This trek includes two different treks. The Huchuy Qosqo (small Cusco) route is a very pleasant and moderate adventure. Especially for those people who like tranquility and not being in contact with other groups of people. Started the adventure from the town of Patabamba (3,870 meters / 12,694 feet) which is located in the upper part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way you can observe the beauty of the valley, such as the course of the Urubamba River, with incredible views, passing through the village of Siwas (3,785 meters / 12,415 feet), where its inhabitants maintain the customs of the Inca era. Then we will go through the Puma Punku Canyon and arrive at the archaeological center of Huchuy Qosqo (3,550 meters / 11,644 feet).
The short Inca trail to the sacred city of Machu Picchu is a moderate hike, which includes the visit to different Inca ceremonial centers such as Chachabamba (2,169 meters / 7,310 feet) Wiñaywayna (2,655 meters / 8,947 feet), after several hours of adventure to reach the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) 2,650 meters / 8,931 feet, and see from there the Inca city of Machu Picchu and near it the mountain of Huayna Picchu. And explore and discover the spiritual and religious magic of this great city located in the high jungle of the Andes.
On this day we will wake up at 6.00 am with an awakening tea (coca tea, lemon, and tea). After getting our camping equipment ready. We will enjoy a delicious breakfast in the open field, enjoy being with the gods of the Andes, the Apus (sacred mountains), observing the Pitusiray mountain (4,950 meters / 16,236 feet).
Then explore the Inca complex of Huchuy Qosqo. Inca village was built during the rule of the Inca Wiracocha (1400 – 1438 AD), who was the father of the great governor Pachacuteq.
The Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo (3,200 meters / 10,496 feet), is an archaeological complex located north of the city of Cusco that was possibly an administrative and religious center. Its name in Quechua would be Qaqya Qhawana or “Place of lightning observation”. It is an imposing construction, a mixture of the architecture of stone blocks at the base of the buildings and from the middle part to the roof built with adobe mud in the surroundings there are a large number of cultivation terraces that are oriented toward the sunrise.
After visiting Huchuy Qosqo, we will begin to descend by a small trail to the village of Lamay (2,941 meters / 9,647 feet), a hike that lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes where our cook and muleteer will be waiting for us to have our last lunch in the mountain. From this place, we will take our transportation that will take us to the town of Ollantaytambo (2,792 meters / 9,158 feet). Here we will spend the night at the Hotel Sol y Luna. We will settle into our lodging and leave our personal belongings at the hotel. We will explore Ollantaytambo, which maintains many houses from the Inca period, with its narrow streets and a small square where we will have the opportunity to see the daily life of this place.
At 7.00 pm, we will go to a tourist restaurant to enjoy Peruvian food. And before we can go to bed, we will pack our backpacks and some personal belongings for our next adventure, the short Inca trail to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
We will get up very early in the morning. We will take the first train to Aguas Calientes town (6.10 am). The train ride takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. On the train ride to the left side, we will be able to observe the Urubamba or Willkamayu River (willka; sacred and mayu; river) and the corn fields that grow in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. About 12 minutes to the right side you can see the Apu (sacred mountain) La Veronica or Wakay Willka (wakay; weeping and willka; sacred). The train ride to the starting point is very interesting because we will be able to observe a great variety of landscapes as well as some Inca complexes such as Qhanabamba (resting place), and Llaqtapata (Inca city), Qoriwayrachina (agricultural center).
Arriving at Km 104, we will get off the train, and then cross a bridge, where we can observe the course of the Urubamba River. Then we will pass the first control, where we will have to show the original passports and if the passenger is a student, he/she will have to show his/her ID card. Before starting the walk we will have the opportunity to use the restrooms and be able to buy rain ponchos and drinks.
The about 4-minute walk we have the first Inca complex called Chachabamba (2,169 meters / 7,114 feet): Chachabamba was an Inca ceremonial and religious center of worship possibly to the river Willkamayu, which in the central part has the presence of a large altar where they could place the offerings. After visiting this Inca site, we will begin to climb or ascend the mountain on the left bank of the Urubamba River, taking approximately 4 hours of walking to the Inca complex of Wiñawayna. On the way, we will see the Inca complex of Choquesuysuy (2,165 meters / 7,095 feet), an agricultural, religious, and resting center on the way to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Twenty minutes before reaching Wiñaywayna (wiñay; to grow, forever and wayna; young), 2,655 meters / 8,708 feet, there is a beautiful waterfall that comes from the high part of the Phuyupatamarka sector. Where you can enjoy the water and take photographic views.
About 20 minutes later we arrive at the Inca site of Wiñaywayna, which in Inca times was the “last place of spiritual rest” before reaching the pilgrimage site or Machu Picchu, having an agricultural sector, an urban sector, at the top of the Temple of the Rainbow and a system of stands in a straight line facing east a large number of ceremonial fountains: all this Inca complex is oriented towards the Apu La Veronica.
After exploring this Inca site we will go to the camp and control of Wiñaywayna where we can enjoy our box lunch and use the hygienic services.
From Wiñaywayna control point to Intipunku or Sun Gate, the hike is moderate, approximately one hour and 20 minutes. Arriving at Intipunku, we will see the Inca city of Machu Picchu in the distance, to the right side of the Huayna Picchu Mountain, and at the bottom of the valley the Urubamba River.
From the Sun Gate, we descend for about 40 minutes to reach the city of Machu Picchu, on the way we will have the opportunity to place some offerings on a large altar that is located on one side of the Inca Trail. And before going down to the last control we will have the opportunity to go to the sector of the Guardian’s house from where you can take the famous photo, the Inca city and the right side of the Huayna Picchu Mountain.
Then we will descend to take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes (the bus ride takes approximately 30 minutes). Upon arrival at the village, your Tour Guide will take you to your accommodation and then coordinate dinner time and the visit plan for Machu Picchu.
On the fourth day of this trek, after enjoying a delicious breakfast, the Tour Guide will pick you up from your accommodation to take you to the bus station and take the transportation to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Before visiting Machu Picchu, you will have the opportunity to use the restrooms.
We visit this magical and sacred place, when we enter we will observe the famous qollqas (deposits), where the crops of corn and coca leaf were stored mainly. The majesty of the agricultural sector is oriented towards the sunrise. Its main temples: Temple of the Sun, Temple of Mother Earth, Temple of the Three Windows, Temple of the Water, Main Temple, The Intihuatana or Solar Clock, Temple of the Condor and its altars of different sizes that are oriented toward the different cardinal points and to different Apus (sacred mountains), the urban sector with great architecture.
After visiting Machu Picchu, if the passenger has the entrance ticket to the Huayna Picchu Mountain, will have the opportunity from the top of this morning another angular view of the sacred city and at the top of this, there is the presence of an altar that is oriented towards the south, that is to say towards Machu Picchu and see the route that makes the Urubamba River.
After visiting Machu Picchu, you leave Machu Picchu, to take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes. Here you can enjoy Peruvian food (considered one of the best in the world).
The Tourist Guide will explain to you at what time you should go to the train station to take the transportation that will take you to Ollantaytambo. When you arrive at Ollantaytambo station, the driver will be waiting for you to take you back to your lodging in Cusco. Arrived in Cusco in the evening at approximately 8.0 pm.
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