difficult day is usually day 2, as this is when you will reach 4,200 meters in altitude.
This can cause altitude-related issues if you haven’t acclimated properly. That’s why it is crucial to spend 2 or 3 days in Cusco before starting the Inka Trail to minimize these risks.
The recommended age is from 6 years old, as long as the children are well prepared and acclimatized.
The most important thing is that they enjoy walking and being in nature, as this will make the experience much more enjoyable.
With our experience as guides and as an agency, we have accompanied families with children who completed the Inka Trail original without any problems, as long as they followed a 4-day preparation in Cusco, doing the activities we recommend.
The original Inka Trail only closes in the month of February for maintenance and repairs of the entire original Inka route
