Overview
Take on the Classic 4-day Inca Trail — one of the most famous hikes in South America and one of the World’s top 5 best hikes!
Begin in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and work your way toward Machu Picchu over 4 days and 3 nights. This journey takes you in the footsteps of the Incas and rewards you with incredible views, experiences and memories.
Itinerary
- We start with a two-hour bus ride to Piscakucho or “km 82”, the starting point of the hike.
- Passports, ID and Inca Trail permits have to be shown at check points.
- We will hike through populated rural areas and villages, passing through corn fields, potato fields and avocado orchards. We will have lunch before arriving in Wayllabamba village (1st campsite).
- Easy two-hour walk up to Inca raqay (view point), learn about Llaqtapata (Inca site), enjoy the view of the largest archaeological site on the Inca trail and the snow-capped peak “La Veronica.”
- Today’s lowest point elevation 2800 meters / 9240 feet – Trailhead.
- Today’s highest point elevation 3000 meters / 9900 feet – Wayllabamba campsite.
- Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours (including lunch break).
- Distance covered: 10 km / 6 miles.
- Today’s hiking level: Easy to moderate.
- Today is the most challenging day when we reach the hike’s highest point on the Dead Woman’s Pass “Warmiwañusca”, 4215 meters / 13,909 feet.
- You will see the different ecological zones, llamas and alpacas and enjoy the view of snow-capped peaks of the Peruvian Andes while climbing up to Warmiwañusca.
- Distance covered: 11 km / 7 miles.
- Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours.
- Today’s hiking level: Challenging.
- Today we begin our descent through the cloud forest, where warm air starts rising from the jungle.
- Learn about the Inca civilization while exploring archaeological sites along the way.
- Today’s lowest point elevation 2700 meters / 8910 feet at campsite.
- Distance covered: 16 km / 10 miles.
- Hiking time: 9 to 10 hours (including lunch break).
- Today’s hiking level: Moderate to Challenging.
- On our last hiking day, early in the morning we reach the Sun Gate at sunrise and have a spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the Southeast flank, a view just few travelers ever get a chance to admire.
- We will take an introductory two-hour guided tour of the Inca site, learn all about this wonder of the world while exploring it with your guide.
- Head down to Aguas Calientes town (25-minute bus ride).
- Board the train to either Ollantaytambo or Poroy town, then continue by bus to your hotel.
- Distance covered: 5 km / 3 miles.
- Hiking time: 2 hours.
- Today’s hiking level: Easy.
Inclusions
- Pre-departure briefing of your tour.
- Transfer to hike’s trailhead “KM 82” & to hotel on final day.
- Inca Trail permits and fees.
- Machu Picchu entrance fees.
- Bus tickets down (x1) to Aguas Calientes town.
- Train tickets back to either Poroy or Ollantaytambo town depending on train availability.
- Professional English-speaking tour guide (Additional tour guide for groups of 9+).
- Support staff (professional cooks and porters).
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners (If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian or gluten free, PLEASE let us know).
- Camping equipment (tents, stools, tables, etc).
- Sleeping pad.
- Duffle bag.
- Emergency First-Aid kit and oxygen bottle.
BRIEFING: Before the hike, you will meet your hiking guide and the other members of your group. Your guide will explain all about the hike route and all the necessary recommendations will be provided to you for a great hiking experience.
×Not Included:
- Backpacks
- Sleeping Bag (You can bring your own from home or rent them locally in Cusco city)
- Hiking poles (You can bring your own from home or rent them locally in Cusco city)
- Breakfast on Day 1, lunch and dinner on Day 4.
- Tips for guides, cooks and porters.
- Travel Insurance (you are strongly recommended to take out a travel insurance for the duration of your trip).
NOTE: The itinerary above is a sample. Hiking times, campsites and lunch spots are subject to change according to our guides’ criteria, availability, weather conditions, evolution of the group and on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Government.
Ξ Packing List:
- Original Passport.
- ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount).
- Hiking boots.
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho.
- Warm jacket.
- Hat and gloves.
- T-shirts.
- Comfortable trousers.
- Towels and sandals.
- Sun cream (SPF 35 or higher).
- Insect repellant.
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer.
- Personal medication.
- Camera and chargers.
- Headlamp with spare batteries.
⇒ Considerations:
- Due to Government regulations, only 500 people are allowed on the Classic 4-day Inca trail each day, among hikers, cooks and porters.
- To ensure the Inca trail permits and the Machu Picchu entrance fees, government regulations require full and CURRENT PASSPORT INFORMATION of all the hikers.
- Inca trail permits are non-transferable and are sold out months in advance. We recommend our clients book asap (at least 3 months in advance).
- Hikers are in charge of carrying their own personal gear and should make a honest assessment of their physical condition. If a personal porter is desired, it is very important to request one at time of booking, as they are included in the 500 people/day limit.
BUSINESS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Peru Machupicchu Tours S.A. is committed to traveling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. With your participation we can help conserving the area we visit and bring positive benefits to our host communities.
What you need to know on how to be a responsible traveler:
- The natural environment is very important. If in nature you need to go to the bathroom, be sure it is buried away from waterways. Burying or carrying out used toilet paper is a must. Tampons and sanitary pads must also be taken out of the area and disposed of appropriately. Minimize use of soap or shampoos in rivers and lakes – your local guide will let you know when using soap is unsuitable.
- When hiking, many travelers take an extra plastic bag to pick up any rubbish that they see to improve the area and for their own rubbish. Rubbish may have to be carried until a suitable disposal opportunity in the next town.
- Please try and minimize the waste of plastic water bottles. Consider using a water filter, camelbacks or canteens.
¶ Types of Service:
Our trekking programs are available in 2 types of services:
Group Service: This is a high quality, shared service with a maximum of twelve people (hikers) in the group. Groups up to eight people will have one guide, whilst over eight will have two — a great opportunity to have fun and make new friends. Our GROUP SERVICES have set departure dates.
Private Service: These services are arranged just for you and your party, and offer the possibility to choose the departure date, the group size and the duration of the trek. This not only has the advantage of adapting the pace to your physical condition, but also usually means enjoying quieter campsites and meeting fewer travelers along the route. All private groups include additional services, such as extra porters/wranglers to carry your personal gear, among other benefits.
| Hike duration | 4 days / 3 nights |
| Hike level | Moderate to challenging |
| Hike style | Active |
| Type of hike | Archaeological, cultural and adventure |
| Distance | 42 kilometers / 26 miles |
| Hiking time | Day 1: 5 to 6 hours / Day 2: 6 to 7 hours / Day 3: 9 to 10 hours / Day 4: 2 hours |
| Elevation | Lowest point 2700m (8910 feet) – Highest point 4215m (13909 feet) at Dead Woman’s Pass |
| Accommodation | 3 nights in camping tent |
| Group size | Group service up to 12 hikers maximum – Private service (as requested) |
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