The journey begins in the charming city of Cuzco, where you can acclimatize for a few days before your four-day hike along the Inca Trail. Cuzco is a major highlight of your trip through Peru. The city takes the must out of most people, not only because of its location at an altitude of 3 4000 meters, but also because it includes lots of culture, Inca ruins, beautiful colonial churches and other buildings, colorful markets and lots of good restaurants and cafes. A hiking trip to the Rainbow Mountains and a day trip to the Sacred Valley are also included during your visit to Cuzco. Visit proexchangerates for more information about Peru.
From Cuzco, embark on your journey along the legendary Inca Trail to the impressive and mythical Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Discover the majestic Andes and get an insight into the mythical history of the Inca people. The well-preserved stairs and tunnels and the view of the snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance make the experience complete. The sight of Machu Picchu as you walk through the Sun Gate at sunrise is the ultimate reward after four days of hiking.
After four days of fantastic hiking, the tour returns to Cuzco. Here you can enjoy fresh smoothies at the city market, drink a beer at a café or shop for souvenirs before the trip home to Sweden again.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia
Departure from Scandinavia to Peru, where you (depending on the selected airline) arrive the next morning.
Day 2: Arrival in Cuzco
Today you arrive in Cuzco, beautifully situated in the Andes at about 3,400 meters altitude. On a clear day, the approach to Cuzco is absolutely fantastic. In Cuzco you will be picked up at the airport and driven to your guesthouse.
Day 3: Sacred Valley
Today we go to the Sacred Valley, which is just outside Cuzco. The first stop is at the large Native American market in Pisac. Here the local women come a long way in their colorful skirts to sell their wares. You will find a large selection of souvenirs, including colorful ponchos, hats, gloves, and of course pan flutes and other musical instruments. The last stop is at the impressive Inca Fortress in Ollantaytambo, before returning to Cuzco. ( F )
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain
Today you will hike to the fantastic color contrasts around Rainbow Mountain. The tour starts early in the morning with a car ride that takes a few hours. Then continue on foot with the guide and the rest of the group. After a few hours in the fantastic nature, the trip returns to Cuzco, where you arrive in the afternoon. ( F , L )
Day 5: On adventures in and around Cuzco
You have all day to explore Cuzco on your own. Around Plaza de Armas, Cuzco’s pleasant squares surrounded by impressive colonial churches, there is always life and activity. Here you will find many restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. You can also enjoy a smoothie at the city market, where you can experience the local trade. Around Cuzco you will find good hiking and biking tours to small villages, ruins and markets. (F) In the afternoon, an information meeting will take place regarding the hike to Machu Picchu, where you can get answers to any further questions you may have before leaving the next morning. ( F )
Day 6: Cuzco (3,350m) – Yuncachimpa (3,300m)
You will be picked up at your guesthouse in Cusco early in the morning and driven to Ollantaytambo (about two hours drive). From Ollantaytambo you drive on to KM 82, which is the Inkaleden’s official starting point. Before you can enter the Inca Trail, you must present a passport. It is important that you bring the same passport that your trip is booked with. Today you will hike about 12 km. The first stretch is relatively easy and a good warm-up for the next few days of hiking. In the village of Miskay, a stop is made for lunch by the river while the guide tells about the exciting archeological ruin Llactapata. In the afternoon you arrive at the village of Wayllabamba (3,100 meters altitude). From here we continue up to our camp Yuncachimpa (3,300 m). From the camp you have a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains and not least the mountain Veronica’s snow-capped peak (5,750 m). (F , L ) Hiking time: Seven hours Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Day 7: Yuncachimpa (3,300 m) – Chaquicocha (3,650 m)
