Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is perhaps the most famous trek in Peru. This is the road to Machu Picchu, an ancient route that leads from the Sacred Valley into the heart of the Andes. You must obtain a permit and hire an official guide in order to hike the Inca Trail proper. There are plenty of tour operators in Cusco that offer trips up to Machu Picchu, so you should definitely look at reviews before you choose. For better or for worse, the tours are all-inclusive. The local tour operators employ porters to carry your packs and set up a camp. A team of local chefs will prepare three meals a day, and many hikers come back raving about the delicious meals. Keep in mind that the trek can be tough, especially in the first few days. The trail is often narrow, and it flirts with formidable heights. The mountains in this part of the Andes can rise well over 13,000 feet, and many hikers find themselves suffering from altitude sickness. Make sure to take a few days (in Cusco or the Sacred Valley) to acclimatize before you begin the journey. Finally: make sure to plan ahead! The Peruvian government limits trail access to 500 people per day, including porters. This regulation protects the local ecosystem and the delicate ruins, and it ensures that the trail won’t be too crowded. However, it also means that permits for the peak summer season sell out months in advance. If you aren’t able to get a permit for the classic Inca Trail, never fear: there are various other trails that lead to Machu Picchu.

If you plan your Peruvian adventure far enough in advance, you can score an entrance to the Inca Trail. For our one-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, we reserved spots over six months in advance. The first portion of the trail is a gradual ascent with stunning views of the Urubamba River valley. After a few hours of hiking and numerous water breaks, you arrive at the archaeological complex of Wiñaywayna. Many people will stop and have lunch at the campsite around here, but I recommend continuing along the trail to a spot with nicer views (and better smells.) After refueling, continue to climb until you reach Intipunku, or the Sun Gate, for your first sighting of Machu Picchu. At the Sun Gate, give yourself a rest, commend yourself for the distance you’ve hiked, and capture the magnificent views of Machu Picchu down below. Then, begin your final descend to the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu. The total distance of the trek is about 8 miles and takes roughly six hours.

The mighty Inca Trail! Everyone talks about doing it one day, and you hopefully you will. It is a four-day trek through the Andes mountains in Peru. You begin from colonial town of Cusco, where it is wise to spend a couple days to acclimate before you begin the trek. There are many outfitters and options in doing your trek, so research a bit and choose best one for you re comfort, length, porters, food style etc... I have used United Mice over the years, and have always had great experiences for my clients and myself. http://www.unitedmice.com/ They have different options and prices of course, with a wealth of experience and passionate local guides. Backin the day, we did the trek in three days, now 4 seems to be the norm. I remember the second day being the most brutal, as it is all incline with a lot of steps. But when you reach the Sun Gate on the last day, you feel nothing but jubilation in seeing the ruins of Machu Picchu in the early morning. The trail has gotten crowded these days, and permits are required now to lessen the impact on the trail itself. Permits are given from March to December. The altitude rises to over 12,000 ft on the trail so take it slow, consume much water, and enjoy every moment! I shot this on a sectio of the trail with Velvia film and a f100 nikon camera; the days of film!!!

High up in the Andes Mountains, along the Inca Trail. This is day 3 on the trail. It is almost 8 hours of hiking, but every step along the way is worth it. The first stop is Runkurakay, a structure that is more like an outpost. It has a commanding view of the valley below. After passing a ridge and forging ahead over stones laid by the Incas themselves, you come upon another fortress called Sayacmarca, which again looks over the valley below it. A well needed stop for lunch (shown above) marks the middle of the day, but it is far from over. After lunch, the first stop is Phuyupatamarca, or, “Cloud Level Town,” and it doesn’t take long to realize where the name came from. The clouds gently rool over and through the stone structure. And the last stop of the day is impressive indeed. Winay Wayna is a terraced town at a lower elevation, and has the final campsite nearby. Next stop, Machu Picchu in the morning. We hiked with Peru Treks, who were amazing. The guides were knowledgeable, the food was amazing, and the experiences unforgettable!

We were taking a break on day 2 of our 4-day trek to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail when we happened upon some grazing llamas. This one seems to be having a stare down with one of our hiking group members, who is clearly wearing a llama wool hat.

