A spiritual journey along the Inca Trail 3 days to Machu Picchu

CUSCO, KM 82, LLULLUCHAPAMPA, PHUYUPATAMARCA, WIÑAHUAYNA, SUN GATE, MACHU PICCHU

Overview

3 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

3 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the shorter version of the classic 4-day Inca Trail, visiting all the archaeological centers with the difference that the time will be faster. Discover one of the most beautiful places with very exotic and virgin landscapes of Peru and experience the essence of this 3 day Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Hike through high mountain passes, highland meadows, and tropical cloud forests. This 3-day trek to Machu Picchu ends by entering this Inca sanctuary through the famous Sun Gate (“Inti Punku” in the native Quechua language). Enjoy this place with Inca centers along this trail and finish in Machu Picchu.

OUR PROMISE

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Knowledgeable, professional, and passionate staff and guides.
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24/7 emergency assistance from English-speaking staff.

Tour Price 3 Days Tour 2 Nights

3 Day Inca Trail A spiritual journey along the Inca Trail 3 days to Machu Picchu
Price From
$ 600 per Person
Group SizeUp to 12
Activity LevelChallenging
Trip StylesHiking
Lodging TypeCamps, Hotel

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: Dia 1: Cusco - Piskacucho- Wayllabamba - Llullucha pampa

This route was first examined by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and was opened for hikers in 1970. The legendary ruins of Machu Picchu are not the only historical remaining parts within the region, many other fascinating sites are in places that are only accessible on foot and have barely been explored.

The Machu Picchu hike is starting early in the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer by driving toto Piskacuchu, an area situated on the 82nd km waymarker (51mile) of the Cusco (2,680 meters from sea level) – Machu Picchu railroad- the beginning of the Inca Trail. After a briefing you will cross a bridge and walk together with the bank of the Urubamba River as it streams north-west with the Sacred Valley along a horizontal landscape, then turning right and moving up abruptly from the river. After passing through a small village, the relics of the Inca hillfort Huillca Raccay appear high above the mouth of the river Cusichaca (happy bridge). When the Incas conquered this area they constructed a fort here as the site commands a wonderful vista across the Urubamba Valley and guarded the entrance to the Cusichaca Valley. You will also visit the very large Patallacta. You will have lunch in Chamana and then carry on along the river observing various Incan agricultural stepped terraces and irrigation channels until reaching the attractive village of Wayllabamba. After that in the afternoon you reach the village of Llullucha Pampa, the location of your first campsite (3,850m). You will have dinner and a rest.

  • Total Distance: 16 km (9,320 miles)
  • Estimated Walking Time: 8 hours
  • Maximum Altitude Point: 3,800 m
  • Campsite Altitude: 3,800 m (12,468 ft)

DAY 2: Day 2: Lluchapampa – Dead Woman’s Pass – Runkurakay Pass - Phuyupatamarca

Leave your alarm clocks at home. Instead, your wake-up call will be a hot cup of coca tea in bed but it will be early! We’ll hike for roughly 2 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215m/13829 ft). On reaching the pass we will stop for a small break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayo – Hidden River). It’s another 2 hours down the side of the valley to our lunch stop and a chance to refill our water bottles. After lunch we’ll start ascending again to the second pass of the hike. It’s two hours to the pass and along the way we’ll stop at a small Inca site (Runku Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another 3 hours downhill with ‘Inca flats’ (gradual inclines) as we make our way towards our final campsite, Phuyupatamarca (3,680m). This site on the Inca Trail has stunning views of the Salkantay mountain range, as well as abundant flora and fauna. We’ll then reach our camping site, where we’ll get our first view of Machu Picchu mountain and the Sacred Valley river. We’ll settle in to our tents and as the sun goes down we can enjoy the beautiful sunset over the snow-capped peaks of the Andes.

  • Total Distance: 16 km (10 miles)
  • Estimated Walking Time: 9 hours
  • Maximum Altitude Point: 4,215 m (13,821 ft)
  • Campsite Altitude: 3,600 m (11,811 ft)

DAY 3: Day 3: Phuyupatamarca - Winay Wayna - Machu Picchu - cusco

The third day begins at 3 am when we hike the last 4 km to Machu Picchu. Pursue the path indicated which is plainly marked by the signposts (and be careful not to wander too near to the edge of the cliff). Cherish your time at the most valuable masterpiece of the continent. You have plenty of time to enjoy your visit to Machu Picchu. In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco.
If you go straight from the town of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes), its only 2km from Puente Ruinas station to Machu Picchu. It takes about 20 minutes to go down a narrow path that runs side-by-side to the rail line.

  • Total Distance: 12km (614 miles)
  • Estimated Walking Time: 7 hours
  • Maximum Altitude Point: 3,680 m (12,033 ft)

Tour Inclusions

What’s Included For 3 day Inca trail to Machu Picchu?

  • Trekking briefing the night before at your hotel with your trekking guide where your guide will overview the trek and provide the duffle bags which will be carried by our porters.
  • Pick up from your hotel and transfer back
  • Transfer in private transport to km82 ( trailhead )
  • sleeping tents (we only put 2 in each tent) very spacious, large and comfortable with plenty of room to fit your  trekking  gear and your day packs
  • Foam mats to put under your sleeping bag (carried by horses)
  • Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs (very comfortable)
  • English-speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups over 10 people)
  • Meals per day, tea social/happy hour every afternoon, snacks every morning
  • Portable private toilet tent
  • First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
  • Chef, cooking equipment and kitchen tent
  • Porters (to carry tents, food, cooking equipment)
  • Drinking water every morning, lunch, happy hour, and dinner time and water for washing your feet and hands
  • Expedition Tourist class train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, then a private Van to transfer back to your hotel in Cusco
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
  • Bus tickets from Machu Picchu
  • 2 hour Private Guided tour of Machu Picchu with plenty of time to explore on your own
  • Climb to the Sun Gate.
  • 7 kg /15 lb luggage allowance to be carried by our porters  (you will trek only with your day pack which is way more comfortable than carrying a big bag!)
  • We are a locally owned Peruvian company with the best adventure guides, professional chef, and amazing porters.
  • We will create a the trip of a lifetime experience for you.
  • Taxes included

What’s Not Included For 3 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

  • Breakfast on the first day
  • Dinner on the last day
  • Sleeping bag (this can be rented from the company for $20  for the entire trek)
  • Walking sticks (this can be rented from the company for $15 for the entire trek)
  • Optional inflatable sleeping pad (7cm/3″) (you can rent from the company for $20)
  • Tips for the crew
Starting at
$ 600 USD
Per person (Group service)

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