Day 01
The trek begins at kilometer 104 (104 kilometers along the railway from Cusco to Aguas Calientes). The trains stop only for a few minutes at Km 104 so be prepared to jump off quickly. The trail heads down to the river where you'll find a checkpoint; a gate that guards the bridge over the River Vilcanota. Here you'll have your entrance ticket checked (previously purchased in Cusco US$25 adult or US$15 student which includes entrance to Machu Picchu as well. On the other side of the river the trail heads off to the right towards the ruins of Chachabamba. These ruins, discovered in 1940, are located on the old Inca road that ran along the southern bank of the Urubamba river. The style of buildings and stonework suggest that this was an important religious site, as well as having the secondary function as a gate house guarding this entrance to Machu Picchu.
From Chachabamba the Inca Trail goes south and climbs the hillside, entering some woods and crossing a small stream. The path then turns west and continues uphill leaving the woods for open grassland. The path is clearly marked.
After about 2 hours after leaving Chachabamba, the path at last descends into a forest and much needed shade. Within minutes you'll reach a beautiful waterfall, and soon after leave the forest to arrive at the foot of the superb ruins of Wiñay Wayna. To get to the Trekker Hostal, climb up the stairway to the urban area of the terraces, following the stairs off to the right. You then pass a series of Inca baths and follow the trail right to the Hostal. It's a 15-20 minute walk.
You will probably find yourself at the Trekkers Hostal for about 3 pm. The majority of tour operators stop here for the night but one or two continue on to Machu Picchu). You may stay in the hostal in basic dormitory beds or you may be camping depending on your trekking company.
Day 02
(6km) The trail from the hostal to Machu Picchu is clearly marked and takes about 1½ hours. Most people attempt to wake up at 4.30am so that they can leave Wiñay Wayna by 5.30am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The sky starts getting light by 6am and the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu at about 7am. The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloudforest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you in all its glory - a fantastic sight for all. |
