Overview
Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu. Our trip begins at the Piscacucho station, at kilometer 82 of the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Here begins the trail to the Inca city of Machu Picchu, for four days (approximately 40 kilometers) of walking, which begins and ends at the same altitude, at 2,400 meters, but will reach levels close to 4,300. This Inca trail, rehabilitated and well maintained today. It is the most famous, of the entire trail system, which the Incas built
This 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is one of the most famous and amazing hiking trails in the world. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, has a varied microclimate system, the flora and fauna is very diverse and inclined, the existing archaeological complexes, along the path make this adventure experience unique. Undertaking this trip is an opportunity to go back in time and live with the Incas for four spectacular days.
4-Days Inca Trail overview
- Starting Altitude – 2720m / 8920ft.
- Highest Altitude – 4217m / 13,780ft.
- Hiking Distance – 45km / 26 miles
- Longest Day – Day 3, approx 16km / 9.9 miles
- Coldest Night – Day 2 around 0º Celsius
- Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Acomodation – Camping
- Overall Difficulty – Moderate
We offer daily departures: Check The Inca Trail Availability Here.
It is strongly recommended to book your Inca Trail at least 4 months in advance as permits can quickly sell out.
Overview Day to Day
- Day 01 – Cusco – Km 82 to Wayllabamba.
- Day 02 – Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo.
- Day 03 – Pacaymayo to Wiñaywayna.
- Day 04 – Machu Picchu to Cusco.
Booking the inca trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu with Pacha Expeditions, you are choosing the best (We are Inca Trail oficial Operator, we don have intermediaries). Don’t believe us? Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor!
Our Inca Trail service is perfect for families, groups of friends and honeymoon couples. In smaller groups, you will receive the full attention of our expert guides, we recommend hiring an extra porter to carry your personal belongings (12 kg of your equipment), and you will be able to enjoy the hike to the fullest.
*Please Note: Physical level depends very much on your fitness and aclimatization
Itinerary
Day 01 – Cusco – Km 82 to Wayllabamba.
We will find you very early at your hotel, 06 a.m. To get together with the rest of the group, and start our bus trip through local and picturesque towns, to reach the town of Ollantaytambo, here we will have a short break, to be able to use hygienic services, or have a coffee. Here our cook, will make the last purchases before beginning the Inca trail. We will continue in our transport for one more hour, until we reach km 82. Small local community, also known as Piskacucho.
Your guide responsible for the trip, will give a small introduction about the service personnel who will accompany you during this trip, and also about the first day of the Inca trail, here is the official control of the Inca Trail, (government offices) where you will have to show your original passport and your entry ticket. Here we will start our adventure on the road at a height of (2,720 m / 8,923 ft), we will cross the Vilcanota river and follow the path to the right, following the cause of the Vilcanota river.
Our first day in the Inca trail (it will be a warm-up), it is an easy trail and the views of the valley are excellent with snowy mountains, and the incredible Inca place of llactapata. The views are very beautiful here, we will have in front the snowy peak of ‘W’akay Willca, known as Veronica, it is very impressive in the Andes. We continue walking to reach our first camp, in the small town of Wayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,842 ft). The average night temperature is around 10 ° C.
- Meals: Lunch, snacks, tea time & Dinner.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Distance: 12km
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.
Day 02 – Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo.
This day will be the hardest of the entire trip, We will wake up very early, at 05.00 a.m., then have our breakfast, and start walking, we will have a steep ascent, passing through forests of typical vegetation of the area, we will be able to observe a great variety of flora and fauna, each time we go it will be harder, we will have a variety of stairs, all the way to the highest point of the entire Inca classic trail (4,200.m / 13,779.feet), along Along the way we will have places to rest and buy a snack.
From the camp we will climb approximately (1,200.m / 3,936 feet), to the top, when you reach the highest point it will be a real achievement. Here we will have a time to rest, take photos and observe the people who make an effort to arrive. After resting, we will begin the descent along a tiered path and beautiful scenery towards our second camp located in Pacamayu (3,550.m / 11,646.feet).
Here we will have our lunch, with spectacular views of the landscape, in the afternoon it will be free, to be able to rest and recharge energy for the next day. The temperature during the night will be approximately 05 ° c.
- Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, tea time & Dinner.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Distance: 11km
- Physical Level: Moderate/challenge.
Day 03 – Pacaymayo to Wiñaywayna
This day is the most impressive. During the day you can observe wonderful places. We will get up for breakfast at 6 a.m. and we will start the day with a climb up steep stairs, to visit the archaeological site of ‘Runcuracay’ and following the path we will reach the second highest point of the trail (Runkurakay pass – 4,000 m / 13,123 feet).
From here we can observe the mountains and their surroundings, which are spectacular. Then we will descend a perfectly built bleachers road on the mountain to reach the archaeological complex of “Sayacmarca”. Here we will have a brief explanation of the place by our guide, then we will continue through an impressive cloud forest and road surrounded by many species of orchids, to reach the third high point of the Inca trail (3. 680.m / 12.073.ft). The landscape flora and fauna in this part of the trail are exceptional.
