Hiking to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail to the Lost City of the Incas -
The Holy Mountain, or Apu, Salkantay -
Santa Teresa -

Introduction

Inca Trail group

Despite the tourist influx, the site of Machu Picchu and the inca trail towards this magical city remain impressive. As one of the best loved destinations of adventure lovers, it's definitely the highlight of any trip to Peru. That's why we offer a variety of hiking tours with the lost city of the Incas as final destination.

With breath taking scenaries at the background, zig-zagging through mountain tops and archaeological sites, we walk at a steady pace along the ancient route of the inca. In the meantime making friends with the locals and having a break every now and then to take in some of the most beautiful sceneries in Peru!

Big Foot offers a variety of hikes to Machu Picchu:

The 4 day Inca Trail;

The 2 day Inca Trail;

Salkantay (7 days);

Santa Teresa (6 days);

Start of the 4 day Inca TrailThe Inca Trail; 4 days / 3 nights

The Inca Trail, with Machu Picchu as final destination, is the best known and most popular hike among tourists. And although it is walked by thousands of people each year, it remains an exceptional hike. The natural scenary is breath-taking. With views of snow capped mountains, the cloud forest and hiking between stunningly preserved ruins, is an unforgettable experience.

Program:

Day 1 

Cusco - km 82 - "3 piedras"
At 06.00 o´clock we pick you up at your hotel and by bus we go to km 82. From there on it takes a 6 - 7 hour hike (13 km) to reach the first campsite (of course with a lunch break in between).

Day 2 

"3 Piedras" - Sayacmarca
 Physically a tough day (16 km and climbing 2 high passes: 4200 mts and 3800 mts).
 

Included is a visit to the ruins of Runkurakay and Sayacmarca.

 First camp at the Inca Trail

Day 3 

Sayacmarca - Wiñaywayna
Today is an "easy" walk (11 km, flat and going down), meanwhile visiting the archaeological sites of Phuyupatamarca, Intipata and Wiñaywayna.

Day 4 

Wiñaywayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
We start early for the 2-hour walk (5 km). In the historical site of Machu Picchu we have a guided tour of approx. 2 hours. In the afternoon we travel back to Cusco.

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The Inca Trail; 2 days / 1 night

There is also a 2-day track, a shorter version of the Inca Trail mentioned above.

Program:

Day 1 

Cusco - km 104 - Wiñaywayna
Pick up at your hotel and transportation to the train station. By train we travel to km 104. From there on it takes a 3-hour walk to the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna.

 Main street in Aguas Calientes

Day 2 

Wiñaywayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
An early wake up and hopefully seeing a beautiful sunrise at the sungate, from where we continue to the historical site with a guided tour (approx. 2 hours). In the afternoon we travel back to Cusco.

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Porters on the Inca Trail to Machu PicchuSalkantay; 7 days / 6 nights

Before joining the Inca Trail at Huayllabamba, we first spend 3 days hiking past the magnificent glacier of Salkantay. Starting in Mollepata we are surrounded by vst valleys and mountains which convert dawn and sunset into splendid sights.

Program:

Day 1 

Cusco - Mollepata - Shallacancha
Pick up at your hotel and drive to Mollepata. There at 2800 mts we start walking upto an altitude of 3500 mts, were we make our first campsite.

Day 2 

Shallacancha - Ishupata
After breakfast we walk along the Humantay mountain and finally camp at the base of Salkantay at 4500 mts.

Day 3 

Ishupata - Pampaccachuana
 

From 4500 mts we first climb to 4880 mts before heading down to 3800 mts. Our campsite is at the community of Pampaccahuana from where there is a fantastic view of the surrounding landscape.

 Sun gate at dawn

Day 4 

Pampaccahuana - Llulluchapampa
A beautiful hike in the valley. Today we will join the Inca Trail.

Day 5 

Llulluchapampa - Sayacmarka
Physically a tough day due to the 2 high passes to be climbed (4200 mts and 3800 mts).

Day 6 

Sayacmarka - Wiñaywayna
Today an "easy" walk, in between visiting the archaeological sites of Phuyupatamarka, Intipata and Wiñaywayna.

Day 7 

Wiñaywayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Only a 2-hour walk away from Machu Picchu where we include a guided tour. In the afternoon we travel back to Cusco.

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Vicente with one of our groups on Machu PicchuSanta Teresa; 6 days / 5 nights

This is the only hike in our program where you will approach Machu Picchu from a different direction to the tours mentioned above.

Program:

Day 1 

Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa
Pick up at your hotel and transfer to Mollepata where the hike starts.

Day 2 

Soraypampa - Wayracmachay
 

The landscape can not be beaten today, whilst walking between the 2 highest mountains in the area.

Day 3 

Wayracmachay - Playa
With Salkantay overlooking us, we continue to enjoy the wide variety of flora and fauna.

Day 4 

Playa - Patallacta
A shorter walk today. From a distance you already can see Machu Picchu.

 Morning in Machu Picchu

Day 5 

Patallacta - Puente Ruinas
After breakfast we take the train to Puente Ruinas and in the afternoon you can take a bath in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.

Day 6 

Puente Ruinas - Machu Picchu - Cusco
We go by bus to Machu Picchu where we include a guided tour (approx. 2 hours). In the afternoon we travel back to Cusco.

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Big Foot Tour Operator

Calle Triunfo 392

Centro Comercial 2nd level

Cusco, Peru

Telefax: 

+51 84 238568

 

+51 84 9755758

E-mail: 

info@bigfootcusco.com

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