The 4 day Inca Trail Hike is famous for being one of the world’s best hikes, isit the ancient Inca sites, interact with our local porters, and experience the best of Peruvian food while you meet new friends and arrive in Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
Come and join our fun small group tours to Machu Picchu with like-minded trekkers from all over the world, different ages, and genders. It is ideal for single travelers, partners, and even friends wishing to have life-changing and exciting trekking adventures.
Overview
What to Expect on the Classic 4 Day Inca Trail
The Classic Inca Trail route is one of South America’s most famous treks and consistently ranks among the top 10 hikes in the world. Over the course of this four-day adventure, you’ll enjoy a perfect combination of an immense cultural past and stunning natural landscapes.
Your adventure begins in Cusco, following Inca paths through lush valleys, high passes, and sacred archaeological sites. On the final morning, you’ll reach the Sun Gate (Intipunku) right at the break of dawn to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu—an unforgettable reward after 4 days of hiking!
Our Inca Trail Tours include personal porters, freshly prepared meals, and return transportation on a panoramic train. We offer daily departures with expert local guides.
Top Highlights of the Inca Trail
- Km 82 (Pisacucho): Official starting point of the Inca Trail.
- Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusqa): The highest point of the trail at 4,215 meters (13,828 feet).
- Runkurakay Ruins: Circular Inca ruins with impressive views.
- Sayacmarca: A steep, narrow Inca site with well-preserved ruins.
- Phuyupatamarca: Known as the “City Above the Clouds,” offering breathtaking views.
- Wiñay Wayna: A stunning Inca site with terraced ruins and a ceremonial center.
- Sun Gate (Inti Punku): First glimpse of Machu Picchu at sunrise.
- Machu Picchu: The iconic Inca citadel and final destination of the trail.
Itinerary
Our trekking team will pick you up early from your hotel in Cusco at around 4.30 am. If you’re staying in the Sacred Valley, like Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, we’ll come by a bit later, after 6:00 a.m. Our first stop will be in Ollantaytambo, where you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast and grab any last-minute items before hitting the trek.
From there, we’ll continue to Km 82 (Piscacucho Village), the official start of the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. We’ll be there around 8:00 a.m. and meet our amazing team of chefs and porters who’ll be with us throughout the journey. Once everyone is ready, we’ll go through the checkpoint. You Will show your passport at the main gate and take your first steps toward the Lost City of the Incas.
The first leg of the Inca Trail begins with an easy 3-hour hike to Willkarakay, passing through small but beautiful villages along the way. From there, you'll enjoy scenic views of Llactapata, the first Inca site on the route. We’ll then continue with a two-hour hike to Hatunchaca Village, where our team will be waiting with a buffet-style lunch prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
After lunch, we’ll hike for another two hours until Ayapata, our first campsite on the trail. Your tents will already be set up, and you’ll be welcomed with snacks, hot drinks, and time to relax while you take in the breathtaking mountain scenery.
In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner prepared by our chef, closing the day after completing your first full stretch of the Inca Trail.
- Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi
- Duration: 6 Hours
- Campsite Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- Highest Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
- Difficulty: Moderate
Today is the most challenging day of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We'll start early, waking you up with a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or coca tea right in your tent. After breakfast, we'll begin a 4-hour hike up to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m / 13,829ft), the highest point of the Inca Trail. Once at the summit, we'll pause to admire the serenity of this magical place, enjoying its calm with a coca tea. At the same time, your guide will lead a traditional offering ceremony to thank mountain spirits, the Apus.
After enjoying the stunning views, we'll begin a 2-hour descent to Pacaymayo Valley for a much-deserved lunch and rest to prepare for the second part of the day.
The second part is a more relaxed, two-hour hike to Runkuraqay Pass (4,000 m / 13,123 ft), followed by another two hours downhill to our next campsite. Along the way, you’ll explore two fascinating Inca sites, Runkuraqay and Sayacmarca. We’ll finish the day at Chaquicocha (meaning dry lake, 3600m / 11811 ft.), where you can admire a beautiful sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range before dinner.
As night falls, this spot offers a clear, unobstructed sky view, perfect for stargazing and marveling at the constellations.
- Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 mi
- Duration: 10 Hours
- Campsite Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Highest Altitude: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
- Difficulty: Challenging
With the challenging part of the Trail behind you, today you can relax and enjoy the most leisurely yet exciting day of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The trail is incredibly diverse, with only 5 hours of hiking to reach the final campsite. Along the way, you’ll pass through different ecosystems, including the Cloud Forest, and enjoy magnificent views of Salkantay Mountain, the second-highest peak in Cusco.
We’ll also explore two remarkable archaeological sites: Phuyupatamarca, known as the “City in the Clouds,” with spectacular views of the Urubamba River, and Intipata, the “Terraces of the Sun,” where you’ll have time to relax and take in the landscapes.
We'll arrive at the campsite just in time for lunch as you enjoy some free time to relax, unwind at the camp, chase llamas, or take a refreshing shower. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the final site of the Inca Trail: Wiñaywayna. Here, you’ll explore its terraces and learn about its significance.
To wrap up the day, we’ll return to camp for tea time, dinner, and a special farewell surprise.
- Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
- Duration: 5 Hours
- Campsite Altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
- Highest Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea time, dinner
- Difficulty: Moderate
Today’s an early start, but for the best reason—we’ll conquer the highlight of the Inca Trail: discover machu picchu the sky begins to lighten, we’ll head straight to the checkpoint and wait for it to open at 5:30 am.
