Day 3… the easy day!
After the first two days hiking the Inca Trail, you’d think day three would be a breeze, right?! Well, for the most part it is. Our group was delighted to hear our guides say Day 3 would be hiking the “flats,” however what they forgot to say was that the “flats” are more up and down…rather than flat. And, to get to the “flats,” you will first climb almost 300 ft (which seems like nothing compared to the previous days…but by Day 3 your legs are getting a little fatigued).
What’s the weather like?
You’ll be hiking through the Cloud Forest all day, which means it will be warm and potentially very humid. I was wearing capri leggings and burnt the back of my legs…so, remember the sunscreen! Oh, this is also the day when you could be swarmed by little black gnats…so, remember the bug spray, too!
What To Expect on Day 3 of the Inca Trail:
6:30am Start
After you realized that the “flats” aren’t all that flat, then you’ll settle in to the ups and downs and actually realize the third day is really one of the better days…and the shortest, because your hiking only five hours.
Many consider Day 3 to be the most beautiful and I’d tend to agree! This is the day you can actually look up from you boots and take in your surroundings. This is also the day you’ll feel like stopping and taking more photos of the scenery and by scenery, I mean breathtaking panoramic views of the Vilcabamba mountain range and also Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley.
Inca Ruins you’ll see on Day 3 include:
- Phuyupatamarka “Town in the Clouds”
- Intipata “Terraces of the Sun”
- Wiñay Wayna “Forever Young”
Photo Opps. You Can’t Pass Up:
- Intipata – THE place for simply gorgeous views of the valley and Urubamba River. (note: I know you may be tired, but don’t take the short cut to camp and bypass this ruin, you’ll be sorry.)
- Wiñay Wayna – I was in awe of this ruin! It’s so steep that I felt if I happened to trip and roll down, it’d take me a hour just to hike back up. (note: Head to the Temple of the Seven Windows for some great photo opps.)
Wiñay Wayna Campsite:
You’ll arrive at your final campsite early for lunch and afterwards tour Wiñay Wayna. Then you’ll have a final feast with a special treat (most likely a cake welcoming you to Machu Picchu!) After dinner is the time when your group pools together tips for your porters and chefs because you will not see them anymore after tonight. So, this is your chance to thank them for all their hard work in making your trek to Machu Picchu feel more like “glamping” rather than a rugged expedition. (tip on tipping: it’s recommended you contribute about 50 nuevos soles to the pot, which is then split between all the porters and chefs. Our tour group had one porter carrying the portable toilet…so we gave him a little extra. P.S. You can tip your head and assistant guides personally on the way back to Cusco.)
Last Night
Before you head to bed, your tour group will give you a bagged meal for your breakfast, as you won’t have time for a sit-down one in the morning. Afterwards it’s early to bed and early to rise, because your 3:30am start comes in the blink of an eye!
Video:
I hope you enjoy the video of what it was like hiking Day 3 of the Inca Trail.
Inca Trail – Day 3 Facts:
Starting Elevation: 11,800 ft / 3,600 m
Climb in Elevation: 12,073 ft / 2,680 m
Walking Distance: 6.21 miles / 10 km
Hike Time: 5 hours
3rd Campsite Elevation: 8,530 ft / 2,600 m
Tour Group: Alpaca Expeditions
Are You Fit Enough For The Inca Trail?
If you’re concerned about your fitness level and tackling the Inca Trail, then be sure to check out my post on 5 Ways to Prepare for Hiking the Inca Trail.
