9 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu + Titicaca Lake (Land Only)

As soon as you arrive to the local Cusco airport, a Valencia Cusco representative will give you a welcome and take care of you and transfer you to your hotel in the city centre.

At this stage, on your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 9 Days tour, either you can enjoy the Inca city and colonial heritage on your own and provide you some tips to eat at some local restaurants.  Or you might want to rest and wait until later on in the evening, when Cusco city shows off its night live. At night time, there is several places to have a delightful night and eat too.

You other option for this first part of your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 9 Days tour, is to get onto a half day tour at an additional (Consult). The  half day city tour starting at 13:00 hrs and cover the following places:

• The Koricancha: Temple of the sun.
• The Cathedral: Marvel of the religious art.
• Sacsayhuaman: Majestic place with impressive works in stone, some up to 120 tons.
• Q´enqo: (Labyrinth) a religious center dedicated to the adoration of the Earth.
• Puca Pucara: (reddish place) that was used as a military control center.
• Tambomachay: (Temple of the Water) a center of adoration and worship of water.

Included:

• Transportation
• Professional English speaking guide.

Not included:

• Tourist ticket for entrance to attractions (extra USD 33)
• Dinner
• Gratuity

Optional: Full day sacred valley tour  (Extra Cost - Consult us).

This day we have the option of as a part of your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 9 Days trip, we will travel to the Sacred Valley.  As you know The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous routes worldwide and begins at some point within this Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley is one of the most representative and beautiful landscapes of Cusco.  

We need to leave Cusco during the morning time at around 08:00 am and head towards Pisac village.  We have choose this location as part of our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 9 Days tour because Pisac offers you a fantastic artisans market and a well preserved Inca architecture of the same name as the village.  The artisans market is worthy to visit as all the hand made products are using organic materials, very well made and designed too.

After been in Pisac market,  the Inca ruins in this valley of Pisac is awaiting our visit.  We will head up on a private transport and to have also a panoramic view of this impressive and beautiful Sacred valley.  If visiting Pisac did charm you, then Ollantaytambo will not be less.  We are leaving Pisac in direccion to Urubamba towards Ollantaytambo but before getting to our final destination, we will have a delicious lunch buffet at Tunupa restaurant.   

Our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 9 Days tour, to Ollantaytambo Inca site, shows you the magnificent temple of the sun.  This Inca tour  shows you also the enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished, stone water fountains, stairs and terraces similar in a way to Machu Picchu.

Looking at the people of Ollantaytambo, you will notice, their pride in keeping their traditions reflected in their beautifully wearing of typical dresses.  This village is surrounded by their local sacred mountains and Valleys.

Finished our journey to Ollantaytambo, we will be visiting Chinchero market and then return to Cusco at about 18:30-19:00 hours.

Included:

• Transportation
• Professional English speaking guide.

Not included:

• Tourist ticket (extra USD 25 - Please consult)
• Meals
• Gratuity.

P.S: Tonight we will have the Inca trail briefing at 7:00pm at the hotel lobby.

This is an amazing experience for you to embark on an Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and your efforts in doing this it will be rewarded.  The total distance to be covered on today 12 km (5 to 6 hours approx.)

The meeting point will be at Regocijo Plaza in city centre between 4:00 and 4:30 am unless stated otherwise in the briefing, we will be there to leave on time Cusco city.

We will be heading to ‘Piskacucho’ but before that our first stop will be at Ollantaytambo on the way to the Sacred Valley and get there our breakfast.  Finished our first stop, we will continue until we get to ‘Piskacucho’ and get our check in. We will need to show our passport, student ID, tickets, etc to a control point.  Remember there is a limited access to the Inca Trail.

Before embarking into our Inca hike  will do some check up and getting organized (use of the restrooms, applying sunscreen, insect repellent, etc) . We have ahead a marvellous Inca Valley,  and the Inca itself and its royal crown, used this Inca Trail as pilgrimage route to get to Machu Picchu.  Now, you are so lucky in tracing the Inca steps all the way of what it was for them a meaningful sacred journey.  

