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The Inca Trail: 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu
4 days
About this activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Start the Inca Trail
Stop At: Inca Trail, Cusco 08000 Peru
Let the big adventure begin! After our hotel pick up we will go to Piscacucho (2,750 m/9,022 ft.), at Km. 82 on the tracks to enter the Inca Trail. Our trip will start with a slow pace walk to get used to the trail. We will be able to see the beautiful snowcapped mountain Veronica and we’ll get to a natural viewpoint from where we will see the archaeological site of Llaqtapata. Our first campsite will take place at Huayllabamba (3,000 m /9,842 ft.)
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Igloo tent (2 people in each 4-person tent)
Day 2: Inca Trail
Stop At: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Peru
The most intense day of the Inca Trail is here so make sure to bring some extra sugary sweets in your pocket for extra energy. We will walk through the Valley of Huayllabamba while we observe the ecological changes of going from the highlands to the plateau. In Yunca Chimpa we start the ascent to Llulluchapampa (3,750 mt. / 12,303 ft.). While we enjoy a refreshing snack, the Huayanay Valley is in front of us, and the challenge of the day: the defiant Warmiwañusca mountain pass (4,200 mt. / 13,779 ft.), also known as “Dead Woman” mountain pass. If we are lucky we´ll get to see the beautiful hummingbirds and sparrows that live in the area. Finally it is time to descend to our campsite in Pacaymayo (3,600 mt. / 11,811 ft.) for lunch and rest after this challenging day.
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Igloo tent (2 people in each 4-person tent)
Day 3: Winay Wayna
Stop At: Winay Wayna, Machu Picchu Peru
A day filled with archaeological sites in our trail, the longest but also the most impressive and least difficult day. We will ascend to the Runcuracay mountain pass (3,860 mt. / 12,664 ft.) to see the archaeological complex of the same name to later continue to the Sayacmarca Inca fortress (3,580 mt. / 11,745 ft.). After lunch, it’s time to cross the Phuyupatamarca Mountain pass (3,700 mt. / 12,139 ft.). In this area we will see the best preserved Inca complex in all the Inca Trail, whose name in English translates to “over the clouds”. After a well-deserved rest, we will continue to Wiñaywayna (2,650 mt. / 8,694 ft.), an impressive Inca complex with numerous agricultural terraces and religious and urban areas. This will be end of the day for us; we will set camp and enjoy our farewell dinner.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Igloo tent (2 people in each 4-person tent)
Day 4: Temple of the Sun and Machu Picchu!
Stop At: Temple of the Sun, Machu Picchu Peru
We are getting closer to our main objective. We’ll get up at dawn to ascend through a narrow way of steps until we get to Intipunku or the Door of the Sun (2,720 mt. / 8,923 ft.) and get a first glance of Machu Picchu (2,450 mt. / 8,038 ft.) at sunrise, a memorable experience to capture in pictures. We will then go down for a guided tour of the fortress and the opportunity to learn and see everything there is to see of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. At the arranged time, we will return to Cusco.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Read more
Show less
Day 1: Start the Inca Trail
Stop At: Inca Trail, Cusco 08000 Peru
Let the big adventure begin! After our hotel pick up we will go to Piscacucho (2,750 m/9,022 ft.), at Km. 82 on the tracks to enter the Inca Trail. Our trip will start with a slow pace walk to get used to the trail. We will be able to see the beautiful snowcapped mountain Veronica and we’ll get to a natural viewpoint from where we will see the archaeological site of Llaqtapata. Our first campsite will take place at Huayllabamba (3,000 m /9,842 ft.)
