4 Days Classic Inca Trail

Our Inca Trail adventure begins at 4:30, when we’ll pick you up from your hotel. We will then drive to Piscacucho, also known as Km 82, where the Inca Trail begins. Here we need to visit the control point and do all the official stuff before we can enter the trail, so you’ll need your passport and ticket. This is a good place to use the bathroom and put on insect repellent and sunscreen, as once we’re on the trail bathrooms and other such infrastructure will be scarce.

Now it’s time to set off along the trail! We’ll follow the old Inca Trail, which was used by Inca emperors and their entourage to get to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail begins at 2,720 m (8,923 ft) above sea level, and we’ll begin by crossing the Vilcanota River. Soon the trail enters the cloud forest, and as we ascend we’ll start to have beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, as well as Inca ruins. We’ll be able to see the Inca fortress called Huillca Raccay, as well as the vast and incredible Inca site of Patallacta, which means “high town” or “town on the hill” in Quechua, the language of the Incas that is still spoken in some parts of Peru today. The archaeological complex sits at an altitude of 2,840 m (9,318 ft), and consists of vast Inca agricultural terraces and about 100 structures that housed travelers and soldiers. Patallacta would have been a common stopping point for Incas traveling from Cusco to Machu Picchu. 

As we venture onwards, we will see the Urubamba mountain range that rises up between the jungle and the Andes. We’ll also see the beautiful snow-capped peak of W'akay Willca, also known as Veronica, which rises to 5,860 m (19,225 ft). Altogether, Day 1 is a wonderful chance to hike through some of the most stunning scenery in this part of Peru.

By this time, we’ll be quite tired, having trekked for about 6 or 7 hours. So now we’ll set up camp near the small village of Wayllabamba, set in a pretty mountain valley at around 3,000 m (9,842 ft). We’ll have a tasty dinner and set up the tents. Temperatures here can drop to around 5°C at night, depending on the season. But your sleeping bags will keep you nice and warm, so you can have a good night’s sleep before we continue the trek tomorrow.

Total trekking distance: 11 km (6.8 miles) / 6-7 hours approx.

Highest altitude: 3,300 m (9,843 ft) above sea level

Overnight: Ayapata Camp (tent for 2 people)

(-/L/D)

It’s another early start on Day 2 as we wake around 5:30. Our cooks will prepare a hearty breakfast to get your energy levels up, and you’re going to need it. Day 2 on the classic Inca Trail is generally regarded as the toughest day, and we have a steep ascent ahead of us. We’ll be following the Inca Trail along a route that was sacred to the Incas, as it rises up into the Apus, where the mountain spirits dwell.

After a few hours, we will reach the highest pass on the trail, known as Abra de Warrmihuañusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, at an elevation of 4,200 m (13,779 ft). It’s a challenging trek to get up to this point, but we’ll be with you all the way, taking it one step at a time. The high altitude makes it even tougher, so don’t worry if you find yourself stopping every few steps – that’s perfectly normal (unless you’re one of our incredible porters, who make it look easy!). Once we make it to the pass, we’ll have a well-deserved rest and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery, and you can be justifiably proud to have made it to Dead Woman's Pass. After our rest, we will begin the descent to our lunch stop, located at Pacaymayu at 3,550 m (11,646 ft). On our way, you’ll be able to see lots of hummingbirds as they flit about, as well as other species of birds. The variety of native plants is all impressive here, and your guide will point out some species, such as the Polylepis, a native tree that only grows in the cloud forest at this particular altitude. 

After lunch, we’ll set off on another steep ascent for about two hours. Our destination is the Runkurakay pass (4,000 m / 13,123 ft), where we will camp for the night. We should get there around 17:00, with plenty of time to set up our campsite before having dinner. Then it will be time for bed, your body tired but your mind exhilarated by the day’s achievements.

Total trekking distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) / 6-7 hours approx.

Highest altitude: 4,200 m (13,780 ft)  above sea level

Overnight: Chaquicocha Camp (tent for 2 people)

 (B/L/D)

After another energy-filled breakfast, we’ll set off on a relatively gentle uphill trek to our first stop of the day: the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, "The City Above the Clouds," located at around 3,680 m (12,073 ft). This enchanting Inca ruin features terraced slopes and five small stone baths that contain constant fresh running water during the wet season. From here, we have incredible views of snow-capped peaks in the distance, including Salkantay and Veronica.

Heading on, we walk up and down a series of Inca steps – more than 1,000 in total! While not as physically difficult as the previous day’s trek, these steps put a lot of strain on the knees, especially going downhill, so take it slowly. Then we’ll pass through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Inca site of Intipata, which is one of the lesser known ruins along the Inca Trail. But its agricultural terraces are very impressive, and we’ll have great views of them from parts of the trail.

We will continue on our way, heading to the third campsite at Wiñay Wayna, at 2,680 m (8,792 ft). After a total of 4 or 5 hours trekking on Day 3, we will arrive at the camp by lunchtime. We’ll have lunch and a rest, and then go on a short walk to explore the nearby Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”) archaeological site. This site has magnificent agricultural terraces as well as numerous Inca buildings displaying a high level of Inca masonry. There is also a series of 10 baths, which suggests that the site was once a religious center of water worship. Some archaeologists have surmised that travelers heading to Machu Picchu may have cleansed themselves here before heading on to the citadel.

We are now close to our final destination and the end of our trek. We’ll have dinner at the campsite and rest in advance of the next day - and our arrival at Machu Picchu.

Total trekking distance: 16 km (10 miles) / 8 hours approx.

Highest altitude: 2,680 m (8,792 ft) above sea level

Overnight: Wiñay Wayña Camp (tent for 2 people)

(B/L/D)

Today we want to get moving as soon as possible, so we’ll wake at 4:30, have breakfast and then set off along the last section of the trail. We’ll walk for about 1.5 hours until we reach Intipunku (the “Sun Gate”), arriving before the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu. From the Sun Gate, at around 7:00, we can watch as the sun spills across the landscape, slowly revealing Machu Picchu and our first sighting of our final destination.

We will then walk the short distance to Machu Picchu itself, where you’ll begin your guided walking tour with your experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about 2 hours, and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza and other key locations. And as we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views of the agriculture terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges. After the guided tour you’ll have about 2 hours to explore Machu Picchu on your own, perhaps walking to some less visited parts such as the Inca Bridge, or hiking up Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain.

Once you’ve spent enough time at Machu Picchu, we’ll head down to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. You can either walk down the zigzagging road from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, or take the bus. We’ll all gather in Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have lunch. Your guide will then give you your tickets for the train back to Poroy, from where you can jump on the bus back to Cusco. 

And that marks the end of our unforgettable classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu!

Optional service ($72): There is time for those who still have enough energy to climb Wayna (Huayna) Picchu, the mountain behind Machu Picchu. For many people, climbing Wayna Picchu is one of the highlights of their visit to Machu Picchu. The climb itself is interesting as you will see how the Inca cut out some steps out of the rocks and as you will have amazing views on Machu Picchu from different angles.

Total trekking distance: 6 km (3.7 miles) / 2 hours approx.

Highest altitude: 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level

 (B/-/-)