Classic Inca Trail - 4 Days / 3 Nights
Definitely one of the most popular things to do in South America, and one of the world’s most famous hikes. The Inca Trail is the sort of singular adventures for which we all travel. The hike itself, which brings you along ancient narrow paths deep into the Peruvian countryside and high into the Andean mountains, is gorgeous; perfect Inca ruins, cloud forest, and majestic valley views laid out like breadcrumbs along the way to perhaps the greatest end-point of any multi-day hike on earth, the iconic Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail has long attracted the attention of tourists from around the world. This makes it the most popular option to walk to Machu Picchu. The part that tourists go through is just a small section of a gigantic and complex road system that connected the entire Inca Empire, from Maule river in Chile to Pasto river in Colombia, approximately. The most difficult day of this excursion is the second due to the long climb and the number of steps; however, your reward will be the impressive views of the valley from above.
If your desire is to travel the mysterious original path that the Incas used to reach Machu Picchu, this route is for you. Furthermore, this is the only route that takes you directly to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. There’s nothing better than observing the impressive stone citadel from Inti Punku or “The Sun Gate” after 4 days of intense walking.
Day 1: Cusco – KM. 82 – Patallaqta – Huayllabamba
The epic adventure begins. We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft) early in the morning, and then you’ll drive in private transport into the Sacred Valley, past Urubamba and stop in Ollantaytambo (2,800 m / 9,186 ft) to buy some stuff you may need for the hike before heading to the Km. 82 (2,650 m / 8,694 ft). Here, you begin hiking, beside the Urubamba River, before heading up a side valley to the first archaeological site, Patallaqta. Just past this place there is a beautiful green spot at which to enjoy our first lunch prepared by the trek crew.
After lunch, you’ll begin to gain altitude up to the village of Huayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,842 ft), where the camp is set up.
Soon after arrival, the crew lay on a very welcome afternoon tea in the dining tent, consisting of a hot beverage and snacks. And once the sun goes down, it is time for a hot, three-course dinner to restore energy.
- Meals included: lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,650 m / 8,694 ft
- Campsite altitude: 3,000 m/ 9,842 ft
- Distance hiked: 12.00 km / 7.45 ml
- Approximate walking time: 5 – 6 hours
Day 2: Huayllabamba – Dead Woman's Pass – Pacaymayo
After a hearty breakfast, you start climbing up to the first and highest pass, Warmiwañusca (4,215 m / 13,828 ft), the famous “Dead Woman’s Pass” in native Quechua language. Halfway to the top is Llulluchapampa (3,700 m / 12,139) the last place to buy some snacks from the local vendors in case you want to eat something extra. The climb to the pass will take most of the morning, but the view and the feelings on reaching the top are well worth it.
From here you descend for about two hours into the valley, to our next campsite at Pacaymayo (3,600 m / 11,811 ft).
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 4,215 m / 13,828 ft
- Minimum altitude: 3,000 m / 9,842 ft
- Campsite altitude: 3600 m / 11,811 ft
- Distance hiked: 12.00 km / 7.45 ml
- Approximate walking time: 7 – 8 hours
Day 3: Pacaymayo – Runcuracay – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna
You start the day with the ascent to the second pass, Runcuracay (3,950 m / 12,959 ft), passing the ruins of the same name, and then descend on the other side for about one hour, to the beautiful archaeological site of Sayacmarca (3,600 m / 11,811 ft).
You’ll continue along the original stone path of the Incas, through semi-tropical, cloud forest, up to the third pass, Phuyupatamarca (3,700 m / 12,139 ft), meaning “Town above the Clouds”, from where there are stunning views of Salkantay and Machu Picchu Mountains.
From here, you go downhill to our campsite near the spectacular ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), wich means “Forever Young”, and one of the most beautiful sites on the Inca Trail, on account of its steep construction and setting.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 3,950 m / 12,959 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,650 m / 8,694 ft
- Campsite altitude: 2,650 m / 8,694 ft
- Distance hiked: 16.00 km / 9.94 ml
- Approximate walking time: 9 – 10 hours
Day 4: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Early this morning, after a tasty breakfast, you’ll hike about one and a half hours through the cloud forest to Intipunku (2,700 m / 8,858 ft) the famous “Sun Gate”, from where, weather permitting, you will have the first breathtaking, panoramic view of the mysterious Machu Picchu, as the sun rises over the mountain tops.
A short walk brings you down to the World Wonder. After relaxing a little, you’ll have a guided tour of the “Lost City of the Incas”, lasting roughly two hours before descending by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,000 m / 6,561 ft).
After lunch (not included), you’ll have the train journey to Ollantaytambo, and then transfer by bus back to Cusco.
- Meals included: breakfast
- Maximum altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
- Minimun altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
- Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
- Cusco Altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
- Distance hiked: 5.00 km / 3.10 ml
- Approximate walking time: 2 – 3 hours
Transportation and tickets
- Transfer in from the airport to your hotel in Cusco
- Hotel pick up in Cusco
- Private transport to the Km 82
- Entrance fee ticket to the Inca Trail
- Entrance fee ticket to Machu Picchu
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Hotel drop off in Cusco
- Transfer out from your hotel to the airport
Camping equipment
- Comfortable 4-season sleeping tent
- Three nights camping
- Foam mattress
- Outdoor dining and cooking tents
- Food and drink utensils
- Portable chemical toilet tent
- Emergency medical first aid kit
- Emergency oxigen bottle
- Duffle bag for your personal items up to 6 Kg / 13 Lb
- Biodegradable soap and hand towels
- Portable transmitter-receiver radio
Team
- Pre-departure Inca Trail briefing
- Professional trekking Tour Guide
- Personalized service
- Small tour group max 8 people
- Private walking tour in Machu Picchu
- Professional and well trained Trek Chef
- Porters to carry provided equipment and food
- Guaranteed departure
Food
- High quality meals while on the trek 3B, 3L, 3D & snacks
- Drinking water to refill bottles from first day lunch onwards
- Classic afternoon tea before dinner
- This tour offers vegetarian and vegan food options on request, simply let us know the food option that you prefer
- Huayna Picchu mountain entrance fee ticket
- Machu Picchu mountain entrance fee ticket
- First day breakfast and lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Meals after arrival to Machu Picchu
- Personal sleeping tent (available for rent)
- Sleeping bags (available for rent)
- Sleeping bag polar liner
- Insulated air sleeping pad (available for rent)
- Hiking poles (available for rent)
- Extra expenses
- Thermal baths in Aguas Calientes
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- International or local airfare
- Hotel in Cusco or Aguas Calientes
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