Inca Trail & The Amazon Rainforest enables you to discover this Andean country visiting its capital seeing its growing progress, stay at a jungle lodge in the Peruvian Amazon to spot incredible wildlife, hike through the ancient ruins of Cusco and visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, immerse your senses at the colorful local markets, visit the Incan town of Pisaq and the fortress of Ollantaytambo, follow the Incas footsteps on the ancient Inca Trail for 4 days and 3 nights finishing at the breathtaking Machu Picchu. Inca Trail & The Amazon Rainforest - Tierras Vivas (http://www.tierrasvivas.com)

Enjoy the Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with many archaeological Inka sites along the way and travel completely in touch with Mother Earth (“Pachamama” in Quechua native language) revealing to you its surrounding snow-peaked mountains, mountain rivers and amazing diversity of flora and fauna. This 4 day Inca Trail hike is absolutely stunning. Join the group and tie up your shoes. Hiking the Inca Trail. Would you like to hike the Inca Trail in Peru? Do you want to reach Machu Picchu hiking? Do not look longer any longer as you have just found the best hiking trip to Machu Picchu! Do not delay and join our 4 days Classic Inca Trail quickly as spaces are very limited! Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (http://www.incatrailmachu.com/en/inca-trail-to-machu-picchu)

Inca Trail Machu is an experienced, professional, and dynamic adventure travel tour operator founded in 2006. We have been specializing in providing trips for more than 7 years and our reliable, friendly and personalised service is the reason our travellers come back year after year. We count on a number of personnel who are highly prepared and always available to offer you a personal service in South America. Inca Trail Machu offers adventure trips in Peru and South America of a wide-range of different styles to suit any person’s requirements in Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador. Come & join us on one of our Peru Holiday’s and we promise to take you to some of the most awesome and spectacular places in the world. We believe it is one of the most inspirational and rewarding forms of travel that you will experience in your life. Our goal is to offer you a service, designed perfectly to suit your needs and make your South American and Peru travel an unforgettable experience, and so we invite you to our website where you can find everything you need to experience the real world of Inca Trail Machu. Our website: http://www.incatrailmachu.com Telf: +51 84 226547 E-mail: info@incatrailmachu.com

The Classic Inca Trail or Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is known as one of the most famous and cherished hiking journeys in the world. It consists of a 4 day trek to Machu Picchu. The attraction of this hike is the beautiful combination of Inca ruins, glorious mountains, exotic vegetation and amazing ecological diversity. The trail goes over high passes with memorable vistas, through cloud forest, and finally down into semi tropical vegetation. The Machu Picchu sanctuary is host to over 250 species of orchids and many varieties of rare birds, animals, reptiles, as well as some species that are on the brink of extinction. The highest point above sea level is 4200m so we advise anyone coming from the coast to spend 2 days in Cuzco prior to your trip, to acclimatize to the altitude. You can explore and discover one of Peru’s most pristine landscapes and experience an Andean journey to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. This Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu involves 4 days with your professional guide, cook and porters with high quality camping gear. Inca Trail Machu : http://www.incatrailmachu.com/en/inca-trail-to-machu-picchu

The peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba ascend to form a fragmented chain between the districts two big rivers: the Urubamba and the Apurimac. Along the Cordillera’s northern side huge glacial summits meet with abundant tropical rain forests. Situated northwest of Cusco, Nevado de Salkantay, the Cordilleras highest summit is at the east side of the chain and reches 6271 meters above sea level. The name Salkantay translates to Savage Mountain in Quechua. The Salkantay to Machu Picchu hike usually takes 7 days and has become well-known with hikers who want a peaceful path less trodden that culminate in the Inca ruins to Machu Picchu. The first 4 days you will trek through glorious surroundings and hardly see any other tourists, fromt her you will join the Inca Trail at Wayllabamba and carry on to Machu Picchu, which we arrive at early in the morning on the seventh day. This hike is slightly more challenging than the classic Inca Trail. Horses are used the first days to carry equipment and food. As horses are not allowed on the Inca Trail porters are used instead. Permits are needed for this tour, so book in advance. It is one of the most complete and authentic Inca paths that you can find! On the way, you can watch the landscape change as you traverse through diverse microclimates. This offers fantastic views so do not forget to have your camera ready. Inca Trail Machu: http://www.incatrailmachu.com/en/inca-trail-and-salkantay-trek