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins at 2,720m / 8,923 ft and we will be heading across the Vilcanota River on the right side and meanwhile walking, listening the crumble of its waters.  Like a dramatic opening of a concert, the music will decide the right moment to star our 'overture' as the wind, and nature will be there to delight us to the most. But the path soon begins to climb steeply through cloud forest, on the flat stones of the original Inca track

In time will spot the great views of an Inca Fortress called 'Huillca Raccay', as well as the vast and incredible Incan site of 'Patallacta'.  Also we will see the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle, the Andes and the beautiful snow-capped peak of 'W'akay Willca' at 5, 860m /19,225 ft, known as Veronica.

There was so much beauty to admire on this first day out of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu,  an incredible encounter with the Andean nature.  Now we will set up our first campsite near the small village of Wayllabamba 3, 000m / 9, 842ft in the temperate green valley of the same name. Temperatures at night are around 5ºC (depending on the month).

Breakfast: is not included on this day.

What next? Of course you have read some information before starting your trek and you know more less what it will departure on the second day of your  Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.  The point here is not what you have read or even heard, it is all about what you are experience because you are using all your sense to do so.  You now know is a huge difference between living this experience than anything else. This is a time for you in all senses.

Total distance to be covered on day 2: 16 km (8 to 9 hours more or less)

After you have finished your breakfast which it was nicely cooked for you we will get ready for the day ahead of us.  It is 5:30 am but we will need most of the daylight and strength for what it come next on our Inca Trail.

We will climb a steep ascent which it will take us some hours to achieve like you are trying to get to heaven.  For the Inca and its royal crown this was part of pilgrimage route a sacred one to mix within the Apus (mountain) or the gods protecting the Andes.

Our physical effort, will take us to the highest pass at Abra de Warrmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass' at 4,200 m / 13,779 ft.  This was not an easy task, and you should be proud of yourself because is not easy to get to this point. We will need to rest, and meanwhile enjoying the view from the top, you should be aware you are doing one of the most famous treks worldwide and still there is some days left to finish the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

After a rest, we begin the descent to our lunch stop which is located at Pacaymayu at 3, 550m /11,646 ft. As we are passing, we will be able to see lots of hummingbirds as well as other birds species. Also we will appreciate an incredible variety of native plants, trees such as the ´Polylepis´ which grow in the cloud forest located at 3,650m /11,972ft.

After lunch, we will encounter another begins two hour steep climb to Runkurakay pass at almost 4,000m and set up our campsite by 5 pm.

Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night.

What marvellous days, camping surrounded by incredible landscapes and seeing a unique Andean flora, fauna.  Today is going to be another time to remember of your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Total distance to be covered on day 3: 10km (5 hours more or less).

Once you have uploaded all the energy you need by finishing your daily breakfast, we will get ready and follow our trail.   A gentle climb will lead us to our first stop at the archaeological site of 'Phuyupatamarca' meaning 'Town in the Clouds' and reach the third highest point on the trail 3, 680 m.

The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular!

As we are walking to our third pass The Inca site of 'Phuyupatamarca' will show up to please our curiosity and after visiting this site, we continue walking 3,000 steps through the cloud forest at the impressive agricultural Inca site of 'Intipata'.  Later on during our trail we will arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna at 2, 680m/8, 792 ft.

We have walked so far between 4 to 5 hours and will arrive to camp by lunch time.  A short distance from our campsite is located the Inca site of the same name 'Wiñay Wayna' or 'Forever Young' which is a must to visit now we are close to the ruins and no far to complete  Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Temperatures during the night are about 12º.

The Inca was the son of 'Inti' (The Sun) and only him was allow to do this trail as it was its path to the glory among the Apus and enjoyment of his royal house, Machu Picchu.  You are now become a Royal too or feel like it as you have mixed with the Apus on this spiritual journey. Thus, after completing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu things are not going to be same any longer.