After about one hour of hiking, you’ll arrive at the iconic Sun Gate (Intipunku) - the original entrance once used by the Incas. If the weather is on our side, you’ll catch a breathtaking sunrise over Machu Picchu, including sweeping views of the ruins and the stunning scenery around them.
We’ll reach the citadel around 8:00 am, and after your first epic panoramic photo, your guide will take you on a 2–3 hour tour around the most important spots of the site. If you're up for a bit more adventure—and have booked your tickets in advance— you’ll also have the chance to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain on your own.
Once done exploring, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and enjoy a farewell lunch before boarding the Vistadome or 360° train to Ollantaytambo. When you arrive, our team will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. The approximate arrival time to Cusco is around 7:30 p.m.
If you’d rather spend the night in Aguas Calientes, you also have the option to return on your own the next day.
- Hiking Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi
- Hiking Duration: 2-3 Hours
- Highest Altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
What’s Included in the 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Included
- Briefing at our office. This will be done the night before the trek at 6:00pm
- Hotel pick up the first morning of the trek
- Private transportation from Cusco to Piscacucho (in our company van)
- Extra porter for your belongings (you will need only a day backpack to carry what is needed during day)!
- 4 season Eureka Timberline Tents, (large & comfortable) please see equipment
- Comfortable foam mattresses and pillow
- Professional English speaking guide who is highly experienced in trekking
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional: vegetarian or other dietary needs upon request)
- First-aid kit, including emergency oxygen tank
- Porters to carry tents, food and cooking equipment
- Boiled water to fill water bottles or Camelback (the chef will provide clean water after each meal)
- Hot water for washing purposes
- Expedition Tourist Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and private transportation to Cusco (in our company van)
- Permit to the Classic Inca Trail & entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
- Private toilet tent, with a normal toilet seat – this is only for our group
- Two hour guided tour in Machu Picchu
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs
- Chef and cooking equipment.
not included
- Sleeping bag, air mattress, or trekking poles (you can rent them from us)
- Last day lunch after the Machu Picchu Tour
- Entry to huaynapicchu mountain (optional)
- Travel Insurance
FAQs
The Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is one of the best and most popular hikes in the world and the number one in Peru. This trek sells out very fast, especially in the high season from May to September. Permits can be sold out up to 6 months in advance, so booking the Inca Trail far in advance is a must.
It’s also important to understand that booking with a local tour operator, an official Inca Trail tour operator, is crucial to securing the Inca Trail permits. Consider the following reasons before choosing your tour operator:
- Book with a Local Company: Inca Trail permits must be paid for in person and cash at the Machu Picchu ticketing office in Cusco. This is why booking with a local company is essential.
- Book with an Official Tour Operator: Once Inca Trail permits are sold out, there is no way to get the permits for that date—no waiting list, no cancellations. Only official tour operators have access to the Inca Trail booking system and can see live availability. You cannot see live availability online or book the Inca Trail permits by yourself. Secure the permits with an authorized Inca Trail tour operator.
- Alternative Treks: If the Inca Trail permits are sold out, you can still book alternative hikes, such as the Short Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, and Choquequirao Trek. However, be careful; some unscrupulous companies will sell these alternative treks as Inca Trail tours. We often receive calls from our guests stating that they found an Inca Trail tour elsewhere, even though the permits are sold out for that specific date, and they end up hiking the Salkantay Trek instead.
The Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu the only trek in Peru that offers an authentic camping and hiking experience. Over four days and three nights, we will be in the mountains and staying in camping tents. There are no hotels or other buildings; we will be camping out in nature and carrying all the equipment from beginning to end.
At TreXperience, we provide comfortable 4-person Eureka tents for every 2 travelers. We also provide kitchen tents, dining tents, and private portable toilets, all accompanied by an expert trekking team.
Before embarking on a hiking trip to Machu Picchu, you should consider a few things you can do to reduce the risk of altitude sickness:
- Arrive at Cusco two days in advance so your body has time to acclimatize
- Avoid rapid ascent so your body has time to adapt to its new altitude.
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids like water and avoid alcohol consumption.
- At high altitudes, eat smaller and lighter meals
- Sleeping enough each night will allow your body to recover from exertion during the day.
If you start to feel symptoms of altitude sickness, descend to a lower altitude immediately and rest until you feel better. If you are in Cusco City, you can opt to travel to the Sacred Valley, where you can rest and prepare for the amazing Machu Picchu Trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
This question is often tricky to answer. The Inca Trail is full year-round, and despite the season, you will have amazing views; you just need the proper equipment. Be prepared for sun, rain, wind, cold, or any weather you might encounter on your trip.
- The best months to hiking and visit Machu Picchu are April to October.
- May, June, July, and August are the driest months on the Inca Trail. However, these are also the busiest months of the year in Machu Picchu.
- The rainy season starts in November and lasts until March; however, it is possible to have whole weeks without rain.
- The Inca trails are closed during February due to heavy rains and maintenance.
The Inca Trail is located in the cloud forest and is famous for having some of the most unstable weather in Peru and perhaps the world.
Another tricky question! The Inca Trail is challenging but doable. You must be able to hike on uneven terrain for about 8 to 10 hours daily, sleep above 3,000 meters, and be able to go up and down the stairs on the trail.
If you are in average physical condition to handle this type of hike, you must practice regularly before coming to the Inca Trail, and you will have a wonderful time.
Any adventure trip comes with its own set of risks. While on the Inca Trail, it’s important to stay aware that dangerous situations can arise from either negligence or natural forces. To ensure a safe journey, always make sure to follow your tour guide’s instructions closely.
You can not enter the Inca Trail without hiring a registered tour company. You must hike the Inca Trail with a tour guide, chef, and porters.