Prior to Your Inca Trail: Luggage Storage Your belongings not necessary on your hike will be stored in your Cusco´s hotel (alternatively in our office). Please note: Each hotel/hostel in Cusco has a luggage storage free of charge! Inca Trail Load Limit You receive a small duffel bag for your Inca Trail at a pre-trek briefing mostly held at evening prior to the trek. The duffel bag accommodates up to 7 kg of your belongings and a sleeping bag. Our Porters will carry your things, camping equipment and food. The maximum weight allowed by Peruvian law to be carried by a Porter is 20 kg (this consists of 15 kg of load + 5 kg of Porter´s personal items). More information: http://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/travel-blog/packing-list-for-the-inca-trail

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu The Inca Trail is one of top treks in the world! The trek offers a 4 day journey through Andes including amazing views of snowy peaks, hardly accessible, but impressive Inca ruins and the overwhelming Inca city of Machu Picchu! This hike is very popular, which unfortunately makes it a bit crowdy. Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu For those who prefer less traffic and stress trying to book the Inca Trail, there are some perfect alternatives. These so called Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu offers challenging hikes, less crowd, beautiful sceneries, contact to local Andean inhabitants and some Incan archaeological sites. (http://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/travel-blog/inca-trail-vs-alternative-treks-to-machu-picchu)

For the sake of maintaining the Inca Trail Trek and its surroundings, the Peruvian authorities now limit the number of Inca Trail trekking permits to 500 a day, including hikers, guides, porters and other support staff. Permits frequently sell out various months before and you have to reserve well in advance to obtain your place, especially if you want to go in high season between June and August. (http://www.incatrailmachu.com/en/travel-blog/how-to-book-the-inca-trail-trek)

Inca Trail in Peru is one of the most popular hikes in the world. It brings thousands of tourists to Cusco each year to experience this unique four day hike in the Sacred Valley. Trekkers will pass many magnificent archeological ruins and native flora and fauna, while treading along a truly unique path, carved hundreds of years ago, on the way to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. Many hikers are especially intrigued to observe the sunrise from Inti Punku on the morning of the fourth day, as the Inca’s may have done in their time. From Inti Punku you will endure the last part of the trail and you will arrive to Machu Picchu the ancient city of the Inca’s. Upon arrival all of the sweat and tears of the previous three days dissolve away and you will be greeted with a huge sense of achievement. (http://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/travel-blog/exploring-the-inca-trail)

Since June 2002, trekking independently on the Inca Trail has been prohibited! State regulations set that each trekker has to be accompanied by a professional Tour Guide! Although, trying to hire a private Tour Guide in advance is difficult since travel agencies are not interested in hiring out their Tour Guides. However, if you wait until you arrive to Cusco to arrange your Tour Guide, there is a very high probability that all Inca Trail permits will be already fully booked. If you have a good luck during a rainy low season and there is still an Inca Trail permit left, you will likely find the worst Tour Guides as the all professionals work for good travel agencies. (http://www.incatrailmachu.com/en/travel-blog/inca-trail-permits)

Hiking the Inca Trail involve 5 days walk along the classic Inca Trail. We learn about traditional Andean culture on the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail (Qapaq Ñan in Quechuan native language), a 50 km sector of authentical Incan stone paths that once extended from Cusco to Machu Picchu, is one of the world’s signature outdoor excursions! Nothing beats the sensation to walk the Inca Trail that leads to the Lost City of the Incas just as the Sun casts its first golden rays over ancient stone buildings. (http://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/hiking-the-inca-trail)

The Inca trail is the most legendary hike in South America, often rated in the top 5 treks in the world and a life changing experience. Trekking the Inca Trail through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu can be difficult though magnificent. In 26 miles (43km)it integrates charming mountain surroundings, profuse and delightful cloud forests, semitropical jungle, and naturally, a beautiful combination of Inca paving stones, ruins and tunnels and of course the final destination, the cryptic Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas”. http://www.traveltourgroup.com/en/destinations/peru/inca-trail

Travel Tour Group is an experienced and professional Peru adventure tour operator founded in 2006. Our team at Travel Tour Group is a knowledgable and friendly local group of experts specializing in tour operating and travel packages from trekking the Inca Trail to luxury travel or one of a kind experiences in some of the finest destinations in South America.(http://www.traveltourgroup.com/en/)

