The Inca Trail hike is one of the most popular treks in South America. The trail leads through the Andes Mountains to the ancient city of Machu Picchu and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. The hike can sometimes be challenging, but it is ultimately a rewarding experience.
The classic Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular hikes in South America and is often listed as one of the top ten hikes in the world. On this 4-day adventure, you will encounter the perfect combination of history and natural beauty. Visit the ancient Inca site and get to Intipunku (Sun Gate) before sunrise to get the best view of Machu Picchu. Discount: $40 off for students under 17 and travelers under 25 with a valid student ID Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Llactapata- Ayapata.- Pick up at 4:30 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco and drive to Km. 82. Afterwards, you will start the 6-hour hike to the first campsite, Ayapata (3300 m/10826 ft.). You’ll visit Llatapata, Willkarakay, and other archaeological sites along the way. Day 2: Ayapata – Warmiwañuska – Runcuraccay – Chaquicocha.- Wake up in your tent with a cup of coffee and start preparing for the most challenging day of the trek, climbing two mountains. The first one takes 4 hours up to Dead Woman’s Pass (4214 m/13829 ft.) and 2 hours down for lunch. After lunch, the 2nd mountain takes 2 hours up and 2 hours down to the campsite. Day 3: Chaquiccocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna.- After breakfast, you’ll start an easy half-day hike for 6 hours to the 3rd campsite, located at Wiñaywayna this day. You’ll see several archeological sites experience the fastest changes in the landscape, and sleep in the cloud forest near Machu Picchu. Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco.-On the final day, you’ll get up early and hike for an hour to the Sungate to experience the best view of Machu Picchu. Next, you’ll continue for one more hour to Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, you’ll have a guided tour of the citadel and take the train back to Cusco. Arrive back at Cusco around 7.30 pm.
After picking you up from your hotel between 4:30 and 5:00 am, we will go to Km. 82, arriving at approximately 8:00 am. After enjoying a delicious breakfast prepared by our trekking chef, we will head to the checkpoint to begin our walk (make sure you have your original passport). The first 2 hours of this walk are relatively easy. We will arrive at our first Inca site, Patallacta, an ancient Inca city that highlights the Inca lifestyle’s diversity and has beautiful panoramic views. From Patallacta, we will hike for 2 hours to Hatunchaca (located on the Inca trail) to eat lunch. After lunch, we will walk for another 2 hours until we reach our first campsite, Ayapata (3300 m/10826 ft.), to make our way to the legendary Inca trail—lost for more than 400 years. We will arrive at the campsite at approximately 5:00 pm, rest, take in the mountains’ view, and enjoy a hot drink and snack. We will then have dinner and a well-deserved night’s sleep. Day 2: Ayapata – Warmiwañuska – Runcuraccay – Chaquicocha We will wake up with a cup of coffee or coca tea to start the day. Today is considered the longest and most challenging day of our trek. We will walk for about 4 hours to Dead Woman’s Pass (4214 m/13829 ft.). Once we reach the summit, we will experience the magic and serenity of this location. We will then trek for two more hours downhill to the Pacaymayu Valley. After enjoying lunch, we will begin to ascend the second pass for 2 hours until we reach the top of the mountain. On the way, we will stop in RuncuRaccay and Sayacmarca. We will walk another 20 minutes to reach our second campsite in Chaquicocha (dry lake, 3600 m/11811 ft.) while admiring the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. If you are not tired, we will stargaze and appreciate the constellations’ unobstructed views. Day 3: Chaquiccocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna On our most relaxing day, we will hike only 5 hours to our campsite while passing various ecosystems and entering the cloud forest. The majestic Salkantay mountain, which is the second-highest peak in Cusco’s Vilcabamba mountain range, will be visible. Upon reaching Phuyupatamarka (3600 m/11811 ft), you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Urubamba River and Machu Picchu Mountain. Our final campsite, called Wiñaywayna (Forever Young), is a 3-hour hike down. On the way, we will visit 2 Inca sites: Phuyupatamarka (City in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). From these locations, we will have spectacular views of the Andes. We will arrive at our campsite at approximately 1:00 p.m. for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, we will visit the Inca site of Wiaywayna, where we will have a comprehensive tour, and then we will return to the campsite for tea and dinner. Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Machupicchu As it is our most important day – the arrival of the legendary Lost City of the Incas – we wake up very early. After breakfast, we will go to the checkpoint and wait until it opens at 5.30 am, at which time we will commence our 1-hour hike to the Sungate. From this site, we will have an amazing view and Machu Picchu is just an hour’s hike downhill. Around 7:30 am, we will arrive at the final control point to begin our 2 guided tours. Later, you will have a chance to explore Machu Picchu on your own or climb Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu (must be booked as far in advance as possible). Your guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch and how to return to Cusco by the panoramic train and bus, where we will drop you off at your hotel.
According to regulations, your backpack should not be larger than 25L to be allowed in Machu Picchu. Ultimate Trekking provides you a porter for your stuff so you can go with a light pack to enjoy the Inca trail (7kg. maximum)
Overview
Overview of the Inca Trail Trek
Highlights of the Inca trail
Price per person: 595.USD
To book the 4-day Inca Trail Tour, you only need a deposit of 200.USD per person; the remaining amount can be paid online, in installments, or at our office in Cusco.
Day by Day Summary of the Inca Trail
Included in the Inca Trail
Not Included in the Inca Trail
Important to know about this tour.
Full Itinerary
Full Itinerary of the Classic Inca Trail
Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Llactapata- Ayapata
Packing List
Packing List for the Classic Inca Trail
Always with you in the backpack
Additional stuff that goes to the duffle bag:
Inquire
