The Classic Inca Trail is a legendary 4-day trek that offers the most iconic route to Machu Picchu. This journey follows the ancient Inca footsteps, culminating at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the breathtaking entrance to the lost city
of Machu Picchu. While the trail’s high altitude presents a challenge, the sense of achievement upon reaching the end is beyond words —it's something you have to experience to truly understand.
As you hike, you'll traverse diverse landscapes, from lush jungle-clad mountains and cascading waterfalls to the awe-inspiring Inca ruins, which are nothing short of majestic. Witnessing the incredible feats of Inca engineering is both humbling and inspiring.
The stunning vistas, the immersive experience, and the ancient ruins encountered along the way make every step worthwhile. But nothing compares to the moment you reach the Sun Gate and catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu—it's a truly breathtaking experience that will stay with you forever.
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Tour Details - Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days
Overview:
- Tour Type: Hiking, adventure, history, culture
- Total Distance: 45KM/ 28 Miles.
- Good For: Moderate physical fitness.
- Difficulty: Moderate and Challenging
- Considerations: Permit required
- Season: From March 1st to January 31.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Begin Inca Trail Trek. Cusco to Wayllabamba.
Start your day early with a pick-up from your hotel and a scenic 3-hour drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. Here you will collect your trekking equipment and meet the rest of your team before continuing by bus to Piscacucho (Km. 82), where the Inca Trail starts. Once you cross the Piscacucho Bridge over the Urubamba River, the trek begins. You will walk along the valley until continuing on a steeper path toward a high plateau. Your efforts will be rewarded by a spectacular view of the Inca ruins of Patallacta.
Patallacta, “Village in the Heights,” is an archeological complex situated at the foot of a mountain on the left bank of the river Cusicancha, a tributary of the river Urubamba. After lunch, you will continue the trek for another two hours until you reach the first campsite of Wayllabamba. This is the highlight of the day as it includes breathtaking views of the Vilcanota ridge.
- Meals: Lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camping facilities.
- Distance: 12kms/7.5mls (6 hours more or less of hiking)
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.
Day 2: Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo.
The second day is the most rigorous, when you will reach the highest elevation sections of the Inca Trail, so you are encouraged to take your time. The walk is arduous, with a long steep climb to the Abra de Warmiwañusca known as the “Dead Woman’s Pass,” at over 13,700 feet (4,200 meters). Once you cross the pass, a winding path of steps descends steeply across a natural valley and to the next campsite.
Keep your eyes open for wildlife, in addition to the many avian species that live here, you may spot the Andean bear. Also called the spectacled bear, this solitary creature is native to Andean cloud forest. Today you will end your hike at the Pacaymayo Valley campsite.
Here you will have dinner and take a well-deserved rest after a strenuous day on the trail.
- Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and Dinner.
- Accommodation: Camping facilities.
- Distance: 12kms/7.5mls (6 hours more or less of hiking)
- Difficulty: Moderate/challenge.
Day 3: Pacaymayo to Wiñay Wayna.
After breakfast, the hike continues along a path rich with archaeological treasures. A steep climb will lead you to the Runkurakay Pass. Halfway along the trail, you will encounter the ruins of Runkurakay, an Inca lodge with a view of the valley of Pacaymayo, “Hidden River,” below. Continue wandering past picture-perfect mountain vistas and lakeside villages, before reaching the ruins of Conchamarca and Phuyupatamarca, “The Town in the Clouds.”
As the day ends, you will head toward the ruins of Wiñay Wayna or “Forever Young,” where you will camp for your final night. The ruins consist of Incan agricultural terraces and are believed to have been a religious center where water was worshipped. Flower enthusiasts will be pleased to see the area’s fabulous pink orchids.
We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs. It’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again. This is to thank them for the great job done .
- Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camping facilities and hot showers.
- Distance: 16kms/10mls (9 hours more or less of hiking time)
- Difficulty: Moderate.
Day 4: Wiñay wayna - Guiding Tour Of Machu Picchu - Cusco
After an early start with Box breakfast, you will be on the final leg of the trail by 5:30 a.m. in order to reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate entrance to Machu Picchu for sunrise. While weather conditions may vary, the view is always awe-inspiring. From here you will descend to the citadel for a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Enjoy a two-hour tour of this majestic Inca citadel and take some time to savor your accomplishment as you soak in the views. You will have the chance to explore the three zones of this centuries-old city: the urban, agricultural, and adjacent zones.
In the afternoon, you will take a comfortable train back to Cusco and then be transferred to your Cusco hotel for the evening.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Distance: 6kms/3.7mls (9 hours more or less of hiking time)
- Difficulty: Easy
*** The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time. If you would like to spend more time at Machu Picchu, this package can be customized to include an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, allowing for a second visit to the ruins — with an optional hike to Huayna Picchu — on the following day. Please let your Travel Advisor know if you’d like to add this to your itinerary.
***IMPORTANT:
- On the 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we will be doing the Circuit #1 / #3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu (US$55 – Circuit #2) – These regulations are for all the companies!
- Upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55 or 3:20, 4:22, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
- Early trains can be organized by request and it has to be done at booking time.
INCLUSION
What Is Included
What Is Not Included
Added Values For Free
PRICES
Price & Availability
“The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is available on any date that is best suited to you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers”
Prices:
Group Service
- US$790 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)
Private Service
- US$1200 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS) – 2 to 3 persons
- US$ 1040 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS) – 4 to 6 persons
- US$ 930 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS) – 7 to 8 persons
***We require a minimum of 2 hikers in order to start the trek. For solo travellers- please inquire on the dates you are looking to trek.
Extras
- Sleeping Bag – US$20 per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
- Air Mattress – US$20 per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
- Walking Poles – US$15 per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
- Personal tent: US$30 – (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Additional Night in Aguas Calientes – From US$60 (depending on availability)
- Vistadome Train Upgrade – US$57 per person (For the return to Cusco)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain – US$75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Machu Picchu Mountain – US$70 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
Discounts
- 18 to 25 years old: US$30 Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
- Under 18 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: US$40 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
TRIP NOTES
Essentials
- Passport
- Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
-
Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
For Your Duffel
Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.
- 2-3 wicking t-shirts
- 2-3 hiking pants
- 4 sets of undergarments.
- 4 sets of hiking socks
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
- 1 Rain jacket and pants
- 1 sun hat
- 1 wool hat
- Headlamp: essential
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
- Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
- Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
- Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least
Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Face moisturizer
- Bug spray
- Handsanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toiletpaper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc
Inside Your Daypacks
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.
- Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
- Sunhat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (IPhone)
- Handsanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs
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