Few travel excursions will top as many bucket lists as the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu and for good reason. Combining sub-tropical jungle, lush cloud forests and staggering alpine scenery, the 44-kilometre trek is ranked among the finest in the world. But there are certain drawbacks. With an increasing number of travellers looking for their piece of the action – 2012 saw 62,789 pass the main gate of the trail. This is one adventure thats fast becoming the most popular trek in the world. (https://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/salkantay-trek-and-inca-trail)

The Classic Inca Trail Tours :This is the one if you want to trek the most well-known path, which is a hike that goes through high altitude. It takes you over the Dead Woman’s Pass and involves steep climbs and descents and beautiful vistas and ends at Machu Picchu Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu: The experience of reaching Machu Picchu on foot is a unique content feeling, which is why the classic Inca Trail trek has become such a favorite in recent years. These days you can’t just come to Cusco and be guaranteed a space on the Inca Trail. To restrict deterioration to the trail, the Peruvian government now restricts the number of people to 500 on this four day hike to Machu Picchu daily. This means if you don’t get a ticket, months in advance you could get stuck drinking pisco sours and watching repeats on the tv at your Cusco hotel. Happily the surrounding areas are brimming with less known, yet no less astonishing treks (http://www.incatrailhikingtours.com)

Book the Inca Trail ASAP with a tour operator. There are two types of companies that will try and sell you an Inca trail package: registered tour operators and middle men, otherwise known as endosars. The registered tour operators are a small quantity that run, sell, and operate their own Inca Trail Tours. More information: https://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/before-you-go/inca-trail-booking-policies

The Inca Trail is the most legendary and by far the most well-known hike in South America. If you’re moderately healthy, the Inca trail hike is the most wonderful way to get to the secret Inca city. After a night in Cusco, you’ll begin on the 44km path along the old Inca trade route that winds its way up through the Andes to the out-of-the-way, and practically out of reach, Machu Picchu. Hiking for three days continuous and traversing across the highest pass at 4200m, the Inca Trail is not for the weak, but it’s definitely an experience that you won’t forget and a real climax of your Peru trip. The vistas across the peaks of the Andes are amazingly dazzling and it’s hard to explain the blissfulness you’ll get when you finish your three-day Inca Trail. (http://www.incatrailmachupicchu.co.uk/en/travel-advisor/inca-trail-advisor)

Only 400 people are allowed to enter Huayna Picchu each day. The government website lists how many tickets are available for each day. In the low season it should not be a problem and you should be able to buy your ticket at the last minute. During high season it fills up quickly and you might need to buy your ticket in advance. (http://www.incatrailhikingtours.com/en/travel-info/inca-trail-and-huayna-picchu)

The wonder of Inca Trail to Machu Picchu has been well documental over the years. Equally impressive is the centuries-old Inca Trail that winds its way fron the sacred valley near Ollantaytambo, takin three to four days. What makes this hike so special is the stunning combination of inca ruins, unforgettable views, magnificent mountains, exotic vegetation and extraordinary ecological variety.The government acknowledged this uniqueness inh 1981 by including the trail in a 325 sq-km national park, the Machu picchu historical santuary. (http://www.traveltourgroup.com/en/travel-blog/the-inca-trail)

On January 2016, the Peruvian government added 250 trek permits are issued per day for the short Inca Trail Inca Trail. The bad news is that the website that shows availability is not open to the public. Before 2016 you may have heard about the limit of 500 people per day allowed on the Inca Trail. Included Inca Trail 4 days , Salkantay Inca Trail 7 days and Inca Trail 2 days. Between March 2016, the Ministery of Cultura classified two Inca Trail systems: https://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/travel-blog/2-day-inca-trail-avalaibility

The Inca Trail is the most legendary and by far the most well-known hike in South America. If you’re moderately healthy, the Inca trail hike is the most wonderful way to get to the secret Inca city. After a night in Cusco, you’ll begin on the 44km path along the old Inca trade route that winds its way up through the Andes to the out-of-the-way, and practically out of reach, Machu Picchu. Hiking for three days continuous and traversing across the highest pass at 4200m, the Inca Trail is not for the weak, but it’s definitely an experience that you won’t forget and a real climax of your Peru trip. The vistas across the peaks of the Andes are amazingly dazzling and it’s hard to explain the blissfulness you’ll get when you finish your three-day Inca Trail.

