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Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 4 Days
This is Peru's most sought-after trek for its breathtaking panoramas, vast ecological diversity, and well-preserved archeological sites. Following the ancient stone path, we traverse high mountain passes and walk through ecological areas ranging from high desert puna to Andean cloud forest and subtropical jungle. Throughout the journey, our professional guides will point out the native flora and fauna and explain important facts and legends about the magnificent Inca civilization. As an alternative to staying at the often-used campsites of the trail, we will camp in cleaner, quieter areas. On the fourth day, we arrive to Machu Picchu through the Intipunku, or Sun Gate, from where we catch our first exhilarating glimpse of the archeological wonder below. At Machu Picchu, we spend ample time discovering these spectacular remains before returning to Cusco by train.
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Itinerary:
Day 1: Piskakucho (KM. 82) – Wayllabamba (L, D)
A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 of the Machu Picchu railroad. After getting acquainted with our trail crew we set out, crossing a footbridge to hike a gentle two hours down the Urubamba canyon, and then visit imposing sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. We then climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Wayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we camp. |
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Day 2: Wayllabamba – Pacaymayu (B, L, D)
We climb the steep-sided Llullucha valley past a rushing stream and through enchanted native polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the puna, the treeless grasslands of the high Andes. The trail traverses an open slope opposite mighty mountain crags as we ascend to the first and highest pass, Warmiwañusca (4,200m/13,776ft).
Here we encounter spectacular views of the trail ahead to the second pass, and look back to the sweeping snowpeaks and valleys of the Huayanay massif. The trail to the floor of the forested Pacaymayu valley, where we make camp. |
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Day 3: Pacaymayu – Wiñaywayna (B, L, D)
We pick up an Inca stairway and ascend again past the small Inca site of Runkuracay. As we reach the second pass, the landscape opens onto spectacular new views to the snowpeaks of the Pumasillo range. We descend to the ruins of Sayacmarca (Inaccessible Town), an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley. The Inca trail, now a massive buttressed structure of granite paving stones, continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns. At the third pass pinnacles topped with Inca viewing platforms overlook the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town).
Pausing to explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways that spillins down the mountainside here, we begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us finally to our camp by the ruins of Wiñaywayna (Forever Young), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites. |
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Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Machu Pichu – Cusco (B)
An early morning hike takes us across a steep mountainside through lush, humid cloud-forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry -a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu.
We complete the final leg down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings and into the heart of Machu Picchu, where we spend the rest of the morning with a guided tour of the highlights and some individual exploring among Machu Picchu's multitude of hidden nooks and corners. In the early afternoon a bus takes us to the small town of Aguas Calientes, where we board our return train to Cusco.
B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner |
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It includes:
- Spanish/English Professional tour guide and assistance
- Private Transport from your
- Porters to take the camping equipment (no personal luggage)
- Cooker and assistance
- Dinning Tent, Kitchen Tents, tables and camp stool
- All the feeding in the route (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea time and snacks)
- Doubles tents, comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season.
- Matras (insulating long cushions to sleep)
- Accommodation for our guides, cook and porters
- First-aid kit
- Ticket of entrance to Machu Picchu
- Bus ticket Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Back Packer Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
- Transfer train station-hotel in Cusco
Not include:
- Sleeping bags
- Tips for the tour guide and carriers
- Porters to take personal luggage per all the trekking $60 per 8 Kg.
- The breakfast on the first day and the meals in Aguas Calientes
We recommended taking:
- Change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
- A big backpack with: Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Small towel
- Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Sandals for relax moments
- Flashlight, camera, binoculars, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
- Gloves, scarf, handkerchiefs
- Sun block, after-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET
- Toilet paper
- Personal first-aid kit
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
- Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
- Cash in soles and/or US
- Obligatory: Passport original
- Optional: walking sticks or poles
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