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Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with our Inca Trail Trek 4 Days Classic. This world-renowned trek is celebrated as one of the top five treks globally, combining breathtaking landscapes with profound historical significance.
Spanning 45 kilometers /28 miles, this epic journey leads you through the majestic Peruvian Andes, from the lush valley floor at 2,700 meters/8,856 feet to awe-inspiring mountain passes peaking at 4,215 meters /13,825 feet.
As you tread along this ancient route, you will delve deep into the heart of the Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, walking in the very footsteps of ancient civilizations.
Your path winds through magical cloud forests and past enigmatic ruins, each step a narrative of the past, unveiling the rich tapestry of Andean history and culture. Prepare to be captivated by panoramic vistas that stretch endlessly and the deep spiritual heritage of the Quechua people, culminating in your arrival at the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu.
Tips:
Highlights:
If you are travelling to a trekking destination, you should prepare your backpack in advance, especially for the Inca Trail and alternate trails. We recommend bringing one or two large backpacks depending on the length of your holiday. Carry only what you need for the 4 day Inca Trail, this means that you have to store any extra things or belongings you don’t need in your hotel in Cusco or in our backpack storage room in Cusco. To do the Inca Trail, take what you need, we recommend you to take 5 kl in your personal backpack and 7 kl in your duffel bag. In the personal backpack you will carry everything you need during the day, because the porters will carry the duffel bag with your belongings which you will have access to it at the end of the day in each camp.
During the days on the Inca Trail. Remember, you will be carrying your backpack with you for the entire trek, so you should carry a light, comfortable and good quality backpack. Keep in mind that, due to regulation issued by the local government, your backpack should not exceed 25 litres in size and large bags are not allowed to be carried inside Machu Picchu. If you have one make sure that your large backpack looks as small as possible to carry inside Machu Picchu. Here, we give you the list of items which you have to carry in your personal backpack
Early Start: Our team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4.30am. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley, such as Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, we’ll pick you up a little later, after 6:00am.
Bus Ride to the Trailhead: The journey takes about 2.5 hours to reach km 82, the village of Piscacucho, where we’ll start our 4-day trek to Machu Picchu.
First we’ll stop in Ollantaytambo for breakfast and to buy anything you might need for the Machu Picchu trek.
Meet Your Team: We’ll arrive at the 82 km trailhead at 8:00 am, where you’ll meet our incredible team of cooks and porters.
Then we’ll prepare and head to the checkpoint, where you’ll show your passports at the main entrance and then we’re ready to start our adventure to the Lost City of the Incas.
Gentle Introduction: The first day of the Inca Trail is fairly easy, with a 3-hour walk through several villages to the Inca site of Llactapata.
Patallacta Exploration: Here you can visit the Inca complex of Willkaraqay and have a wonderful view of the Patallacta from a viewpoint.
This is followed by a 1 hour walk to the village of Hatunchaca, where our cooks and porters will prepare a delicious meal using fresh produce.
After lunch we’ll continue with a 2 hour hike to Ayapata, where we’ll camp for the night.
We should arrive around 5pm and your tents will already be set up. You’ll have time to make yourself comfortable, enjoy some hot drinks and relax while taking in the beautiful mountain views.
Before dinner we’ll have tea time with popcorn, coffee and biscuits. We’ll spend the night in cosy tents, ready for the next day.
Challenging Ascent: Today is the most challenging day of the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We’ll start early and bring you a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or coca tea in your tent.
After breakfast, we’ll set off on a 4-hour hike to Dead Woman’s Pass 4,215m / 13,829ft, the highest point of the Inca Trail trek. At the summit we’ll stop to appreciate the tranquillity of this magical place.
Panoramic Rewards: At the same time, your guide will perform a traditional offering ceremony to thank the mountain spirits, the Apus.
After enjoying the stunning views, we’ll descend for 2 hours to the Pacaymayo Alto Valley for a well-deserved lunch and rest to prepare for the second part of the day.
Lunch Break: After lunch, the second mountain is an easy 2 hour hike to the Runkuraqay Pass 4,000m / 13,123ft and a further 2 hours descent to the second campsite; on the way you will explore two Inca sites: Runkuraqay and Sayacmarca.