The archaeological complex of, ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning ‘Town between the Clouds’), is located just minutes from the third step. After visiting it, we will continue walking along an impressive path surrounded by a diverse flora, we will continue along the path to reach the impressive Inca agricultural site of ‘Intipata’ until we reach our third Wiñay Wayna camp (2,680.m / 8,792 feet). If you have energy you can visit the Inca site of the same name, which is a few minutes from the “Wiñay Wayna” (“Forever Young”) camp. Considered by many travelers, as the best Inca site, all the classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu.
- Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, tea time & Dinner.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Distance: 15km
- Difficulty: Moderate.
Day 04 – Machu Picchu to Cusco.
We leave our last camp, at approximately 5.30 a.m., our breakfast will be very early (4.30 a.m. to 5 a.m.). It is an early start to arrive and be the first at the gate of the sun (“Inti Punku”) (2,730 m / 8,792 ft). From this place we will have the first views of the impressive city of Machu Picchu (2400.m / 7,873.ft). We will go down the last part of our tour through a beautiful path, until we reach the place where you can take the classic photo of the Inca city (photo of a postcard).
Finally we will arrive at the control to leave our respective backpacks and to have a guided tour, approximately 2 hours, after this, you can explore the mysterious Inca city on your own.
From this point you have to board the bus to reach the town of Aguas Calientes and meet your guide, to have lunch and receive your train ticket and return to the city of Cusco. The train included in all our services in the expedition (to Ollanta) and the bus to the city of Cusco.
If you wish, you can organize an extra night in Aguas Calientes. This is a very popular option, since it allows you to spend more time in the city of Machu Picchu. You can also go to the hot springs of the city, which is a real pleasure after finishing the trail.
* Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu. Our itinerary, , is subject to change according to the time of the reservation and the camps assigned by government offices and according to the availability of spaces in the day.
- Meals: Breakfast and water for drinking.
- Distance: 6km
- Difficulty: Easy
Includes
WHAT IS INCLUDED (Classic Inca Trail)
- Briefing at your Hotel; It will be done the night before at 6.00pm
- Pick up at your hotel to begin your trek
- Private transport from Cusco to Piscacucho (starting the trek)
- 4 season Kayla Tents, (Large & Comfortable)
- Thick Comfortable Foam Mattresses
- Professional English speaking guides experienced in the mountains & knowledgeable of Inca History
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian diets or other dietary needs upon prior request)
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
- Porter to carry tents, food and cooking equipment
- Hot water for washing purposes
- Boiled water to fill in your bottles
- Expedition Tourist Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and private transport to Cusco
- Admission Ticket to the Classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu
- 2 Hour Guided tour in Machu Picchu
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Afternoon Tea time
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- Machu picchu and Huayna Picchu Mountain US.70 – will need to be booked way in advance, if you would like to add an extra hike. Please let us know at the time of booking.
- First breakfast and Last lunch – We will stop at Ollantaytambo for the first breakfast and have the last lunch at Aguas Calientes after the tour of Machu Picchu.
- VISTADOME Train to Cusco instead of Expedition Train -This train runs from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Poroy) and it will cost you US.70 per person extra.
- Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters.
More Information
WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE.
- Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
- Travel Insurance is essential.
- Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired from us).
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Warm jacket.
- Hat and gloves.
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream (factor 70 recommended)
- Insect repellent
- Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags.
- Water (only for first day of trek, then we will provide you with drinking -previously boiled- water).
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Camera and films
- Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
* To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a university card, with current and updated date
* If desired train back to Cusco can be upgraded to Vistadome (+U$.70)
OPTIONAL ITEMS TO TAKE:
- Shorts
- Walking stick (with rubber tip)
- Plasters and bandages
- Sandals
- Extra money
- Bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
OPTIONAL SERVICES (NOT INCLUDED):
- Sleeping bag: U$.20
- Walking sticks: U$.15
- Extra Porter: 12kg – U$.150 dólares
Price & Add – ons
Group: U$: 750
Private: U$: 990
Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is 02 people; one person may book a group trek if Pacha Expeditions Travel Peru, is able to join that person with additional groups.
Discounts
- Under 18 years Discount: U$: 20
- Under 07 years Discount: U$: 35
Rentals
- Hiking poles – U$: 15 (pair)
Upgrades
- Return Vistadome train – U$: 50 per person
- Return Hiram Bingham train– U$: 380 per person
- Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (5-star hotel) – U$: 245 Per person
- Tierra viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – U$: 50 Per person
PLEASE SEE: OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND F.A.Qs
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Acomodation
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Positive Impact Travel
By joining this trip, you are directly supporting a project with a positive impact, with the Goal of Sustainable and responsible Development for future generations The earnings that Pacha Expeditions receives, for each of our tours, a percentage is destined to support various Andean communities. Pacha Expeditions organizes activities for the benefit of the local community, for children and adults, throughout the year. Our projects are backed by local authorities and with internationally recognized standards and are audited by third parties. Which imply positive impacts on the beneficiaries