Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu - 4 Days

After a detailed pre-trip briefing the evening before, the operator will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo. The pickup times are early to ensure a timely start: from Cusco between 4:00 to 4:30 AM, from Urubamba between 5:30 to 6:00 AM, and from Ollantaytambo between 6:30 to 7:00 AM. Exact times will be confirmed during your briefing and may vary depending on your specific location.

Following a hearty breakfast prepared by your cook, your guide will introduce you to your team of porters at the Porter House in Ollantaytambo. From there, we will drive to Km 82 and pass through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek. It is essential to have your original passport with you to enter the Inca Trail.

The first two hours of the trek are relatively easy as we head to our first Inca site, Patallacta, an ancient checkpoint used by the Incas on the approach to Machu Picchu. After exploring Patallacta, we'll continue for another two hours to our lunch stop.

Post-lunch, the journey resumes for another 2.5 hours until we reach our first night’s campsite at Ayapata, which sits at 3300 meters above sea level. Along this last stretch, we pass through two small communities where you can purchase energy drinks, snacks, or any essential items like batteries. We plan to arrive at the campsite by 5:00 PM, where you can unwind with a hot drink and snacks, surrounded by your supportive team of porters, chefs, and guides. Dinner will be served by 7:30 PM, after which you can enjoy some well-deserved rest.

Walking distance: 8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours) Campsite altitude: 3300 meters above sea level Considered: A moderate day, as you acclimate to the Inca Trail Weather: Warm and windy

Your porters will wake you early with a hot cup of coca tea to energize you for the day ahead. Given that today marks our longest day, we’ll set off early. Our first challenge is a 4-hour hike to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass, situated at 4215 meters (13829 feet). Upon reaching the pass, we’ll take a brief break to enjoy the expansive views before descending into the next valley, Pacaymayu Valley, also known as Hidden River. It’s a one-and-a-half-hour descent to our lunch spot, where you'll have the opportunity to refill your water bottles.

Post-lunch, we resume our ascent to the trek’s second pass, which will take us about 2 hours. We’ll stop at the small Inca site of Runcu Raccay to admire two massive waterfalls across the valley. After surmounting the second pass, it’s another hour’s downhill hike to the remarkable Inca site, Sayacmarca, an otherwise unreachable village perched on the mountainside.

We’ll pause here for a rest and a brief tour, then prepare to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. From here, it’s just another 20-minute walk to our second campsite for the night, Chaquicocha (Dry Lake), at 3600 meters. Following dinner, and if you’re up for it, join us for some stargazing. We’ll explore the Inca constellations in the stunning Southern Hemisphere sky, free from any artificial lighting—a truly breathtaking experience!

Walking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours) Campsite altitude: 3600 meters above sea level (expect chilly weather) Considered: The most challenging day (having conquered the two highest passes) Area: Andes and Cloud Forest Weather: Typically cold and rainy

Completing Day 2 and embarking on Day 3 certainly calls for a celebration! We'll start early again, waking up at 6:30 AM to begin what many consider the most enchanting day of the entire Inca Trail. Our hike begins with 2 hours of what we affectionately call "Inca flat" (gradual inclines), leading us into the Cloud Forest. Along this path, we'll have a chance to view Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range.

As we conclude the Inca flats, we'll ascend to the final peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters), where we'll be rewarded with stunning views overlooking the Urubamba River. Though Machu Picchu Mountain comes into view, the site itself remains veiled. From Phuyupatamarka, it’s a 3-hour descent via a staircase to our last campsite near Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna, the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu, is also our most favored campsite due to its proximity to Machu Picchu. On our way down, we’ll explore two Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun), arriving at our campsite around 1:00 PM for lunch.

Afterwards, there will be ample time to rest in preparation for your final day at Machu Picchu. At about 4:30 PM, your guide will provide a brief orientation before you explore the Wiñay Wayna ruins for an hour and a half. Your guide will detail the site's significance, tying together all the information shared during the trek to fully prepare you for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day. We celebrate our last evening on the trail with a grand feast alongside our porters and chefs. In a traditional Inca Trail ceremony, we'll formally thank our team—a perfect moment for any tips you wish to give.

Wake-up time is at 3:30 AM. We'll start our day with breakfast at 4:00 AM and then head to the checkpoint to be among the first to begin trekking when the gates open at 5:30 AM. We’ll bid farewell to our team of porters and chefs and set off towards the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From this vantage point, we'll enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu bathed in the morning light. We aim to reach the Sun Gate by 6:30 AM, followed by an hour's descent to the Lost City of the Incas. As we approach Machu Picchu, the views become increasingly impressive!

At approximately 7:40 AM, we’ll arrive at the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2-hour private guided tour. Following the tour, you’ll receive bus tickets for the trip down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have ample free time to explore the town or ascend one of the neighboring peaks, such as Huaynapicchu (this must be arranged in advance).

Your guide will offer to meet you in Aguas Calientes for a farewell lunch at a local restaurant (optional and not included in the tour price). During lunch, train tickets will be distributed. If you choose to skip lunch, please ensure you collect your tickets from your guide at Machu Picchu. Unless an upgrade has been arranged, we will reserve seats on the Expedition class train, which departs Aguas Calientes at either 2:55 PM or 3:20 PM. Please be at the platform at least 30 minutes prior to departure. The train ride to either Ollantaytambo or Poroy will take about 2 hours, where an Alpaca driver will meet you and transport you back to your hotel in the city.

Considered: The most thrilling and enchanting day of the journey (early wake-up at 3:30 AM) Area: High Cloud and Subtropical Forest Weather: Hot and very humid (be sure to stay hydrated)