The classic Inca Trail is a wonderful trek offering the traveler a wonderful hiking experience passing by a multitude of Inca ruins and climatic zones enroute to one of the Wonders of the World, Machupicchu! All ages and fitness levels are welcome – Our experienced mountain guides will take care of you all the way!
Guided by professional English-speaking mountain guide
Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 4 days
See Inca ruins, Andes mountains, fauna and flora
Private transportation, meals, trains and entrance fees all included
Tour starts from Cusco or Sacred Valley
We recommended you reserve the Inca Trail 6+ months in advance
Short Itinerary
Day 1
Cusco – Km82 – Wayllabamba
Day 2
Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo
Day 3
Pacaymayu – Phuya Patamarka – Wiñay Wayna
Day 4
Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
* We can arrange a customised itinerary for you to include the Inca Trail Trek, contact us for more information.
Tour Itinerary
The Inca Trail offers the traveller a wonderful combination of scenery including magnificent mountains, fauna and flora, subtropical vegetation and the amazing Inca ruins. Over 220 species of orchids have been found in the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, as well as many species of birds, animals and reptiles.
This trek is spread over 4 days, the 44 km trail passes though three stunning Andean high passes where you will discover ancient archaeological sites and ruins.
In order to undertake this trail you need to have a reasonable level of fitness – age does not matter. The most important factor is acclimatizing to the altitude. The maximum height above sea level along the trail is 4,200m, so we suggest that you spend at least 2 days in Cusco before attempting to walk the trail.
During this time you can explore the wonderful city which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This trek is led by our Pachamama guide(s) who are also accompanied by our team of porters and cooks.
Early morning rise, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive to the start of the trail which takes 2 hours, taking you through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo where we stop to take a break and have a look at the typical local market and where you can buy your last provisions for the trip if you forgot to in Cusco.
We continue for another hour and arrive at Km82, the start of the trail. We have breakfast whilst enjoying the view of Veronica Snow Mountain (5,720m). We then commence walking for about 3 hours, whereafter we take lunch close to Llactapata Ruins and then continue our trek through lush farmland and woodlands to our first camp at Wayllabamba. (Lunch, Dinner)
Inca Trail Trek Dead Woman’s PassAfter breakfast, we begin to walk the toughest part of the trail.
After 3 hours walking we finally reach the highest point in the Inca Trail, Warmiwañusca, or more commonly known as Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200m), where you have a beautiful panoramic view of the area.
After lunch we continue walking down to Pacaymayo where we set up camp and have a nutritious dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast we start the ascent towards the second most important pass on the trail which lies at 4,000m. There will be a guided tour at the Inca Ruins of Runkurakay and the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca. We continue trekking towards Puya Patamarka (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument, where lunch will be served.
After a short break we continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young), a beautiful Inca construction, and receive a guided tour. We camp near to the ruins and have a well deserved nutritious dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Please note that campsites can change – the Authorities are in charge of allocations.
DAY 4
Wiñay Huayna – Machu Picchu (2,500m) – Cusco
A very early start after breakfast in order that we can arrive in time for sunrise at Machu Picchu. We walk for about an hour through the forest before arriving at the Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), where we will have our first inspiring view of Machu Picchu.
We admire the view before setting off for the short walk into the ruins. There will be a 2 hour fully guided tour around the ruins, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have free time to wander around and explore by yourself. We drive by bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo where you will be transferred back to your hotel. (Breakfast)
CAMPSITES ON THE INCA TRAIL
Please note that we are not in control of the campsites we are issued with from the Institute of National Culture. Your campsite allocation is dependent on how early you book and how many spaces are left in each campsite. The first 250 spaces are generally given to Winay Wayna (Day 3) and thereafter you will have a longer walk to Machupicchu on the last day and it could mean you do not make it for sunrise. Do not let this disappoint you as Machupicchu is a beautiful site no matter what time you arrive. Winay Wayna ruins are also some of the most beautiful ruins on the Inca Trail and you will enjoy these crowd free if having to camp in Phuyupatamarka.
