The Inca Trail is by far the most famous trek in South America and is rated by many to be in the top 5 treks in the world. It manages to combine beautiful mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest, subtropical jungle and, of course, a stunning mix of Inca paving stones, ruins and tunnels. The final destination of the trail just cannot be beaten: Machu Picchu, the mysterious "Lost City of the Incas".
The 5 day version of the trek is an excellent alternative that allows you to escape from the majority of other trekkers on the Inca Trail. Leaving Cusco early on day 1, we will visit Ollantaytambo in the sacred Valley before continuing on to Kilometer 82 at the beginning of the Inca Trail. After a few hours easy trek we'll arrive at the Inca ruins of Llactapata where we will set up camp and spend the night. There are some important Inca ruins close to Llactapata called Machu Qente that can be visited in the afternoon if time permits. Leaving camp at 0730 on the second day will allow us to make a 3-4 hour head start on groups arriving at km82 from Cusco to start the 4 day Trail. We will be able to make better progress and reach quieter, more distant and beautiful campsites. We'll reach Machu Picchu late in the afternoon on day 4 (when the famous 'Lost City of the Incas' is at its quietest) and proceed down to our hostel in Aguas Calientes, for the night. We'll return to Machu Picchu at sunrise on day 5 for a guided tour before the majority of trekkers arrive from the Inca Trail. We'll take the train back to Cusco late in the afternoon.