Classic Inca Trail from the Sacred Valley

Your journey begins in the lush Sacred Valley, a place where the Incan Empire once flourished. As you leave Ollantaytambo, the trail invites you with open arms into a landscape that has changed little since the Incas walked these paths. The climb is steady, surrounded by cornfields and orchards, with the imposing Veronica Peak in the distance guiding your way. By late afternoon, you reach Wayllabamba, a quaint village where the simple sounds of evening—children playing, families gathering—remind you of the timelessness of this place.

• Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles)
• Estimated Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Starting Altitude: 2,720 m (8,923 ft) at Ollantaytambo
• Ending Altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft) at Wayllabamba
• Difficulty: Moderate, with an undulating path that starts easy but includes a gradual climb.
• Highlights: Starting from the bustling market town of Ollantaytambo, trek past the Inca hill fort of Huillca Raccay and the extensive Inca site of Llactapata. Enjoy stunning views of the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle and the Andes.

This day is a test of your mettle as you face the infamous Dead Woman’s Pass. Early morning mist shrouds the path as you climb higher into the silence of the Andes. Flora gives way to sparse, wind-swept grasslands, and the summit greets you with sweeping views that stretch across forgotten valleys and peaks. The descent into Pacaymayo is a journey through swirling clouds and echoes of history, where each step down brings you closer to the heart of the Inca's world, nestled in the rugged folds of the mountains.

• Distance: Approximately 11 km (6.8 miles)
• Estimated Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
• Starting Altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
• Highest Point: 4,215 m (13,829 ft) at Dead Woman’s Pass
• Ending Altitude: 3,600 m (11,810 ft) at Pacaymayo
• Difficulty: Challenging, with a steep ascent to the highest point of the trail.

Awakening in Pacaymayo, you ascend to the ruins of Runkurakay, an ancient watchtower overlooking the valley. The path carries you over two more passes, each unveiling intricate ruins and vistas that captivate the soul. Sayacmarca, the 'Inaccessible Town,' perches defiantly on a rocky outcrop, its empty doorways gazing out over the cloud forest. As you trek through lush, moss-covered forests, the sound of rushing water heralds your approach to Wiñay Wayna, a stunning terraced ruin that preludes your final destination.

• Distance: Approximately 16 km (10 miles)
• Estimated Hiking Time: 8 hours
• Starting Altitude: 3,600 m (11,810 ft)
• Passes: Second Pass at 3,950 m (12,959 ft), Third Pass at 3,700 m (12,139 ft)
• Ending Altitude: 2,650 m (8,692 ft) at Wiñay Wayna
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, with two additional passes and numerous Inca sites.