Clasic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco – Piskacucho Km 82 – Llactapata – Ayapata

At the start of the 4-day, 3-night group tour of the Inca Trail, our team will kindly pick you up from your hotel in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo. If you are in Cusco, we will be there at 4:30 AM; if you are in Urubamba, at 5:30 AM; and if you are in Ollantaytambo, you can rest a little longer, as we will pick you up at 6:30 AM.

Then we will head to Km 82, where we will have the first checkpoint of the Inca Trail to start our hike. Please do not forget to bring your original passport, as it is necessary to enter the Inca Trail.

The first 2 hours of the hike are relatively easy, as we will head towards our first Inca site, Patallacta. This is an ancient Inca checkpoint to get closer to Machu Picchu. From there, we will continue for another 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot.

After lunch, we will hike for another 2 hours until we reach the campsite for the first night, Ayapata (3300 meters). Along this stretch, we will pass through 2 small communities where you can buy energy drinks, snacks, or any other essential items you may have forgotten, such as batteries.

We will arrive at our campsite around 5:00 PM. After settling in, you can relax and enjoy a hot drink and appetizer with our team of porters, chef, and guide. At 7:30 PM, we will be ready for dinner, and then you can rest.

Trekking distance: 8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours)

Campsite altitude: 3300 meters (high) above sea level

Difficulty: Moderate (Adjusting to the Inca Trail)

Climate: Warm with wind

Day 2: Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañuska) – Runccuracay Pass – Chaquiccocha

On the second day of the 4-day, 3-night group tour of the Inca Trail, our porters will wake you up early with a cup of coca tea to help you prepare for the exciting day ahead.

We will start early, as the hike is longer. We will hike for approximately 4 hours until we reach the highest point of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 meters). Once there, we will take a short break to enjoy the views before continuing down to the next valley, the Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River. We will hike through the valley for about an hour and a half until we reach the lunch spot, where you can fill your water bottles.

After lunch, we will start ascending again towards the second pass of the hike. We will hike for 2 hours until we reach a small Inca site called Runcu Raccay, where we can see two impressive waterfalls on the opposite side of the valley.

After the second pass, we will hike for approximately one more hour to the magnificent Inca site called Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village). We will stop here to rest and have a brief visit.

Then, we will be able to enjoy the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. Just another 20 minutes, and we will reach our second campsite, Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters).

After dinner, if you are not too tired, we can do some stargazing and show you the fascinating Inca constellations. The magnificent southern hemisphere sky, away from artificial lighting, is something worth contemplating!

Trekking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)

Campsite altitude: 3600 meters (high)

Difficulty: Main day (you will have overcome the two Inca Passes)

Area: Andes and Cloud Forest

Climate: Cold and rainy

Day 3: Chaquiccocha – Wiñaywayna

Completing day 2 and starting day 3 definitely deserves a pat on the back! We will start early again, at 6:30 am.

This day will be the most beautiful of the entire Inca Trail. We will hike for 2 hours along what we call the “Inca flat” (gradual slopes) and start venturing into the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest.

As we walk, we will have the opportunity to admire the Salkantay mountain, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range.

Towards the end of the Inca flats, we will climb up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters), from where we will have excellent views of the Urubamba River.

We will descend through the valley and get our first view of Machu Picchu mountain, although the site itself will still be hidden. From Phuyupatamarka, we will hike for 3 hours on a series of steep steps to our last campsite, near Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young).

Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite due to its proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent, we will visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Cloud City) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We will arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM for lunch.

After lunch, you will have the rest of the day to relax and prepare for the final day of the journey to Machu Picchu. If you still have energy, you can visit the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, which are just a 5-minute walk from the campsite. These ruins are stunning and will give you a good taste of what awaits you at Machu Picchu.

For dinner, we will celebrate the last night on the trail with a special farewell party. Our team of porters, chef, and guide will surprise you with a delicious traditional Peruvian meal and share Inca stories and legends.

After dinner, we recommend resting early to be ready for the exciting final day.

Trekking distance: 6.21 miles/10 km (5-6 hours)

Campsite altitude: 2600 meters (medium)

Difficulty: Moderate to easy (descending towards Machu Picchu)

Area: Cloud Forest

Climate: Warm and humid

Day 4: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The final day has arrived! We will wake up early, at 4:00 AM, to start the hike to the Sun Gate, also known as Inti Punku. We will hike for approximately 1 hour through the cloud forest until we reach this point, from where you will have the first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Get ready for one of the most exciting views of your life!

After enjoying the view from the Sun Gate, we will descend for about 1 hour until we reach the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. Here, our guide will take you on a complete tour of the site, explaining its history, architecture, and significance. You will have free time to explore on your own and take photos.

After enjoying Machu Picchu, we will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will have a delicious buffet lunch to recharge.

Then, we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and from there a bus back to Cusco. We will arrive in Cusco around 9:00 PM, where our team will accompany you back to your hotel.

Trekking distance: 3.11 miles/5 km (2-3 hours)

Altitude of Machu Picchu: 2430 meters (low)

Difficulty: Easy (mostly descending)

Area: Mountain and cloud forest

Climate: Warm and humid

And there you have it! You have successfully completed the 4-day hike on the Inca Trail and have arrived at one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. This is an achievement to be proud of and an experience you will remember forever.

Remember that these are just general descriptions and the actual experience may vary depending on weather conditions, fitness level, and other factors. Feel free to consult with our experts for more detailed and personalized information about the Inca Trail trek. We are waiting for you to live this unforgettable adventure in Peru!