Hiking the 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best hikes in the world for its exquisite
natural beauty and different ecological niches ranging from high deserts to tropical forests. During
their epoch, the Incas created a vast network of roads that go throughout the Andes from Argentina
to Colombia and from the coast to the Amazon rainforest. The 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the
most important section of that trail system, which takes you from from the Andes to the Amazon.
Walk in the footsteps of the Inca on 500-year-old trail
Explore all the ruins of this historical scenic trek
Hike through to Sun Gate directly to Majestic Machu Picchu
Choose the best Inca trail for you - 1, 2, 4 or 5 day
We use four-season Eureka tents with two entrances and a capacity for four people (for comfort,
only
two people per tent)
Foam mattresses, tables, and seat for each tent
Food and drink utensils
Dinner tent and kitchen tent for the group
First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle
Team
Professional, knowledgeable bilingual guide
A cook to prepare your meals
Porters to carry provided equipment and food additional porters can be hired to carry your
personal
belongings
Our guides are professional and multilingual. Not only do they possess an excellent knowledge of the
Inca
Trail, but they’re also wholly familiar with all of the intricate archaeological, historical, and
cultural Inca traditions. All of our tour personnel are also highly qualified in tour group
management
and in first aid.
Food
High quality meals to provide the necessary energy for this challenging trek
In addition to three meals daily, you will be given revitalizing snacks
Hot drinks such as tea and coffee, as well as enough water for your canteens, water bottles, or
hydration packs collected from local streams and boiled while on the trek
Estimated inca trail time time to walk: 6 to 7 hours.
Total distance: 11 km
Altitude of our camp: 3,620 masl.
DAY 03: PACAYMAYO – WIÑAYWAYNA
Estimated inca trail time time to walk: 9 to 10 hours.
Total distance: 16 km
Altitude of our camp: 2,700 masl.
DAY 04: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO.
Estimated inca trail time time to walk: 3 hours.
Total distance: 6 km
Altitude of Machu Picchu: 2,430 masl.
Complete Itinerary of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
DAY 01: CUSCO – KM 82 – HUAYLLABAMBA
Pick-up from hotel early in the morning at 06:00 a.m, transfer by bus to Km. 82 starting point of our walk, we’ll pass through the villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. The first section of this circuit will be held along the Urubamba River with an excellent view of the snow-capped mountain Veronica (5,900 masl), we’ll continue to the archaeological site of Llactapata by Cusi Chaca River Valley, we’ll arrive near the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 masl) where we’ll camp “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu”
Meals: Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Weather: Warm and windy
DAY 02: HUAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSCA PASS – PACAYMAYU “INCA TRAIL”
After breakfast, we’ll start our walk, slowly we’ll ascend to Warmiwañusca Pass (4,212 masl) through a beautiful forest of Queñua. We will have great views of the Andean landscape, we will reach Llulluchapampa (3,750 masl) typical Pampas at the foot of the Abra. After arriving at Warmiwañusca pass wich its located at 4,212 masl, we’ll descend to Pacaymayo Valley (3,620 masl) where we’re gonna camp. Here, we could enjoy the extraordinary construction of the Inca Trail. In the afternoon of this day we will be able to explore the area a bit and we will have a lot of time to rest and relax “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu”
Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner
After breakfast, we’ll start our trek, this is one of the most beautiful days of the Inca trail. We’ll visit the archaeological site of Runkurakay from which a spectacular view of the area, remount the passage of the same name (3,800 masl), then continue towards the archaeological sites of Sayaqmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna which are linked by a wonderful path of original Inca white granite, among the lush vegetation of the forest. We’ll observe the remarkable balance achieved by the Incas and their environment. We will have our lunch halfway in a beautiful camp known as ChaquiCocha. Our camp is located near the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna (2,700 masl) “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu”
Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities and hot showers
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Warm and very humid
DAY 04: WIÑAYWAYNA – INTI PUNKU – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO “INCA TRAIL”
This day, we’ll get up early at 04:00 a.m. We’ll take the breakfast and start walking at 05:30 a.m. We’ll say good bye to the porters because they return to Cusco with all the camping equipment.
