Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco Today marks the most important day of your journey: the long-awaited visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
We will wake up very early at 3:00 a.m. at the Wiñaywayna campsite. Breakfast will be served at 3:30 a.m., and at 4:00 a.m., we will begin a short walk to the park ranger checkpoint, where we will wait in line until the gate opens at 5:30 a.m.
Why so early? Our porters must walk approximately 1 hour from Wiñaywayna to the railway at Kilometer 107 to catch the only daily train that passes at 5:30 a.m. If they miss it, they would have to walk all the way to Km 82 or wait until the next day.
Out of respect for their effort, all groups wake up early so the porters can make it on time. Your duffle bags will be transported by the porters to Aguas Calientes and left at a restaurant where you’ll later have lunch. The checkpoint at Wiñaywayna opens at 5:30 a.m. because this section of the Inca Trail leading to the Sun Gate is narrow and, for safety reasons, park rangers do not allow tourists to hike it in the dark.
The hike from the checkpoint to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) takes about 1 hour, during which you’ll enjoy lush flora such as orchids and cloud forests. Just before arriving, you’ll encounter the steep “Gringo Killer” stairs, a section of about 20 Inca steps. Upon reaching Intipunku, you’ll enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu in all its glory.
This gate served as the main entrance to the citadel during Incan times and also as a solar observation point during the spring solstice, when sunlight passed through the gate and illuminated the Sun Temple window. We will spend 15 to 30 minutes at the Sun Gate, depending on the weather, and then continue for another hour of gentle downhill hiking to reach Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll see spectacular views of the citadel, Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba River, and the surrounding valleys.
At approximately 7:30 to 8:00 a.m., we’ll arrive at the main lookout point of Machu Picchu, the iconic spot where postcard photos are taken. You’ll have about 30 minutes to enjoy the view and take photos with help from your guide. For many, this is the moment when the dream of “surviving the Inca Trail” comes true.
After taking pictures, we’ll briefly exit the citadel to use the restrooms (S/2), and anyone with large backpacks can leave them in the storage area (US$5). We will then re-enter to begin a guided tour along Circuit 3, which covers the most iconic areas of Machu Picchu: temples, palaces, religious houses, water fountains, and astronomical observatories.
Your guide will explain every detail, and you’ll also have time to take photos. After the tour: Those with a ticket for Huayna Picchu will head to the entry checkpoint and hike up independently, as guided tours are not allowed on that trail.
The rest of the group will continue the tour through other sectors such as the Temple of the Condor, followed by about 30 more minutes to explore and take pictures.
At the end of the visit, everyone will head to the exit to take the bus to Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch: At 2:55 p.m., you will board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes), with comfortable seats and impressive views of the river and mountains. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, a private Alpaca Expeditions bus will take you back to Cusco (approx. 2 hours).
You are expected to arrive in Cusco around 8:30 p.m., where your stored luggage will be returned to you and you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. Considered: The most exciting and magical day (early wake up 3.30 AM) Area: High Cloud and Subtropical Forest
Weather: 43-57* is average June temperature
RainFall: average 5 inches for June; average days of rain - 2 (which is why we chose June)
Daily Inclusions:
Start Time
Jun 7 3:00AM -05
to
End Time
Jun 7 8:30PM -05
Wiñaywayna
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