Upon arrival, you will be met by a Yampu guide who will assist you with the check-in at the airport hotel.

At the appropriate time, you will walk back to the airport to check-in for your flight to Cusco.

Upon arrival to Cusco, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins of the old Inca city became the foundation for the Spanish architecture you see today, and many of the stone walls that line the streets were built by the Incas.

Note: Check in to the hotel is at 3 pm. Early check-in may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. You may store your luggage at the hotel until you are able to check-in.

This afternoon is at your leisure to acclimate. Cusco's elevation is approximately 3,400 meters (11,200 feet), so we highly recommend resting as soon as you arrive for a few hours and taking in some coca tea.

If you are feeling up to it later, Cusco is a great walking city with sidewalk cafes, street art, and local shops to explore! We highly recommend the chocolate factory and shop.
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This morning, enjoy a private walking tour of Cusco where you will visit the Korikancha Temple, or Temple of the Sun, and the Cathedral and its Art Museum. During your tour today you have the option to visit the Casa Concha museum or the San Pedro Market. The Casa Concha museum was recently renovated and houses over 360 archaeological pieces from Machu Picchu, recently returned by Yale University. San Pedro Market is a lively, local market where you will receive a briefing about the local Andean ingredients and have an opportunity to purchase them. This market visit is a great opportunity to interact with the locals either selling or purchasing items from the market.

This afternoon there will be time for lunch (lunch not included) before continuing to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), the amphitheater of Kenko, and finally the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Later in the afternoon, return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Note: For more adventurous travelers, Yampu suggests an optional sunset horseback riding tour through the Sacsayhuaman Ruins. Please ask a Yampu Travel Consultant for more information.
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Between 4:00 and 4:30 AM, you will be greeted at your hotel and transferred to Piskacuchu (2,700 meters above sea level). A community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco - Machu Picchu railroad will be the starting point of your trek. You will cross the bridge and walk along the Urubamba River's left shore that flows northwest along the Sacred Valley.

Following the trail along a flat terrain, you will arrive in Miskay (2,800 meters), then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the Inca city of Patallacta (2,750 meters). Continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River as you gradually climb for about five hours until reaching your first campsite in the Huayllabamba village (3,000 meters). Along the way, you will see spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5,832 meters above sea level. Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley.

Total Distance: Approximately 12 km (7.5 miles)
Estimated Walking Time: Approximately 5-6 hours
Maximum Altitude Point: Approximately 3,000 meters (9,840 feet)
Campsite Altitude: Approximately 3,000 meters (9,840 feet)
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This morning you will wake around 6 AM for breakfast before leaving Huayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek. Today's climb will consist of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for nine kilometers; along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation).

On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuanusca (Dead Woman's Pass), you will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at this high altitude. You will also cross an area of the so-called cloud forest, the habitat for a variety of bird species including hummingbirds and sparrows, and the Andean bear (also known as the Spectacled Bear). Immediately after the pass you will descend into the Pacaymayo valley (at 3,600 meters) where you will spend the evening at camp.

Total Distance: Approximately 11 kilometers (6.9 miles)
Estimated Walking Time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Maximum Altitude Point: Approximately 4,200 meters (13,776 feet)
Campsite Altitude: Approximately 3,500 meters (11,480 feet)

Note: We strongly advise that on this day your daypack should be well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves to keep your sugar level high, and help prevent altitude sickness.
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Today is the longest day in our trek, but also the most impressive and interesting due to the number of archeological sites that you will visit and learn more about from your guide. This morning from Pacaymayo, you will climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (at 3,970 meters). Halfway up, you will visit the archeological complex of Pacaymayo; this site consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower.

After traversing the pass, descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (at 3,624 meters). This is a beautiful complex of semicircular construction enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios, and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easier climb, you will arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (at 3,700 meters). Along this climb, you will be able to appreciate the magnitude of the Incas' ancient craft as you walk along paths semi-detached from the mountain and bearing witness to rocks placed purposely to fill up ravines, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography.

You will pass through an Inca tunnel to arrive at the Abra de Phuyupatamarca and the complex of the same name. One of the most complete and best-preserved archeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Abra de Phuyupatamarca is located on the highest point of a mountain and translates to "town over the clouds."

This evening, we will set up camp at either Phuyupatamarca or at the Winya Wayna campsites, subject to the trail authorities' regulations.

Total Distance: Approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles)
Estimated Walking Time: Approximately 8 hours
Maximum Altitude Point: Approximately 3,900 meters (12,792 feet)
Campsite Altitude: Approximately 2,650 meters (8,692 feet)
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On this fourth and last day, get up at 4 am to leave Winaywayna and climb to Intipunku, or the Sun Gate. This trek will take approximately an hour along a trail of flat stones following the cliff's edge in the highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu before descending into the ancient ruins. After a 40-minute trek, enter the citadel from the highest point through the "House of the Guardians" and continue the descent to the control point where one will register and leave their backpacks.

Immediately following the trek enjoy a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel before enjoying some free time to walk around.

This afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes for an evening at leisure.

Total Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles)
Estimated Walking Time: Approximately 2 hours
Maximum Altitude Point: Approximately 2,700 meters (8,829 feet)
Campsite Altitude: Approximately 2,400 meters (7,872 feet)

Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice to confirm entrance to the ruins. Machu Picchu entrance tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
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Enjoy today at your leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu, or relax in Aguas Calientes' village and its hot springs. In the afternoon, we will board the train to return to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be met at the train station and transfer to your Cusco hotel.

Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. If you decide to return to Machu Picchu, new regulations require you to be accompanied by a guide at all times. Please contact your Yampu travel consultant if you think you would like to go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at the time of booking (subject to availability).

Check-out at the hotel is at 11:00 AM. Late check-out may be available directly at the hotel, subject to availability. You may store your luggage at the hotel until you are ready to leave for the train station.

Upon arrival at the train station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Note: Check in to the hotel is at 3 pm. Early check-in may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. You may store your luggage at the hotel until you can check in.
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At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima.

Check-out at the hotel is at 10:00 am. Late check-out may be available directly at the hotel, subject to availability. You may store your luggage at the hotel until you are ready to leave for the airport.

Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel.

This afternoon, enjoy a private city tour of Lima, one of the most important cities in South America since its founding in 1535. As you journey through the historic center of the city, admire San Martin's beauty and its major squares, the Cathedral, and the Government Palace. Visit San Francisco Convent, a religious building from the late 16th century, and its catacombs. This tour also includes a drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. Please note that the Cathedral is open Monday through Saturday.

During your tour, you will also visit the Museo Larco. Founded in 1926, the Museo Larco chronologically showcases the past 3,000 years of Peruvian history and culture, including its pre-Colombian history. The museum is located in a beautiful 18th-century vice-royal mansion built atop a 7th-century pre-Colombian tomb. After exploring the Museo Larco, enjoy complimentary cocktails and appetizers at the onsite Larco Cafe overlooking the beautiful surrounding gardens.
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At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight home.