Inca Trail to Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu 4 days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1.- Community of Chitapampa- Chimpu Orco High PassLive-in Tourism in the Community of Patabamba

This adventure begins with a short bus ride towards the community of Chitapampa (3579 meters above sea level) located in the Taray district in the province of Calca. From there, we will slowly ascend towards the Chimpu Orco Ravine and head towards the high pass with the same name. As we hike, we will come across fields growing products such as potato, corn, lima beans, and Andean grains such as the kiwicha, quinua, and cañihua. We will take a break for lunch as we pass the first high pass near the community of Callarayan.

Our journey will then continue towards the second high pass where we will come across traces of one of the many Inca trails. From there, we will descend towards the Andean community of Patabamba. In Patabamba, the members of the community and their families will wait to welcome us. Our group will divide into sets of two, heading to a local family’s home where they will provide us with food and a bedroom for sleeping. This particular community is well known for the quality of their textiles, naturally colored dyes, and the stories that are told with each design they weave. In the afternoon, our new families will take us to collect flowers and plants that are used for dying wool and will then teach us the process in which they produce their woven goods. In the evening we will have a small get together to learn the local dances of the community and perhaps dress in their colorful costumes.

Day 2. – Community of Patabamba – Inca Trail of the Sacred Valley- Sihuas- Pucamarca-Leon Punku Canyon – Huchuy Qosqo Ruins

After saying goodbye to our families, we will walk along the natural balcony of the Sacred Valley which is, on average, 600 meters above the Valley itself. The view from the balcony is impressive and from here one can see the small towns of Calca, Lamay, Colla, and Pisac. You can also see the snow-topped peaks of the mountains La Veronica, Pitusiray, and Sawasiray. Our trek ascends slowly passing the community of Sihuas in order to later pass through the ruins of Pucamarca which was used in its prime as a checkpoint and entrance/exit control for travelers in this specific zone.

After lunch we will begin our descent towards the archeological site of Huchuy Qosqo (3656 masl). Our trail crosses a spectacular canyon, known as Leon Punku, which has traces of three original Inca bridges and one original Inca Trail. Along the path you will be able to see multiple bromeliads and other types of vegetation that are typical to the zone. Crossing through the canyon you will also be able to see landscapes so incredible that they will purely take your breath away. We will continue descending until arriving at the Huchuy Qosqo Archeological site where we will set up camp for the night. Later in the day we will also have time to explore the site and marvel at the beautiful views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas below. This archeological complex was constructed approximately in the 15th century and has its own ceremonial center with finely finished stone pieces of the “Inca Imperial” category as well as many terraces.

Day 3.- Huchuy Qosqo Ruins- Community of Tauca-Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes

This day begins early and will be the longest of all the days. Our route ascends with a naturally preserved Inca Trail where one can see multiple terraces used by locals for the cultivation of potatoes. Along the trail it is also possible to see small forests of polilepis and bromeliads. In the middle of our ascent we will come across an Inca construction that served as a control point to count how many people traveled between the Sacred Valley and the Plains of Chinchero.

Little by little the vegetation begins to dissipate and we begin to see more Ichu (high grasses) which indicates to us that we are entering the zone of Puna, where the cold is more intense. Approximately three hours later we will arrive to the Huallataccassa high pass at 4216 masl. From here it is possible to see small lagoons which serve as resting points for migrating birds. From there we will slowly descend towards the Valley in the direction of the Piuray Lagoon. The trek will finish in the community of Tauca.

From this point, we will travel by bus towards the small town on Ollantaytambo where we will take a two hour train to the town of Aguas Calientes, arriving at night to sleep in a hotel in the town. (Dinner this evening is not included.)

Day 4 – Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu- Cuzco

Early in the morning we will take a 25 minute bus ride towards the citadel of Machu Picchu. We will then climb towards the “house of the guardian” where we can watch the sunrise in this World Wonder. Later we can visit the citadel in a two hour tour with free time to explore and discover on your own all of the marvels of this natural and cultural wonder.

In late afternoon we will return in train to Ollantaytambo where a bus will be waiting for us to take us back to Cuzco.

Machu Picchu is considered one of the 7 Wonders of the World. This structure was built by the Incas in their expansion and conquest of the jungle and its abandonment remains a mystery today. After its inhabitants left the citadel, abundant vegetation quickly covered the city and its existence was lost in history until 1911 when American Historian Hiram Bingham made his famous scientific discovery of the city, calling it the Lost City of the Incas.

Machu Picchu can be found in the eastern slopes of the central Andes Mountains. Its name means “ Old Mountain” and it was constructed totally in stone. Machu Picchu is considered a master work of architecture and engineering, both of which helped the city to achieve visual harmony with the environment surrounding it. The World Wonder, Machu Picchu, is also a protected locale on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

INCLUDE

Local Guides in Included Tours:

• Trek inca trail and Machupicchu

Included Meals:

• Breakfast (03), Lunch (3), Dinner (3), Snacks (3)

Accommodation:

• Local Family (1), Camp (1), Hotel (01)

Transport:

• Hotel – Comunidad de Chitapampa
• Comunidad de Tauca – Ollantaytambo
• Train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Bus to  Machu Picchu
• Ollantaytambo a Cuzco y  retorno a su hotel

Entrances and Fees:

• Inca trail to HuchuyQosqo
• Machu Picchu Entrance fee

Does not include:

• Breakfast  day 1
• Dinner day 3
• Lunch day 4
• International & local Flights
• International Airport Taxes
• Visas
• Meals not listed
• Optional or Extra Activities during free time
• Transfer for optional or extra activities
• Tips
• Items for personal use
• Pre and post Accommodation
• Sleeping Bag
• Inflated mattress

Suggested Budget for Meals not Included:

USD 30.oo for not included meals.

What should I Bring?

• Passport
• Airline Tickets or printed e-ticket
• Travel Insurance
• Credit or Debit Card and some USD cash
• Footprint Expeditions Voucher
• Camera and/or Video
• Visas and Vaccinations certificates
• Printed Dossier
• Some good books!!!