Total distance to be covered on day 4: 5km (2 hours more or less)

It is time to wake up, have an early breakfast and get on the route.  Is 5:30 am all ready and we have to leave the campsite. On this early start, to get done the  Inca Trail to Machu Picchu,  we have to get to 'Intipunku' ('Sun gate') (2,730 m / 8,792 ft) before sunrise. You will get your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu (2,400m / 7,873 ft with the sun rising over it.   We will spend some time here to take in the impressive views of the ancient city.  After some time there, we will walk down the last part of the trail to a spot where you can take the classic picture postcard shot of this ancient city. Finally, we visit the royal house of the Inca, Machu Picchu.

Our guide will provide you with a 2 hours tour and introduce you the most important parts of this Royal Inca citadele.  Afterwards, you will have some time to explore this mystic city by yourselves.

Finished this part of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 9 Days tour, we will gathering again in Aguas Calientes town which next to Machu Picchu and you can reach by bus or walking downhill.  On this town we will have some lunch and check in at our hotel to pass the night. You can also some time to relax at the hot springs.

Today our journey of our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 9 Days will be at Puno. This morning we will pick you up from your hotel and drop off you to the bus station.  

Puno a southeastern town of Peru, located on the shore of Titicaca lake, helds the legend of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo.  The legend describe a couple who emerged from the waters of Titicaca lake wearing sophisticated gold, silver ornaments and vestments. Wiracocha send them to educate the local people on farming, textile, and ceramic.  Eventually Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo left Puno in their next mission, to find a suitable and rich ground valleys to start their Empire, the Inca Empire.

The trip to Puno we will stopping at different locations, until we get to Puno city. Some of the locations are:

• Andahuaylillas: Sistine chapel of South America: this church is one of the most beautiful examples of Andean popular religious art.
• Raqchi (Wiracocha God Temple): This was an Inca church of monumental dimensions; 100 meters long, 26 meters wide and 14 meters high. The temple is divided in two naves and each nave shows 11 giant columns -

• La Raya: This is the halfway point between Cusco and Puno and also the highest point (4,335 meters above sea level). The landscapes here are stunning and typical Andean animals like the llama, alpaca and vicuña are common. It is also the geographic border between the two cultures - Quechua and Aymara.

• Pukara: This is the most important and oldest ceremonial center of the altiplano. There are interesting lite-sculptures and tombs.

At Punto town,  we will pass the overnight in Puno.

Today, we have an early day to get on our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 9 Days,  As soon as you finish your early breakfast, we will collect you from the hotel and get to Titicaca lake port between 07:40 am and 08:00 am.  At the Titicaca lake port, we will board a boat and sailing to the legendary Uros Islands.

At the moment you are sailing the lake, you will realise the enormous size of it which at some point it will play your judgment of the Titicaca lake source.

The Urus people do live in a traditional way, living from fishing, and handmade crafts, you will observe on this handmade floating reed islands. The Urus will show you around the floating village and also their hand made boats which are been used as their way of transporting their goods to main land or visiting nearby islands.  

Finished our visit at the Uros island, we will continue our Titicaca lake tour  in a beautiful 3hr boat ride and reach Taquile Island.   At Taquile island, we will split into smaller groups to share some time with the local families. They will offer us some food and authentic music prepared and performed for the occasion of your visit.

There is also the opportunity to trek to the top of the island local mountain (4,150 m.a.s.l) to see the Temples of the Pachamama and Pachatata.

Later in the afternoon we will farewell the local families who will come with us to their Island port.   Then we sail back to Puno and get transfer to your hotel. 

We want to take this opportunity and to thank you for choosing our services for this fantastic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 9 Days.  We will be delighted in hearing your comments on our social media and to share this experience with your friends and family.  

Finished your breakfast at your hotel, you will get transfer to the local airport for you to take your flight back (according to your airline schedule).

End of services.