Inca Quarry Trek to Inca Trail is new Inca Path and the best alternative hike to Machu Picchu. This hike involves 2 day hike on the Cachicata and Inca Quarries and 2 Day short Inca Trail. The Inca Quarry is located on the Sacred Valley of the Incas. During two day hike, you will enjoy the nature of the Andean highlands, the water fall, Incas ruins, Inca Mummies original, Andean Terraces, Intipunku (Sun gate) and stone quarries. two night camping.

The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous and popular hike to Machu Picchu and even one of the most famous and favorite treks in the world. Discover one of the most pristine landscapes of Peru and experience an Andean journey. Through the high mountain passes, highland meadows and tropical cloud forests. Enjoy the Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with many archaeological Inka sites along the way and travel completely in touch with Mother Earth (“Pachamama” in Quechua native language) revealing to you its surrounding snow-peaked mountains, rivers and amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Do not look longer any longer as you have just found the best hiking trip to Machu Picchu! Do not delay and join our 4 day Inca Trail quickly as spaces are very limited! You can reserve “Book Online” button or reach us using the contact details below!. This 4 day Inca Trail is absolutely stunning. Join the group and tie up your shoes.

Our 2 day Inca Trail starts idyllic by a wake-up early. Then we are taken by our private transport to the railway station at Ollantaytambo to board a train taking us to the starting point of the 2 day trek - so called Km 104. Then we pass through an Inca Trail checking point and start hiking through lush vegetation of a cloud forest while greeeted by local exotic birds such as Andean guan, grey-breasted mountain tucan, etc. and since we can see various wild orchids and bromelias along the path too. Our Tour Guide explains us about the Chachabamba ruins that were rediscovered in 1940. Lunch. Our next stop is in Wiñay Wayna, an Inca complex neighboring to Machu Picchu. The complex, which name means “Eternal Youth, can boosts with a stunning view down at the Urubamba River. In late afternoon, we have descended to the entrance of Machu Picchu - Inti Punku (Sun´s Gate), we continue down to our hotel in Aguas Calientes Town where we have a rest. The following early morning adventure starts with Machu Picchu hiking tour for two hours. Then we enter to the “Lost City of the Incas” and enjoy its guided tour. Hiking the Inca Trail is an unforgettable experience so do not hesitate joining our group.

Filmmaker, photographer and graphic designer Vân Nguyen having a tough time climbing Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca) on the Inca Trail (Camino Inka). It took us four days to hike the 55 mile “Classic Inca Trail.” The pass itself is located at 4,215 m (13,829 ft) above sea level, and is the highest point on this, the “Classic” trail.

I stopped to take a photo of my hiking boots as we crossed one of a handful of log and twig constructed bridges. Although obviously reconstructed, this wooden bridge is not far off from the kind that the ancient Incans would have crossed on their journey to Machu Picchu. Our guide told us that it is estimated that about 70-80% of the trail is original although several repairs are being made due to landslides and other causes including the impact of tourism.

On my hike I learned that there are several micro-climates along the Incan Trail. These colorful orchids that live high in the cloud forests are vibrant pop of color amidst the otherwise foggy backdrop.

It was four days in the making. Following an ancient trail with hand-laid granite rock slates from alpine to Amazon with a group of strangers. Ruins of a great civilization gave us places to pause and reflect or places to just stare out into the massive Andes Mountains surrounding us. I questioned whether the hike would be worth it. I knew the end result, Machu Picchu, would be but I never imagined the hike leading there would be the highlight of my trip to Peru. But it was. Days on the trail, every twist was different scenically. Every challenge worth it. A blog post I wrote about my experience: http://www.meander-the-world.com/what-hiking-the-inca-trail-looks-like/

The Peru Inca Trail package includes the Inca Trail, an authentic Inca path that leads to Machu Picchu. During this tour you visit the most important natural, architectural and archaeological sites of Peru left behind by ancient civilizations that once inhabited Peru, several of which go back to before the Incas. You will appreciate breathtaking sceneries of the Titicaca lake, the Colca Canyon, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the former capital of the Incan Empire: Cusco, the “White City” - Arequipa and the folkloric city of Puno. Peru Inca Trail: http://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/peru-inca-trail

