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Hiking The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 4 Days & 3 Nights
Travel the legendary Inca Trail for 4 days and reach Machu Picchu. Live a unique experience surrounded by breathtaking scenery, living history and the thrill of reaching one of the most iconic destinations in the world
Likely to Sell Out
DURATION:
4 Days 3 Nights
MAX ALTITUDE:
3300 msnm
STARTING POINT:
LEVEL:
Strenuous
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is, without a doubt, one of the most popular trekking routes in the world. For four days, you will have the opportunity to hike ancient trails built by the Incas, hundreds of years ago surrounded by stunning landscapes, mysterious ruins and unique biodiversity. From majestic mountains to lush valleys, each step will take you closer to one of the greatest wonders of humanity: Machu Picchu. The hike culminates at the impressive Machu Picchu on day 4, a place full of mystery, which will leave you breathless when you see its majesty from the top. If you are looking for adventure, history, nature and a deep connection with the Andean culture, the Inca Trail is the experience you can’t miss this 2025.
Customizable Itinerary
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Overview
Overview
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Overview
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous trekking routes by travelers from all over the world. This 4-day, 3-night trek will take you through breathtaking Andean landscapes, Inca ruins.
This trek is not only a physical challenge, but also a profound cultural journey. The hike culminates at the impressive Machu Picchu, a place full of mystery that will leave you breathless when you see its majesty from the top
Machu Picchu Inca Trail Tour: 4 Days of Adventure and Culture
The Inca Trail is an ancient trekking route built by the Incas more than 600 years ago, connecting several of the main cities of the Inca Empire until reaching the famous Machu Picchu. This route is a perfect combination of nature, history and culture, which makes it one of the most requested routes by travelers.
The Inca Trail is a hiking trail in Peru that leads to Machu Picchu, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Along the 43 kilometers of the trail, the trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest, highlands, settlements, tunnels, and many ancient ruins located along the trail before ending the terminus at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Everything You Need to Know
Advantages of booking with us.- We are a tour operator of adventure, traditional trips and Eco tourism that has been authorized to be operator on the route of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu since 2017.
All tourism companies wishing to be operators on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu network must be certified and have an Inca Trail operator license granted by the government of Peru. This process is very rigorous and strict; not everyone who participates can be successful. This authorization is renewed every year in the month of December and in our company has the authorization of operator of the Inca Trail valid until March 2021, we have a team that is only responsible for renewing our authorizations year after year and thus remain a company authorized to make tours through the Inca Trail in its different versions.
About this activity
Languages
Free Cancellation
Service
Pickup Included
Duration
Food
Physical Level
Max Altitude
Good to Know
Overview of Classic Inca Trail 4 Days Trek
- Tour type: Adventure, Hiking & Camping.
- Length: 26 miles / 43 km.
- Highest elevation: 4,215 Meter / 13,780 ft.
- Minimum elevation: 2,400 Meter / 7,850 ft.
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Weather: the weather is unpredictable, especially on the second day of the trek.
- Extra Considerations: You need at least 2 days in Cusco to to acclimatize, we recommend our Training Program,
Trip Summary
This is the plan
Itinerary
Itinerary
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days – Detailed Itinerary
DAY -1: CUSCO - KM 82 - AYAPATA
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu starts when we pick you up from your hotel or hostel (5:30am approx.). We will go in our transport for an hour and a half to Ollantaytambo where we will make a stop for breakfast (not included in the price of the tour). After making a stop we will continue our trip by car to km 82, where the respective entrance controls to the Inca Trail are carried out. In this same place you must present your tickets along with your passport or identity document with which you made your reservation.
The Inca Trail begins at an altitude of 2,720 meters above sea level. Once we have passed the respective controls at the checkpoint, we will cross a hanging bridge over the Vilcanota River. The first day is easy and is considered the warm-up day as the terrain is relatively flat. This day we will have wonderful views of the Inca fortress Huillca Raccay, the incredible archaeological site of Llactapata (officially called “Patallacta”), the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle with the Andes, and the beautiful snowy W’akay Willca 5,860m. also known as the Veronica. Our first camp will be in Ayapata, which is located 60 minutes walk from the small town of Wayllabamba, at an altitude of 3,300m.