This morning you start the hike early. Today’s hike is the toughest on the trip and it is important that you walk at a leisurely pace. You will walk about 15 km and, among other things, cross the infamous Warmi Wañusca pass at an altitude of 4,200 meters, which is also known as the “Dead Woman’s Pass”. The Inca Trail takes you first through the adventurous forest area of the Llulluchapampa Valley before the steep climb up to the Warmi Wañusca Pass begins. You walk at a leisurely pace towards the top, where you meet the rest of the group and take a much-needed break. It is a good idea to bring snacks and chocolates that can provide a little extra energy along the way. From here it goes steeply down towards the Pacaymayo River and over the Runkurakay Pass. Along the way we stop at the ruin in Runkuray, which is believed to have been used as a lookout point by the Inca people. From the mountain top you have a fantastic view of the Vilcabamba mountains. The day ends in Chaquicocha (3,650 m), where you have dinner and camp for the night after a beautiful but tough day in the Andes. (F , L , M ) Hiking time: Eight hours Difficulty: Moderate – hard
Day 8: Chaquicocha (3,650 m) – Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m)
You can look forward to another beautiful day in the Andes where you will cover nine kilometers. We cross two smaller passes and walk through a beautiful landscape with cloud forest, orchids, ferns and a rich bird life. This part of the Inca Trail is wonderful, with partially carved tunnels and perfectly placed rocks. We pass another exciting archeological site at Phuyupatamarca (meaning “the city above the clouds”) with very well-preserved Inca ruins. After lunch, the long descent to the impressive Inca ruin Wiñay Wayna begins. This Inca ruin was built in the middle of the steep cliff and overlooks the Urubamba River. From here it is only a short distance to our last camp. Tonight, all groups camp at the same place, which is not quite as cozy as the first two camping areas. On the other hand, there are more facilities here, and you can buy a hot bath as well as drinks and snacks from the small kiosk. After dinner, we say goodbye to our chef and our porters, and here a small ceremony is held where you have the opportunity to tip. (F , L , M ) Hiking time: Five to six hours. Difficulty: Easy
Day 9: Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m) – Machu Picchu (2,430 m) and by train from Aguas Calientes to Cuzco
This morning you are up already at 04:00 and have breakfast before leaving the camp to reach Inti Punku (Sun Gate) before sunrise. From here you get the first glimpse of Machu Picchu. It is a unique experience to see the impressive ruin that majestically sits between two mountain peaks. From Solporten we go down to the ruin area itself, and here you get an exciting tour of the guide and insight into the place’s historical and religious significance. Next to Machu Picchu is Mount Wayna Picchu. Wayna Picchu is 2,720 meters high and is 360 meters higher than Machu Picchu. From here you get a magnificent panoramic view of the entire ruin and Machu Picchu. It takes about an hour to get up, but it is a tough hike with small steep steps, and you have to be in good shape to reach the top. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed to visit the top per day, so if this is something you want to experience, you should book and pay for it from home, while booking the tour. The tour may be canceled during the rainy season if the trail is too slippery. In the afternoon, the group meets in Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the mountain (there is a bus that runs from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes). Here you can have lunch and visit the thermal baths before in the afternoon or early evening (the time is announced by the guide and depends on the train company) take the train back to Ollantaytambo and drive back to your guesthouse in Cusco. ( located at the foot of the mountain (there is a bus that runs from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes). Here you can have lunch and visit the thermal baths before in the afternoon or early evening (the time is announced by the guide and depends on the train company) take the train back to Ollantaytambo and drive back to your guesthouse in Cusco. ( located at the foot of the mountain (there is a bus that runs from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes). Here you can have lunch and visit the thermal baths before in the afternoon or early evening (the time is announced by the guide and depends on the train company) take the train back to Ollantaytambo and drive back to your guesthouse in Cusco. (F ) Hiking time: Two to three hours (5 km) Difficulty: Easy
Day 10: Relaxation in Cuzco
Enjoy the day on your own in Cuzco. ( F )
Day 11: Departure from Cuzco
After two fantastic weeks in Peru, the time has come to fly home to Sweden. The time of departure depends on which airline you fly home with and is notified when you book your trip. ( F )
Day 12: Arrival in ScandinaviaArrival in Scandinavia. The time of arrival depends on which airline you fly with.
Overnight stays
Six nights in Cuzco at the guesthouse
Three nights in a tent on the Inca Trail
