What is included? Pre-departure briefing with your guide at your accommodation in Cusco Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco starting at 05:30 AM Tourist transportation from Cusco to Km 82 (starting point of the Inca Trail trek) Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Citadel. Group porters who will carry the equipment: tents, food, tables, chairs, and cooking gear Porter service for 7 kg / 15 pounds per person (we will provide you with a duffel bag the day before) A professional cook, an expert in gourmet mountain menus, plus assistant staff Enjoy hot drinks every afternoon at the campsite We will provide boiled water every morning (from the second day) so you can refill your bottle High-quality, spacious, and clean tent, shared by two people Thick sleeping mats for your comfort Warm water daily in your tent for washing up Fully equipped kitchen tent where our team will prepare your meals We carry a complete first-aid kit and emergency oxygen if needed Bus ticket down from the citadel to Aguas Calientes Expedition or Voyager tourist train to Ollantaytambo, with connection to private transport to Cusco Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. Not Included Meals: Breakfast on the first day. Lunch and dinner on the fourth day Comfortable backpack, appropriate clothing for different weather conditions, and sturdy hiking shoes Sleeping bag Trekking poles Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu (optional, $85 per person) Travel insurance Tips for the guide, cook, and porters (optional.)

Experience breathtaking landscapes of the Andean mountains and Amazon rainforest. Enjoy delicious and healthy Peruvian cuisine during the trek. Explore ancient Inca paths, temples, and archaeological sites, such as Wiñay Wayna. Witness the unforgettable sunrise entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

Original passport Backpack Sleeping bag Sturdy hiking boots Warm clothing and hiking pants Sun protection: sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses Thermal clothing: wool socks, gloves/scarf, and a wool hat for cold nights Insect repellent Rain poncho or rain jacket Toiletries/toilet paper / small towel Swimsuit for hot springs Water bottle: optional water purification tablets Personal first-aid kit Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and snacks Trekking poles.

Group service

Inca Trail – Machu Picchu

Trek

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Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days / 3 nights group service

Embark on the famous and legendary Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days / 3 nights, a unique experience considered among the top ten hikes in the world and Peru’s most iconic trekking route. With our team of specialists, immerse yourself in the fascinating Inca civilization, exploring its archaeology, history, and traditions as you traverse remote temples and paths. Enjoy the amazing Andean and Amazonian landscapes, visit ancient archaeological sites like Wiñay Wayna, and delight in delicious Peruvian cuisine.

This adventure, ideal for those seeking a combination of nature, culture, and a moderate physical challenge, culminates with the unforgettable sunrise entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), ensuring a safe, organized, and enriching journey.

Tour type

Hikking / Trekking

Duration

4 Days

Difficulty

Challenging

Season

March to November

Minimum altitude

2,700 masl / 8,858 ft.

Maximum altitude

4,200 masl / 13,779 ft.

Include

What is included?

Pre-departure briefing with your guide at your accommodation in Cusco
Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco starting at 05:30 AM
Tourist transportation from Cusco to Km 82 (starting point of the Inca Trail trek)
Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Citadel.
Group porters who will carry the equipment: tents, food, tables, chairs, and cooking gear
Porter service for 7 kg / 15 pounds per person (we will provide you with a duffel bag the day before)
A professional cook, an expert in gourmet mountain menus, plus assistant staff
Enjoy hot drinks every afternoon at the campsite
We will provide boiled water every morning (from the second day) so you can refill your bottle
High-quality, spacious, and clean tent, shared by two people
Thick sleeping mats for your comfort
Warm water daily in your tent for washing up
Fully equipped kitchen tent where our team will prepare your meals
We carry a complete first-aid kit and emergency oxygen if needed
Bus ticket down from the citadel to Aguas Calientes
Expedition or Voyager tourist train to Ollantaytambo, with connection to private transport to Cusco
Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.

Not Included

Meals: Breakfast on the first day. Lunch and dinner on the fourth day
Comfortable backpack, appropriate clothing for different weather conditions, and sturdy hiking shoes
Sleeping bag
Trekking poles
Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu (optional, $85 per person)
Travel insurance
Tips for the guide, cook, and porters (optional.)

What to Expect

Experience breathtaking landscapes of the Andean mountains and Amazon rainforest.
Enjoy delicious and healthy Peruvian cuisine during the trek.
Explore ancient Inca paths, temples, and archaeological sites, such as Wiñay Wayna.
Witness the unforgettable sunrise entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

Itinerary

Day 1: From Cusco to km 82 – Llactapata – Wayllabamba

Your 4-day Inca Trail adventure begins very early, with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco scheduled between 5:00 and 6:00 AM. You will board tourist transportation for an approximately 1.5 to 2-hour journey to Piscacucho, known as Km 82. This is the official starting point of the trek, where you will meet the support team, including porters and cooks, who will accompany you throughout the journey. Once there, you will pass the official checkpoint and present your passport and entrance ticket.

The first day’s hike is a gentle introduction to help you acclimatize to the altitude and trekking pace. For the first three hours, you will follow a flat trail with a slight ascent alongside the Urubamba River, enjoying breathtaking views of Veronica Mountain and the valley. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to explore the archaeological site of Llactapata along the way.

