The 4 day Inca Trail journey to Machu Picchu, also known as the Classic Inca Trail, provides a genuine experience. You’ll be following along the footsteps of the Incas to Machu Picchu. It is a once-in-a-lifetime event that is at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists.
The twenty-six-mile Inca route journey to Machu Picchu has been named one of the best twenty-five hikes in the world by National Geographic Travel magazine. To keep the path in good shape, local officials have limited access to 500 people every day. This comprises porters, guides, and chefs, and only 200 trekkers can complete the journey in a single day.
Inca trek permits are frequently sold out six months in advance. We strongly advise you to make a reservation as soon as possible.
Depending on your physical state, the Inca Trail may be difficult for you. To avoid altitude sickness, we recommend spending 3-4 days in Cusco and acclimating before starting the hike.
We start the day early at 5:30 am when we will pick up all passengers at their hotels and from there head to the town of Ollantaytambo where you will have time for breakfast and to buy sweets, caramels, chocolates or other snacks that will help you during the hike. We then head to Km. 82 Piscacucho (2700 m.a.s.l/ 8850 ft) where we will pass by the first control. Shortly after, we will start the 2-hour hike to Patallacta (2750 m.a.s.l/ 9020 ft) – an Inca archaeological site that will be explained by our guide. After visiting this interesting place, we will continue to hike for 45 minutes to our lunch spot where our cook and his team will prepare an incredible meal for us. After lunch, we will continue our hike for another one and a half hours towards the camping site Wayllabamba (3000 m.a.s.l/ 9800 ft) where you will have time for a well-deserved rest and an afternoon snack, followed by dinner before heading to bed.
(8 KM/5 MI, 4 HOURS)
In the morning we will have breakfast at 5:30 am and straight after continue our hike for 45 minutes to the second control point Wayllabamba. After, we will begin the gradual ascent that will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes (4 km) to the second rest point in Llullucha Pampa 3800 m.a.s.l/ 12,460 ft. Following this, we will continue the hike for 1 hour and 45 minutes (4 km) to Warmiwañusca pass located at 4215 m.a.s.l/ 13,800 ft. We will then rest for 2 hours and 30 minutes at the campsite of Pacay Mayo 3600 m.a.s.l/ 11,800 ft where we will have tea and later dinner and where we will also spend the night.
(12 KM/ 7.5 MI, 8 HOURS)
After breakfast we continue our hike. This day´s hike will be 16 km long, following a trail that is surrounded by jungle vegetation and a number of archaeological Inca sites that held different functions during their time. The first archaeological site we will visit is Runcurakay (3750 m.a.s.l/ 12,300 ft), which is located 45 minutes from our starting point and is a complex Inca archaeological site composed of turrets that acted as strategic surveillance sites for the east valley. After, we continue to Runcurakay Pass 3900 m.a.s.l/ 12,800 ft where we will have an explanation on Inca culture and time for some relaxation. We continue walking for 1 hour and 30 minutes to the second archaeological site where we will visit Sayacmarka (a difficult zone to access due to the may steep steps). We continue for 25 minutes to our lunch point at Chaquicocha where we will have lunch, prepared by our cook. This will give us the energy to continue our hike to the next archaeological site called Puyuptamarca 3750 m.a.s.l/ 12,300 ft that will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes. From there we start a 3-hour descent (steps) to our camping site Wiñayhuayna where we will have tea and dinner. This will be a special one as it will be the final one with our team and where we will say goodbye to our porters.
(16 KM/ 10 MI, 12 HOURS)
Today we will wake up at 3:30 am, have breakfast and descend to the control point where we will wait 1 hour and 20 minutes until the gates open. Once we have passed through the control point, we will hike 1 hour and a half to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) where we will have time to enjoy the view of the majestic Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Shortly after, we will descend for 40 minutes all the way to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
In Machu Picchu we will take part in a 2-hour historical tour where you will have time to take plenty of photos followed by free time to explore the archaeological site on your own. Those who have selected to visit Huayna Picchu Mountain* or Machu Picchu Mountain* will make their ascent at this time too. From here we will return to Aguas Calientes where we will have lunch and finally we will head to the train station in order to return to Ollantaytambo and then take the bus back to Cusco.
*Ask in advance for availability. $65.00 per person.
(6 KM/ 3.7 MI, 3 HOURS)