Tour Photographs
Tour Prices
Group Service
US$ 750 per person (2017)
US$ 760 per person (2018)
Private Services
Close your group to just you and your family and friends. In this service we also include Personal Porters (8kg per person weight allowance), Sleeping Bags, Inflatable Mats, Inflatable Pillows, Walking Poles and the Vistadome Train service.If you want a private group but don’t want all these frills, just let us know what you want included and we will make a special quotation for you.
2 travellers : $1,350 per person (2017) / US$ 1,400 per person (2018)
3 travellers : $1,250 per person / US$ 1,300 per person (2018)
4+ travellers : $1,200 per person / US$ 1,250 per person (2018)
Discounts
Children – 1 to 17yrs of age : US$ 40 (copy of passport front page required for discount to apply)
Included
Pre-departure briefing in our office
Collection from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley and return in Private Transportation
Professional English Speaking Mountain Guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
Duffles to put your luggage into including plastic bag to keep your gear dry during rainy season (only if hiring a personal porter)
Experienced Cook preparing delicious meals 3x a day
Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners (we provide generous amounts of nutritious meals and beverages and have vegetarian, gluten, wheat free options available)
Snacks enroute and tea time daily
Boiled water to replenish your supply from Day 1 – Lunch time onwards
Entrance fee onto Inca Trail and into Machupicchu Sanctuary
Bus from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes
Porters to carry the camping equipment, ie tents, tables, chairs, etc.
Duffel bags to put your luggage into when hiring Personal Porters
Spacious good quality 4 man tents (for your comfort we put only 2 persons per tent). Single tents are available at additional cost if you do not want to share.
Comfortable sleeping mats (can request delux mat at extra charge)
First Aid Kit carried by the Guide
Hot water for washing in your tent every day
Biodegradable soap and hand cleansing gel
Emergency Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
IncaRail or Expedition train ticket for group services / Vistadome for private services
Excluded
Breakfast on the first day
Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
Climb up Huaynapicchu / Machupicchu Mountain – $80 payable in advance for permit
Single Tents (for persons not happy to share) – $60 per tent
Gratuities
Extras (Below items included in Private Service)
Sleeping bag – $28 82017) / $30
Inflatable Thermarests – $20 (2017) / $25 (2018)
Inflatable pillow – $6
Trekking poles – $10 per pole (2017) / $12 per pole (2018)
Single Tent (for persons not happy to share) – $60 per tent
Interested in climbing Huaynapicchu / Machupicchu Mountain?
Permits are required for either of these hikes and are limited – you must book in advance!
Huaynapicchu: Currently the more popular hike as it’s a little shorter. This hike is around 1hr steep ascent – there are sheer drops on the side, so if you are afraid of heights, this is not for you! Coming down will also be around 1hr approx. There are 400 permits available per day and split into the following departure times:
7am-8am slot (you will need to forfeit your guided tour of Machupicchu with this option)
10-11am slot (this is our preferred time slot for our passengers as it means you can have your tour of Machupicchu first followed by the hike)
Machupicchu Mountain: Less known than Huaynapicchu but certainly not to be ignored. This hike is slightly longer taking around 1.5hrs up and same down. From the top you will also get a birds eye view of Machupicchu. Many of our guides prefer this hike as its less crowded. There are 400 permits available and there is one entrance time slot:
7-8am (you will need to forfeit your guided tour of Machupicchu with this option)
9-10am (this is our preferred time slot for our passengers as it means you can have your tour of Machupicchu first followed by the hike)
The cost to add on either excursion is US$ 80 per person payable in advance. Please note your permits are with your name and passport details and are non- transferable and non-refundable.
Note About Our Porters
Our Porters carry a maximum load of 18kg, but we kindly ask you to not exceed your 7kg stated allowance as we need to adhere to the INC regulations and more importantly not damage the health and welfare of our Porters!
Please note that if you want to hire a personal porter you need to tell us this at the time of making your reservation as our Porters also require permits to enter the trail and we cannot add on more porters after we have obtained your permits.
Do you have any questions?
Our approach to travel is defined by our motto “Constantly in Pursuit of Excellence”, as we strive to provide top quality tour or trek options.
We’d love to hear from you, so please contact us with your questions, comments or suggestions through our Support System and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Please also review our FAQ’s to save you time in case your question has already been answered.