Our adventure in Machu Picchu begins in Cusco, when we pick you up from your hotel in the morning (the exact time will depend on the train schedule). We then head to the train station and board the train for a 2.5 hour scenic drive to a point known as Km 104. This is where we begin our short Inca Trail hike.
From here, we have a hike of approximately four hours to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young'), at approximately 2,680 m (8,792 ft) above sea level. Wiñay Wayna is an impressive Inca ruin built on a steep hillside overlooking the Urubamba River. It consists of an upper and lower section of housing or storage, connected by an Inca staircase and a cascade of channels and water sources. After exploring Wiñay Wayna, we will continue our walk to Inti Punku (the Puerta del Sol). From the Puerta del Sol, you will have your first and spectacular view of Machu Picchu. Inti Punku is believed to have once been the main entrance to Machu Picchu. The site was dedicated to Inti, the Inca sun god, and was placed on a ridge near Machu Picchu in the right place to allow the rising sun to pass through the gate each year on the summer solstice.
We will continue our walk to Machu Picchu, tantalizingly approaching the famous citadel. But before reaching Machu Picchu, we will take a side road off the trail and head towards Aguas Calientes, leaving our exploration of Machu for the next day, when we will have more time to explore. Aguas Calientes is the city below Machu Picchu, and this is where we will have dinner and take you to your hotel. You will probably want to spend the night early as we get up early the next day for our exploration of Machu Picchu.
(B/L/D)