We will make our walk through a typical dense rainforest vegetation towards the “Puerta del Sol/Sungate” or Inti Punku where we will have a tremendous panoramic view of the Inca Citadel. In Machu Picchu, we’re getting at approximately 07:00 a.m, Once here, we will have a guided tour of 2 hours to visit the most important places of Machu Picchu. Then, we’ll have free time to visit Machu Picchu on our own.
At opportune time we will go down in bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, where they will be able to take lunch in one of the varied restaurants that exist in this touristy village. In the afternoon we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo followed by car to Cusco, the next hour of arrival to Cusco will be 8:00 PM, the “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” ends with the transfer to your respective hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 6 kms/3.7mls
Difficulty: Easy
Weather: Hot and very humid
It Includes
It includes
Briefing at your hotel in Cusco, It will be done the night before your trek at 6:00pm.
Pick up from your hotel in Cusco.
Private Transfer to KM 82, starting point of the tour.
English and Spanish speaking professional tour guide.
Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail.
Entrance to Machu Picchu archaeological sanctuary.
All camping equipment: Tents of 2 people capacity used by only two people with enough spaces for your belongings, Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs.
Private toilet tent, with a portable toilet seat “this toilet will be only for our group.
Porters to carry all the equipment, tents, food, cooking equipment, tents and restaurants
Permits and tickets for our porters and cooks.
3 breakfasts, 3 appetizers, 3 lunches and 3 dinners. All these meals are prepared by our cook and his assistant
Coca tea is served every morning in your tent.
Boiled water after breakfast and lunch, to refill your water bottles (1 liter per person)
Lunch with hot drinks like coca, tea and coffee.
Appetizers or snacks each morning.
Oxygen and first aid kit.
Vegetarian and special diets request.
2 hours Guided tour in Machu Picchu.
Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
Expedition Train to return to Ollantaytambo and then by private car to Cusco.
Sleeping bags for all the trek that are usable in -15° C / 5° F.
Thick Comfortable Foam Mattresses.
Duffel bag for your personal belongings.
Extra porter to carry your duffel bag “7 kilograms per person” (you will need only a day backpack to carry what you will need during day)
Pillow and Rain Ponchos.
Hiking poles (02 poles for each person).
Full assistance during the 04 days
Not Included
First breakfast and last lunch – We will stop at Ollantaytambo for the first breakfast and have the last lunch in a restourant at Aguas Calientes town after the tour of Machu Picchu.
Gratuities for the porters and cook.
Recommendations to bring
Bring original passport “With expiration date not less than 7 months”
Student card with current date (if you book the tour as student).
Carry hiking boots and sandals (very important).
Coats: layers of varying temperatures, especially at night. Thermal / gloves / scarves: woolen socks / woolen hat for cold nights, shirts for the whole trek
Headlamp (very important)
Carry a camera and extra batteries.
Carry sunscreen / hat and sunglasses.
Carry personal medical kit.
Insect repellent.
Carry rain gear: a good raincoat and rain pants.
Carry a toilet paper.
Carry a small towel.
Extra money for drinks and gratuities, souvenirs, etc. (soles or dollars).
Carry a water canteen bottle (recommended 1 liter).
Price and Options
Opcion 1
$ 990
SERVICIO PRIVADO
(2 a 3 personas)
Opcion 2
$810
SERVICIO PRIVADO
(4 a 5 personas)
Opcion 3
$639
SERVICIO PRIVADO
(5 a 7 personas)
Mapa
Packing List
ESSENTIALS:
Passport
Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
FOR YOUR DUFFEL:
Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and mattress (these two items weigh around 3.5 kg.)
2-3 long sleeve shirts
2-3 hiking pants
4 sets of underwear.
4 sets of hiking socks
1 Fleece
1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
1 Rain jacket and pants
1 sun hat
1 wool hat
Headlamp: essential
Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
Comfortable shoes for camp
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket
Small Quick Dry towel.
Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
Sleeping bag (We will provide you on the briefing time).
TOILETRIES:
Sunscreen
Face moisturizer
Bug spray
Handsanitizer
Wet wipes
Toothbrush and paste
Toiletpaper
Personal medication
First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACK:
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.
Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to boil water until your first lunch.
Sunhat
Rain gear
Fleece
Camera
Music (Phone)
Handsanitizer
Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
Earplugs
Important
Please read carefully the following information as it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the Classic Inca Trail to machu Picchu
THE BRIEFING
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm at your hotel “Any locationin Cusco City”
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the Classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are free. Please pack what you will need for the trek!
FOR BOOKING THE TOUR
We require a deposit of the 30% of the total cost per each person, in order, to purchase a permit for the Classic Inca Trail. You can make you deposit by VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS or PAYPAL.
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
The balance has to be pay in cash the date and time of the briefing. (we accept US dollars or Peruvian soles). We have many ATMs within the historical center of Cusco.
MAY I CHANGE THE DATE AFTER THE PERMITS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT TO INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU ?
Unfortunately Once permits have been bought the Peruvian government does not allow any changes so we can’t change any date after the permit has been bought. Permits are also not transferable nor refundable. If you cancel your Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek, the deposit is not refundable.
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number, you sent to us to book your Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu permit. Your passport will be checked when you enter Machu Picchu , the Inca Trail and when you board the train. In case, you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us a copy of your old passport to secure your permit and we can change it when you get your new passport. If so, please send us a copy of your new passport as soon as possible.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend to always dress in layers as it is more easier to adjust to the different climates.
WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS TO INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU ?
In general, if you excerise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually take between 24 hours to 2 days. The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is to drink a lot of WATER and COCA TEA.
HOW MANY COOKS/PORTERS FOR THE GROUP?
You will have 1 cook per group. The number of porters will depend on the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, there will have 4 porters, 4 trekkers will have 6 porters, 6 trekkers will have 8 porters, 8 trekkers will have 10 porters.
DUFFEL BAG AND SMALL BACK PACK
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. Your team of porters will carry your duffel bag, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you will need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 50L backpack is sufficient.
IS THE TREK DIFFICULT? DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a 42km (24.4 mile) hike through the Andes within the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is at (4,217m/13,907ft). On the second day of the trek, we will climb two mountains. The trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise. In preparation: try walking 15kms/9 miles in a day or working out in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3,350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
ARE THERE TOILETS ALONG THE TRAIL?
Along the inca trail to Machu Picchu, in all the camping sites and lunch points you will find our private flushing toilets.
“Machu Picchu Viajes Peru” toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite. At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the dirty facilities supplied by the government.
You will also find there sinks and water pipes to wash your hands after you use the facilities.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE TRAIL?
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to health reasons, we will assist you to go to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on our treks for any respiratory problems. (Travel insurance is required and recommended). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally, those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they continue the journey towards Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.
ARE WE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU ?
Absolutely!! Hotel pick ups and drop offs are included with all of our packages! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will drop you off there and vice versa.
AT WHAT TIME IS THE TRAIN’S DEPARTURE?
It will depend on the train availability but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco while on the train. Therefore, you will take the train at 4:22pm (Expedition or Inca Rail Train).
TIPPING
​If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you want, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip.
Why choose "Machu Picchu Viajes Peru"?
Recommended on Tripadvisor
We are a highly recommended company in Tripadvisor, rated as one of the best
tourism companies tour operator nationwide, Winners of the 2024 Excellence
Award.
We have the highest social and environmental standards in the market of tour operators, which means that we practice a sustainable and responsible tourism with the environment.
We are a tour operator company, which has all the authorizations from
the Peruvian government, authorizations that certify
us as a legally constituted company .
Certificate in TourCert
We are one of the few companies in Peru certified by TourCert, European certifier with a management system oriented to work on aspects of Business Social Responsibility (BSR).
