Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu 4D / 3N

• Total Hiking Distance: 11km (6.8 mi) 

• Total Hiking Time: 6h 

• Maximum Altitude: 3000m / (9842 ft) 

• Altitude of camp: 3000m (9842 ft) 

• Approx. Night temperature: 7˚C (45˚F) 

The 4 day Inca Trail trek begins with a pickup from your Cusco hotel early in the morning in private tourist transport. Our first stop will be the “living Inca village” of Ollantaytambo after about a 1.5 hour drive, where you will have some time for last-minute purchases, or a quick breakfast if you missed it in Cusco! Then we will continue to Piscacucho (also known as Kilometer 82) where the Classic Inca Trail starts. 

On arrival at KM 82 (2700m / 8858m), it is necessary to show entrance tickets, original passports and Crossing the Urubamba River, we begin our Inca Trail hike by climbing upwards from the beautiful Sacred Valley, watching the river get smaller below us.  

We will Hike around 3 hours (6km / 3.7 mi) to Llactapata, the first archaeological site on our journey.  It will also be the place for lunch.From there, another 4 km (2.5 mi) of gentle uphill through farmland takes us to Huayllabamba (also spelled Wayllabamba, 3000m / 9842 ft), and our campsite for the night. 

• Total Hiking Distance: 9 km (5.5mi) 

• Total Hiking Time: 7h 

• Maximum Altitude: 4215m (13,828 ft) 

• Altitude of Camp: 3620m (11,876 ft) 

• Approx night temperature: 7˚C (45˚F) 

After a good night’s rest, we will get start the most challenging day of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We will wake early in order to get a good start on the day, but we typically leave later than other groups to make sure we’re warmed up and ready to tackle the highest point on the trail. 

Leaving villages and farmland behind, we will enter the subtropical forest, stopping for an early lunch  Llulluchapampa (3780m / 12,402 ft). It’s 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from the campsite at Wayllabamba to Llulluchapampa, or about 3 hours hiking. 

From here we will start a steep ascent towards the highest pass on the classic Inca Trail 4 days route: the Abra de Warmihuañusca, or “Dead Woman’s Pass,” 4220m (13,845 ft). While it’s just 1.5 km (0.9 mi) to the pass, it takes us 2 hours as we climb upwards steeply – yes, it’s difficult! One of the advantages of our slower paced day is that the porters .You’ll feel an amazing sense of achievement upon reaching the top! 

After a rest, we continue downwards 600m (1968 ft) over 3 km (1.8 mi) through very humid forest to the evening campsite of Pacaymayo (3620m / 11,876 ft). 

• Total Hiking Distance: 15km (9.3 mi) to Phuyupatamarca; or 16km (9.9 mi) to Wiñay Wayna 

• Total Hiking Time: 9h 

• Maximum Altitude: 3960m (12,992 ft) 

• Altitude of Camp: 3680m (12,073 ft) at Phuyupatamarca / 2670m (8760 ft) at Wiñay Wayna 

• Approx night temperature: 9˚C (48˚F) 

For many people, Day 3 of the 4 day Inca trail hike is by far the best. After another early breakfast, we explor the beautiful Inca site of Runkurakay (3960m / 12,992 ft), one of the checkpoints and the beginning of the original Royal Inca trail to Machu Picchu, known as Qhapaq Ñan.  

We continue on to Sayakmarka from here, one of the most beautiful Inca ruins on the Classic Inca Trail. After our tour of these ruins, we will continue onto Chaquicocha (“dry lake,” in Quechua) where we will have lunch.  

After lunch we hike from Chaquicocha to Phuyupatamarca takes about 1.5 hours, as you stop to take pictures, discover beautiful orchids, see hummingbirds, and again have a view of the Sacred River, the Willka Mayu, or Urubamba River (also known as the Vilcanota). We can also see caves and a tunnel near the trail.  

At Phuyupatamarca (“town in the clouds”), the third highest point on the trail (3680m / 12,073ft) where, if you’re lucky, you may see breathtaking views of Salkantay mountain. 

After rest, we Will continue downhill through the cloud forest. After the first 20 minutes, we will see one of the steepest staircases on the entire Inca Trail, carved into the rock. In total we descend about 3 hours until we reach Wiñay Wayna (‘forever young’), our campsite for the evening.  

Near the campsite is the truly stunning Winay Wayna ruins, arguably the most beautiful ruins on the trail and certainly with some spectacular views. 

• Total Hiking Distance: 5.5km (3.4 mi) 

• Total Hiking Time: 2h (from Wiñay Wayna); 5h (from Phuyupatamarca) 

• Maximum Altitude: 2730m (8956 ft) 

We will rise very early on Day 4 in order to arrive at Inti Punku (the Sun Gate; 2730m/8,956ft) in the early morning. This early morning hike is the final part of the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and from the Sun Gate you have your first view of the enigmatic Machu Picchu.  

After some time there, we will hike down the last part of the Inca trail to the spot where you can Take the classic photo of Machu Picchu and then  We go through the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks and then we enter this famous city. Finally, we visit Machu Picchu itself! Your guide will give you a 2h walking tour of the historic citadel. 

At this point, you will return to Aguas Calientes, by bus (bus fare is included in the price of your trek). Here you might want to do Lunch and explore the extensive Aguas Calientes markets 

From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo by train. The train trip takes about 2 hours, and then to Cusco by tourist Transport, where we will leave you at your hotel.