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Igloo tent (2 people in each 4-person tent)
Day 2: Inca Trail
Stop At: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Peru
The most intense day of the Inca Trail is here so make sure to bring some extra sugary sweets in your pocket for extra energy. We will walk through the Valley of Huayllabamba while we observe the ecological changes of going from the highlands to the plateau. In Yunca Chimpa we start the ascent to Llulluchapampa (3,750 mt. / 12,303 ft.). While we enjoy a refreshing snack, the Huayanay Valley is in front of us, and the challenge of the day: the defiant Warmiwañusca mountain pass (4,200 mt. / 13,779 ft.), also known as “Dead Woman” mountain pass. If we are lucky we´ll get to see the beautiful hummingbirds and sparrows that live in the area. Finally it is time to descend to our campsite in Pacaymayo (3,600 mt. / 11,811 ft.) for lunch and rest after this challenging day.
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Igloo tent (2 people in each 4-person tent)
Day 3: Winay Wayna
Stop At: Winay Wayna, Machu Picchu Peru
A day filled with archaeological sites in our trail, the longest but also the most impressive and least difficult day. We will ascend to the Runcuracay mountain pass (3,860 mt. / 12,664 ft.) to see the archaeological complex of the same name to later continue to the Sayacmarca Inca fortress (3,580 mt. / 11,745 ft.). After lunch, it’s time to cross the Phuyupatamarca Mountain pass (3,700 mt. / 12,139 ft.). In this area we will see the best preserved Inca complex in all the Inca Trail, whose name in English translates to “over the clouds”. After a well-deserved rest, we will continue to Wiñaywayna (2,650 mt. / 8,694 ft.), an impressive Inca complex with numerous agricultural terraces and religious and urban areas. This will be end of the day for us; we will set camp and enjoy our farewell dinner.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Igloo tent (2 people in each 4-person tent)
Day 4: Temple of the Sun and Machu Picchu!
Stop At: Temple of the Sun, Machu Picchu Peru
We are getting closer to our main objective. We’ll get up at dawn to ascend through a narrow way of steps until we get to Intipunku or the Door of the Sun (2,720 mt. / 8,923 ft.) and get a first glance of Machu Picchu (2,450 mt. / 8,038 ft.) at sunrise, a memorable experience to capture in pictures. We will then go down for a guided tour of the fortress and the opportunity to learn and see everything there is to see of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. At the arranged time, we will return to Cusco.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Included
- 3x Breakfast
- 3x Dinner
- 3x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 3 nights
- 4-day trek to Machu Picchu.
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Transfer in private bus to the start of the Inca Trail
- English speaking guide
- Igloo tent (2 people in each 4-person tent)
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Kitchen tent
- Cook and cooking equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Porter for group camping equipment, not personal belongings (backpacks, sleeping bag)
- All meals on the trail except lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
- First-aid kit
- Transfer from the train station back to hotel in Cusco
- Entry/Admission - Inca Trail
- Entry/Admission - Winay Wayna
- Entry/Admission - Temple of the Sun
Not included
- Gratuities
- Extra porters (15lb USD 108) (26lb USD216)
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- The Inca Trail is likely to sell out and must be booked as far in advance as possible
- The Inca Trail is closed in February due to maintenance on the roads
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- If booked in advance, the cost for an additional porter is $108 (15lbs). If an additional porter is booked with short notice, the cost remains the same, but there is no guarantee of confirmation or availability given the tour's high demand.