- Distance covered: 14 km
- Hiking Time: From 6 to 7 hours including rest and stop for lunch
- Camp height: 3,300 meters above sea level.
- Difficulty: Moderate.
- Temperature: Temperate and with afternoon winds.
Difficulty
Easy / Beginner
DAY 2: AYAPATA - WARMIWANUSCA - CHAQUICOCHA
This day is considered the most difficult and at the same time most gratifying of all the Inca Trail 4 Days, we will enjoy appreciating beautiful Andean landscapes and natural beauty. The day begins at 5:00 a.m. and after a good breakfast, we will begin the ascent for 4 hours until the highest point of the road, the Abra de Huarmihuañusca or “Paso de la Mujer Muerta” with a height of 4.200m. During the walk we will be able to appreciate that the vegetation is varied with native plants and trees like the “Polilepys” or “Q’ueuña”, which grow in the cloud forest at an altitude of 3,650m. After touring the 4 hours of ascent we will celebrate together having reached the highest point.
At this point we will do and rest and then we will descend for an hour and a half to the second point where we will have lunch (Pacamayo at 3.550m). After lunch we will start with the last part of the climb for 2 hours towards the Runkuraqay pass at an altitude of 3900m. Once in the pass and after a rest we will continue the descent for 1 hour and a half until we reach our camp Cachicocha (3600m).
- Distance to travel: 16 km
- Hiking Time: 9 to 1 hours including rest and stop for lunch.
- Camp height: 3,600 meters above sea level.
- Difficulty: Difficult.
- Temperature: Cold and with afternoon winds.
Difficulty
Easy / Beginner
DAY 3: CHAQUICOCHA - WIÑAYHUAYNA
On the third day we will only have 5 hours of walking approx. we will arrive at Wiñay Wayna which means: “Forever Young” to an Inca archaeological site that bears the same name as the camps; this archaeological site is 10 minutes from the third camp. This day we will start with a gentle moderate walk until we reach Phuyupatamarca which will be the third highest point on the road at an altitude of 3,680m. The views of the mountains, canyons and surroundings from this point are simply spectacular. After a brief rest we will visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, which means “City of Clouds”. The Inca site Phuyupatamarca is just a few minutes walk from the third pass. After visiting this site, we will continue walking through cloud forest until we reach the impressive Inca agricultural site of Intipata, then we will arrive at our camp Wiñay Wayna, at 2,680m.
- Hiking Time: From 4 to 5 hours (including rest, after lunch no more walking)
- Camp height: 2,600 meters above sea level.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Temperature: Temperate
Difficulty
Easy / Beginner
DAY 4: TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU AND RETURN TO CUSCO
We will start the day at 3:30am, after a very light breakfast we will go to the last checkpoint of the Inca Trail which is 10 minutes from the camp until 5.30am, after passing through this checkpoint we will go for 1 hour towards Inti Punku or “Puerta del Sol” where we will witness the arrival of the sun to Machu Picchu. This is the same place where you will have the first opportunity to admire Machu Picchu after 3 intense days of walking. After admiring the view of Machu Picchu from the door of the sun, we will walk for the last part of the tour to the place where you can take the classic photo of this ancient city. Finally, we enter Machu Picchu! Once in this modern wonder of the world, you will have a 2 hour guided tour by your own guide. After your guided tour, you will have some free time for you to continue exploring the citadel.
Once you have finished exploring the citadel you will have to take a bus that will take you to the town of Aguas Calientes. Here you will meet your guide so that you can share the last lunch (optional and not included in the price of the tour) and he can give you your return train tickets to Ollantaytambo, then you will be transferred from Ollantaytambo by car back to Cusco.
