4-Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
45 Ratings
- Audio Guide
- Live Guide
- Group Tour
- Pickup Service
- E-Ticket
Join the famous Inca Trail on this 4-day journey to Machu Picchu; ranked among the world's best hikes. You’ll cross the most impressive archaeological sites only accessible by foot such as Runkurakay and Wiñay Wayna, and combine them with the stunning Andean scenery and the lush high-jungle valleys. A challenge rewarded by superb views when you reach the Sun Gate or Inti Punku to marvel at Machu Picchu for the first time. ● Enjoy 4 days and 3 nights on the original Inca Path ● Small-group journey led by a high-rated Guide ● Watch mighty ancient sites and cross the famous Dead Woman Pass. ● Enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, only for the Inca Trail hikers ● Sleep in comfortable campsites, protected by imposing mountains and luscious green hills.
Itinerary Details
Operated by: Salkantay Trekking
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Day 1 Cusco - Piscacucho (KM 82) - Llactapata - Ayapata
Stop At: Inca Trail
Begin with an early pick-up at your hotel in Cusco (4:00 to 4:30 am). You’ll join our Guide on a 2.5-hour drive to the famous trailhead of Km 82. We stop for breakfast at Ollantaytambo and continue to meet the trek crew at the control point. Today’s journey starts on a relatively easy 2-hour hike across the rolling hills to Wilkarakay to see the first Inca site: Llactapata, with stunning views of Veronica Mountain and the Vilcanota River valley. As for lunch, you’ll enjoy a meal on the spot and amidst the mountains at Tarayoc. The last leg is a 3.5-hour hike to the first campsite, Ayapata. Here, you can sip on a drink, grab some snacks, or simply take in the tranquil atmosphere! You’ll dine at around 7:00 pm before heading to bed and preparing for tomorrow’s trek.
Duration: 7 hour
Day 2 Ayapata - Dead Woman’s Pass - Pacaymayu – Runkurakay Pass – Sayaqmarka - Chaquiqocha
Stop At: Inca Trail
Today is the most challenging day, as you'll walk up to the trail's highest point, the Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft.) The hike is about 4 hours, but rewarded with spectacular views all-around from the summit. We'll then descend to Pacaymayu on the other side of the valley for lunch.
Duration: 7 hour
Stop At:
The next section is to conquer the second pass of Runkurakay, which features an archaelogical site and a place to admire the two waterfalls on the mountain slopes.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At:
Before visiting the Sayaqmarka site, you'll take part in a small offering ceremony to thank Mother Earth for accomplishing this challenge. End the day's hike by watching the sunset on the final stretch until you arrive at Chaquicocha's campsite, where you'll have dinner or join the happy hour as you gaze out at the Andean night sky.
Duration: 1 hour
Day 3 Chaquiqocha - Phuyupatamarka - Intipata - Wiñay Wayna
Stop At: Inca Trail
Past the toughest day, today is filled with mind-blowing views and Inca sites. You'll hike through the lush upper jungle while looking at the Salkantay glacier and the Vilcabamba mountain range.
Duration: 5 hour
Stop At:
You'll then ascend to the final summit, Phuyupatamarca,"the town above the clouds," and continue to the Intipata site to get panoramic sights of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River. A short stroll down will take you to the last campsite, our idyllic setting for an open-air lunch.
Stop At: Winay Wayna
In the afternoon, you'll set out to explore Wiñay Wayna, the second most important site on the trail, and known for its impressive vertical terraces. Back at camp, spoil yourself with a toast with the trekking team to thank them for their efforts. You'll sleep early enough to wake before sunrise and step on Machu Picchu the next day.
Day 4 Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Stop At: Machu Picchu
Today is the final journey to Machu Picchu. You'll wake up at around 3:30 am to beat other hikers and reach the Inca Citadel. You'll walk for about 2 hours to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the famous gateway that connects Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. Here, you'll stop to get your first astonishing views over the Site and embrace the iconic mountain backdrop. Later, we'll make our way down to the Site for a guided tour of the most important and key areas, including the sights from the observatories. If you're still up for a hike, climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain for epic views on top. You'll later continue with a self-exploration before heading down to Aguas Calientes. After a leisurely lunch in town, you'll take the train to Ollantaytambo and connect with a private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Duration: 4 hour
Day 1 Cusco - Piscacucho (KM 82) - Llactapata - Ayapata
Stop At: Inca Trail
Begin with an early pick-up at your hotel in Cusco (4:00 to 4:30 am). You’ll join our Guide on a 2.5-hour drive to the famous trailhead of Km 82. We stop for breakfast at Ollantaytambo and continue to meet the trek crew at the control point. Today’s journey starts on a relatively easy 2-hour hike across the rolling hills to Wilkarakay to see the first Inca site: Llactapata, with stunning views of Veronica Mountain and the Vilcanota River valley. As for lunch, you’ll enjoy a meal on the spot and amidst the mountains at Tarayoc. The last leg is a 3.5-hour hike to the first campsite, Ayapata. Here, you can sip on a drink, grab some snacks, or simply take in the tranquil atmosphere! You’ll dine at around 7:00 pm before heading to bed and preparing for tomorrow’s trek.
Duration: 7 hour
Day 2 Ayapata - Dead Woman’s Pass - Pacaymayu – Runkurakay Pass – Sayaqmarka - Chaquiqocha
Stop At: Inca Trail
Today is the most challenging day, as you'll walk up to the trail's highest point, the Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft.) The hike is about 4 hours, but rewarded with spectacular views all-around from the summit. We'll then descend to Pacaymayu on the other side of the valley for lunch.
Duration: 7 hour
Stop At:
The next section is to conquer the second pass of Runkurakay, which features an archaelogical site and a place to admire the two waterfalls on the mountain slopes.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At:
Before visiting the Sayaqmarka site, you'll take part in a small offering ceremony to thank Mother Earth for accomplishing this challenge. End the day's hike by watching the sunset on the final stretch until you arrive at Chaquicocha's campsite, where you'll have dinner or join the happy hour as you gaze out at the Andean night sky.
Duration: 1 hour
Day 3 Chaquiqocha - Phuyupatamarka - Intipata - Wiñay Wayna
Stop At: Inca Trail
Past the toughest day, today is filled with mind-blowing views and Inca sites. You'll hike through the lush upper jungle while looking at the Salkantay glacier and the Vilcabamba mountain range.
Duration: 5 hour
Stop At:
You'll then ascend to the final summit, Phuyupatamarca,"the town above the clouds," and continue to the Intipata site to get panoramic sights of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River. A short stroll down will take you to the last campsite, our idyllic setting for an open-air lunch.
Stop At: Winay Wayna
In the afternoon, you'll set out to explore Wiñay Wayna, the second most important site on the trail, and known for its impressive vertical terraces. Back at camp, spoil yourself with a toast with the trekking team to thank them for their efforts. You'll sleep early enough to wake before sunrise and step on Machu Picchu the next day.
Day 4 Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Stop At: Machu Picchu
Today is the final journey to Machu Picchu. You'll wake up at around 3:30 am to beat other hikers and reach the Inca Citadel. You'll walk for about 2 hours to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the famous gateway that connects Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. Here, you'll stop to get your first astonishing views over the Site and embrace the iconic mountain backdrop. Later, we'll make our way down to the Site for a guided tour of the most important and key areas, including the sights from the observatories. If you're still up for a hike, climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain for epic views on top. You'll later continue with a self-exploration before heading down to Aguas Calientes. After a leisurely lunch in town, you'll take the train to Ollantaytambo and connect with a private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Duration: 4 hour