Descent to Chaquicocha : The second campsite will be at the Chaquicocha dry lake, 3600m / 11811ft, where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range before dinner.
As night falls, this spot offers a clear, unobstructed view of the sky, perfect for stargazing and marvelling at the constellations.
Challenging Ascent: After breakfast, tackle the toughest part of the trek, a steep climb towards the Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca) at 4,200 meters (13,776 feet).
Panoramic Rewards: Reach the pass and be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
Lunch Break: Savor a delicious lunch at the Vizcachayor campsite.
Descent to Pacaymayo: Descend to the Pacaymayo campsite (3,500 meters) for dinner and overnight stay.
After the hard part of the 4 day Inca Trail trek, you can relax and enjoy the most relaxing and exciting day of the Inca Trail trek.
Gradual Ascent: Today’s route is extremely varied, with only a 5 hour hike to the final campsite.
Cloud Forest : Along the way you will pass through several different ecosystems, experience the atmospheric cloud forest and observe the magnificent panoramic views of Salkantay Mountain, the second highest peak in Cusco.
Lunch Break: We will visit 2 Inca sites, Phuyupatamarca, known as the City in the Clouds, with spectacular views of the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu Mountain and the Intipata Terraces of the Sun.
Phuyupatamarka and Wiñayhuayna: At Intipata you will have time to rest and take in the magical surroundings.
We will reach the campsite at around 13:00 for lunch, and then you will have some free time to relax, set up camp, chase llamas or take a refreshing shower.
Guided Tour and Camp: Later on in the afternoon we will visit the Inca site of Wiñaywayna, where your guide will explain the history of this fantastic site.
Early Rise and Sun Gate: On the final day of the Classic Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu, you will need to get up very early to prepare for the highlight of your visit to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas.
We will go straight to the check point and wait for it until 5:30 a.m. As the sky brightens, we will walk for an hour to the Intipunku Sun Gate and enjoy the stunning views.
Machu Picchu Marvels: On a bright day you can see the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, a truly unforgettable sight. We then begin the final 1 hour descent to Machu Picchu, arriving at the final checkpoint at around 8:00am.
Free Time to Explore: Your guide will take you on a 2 to 3 hour comprehensive tour of the most important sites in the Inca city.
If you’re up for an extra challenge, you can hike up the Huayna Picchu mountain – tickets must be booked well in advance.
Descent to Aguas Calientes: After the tour you will take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then the panoramic train.
Train Ride Back to Cusco: The team will pick you up from the train and return you safely to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Approximate arrival time back to Cusco is around 19:30.
The adventure begins with a 6:30 AM pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
The official starting point of the Inca Trail is Km 82, which is reached after a scenic bus journey.
Day 2 includes a challenging ascent to the Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca) at 4,200 meters, with breathtaking views as a reward.
Day 3 includes a gradual climb to the second-highest point, exploration of archaeological sites like Runcuracay and Sayacmarca, and a guided tour of the Wiñayhuayna complex.
Day 4 starts with a hike to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) to witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu, followed by a guided tour of the citadel.
Embarking on the Inca Trail trek was an extraordinary journey that surpassed all expectations. Day 1 began with a seamless pickup from my Cusco hotel, followed by a scenic bus ride to Km 82. The gentle introduction to the trek offered stunning views, and reaching the Huayllabamba campsite was a rewarding accomplishment. Day 2 presented its challenges, notably the ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass, but the panoramic rewards from the summit made every step worthwhile. Descending to Pacaymayo for dinner and rest felt like a well-deserved achievement.
Day 3 brought more archaeological wonders and breathtaking landscapes. Exploring Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, and Wiñay Huayna was an enriching experience, topped off with a guided tour of the Wiñayhuayna complex. Finally, Day 4 greeted us with a pre-dawn rise to witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu from Inti Punku, an unforgettable moment. Descending to explore Machu Picchu itself was awe-inspiring, and having free time to wander added to the magic of the experience. Boarding the train back to Cusco, I couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible journey through history and nature.