After exploring Llactapata, you will pause for a nutritious lunch provided by the team. The hike continues for approximately two to three more hours in the afternoon. This part of the journey consists of a gradual, steady ascent, heading into the valley and following rivers like the Cusichaka towards the day’s final destination.

You will arrive at the Wayllabamba campsite in the afternoon, with time to settle in and rest. You will be welcomed with a hot drink, a buffet dinner, and hot water to wash up. Before sleeping, the guides will brief you on the next day’s Inca Trail itinerary.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Minimum altitude: 2,680 masl / 8,792 ft.
Maximum altitude: 3,000 masl / 9,842 ft.
Hiking hours: 7 hours.
Accommodation: Camping in high-quality tents.

Day 2: Wayllabamba – Ayapata – Llulluchapampa – Warmi Wañuska – Pacaymayo

This day is considered the most challenging, but also one of the most rewarding, of the Inca Trail. The trek begins early, around 7:00 AM, after breakfast, with a first stretch of a one-hour ascent towards Ayapata. Although this day demands great physical endurance, the spectacular mountain views reward hikers’ efforts.

The trail ascends 2 to 3 hours via Inca stone steps to reach the Llulluchapampa valley. After a nutritious lunch, you’ll prepare for the most challenging section: the climb to the Warmiwañusca pass. This final ascent takes another 2 to 3 hours, gaining 600 meters (approx. 1,968 feet) in altitude to reach the highest point of the trail, the “Dead Woman’s Pass,” at about 4,200-4,215 meters above sea level.

After conquering Warmiwañusca Pass and enjoying the panoramic Andean views, the descent towards the Pacaymayo valley begins. This descent is steep, lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours, and traverses a landscape that gradually becomes wetter and more lush, typical of the cloud forest. Along the way, Inca constructions like Runkurakay can be seen, adding a historical touch to the natural beauty of the surroundings.

By late afternoon, hikers arrive at the Pacaymayo campsite; this campsite enjoys a privileged location with impressive views over the valley. The day concludes with tea time and a buffet dinner to replenish energy after the most demanding day of the trek.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Minimum altitude: 3,000 masl / 9,842 ft.
Maximum altitude: 4,200 masl / 13,779 ft.
Hiking hours: 7 to 8 hours.
Accommodation: Camping in high-quality tents.

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Runkurakay – Sayacmarca – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna

The day begins around 7:00 AM from Pacaymayo camp with a steep one-hour ascent to the Runkuracay ruins. These circular ruins likely served as an Inca watchtower or resting place. The climb continues for another hour to the Abra Runkuracay pass, offering spectacular views in good weather.

From the top of the pass, the trail descends into a lush cloud forest. After passing a tunnel and curves, you reach a viewpoint overlooking the Sayacmarca ruins, which can be explored. The descent continues to the Chakicocha campsite, where you will stop for lunch and rest, using the available restroom facilities.

After lunch, the hike continues along a well-preserved and beautiful stone-paved Inca Trail. This stretch traverses the Phuyupatamarca archaeological site, the “Town above the Clouds,” known for its panoramic views and water channels. The trail then descends through quiet wooded areas, passing waterfalls and viewpoints. The final stretch of the descent, lasting approximately two hours after lunch, ends at Wiñay Wayna, the final campsite before Machu Picchu. Arrival at this impressive Inca site on the hillside is usually in the afternoon, allowing time to explore its terraces and buildings. Before spending the last night on the Inca Trail, hikers can enjoy the historical and natural surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hiking distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Minimum altitude: 2,700 masl / 8,858 ft.
Maximum altitude: 3,750 masl / 12,303 ft.
Hiking hours: 7 to 8 hours.
Accommodation: Camping in high-quality tents.

Day 4: Wiñay Wayna – Inti Punku – Visit to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary – Return to Cusco

The last day of the trek begins very early, around 4:00 AM, with breakfast and a farewell to the support team at Wiñay Wayna. The march to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) begins at 4:30 AM, lasting one to two hours, with part of the journey in darkness. This final segment traverses the cloud forest and includes significant ascents, aiming to reach the Sun Gate in time to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu.

Upon reaching Inti Punku, the first panoramic and impactful view of Machu Picchu is revealed, a magical moment at sunrise with clear skies. From this point, the journey continues with a descent of approximately one hour along a fairly easy path. This trail ends in the upper southern sector of the citadel, near the terraces and Guardian Houses, perfect for taking classic site photos.

At the main entrance of the complex, the guided exploration of Machu Picchu begins. For about 2 to 2.5 hours, a guide will explain the history and architecture of the key points of the Inca citadel. After the official tour, there may be free time to explore or photograph. The visit to the sanctuary ends upon exiting through the main control before descending to Aguas Calientes.

We arrive in Aguas Calientes for lunch (at the client’s own expense), then you will take the Expedition or Voyager train to Ollantaytambo. Our team will meet you at the train station for your private transfer to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco city is expected in the evening; the service concludes by dropping you off at your hotel in Cusco city.

Meals: Breakfast
Hiking distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Minimum altitude: 2,000 masl / 6,561 ft.
Maximum altitude: 2,700 masl / 8,858 ft.
Altitude of Machu Picchu: 2,450 masl / 8,038 ft.
Hiking hours: 6 hours.
Accommodation: None.