The Inka Trail to the Sacred site begins either at Km 82, Piscacucho, or at km 88 Qorihuayrachina, at 2600m. 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 ther is a bridge. Before The Sernarp and Ministerio de Cultural will check you personal details and they will compare your full name, passport number and nationaliy with your Inca Trail authorization, it is very important to take your passport original for the Inka Trail (http://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/peru/inca-trail)

Do you need to book the Inca Trail in advance? YES! It is recommended that you make a reservation for the Inca Trail and pay for your entrance fee well in advance. How to book the Inca Trail trekking? Please, it is very much important to fill out in the blanks on the attached booking form we email you with a true and updated information so we can make your bookings with the right and appropriate information, as in case of a missing passport or wrong numbers, or name misspelling, we are not able to make any corrections on the official government documents, so you then are not able to get into the park. How long is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is 42 kms (26 miles) long. Campsites along the Inca Trail are assigned by the Ministerio de Cultura Descentralizada and for this reason it is difficult to determine the distance to be covered in a day but expect to walk 6 to 9 hours per day. (http://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/before-you-go/inca-trail-faqs)

There are many original Inca Trails in the Andes, but the most famous section, simply known as The Inca Trail, is the original route to the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu. Spread over 4 Days, the 44 km trail starts at kilometre 82 (as it is 82 kilometres along the railroad from Cusco) through the Andes crosses three stunning high passes and encounters many ancient archaeological sites including Wilkarakay, Phuyupatamarca and the marvelous ruins of Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarcaculminating and obviously Machu Picchu, the famous Lost City of the Incas (http://www.tierrasvivas.com/en/travel-blog/inca-trail-tours)

Inca Jungle trail is a new alternative Inca trail way to get Machu Picchu, this journey you can do in 4d/3n or 3d/2n and in this amazing tour you can combine different adventure activities, like 1 day biking starting at 4315masl and riding about 55km and finishing at 1600masl (hight Jungle), then you can do river Rafting and spend the night in the forest in a local house in the midle of the nature, the second day is hiking by the Inca trail with owesome views of Santa Teresa and Santa Maria Valley after 7 hours hiking will arrive to the beautiful hotsprings whe you will relax. The third day you can walk to Hydroelectrica or do the ZipLine any way that you take will be really nice and from Hydroelectrica you will continue walking 3 more hours to Machu Picchu and the day forth early mornig will satart the hiking to Machu Picchu will visit this majestic place, and in the afternoon return to Cusco. http://www.inkasdestination.com/inca-jungle-trail-4-days.html

The Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular alternative trek to Machu Picchu, because this trek is full of adrenaline and adventure, and combines adventure sports such as hiking, mountain biking, zip lining, and rafting in one of the most important rivers of the Incas. The Inka Jungle trek starts from Malaga Pass, take the bike and down hill to village of Santa Maria, in the afternoon rafting in theUrubamba or Vilcanota river (level difficulty: III, IV or V depending on a year season), in the second day: trekking to town of Santa Teresaand hot sprints of Cocalmayo in the evening, third day: Zip Lining (Canopy “Cola de mono”) and hiking from the Hidrolectrica Station toAguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village). You will have the opportunity to hike through Inca trails that are just now discovering, this route is full of flora and fauna, spectacular views, unique places and mountains covered of jungle, this route will get to the surprising and majestic Machu Picchu. Definitely a route, full of adventure, that today remains a busy thoroughfare for tourists to reach one of the Wonders of the world located in the jungle of Cusco, called Machu Picchu.

At first site, the crowds seemed a bit overwhelming. I wasn’t sure if I was prepared for five days on the trail in single line formation. Luckily as soon as we crossed the river it all faded away. The tourism board and trekking companies do a great job of making sure that whenever possible, the trail feels like it is yours and yours alone. Our outfitter, Andean Treks, provided us with an insightful local guide and by sheer luck (the rest of the group dropped out last minute) it was just the two of us and six local porters who tended to us on the trip. We got to take our time and really learn about the land, the culture, the food and most importantly about the lovely locals that made the journey with us.