Classic Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

After breakfast, we will walk 16 km (9.9 miles), it is the longest day of the Inca Trail, but also the most beautiful and interesting because we will see more archaeological centers and different ecosystems. After getting up and having breakfast, we will begin to ascend to the next step that will take us 2 hours. On the way up we will visit an archaeological center called Runkuracay, which is a very interesting archaeological center due to its circular shape and its location. It is said that this place was a refuge for walkers and a control on the way. After having a tour in this archaeological center, we will continue climbing up to the second pass called Runkuracay which is at 3,941 masl or 12,800 feet. Then we will descend for 2 hours to the place of lunch, and on the way down we will visit an archaeological site called Sayaqmarka, which means «Site in a Steep Place.» Here we can see an important temple dedicated to the Salkantay Mountain, which is the highest in this area. Then we will arrive at Chaquiccocha for lunch and then we will continue walking for 4 more hours until we reach our next camp. The first part of this road will be relatively flat with ups and downs until we reach our next archaeological site called Phuyupatamarka which means «City above the Clouds.» Here we will see water sources where the Incas took special baths to purify themselves before visiting the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Here we also have the Phuyupatamarka camp, which is the second option for camping on the third day. After the tour, we will go down until we reach the agricultural terraces of Intipata. Then we will continue descending to our Wiñaywayna camp, which means «Forever Young» and is at 2,650 masl or 8,694 feet. This is our last night in the camp, and after our dinner, we will thank our support staff (porters) for their work.