Trekkers normally take four or five days to complete the "Classic Inca Trail", but a two-day trek from Km 104 is also possible. The Km 104 trail involves only six or seven hours' hiking and can be completed in one day. It starts from one of two points: 88 km (55 miles) or 82 km (51 miles) from Cusco on the
Urubamba River at approximately or elevation, respectively. (sometimes called
Llaqtapata), a site used for religious and ceremonial functions, crop production, and housing for soldiers from the nearby hilltop site of
Willkaraqay, an ancient
pre-Inca site first inhabited around 500 BC. in an area that is recognized as deer habitat. This site had been used as a camp site. As with other sites that were being degraded due to overuse, camping is no longer allowed. The trail reaches the pass at an elevation of 3950 m. The trail continues through high cloud forest, undulating, sometimes steeply while affording increasingly dramatic viewpoints of mountains and dropoffs. Next, the
Sayaqmarka ("steep-place town") is reached followed by the
tampu Qunchamarka. A long Inca tunnel and a viewpoint overlooking two valleys: the Urubamba and Aobamba (a broken word), are passed. Sayacmarka.jpg|Sayacmarca Conchamarka (cooking stove spot).jpg|Conchamarka Another high point at elevation of 3650 m is crossed, followed by a campground, and then after a short descent, a site with extensive ruins. The name
Phuyupatamarka ("cloud-level town") is applied to both the campground, and the ruins.
Hiram Bingham III discovered the site, but left most of it covered with vegetation. The Fejos team named the site, and uncovered the remainder. Design of the site closely follows the natural contours, and includes five fountains and an altar, which was probably used for llama
sacrifice. The trail then descends approximately 1000 metres including an irregular staircase of approximately 1500 steps, some of which were carved into solid granite. Vegetation becomes more dense, lush, and jungle-like with an accompanying increase in butterflies and birds. A second Inca tunnel is along this section of trail. Even before passing through the tunnel there are views down to the
Willkanuta River, the first since leaving the river at
Patallaqta. The number of these views increases. After the tunnel the town of
Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes) can be seen, and trains running along the river can be heard. As the trail nears Intipata, it affords views of the "Two Day" Inca Trail (aka "Camino Real de los Inkas" or "One Day Inca Trail"). A small spur of the trail leads directly to
Wiñay Wayna, while the main route continues to Intipata. Intipata (aka Yunkapata) == Elevation ==