Difficulty
Easy / Beginner
Inclusions
Included
Briefing one night before
Professional guides and tourism certificates,
Pick up from your hotel/hostel and transfer to km 82(Beginning of the tour)
Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu;
Professional tents with capacity for 4 people, but to provide greater comfort will only be used by
2 people all along the Inca Trail.
Personal inflatable mattresses,
Professional cooks and porters
Kitchen tent, dining tent, chairs and camping tables.
Varied food
we offer the vegetarian option and all kinds of special food according to your requirement at the time of booking.
During your Inca Trail you will be able to have a variety of teas and mates before each dinner in each camp,
Water for your canteen from the second day
The use of water bottle is obligatory along the Inca Trail the authorities would not allow the use or entry of plastic bottles.
We will also provide you with a container with hot water
so that you can do your personal hygiene once at the Camp.
Bus ticket
Bus ticket down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on the 4th day
Train ticket
(Expedition class) to return from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo on the 4th day.
Return transportation from Ollantaytambo
Return transportation from Ollantaytambo to your hotel/hostel in Cusco
No Included
Breakfast on the first day
Breakfast on the first day of the tour. If you did not have breakfast at your hotel/Hostal we will make a stop in Ollantaytambo for you to have breakfast.
Lunch on the last day
Lunch on the last day after visiting Machu Picchu.
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag, walking sticks (These can be rented in our office. All our sleeping bags are washed after each use)
Highlights.-
- The Inca Trail is the best Trek in Peru
- This trek is ideal for adventure seekers, couples, friends, nature lovers, and intrepid people
- See natural bridges, snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and the cloud forest
- The Inca Trail trek is listed in the TOP 5 best treks in the world by multiple different magazines
What To Bring
What to Bring
WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE:
- Wearing sneakers or shoes without a heel for walks
- Personal toiletries.
- Personal medicine kit (bandages, cotton, bandages, alcohol, aspirin, pills for stomach problems, medicines to prevent altitude sickness).
- Boots or shoes for walking, without heel.
- Sleeping bag.
- Walking stick with rounded rubber tip.
- Hat or cap.
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Bottle of water and tablets to purify the water.
- Knife
- Dehydrated fruits, candies and chocolates
- Gloves, scarf, wool socks.
- Impermeable in the rainy season.
- Flashlights, batteries and spare bulbs.
- Long pants.
- Insect repellent.
- Sweaters and a jacket
- Backpack (approx. 50 to 70 litres) for hiking.
- Towel and toilet paper.
- T-shirts.
- Warm clothes in case of cold (jersey and jacket).
Recommendations
- To do this tour, you must be in Cusco at least 2 days in advance to acclimatize.
- Before going to Inca Trail 4 Days, take short walks around Cusco to better adapt to the weather or you can hire short tours. City tour, Sacred Valley, Salineras de Maras – Moray – Chinchero, southern valley or you can also visit Machu Picchu.
- You should drink mate de coca which will help you adapt better to the climate.
- Wear appropriate clothing for hiking (trekking shoes, thermal clothing, etc.).
OPTIONAL:
- Goose feather sleeping bag up to -10 °C (USD 30 for the entire tour, recommended).
- Stick with rubber tip (USD 20 x pair, for the whole tour, recommended).
- Extra carrier, maximum load 12 kilos. USD 150
Pricing
Pricing
PRICING:
This is a private tour
cost $845 USD per person (based on group size)
(prices reduce if there are more people in your group).
Cost Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Group and Private Service
Cost per person in Group service US$ 560.
- Private Service 2 passengers US$ 790 dollars per passenger.
- Private Service 3 passengers US$ 735 dollars per passenger
- Private Service 4 passengers US$ 670 dollars per passenger
- Private Service 5 passengers US$ 610 dollars per passenger
- Private Service 6 passengers US$ 580 dollars per passenger
IMPORTANT: The quotas for the Inca Trail are issued by the Peruvian government through DRC (Regional Direction of Culture), remember that they are only 500 quotas per day and for all travel agencies of it approx. 180 are tourists the rest are support staff as guides, cooks and porters, so we recommend booking many months in advance.
