The third day of your Inca Trail adventure promises to be unique and captivating as you immerse yourself in diverse ecosystems and encounter the natural beauty of the Andes. This day stands out due to the opportunity to observe an array of stunning flowers, particularly orchids. Machu Picchu and its surroundings are home to around 135 different types of orchids, and you’ll have the chance to see many of them during your hike.
Your day will begin with an early breakfast to fuel your energy for the journey ahead. The trail will lead you uphill once more, with the first section of the hike lasting approximately 2 hours. Along this path, you’ll come across the Runcuracay, a small Inca site. Your guide will provide you with insights and information about this historical site, allowing you to explore its significance.
Following this exploration, you’ll continue the ascent for about 1 hour to reach the summit, which is the second-highest point of the entire hike. From this vantage point, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
After enjoying the views, you’ll begin the descent, which will last for approximately 1.5 hours. This part of the trail will lead you to the Sayacmarka Inca site, renowned for its exceptional beauty. Your guide will provide you with a guided tour of this site, giving you the opportunity to learn more about its historical significance. As you continue your journey, you’ll venture into the cloud forest, where the scenery changes, the weather becomes warmer, and the presence of mosquitoes becomes noticeable. Here, you’ll encounter a different set of flora and fauna, further enriching your hiking experience.
Around midday, you’ll pause for a well-deserved lunch, providing you with the energy needed for the remainder of the day’s hike. The next section of the trail, lasting approximately 2 hours, will take you to Phuyupatamarka. From this vantage point, you’ll have stunning views of Machu Picchu Mountain and the town of Aguas Calientes. This indicates that you are now in close proximity to the lost city of the Incas.
From this point onward, the trail is primarily downhill, with many stairs to navigate. Using trekking poles can be quite helpful during this section, which takes approximately 3.5 hours. Your destination is the final campsite, Wiñayhuana, situated at an elevation of 2,650 meters (8,694 feet) above sea level. This will be your last night camping on the trail, and it will be a memorable one as you prepare to reach Machu Picchu the following day.
Accomodation: Camping
Tickets: Include
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – dinner