CLASSIC INCA TRAIL 7 DAY TREK TO MACHUPICCHU
Day 1: It is a 4½ hour bus ride from Cusco to Mollepata at the start of the trek. Mollepata is an attractive village built on a hillside overlooking the deep citrus producing valley of the Apurimac. From the village the trail ascends valleys filled with flowering shrubs buzzing with hummingbirds and passes isolated houses. After about 3 hours you'll arrive at a good camping spot close to an irrigation channel.
Day 2: Nevado Humantay (5917m) dominates the mornings views. After about 5 hours of trekking the small settlement of Soray is reached. The valley broadens and flattens and the beautiful conical snow-capped peak of Nevado Salkantay comes into view. The camp is situated a further 1 hour from the village of Soray.
Day 3: A 4 hour trek brings you to the Incachiriaska pass (4880 m) - translated as 'the place where the Inca cools down'. Up here in the rocky crags is the home of the Andean Condor, the world's largest bird and believed by the Incas to be a messenger between heaven and earth.
The trail continues east down through a long broad valley to Pampachuana, a small village some 4 hours from the pass. The camp is just above the village.
Day 4: In the morning you will see that the valley begins to narrow and the river becomes a canal. The Incas frequently cut canals through valleys to increase the amount of agricultural land - this canal is a excellent example. After about 3 hours walking down the steep valley you arrive at the Inca fortress of Inkaracay (also known as Paucarcancha). It is well worth spending a little time exploring these ruins.
It is only another ½ hours walk to the village of Wayllabamba where you join the popular Inca Trail. The horses and horsemen will return to Mollepata and you'll be introduced to the porters who will accompany you until Machu Picchu.
You may camp the night at Wayllabamba or continue a few hours further along the Inca Trail to an alternative campsite.
Days 5, 6 & 7: These days follow the same itinerary as days 2, 3 & 4 of the Classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu. |