ATTENTION: If there are no places available, you can opt for our Inca Trail excursion 2 days 1 night that there are still places and we have daily departures or check our alternative and traditional Tours for which we do have places.
2 Persons
Price
US $ 829.00
per person
3 Persons
Price
US $ 789.00
per person
4 Persons
Price
US $ 719.00
per person
5 Persons
Price
US $ 689.00
per person
6 Persons
Price
US $ 650.00
per person
7 Persons
Price
US $ 600.00
per person
8 Persons
Price
US $ 600.00
per person
Terms and Conditions
Faqs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to reserve the Inca Trail in advance?
Permits for the Inca Trail are very limited, there are only 500 entries per day of which 300 will be used by trekking teams, cooks, porters and guides, this means that you must book many months in advance if you want to secure a place; we recommend doing so six months in advance. However, if you want to come during the high season (from May to September) you must make your reservation 8 or 10 months in advance.
When is the best time to travel the Inca Trail?
The high season on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is from May to September, as this time coincides with the holidays in the Western Hemisphere. These months offer probably the best trekking conditions with a dry and sunny climate. However as we told you before you will need to reserve the permits many months in advance. April, October and November are also great months to make the Inca Trail; there are fewer hikers, although it is likely that at least one day it rains during the trek.
It is also easier to find available permits, although they should still be booked months in advance. The rainy season runs from January to March, and if you decide to come during this time, expect some frequent rains. However, it is perfectly safe to make the walk, with the right raincoat. Again, it is much easier to get permits to travel the Inca Trail at this time of year.
The Inca Trail closes in February each year, because it is the rainiest month, and is used for maintenance and conservation of the trails on the trail. However, all alternative routes are open during this month.
Can the children make the Inca Trail?
Children accustomed to walking can make the Inca Trail, although personally we believe that to enjoy a route like this they should be at least 12 years old. But we have witnessed younger children completing the walk. If you would like to take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu as a family, please contact us to discuss the physical condition of your children in more detail.
Do I need a great physicist to travel the Inca Trail?
It is recommended that you have a good level of fitness, however, you don’t have to be an exercise fanatic. If you’re not in shape, it’s a good idea to start regular (uphill) walking training a few months before your adventure.
One of the biggest challenges about trekking in Peru is the altitude; the highest pass of the Inca Trail is 4,125, at the dead woman’s pass. To help you acclimatize and avoid the symptoms of altitude sickness, we recommend the following:
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Coca tea is an ancient remedy.
- Avoid agitation and strenuous exercise upon arrival in Cusco.
- Avoid sleeping pills.
- Spend between 2 and 3 days to acclimatize before starting your trek.
I’m worried about being too slow for my group.
The walk along the Inca Trail is considered among the best in the world and if you want to enjoy it, do not see it as a race. “Go at your own pace”, enjoy the views, take pictures and catch your breath. Even the most leisurely hikers reach the campgrounds before nightfall.
The guide will always go with the last person in the group, instructing the fastest walkers to know where the stop and meet points are along the route.
Travel Guide
The Inca Trail, with Machu Picchu as its final destination, is the most popular and well-known route among tourists. The walk has a total length of approximately 43 kilometers and takes 4 days, including a day visit to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park.
The nature that surrounds it is wonderful, with breathtaking views of snow-covered mountains, the walk through the jungle with its amazing archaeological remains, is an unforgettable experience.
It is undoubtedly one of the most frequented excursions by those who seek adventure when visiting Peru, its spectacular landscapes of the Andes chain, shows a great mixture of jungle and sierra that you will enjoy from beginning to end. No other side of the planet has a natural circuit that leads to a natural world with constantly changing ecological floors adorned with imposing snow-capped mountains, rivers and a great fauna and flora. To all these natural wonders are added Incan constructions that are worth visiting, the architectural art harmonizes perfectly with the natural environment.
The Incas built their fortresses with a mentality that they can see without being seen, from where they can attack without being attacked. The mysterious citadel of Machu Picchu, hidden on top of a mountain was a very difficult place to find.
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