Inca Trail Without the Crowds

Transfer to KM82 & Hike to Cusichaca
Your 5-day adventure begins at 6am this morning when you are picked up from your hotel and privately transported towards KM82, the starting point of the Inca Trail. From here you will begin your hike, walking along the left bank of the Urubamba River, following the flat trail until you reach the community of Miskay (2800m / 9184ft). You will find that the first two hours of the trek are relatively easy as you make your way to the first Inca site, Patallacta. From here you will continue down into the canyon where you will have lunch with views over Patallacta. Continue on at an easy pace, taking in the scenery and hearing stories from your guide. It will be around 2 hours until you reach your camp site at the village of Cusichaca (3300m).

Lunch and Dinner included.

Cusichaca to Llulluchapampa
Following an early breakfast this morning you will head off on a gentle climb up the Cusichaca Valley to the small hamlet of Huayllabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail. You will then notice the path get a little steeps as you head up the beautiful Inca path, past hummingbirds and stunted cloud forest to your camp at Llulluchapampa (3680m / 12073ft). This beautiful grassy area has outstanding views and if you're lucky, you may even see the Andean deer that come to feed here.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca
Today will be the most challenging day of your trek but also the most exhilarating. You will first climb to Dead Woman's Pass (4212m / 13819ft), the high point of the trail before dropping in to the Pacasmayo Valley. Climbing once more you will pass the Inca control post of Runkuracay to the second pass of the day (3998m / 13117ft). On a clear day you will be able to take in spectacular views towards Pumahuanca Mountain in the Vilcabamba range. From here you will continue along a well-preserved Inca trail to Sayacmarca. Located at the junction of two old Inca road, historians still argue over its exact purpose. A few more gentle inclines and declines before you arrive to your stunning campsite for the night, Phuyupatamarca, or 'the place above the clouds' (3650m / 11975ft).

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu
Today is the day that you will finally reach Machu Picchu. As you step out of your tent the views are stunning. Perhaps you will see the sun rising over the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay (6200m / 20341ft). Or perhaps you will have a cloud inversion, with the clouds filling the valleys beneath your feet. After bidding your porters a fond farewell, it is time to put on your boots and head to Machu Picchu. You will descend through the cloud forest on beautiful Inca stairways to Winay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. Finally you contour the hillside to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gateway, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes. Take some time to take in this spectacular place and take plenty of photos. After your time here you will catch the bus down to the colourful town of Aguas Calientes where you will spend the evening in a hotel.

*Please note, if you choose deluxe accommodation this evening, dinner will be included.

Please note:
• If you are visiting Machu Picchu with a shared tour, the guide will select which circuit you will take for the tour.
• If you are doing a private tour and you purchased your entrance ticket before 20th June 2024, you are not able to pre-select the circuits below, this will be decided at the entrance of the citadel with your guide.
• For private tours and new tickets purchased after 20th June 2024, it is possible to indicate which circuit you would like to purchase. We will pre-select the best available circuit but please let us know if you have a preference.
• If you wish to see more than one circuit during your visit, you must purchase a second entry ticket.
• To see the different circuit options, please visit https://eclipsetravel.com.au/machu-picchu-visitor-information/

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Machu Picchu Tour - Return to Cusco
Feeling relaxed and refreshed after a comfortable night in your hotel, you will head back up to Machu Picchu for your full guided tour before the crowds arrive. There will be time afterwards to hike to the Inca Bridge, Watchman's hut or just wander through the ruins, soaking up the atmosphere. After your time here you will descend back down to Aguas Calientes to board the train back to Ollantayambo, one of the great rail journeys of the world.

After disembarking in Ollantaytambo you will be met and transferred the remainder of the way to Cusco where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Please note:
• If you are visiting Machu Picchu with a shared tour, the guide will select which circuit you will take for the tour.
• If you are doing a private tour and you purchased your entrance ticket before 20th June 2024, you are not able to pre-select the circuits below, this will be decided at the entrance of the citadel with your guide.
• For private tours and new tickets purchased after 20th June 2024, it is possible to indicate which circuit you would like to purchase. We will pre-select the best available circuit but please let us know if you have a preference.
• If you wish to see more than one circuit during your visit, you must purchase a second entry ticket.
• To see the different circuit options, please visit https://eclipsetravel.com.au/machu-picchu-visitor-information/

Breakfast included.