- Please note: Poroy Station will be closed from 1st January to 30th April 2017. The Vistadome, Expedition and Executive trains will be departing from Ollataytambo or Pachar station, located approximately 1.5 hours from Cusco, during this period. Transfers to the stations from Cusco are included.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
55%
Sport
25%
Original
20%
Reviews
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I want to first start by thanking the tour operator and guide Ruben .C. for making our Inca trail trek wonderful. Before the trip, I had a few questions about things I needed to prep and contacted Viator three times, however they only told me that the tour company would be contacting me. I think there is a little disconnect between Viator and the tour company because by the time our trip came, I still had not heard from anyone. Luckily we got to Cusco a couple days and after seeking out the tour company, we were informed that there would be a debriefing the day before. During this debriefing, we were told what to expect each day length, difficulty level, etc, number of group members, things to carry in a personal backpack, etc. Peru is a beautiful country and you definitely get a glimpse of it on the Inca trail. Each day has a different breathtaking scenery and beautifully preserved. Ruben shared a wealth of knowledge and was very helpful in explaining any questions we had on the Inca ruins deepening my appreciation for Machu Picchu. Here are some tips for other people but those might differ per operator: 1. Drinking water is available to buy for day 1 and 2, after they will provide boiled water. 2. Porter will only carry camping supply, food, and gear, you have to carry all personal items and sleeping bag. You can hire extra porter for a fee. 3. Cold at night and hot during the day in early July, be ready for rain! 4. Bring some snacks, breakfast is typically at 5am, lunch is around 11 to 12pm, and dinner is at 6pm. 5. Try to pack light and only bring stuff that you might need. We accidentally brought big multi-day backpacks with us but most hikers brought a standard size backpack. 6. Stay in Cusco a few days before the hike to acclimate to the altitude. 5. Bring your passport to get through the checkpoint. 6. Bring hiking poles. 7. Have fun and enjoy mother nature.
I tackled the Inca Trail as a group of 4. We had an absolutely amazing time with Camping Adventure Tours I think that's the name of the company. Our guide, William, was amazing! He was friendly, encouraging, helpful, and funny. Our team of porters and chef were great at making us feel comfortable and safe. I would highly recommend this team / company for anyone looking to take on the Inca Trail!
The inca trail done in the first week of November, 2015. Our guide, Alberto spoke English well enough to explain the inca/ruin/MP history. Porters were always kind and helpful. Nice delicious meals throughout the trail. It will be one of the most memorable trips in my life. Highly recommended!!!
This tour was amazing!
We had an excellent tour. There were a few things I wish we had known, or at least thought about a little more before we booked. Also note I am a 26 year-old active female First, Viator is a tour broker, so until the actual tour company has been selected, no specific questions can be answered about the tour. For example when we were leaving, getting back, supplies provided, etc... The trip was excellent, a few lessons learned from our end 1 Hire a porter to carry your bags/stuff . . . all you will want to carry is small backpack with water, especially on the hard days youll be exhausted from the hike, and you wont enjoy it at all if you are carrying a large backpack 2 Altitude sickness is a real thing - get medicine and buy cocoa leaves even if youre a big skier, its different here 3 Our baggage got lost on the airlines . . . I wish we would have carried on the essentials, so that we had the things we really needed, hiking shoes, hiking clothes, toiletries, flash lights, camera, etc 4 If you are traveling by yourself, request your own tent . . . otherwise you will share a tent with someone else that is traveling alone. 5 Skip the train upgrade. It was not worth the extra money. 6 Buy or rent hiking sticks. I did not think I needed these and I was completely wrong. You absolutely need them some of the days 7 Our trip had sleeping bags included in the price. They were in good shape, no need to bring your own 8 TIPS are NOT OPTIONAL. Even though it says they are, they were not, and we were pressured/guilted into giving a tip. That being said, everyone on the tour is not making much and has earned that tip in my opinion They told us that 50-75 sols 15-25 USD per porter/chef was typical. . . when we divided that among our group, everyone ended up tipping at least 30 USD a person and an additional 30-40 USD to the tour guides. Good luck on your adventure! Have fun!
I felt well prepared for this trip in terms of the companies effort to make sure you had everything you needed prior to the hike and their information about each day of the hike given the night before. Each meal was a multi-course event (it all was good!), and snacks were provided. The guide was encouraging and informative throughout the 4 days. The hike itself was a challenge, but the guide stressed the importance of moving at your own pace and always made sure he was the last one in so no one was left behind. He offered tips to battle altitude which proved helpful. The only thing I did not realize was that you have to carry your own sleeping bag. They supply tents, sleeping bags ect, but be aware, although they carry tents and cooking supplies, you must carry your own sleeping bag! I would highly recommend this experience overall!