Everything is ready to this Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. The tour also has some options to get in a journey to the extraordinary Sacred valley and visit is villages as well as city tour in Cusco. In other words, this tour has a lot to offer you meanwhile you are staying in the land of the Incas. So let´s check out the itinerary:
4 Days and 3 Nights
We pick you up from your hotel
The 4 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous and popular Machu Picchu hike and even one of the most famous treks in the world. But do you know why? As you can explore many hidden archaeological Inca sites along the way as well as travel completely in touch with Mother Earth (“Pachamama” in the Quechua native language) revealing you its snowy peaks, rivers and amazing diversity of flora and fauna all around.
The Machu Picchu 4 day hike will reward you with an impressive combination of the ruins, mountainous landscapes, and the cloud forests of the subtropical area near Machu Picchu. As we at Tierras Vivas organize our own hiking Inca Trail tours, we can guarantee the fair treatment of our porters guarantee the fair treatment of our porters and the quality of food and equipment we use, so you can simply only enjoy the beauty of the ancient track.
The total distance to be covered on today 12 km (5 to 6 hours approx.)
Breakfast: is not included on this day.
We will pick you up from Plaza Regocijo one block away from Plaza de Armas at 4:00. From there we’ll head to Piskacucho’ where the trail starts. On our way, we will stop in Ollantaytambo on the Sacred Valley (6:30-7am) to have a succulent breakfast.
Once we get to ‘Piskacucho’ (8:30 am), there is a control point where we have to show our tickets, passports, student card to enter into the Inca Valley. Before starting the trail here also we can use the restrooms and any other thing you need, etc).
The Inca trail to Machu Picchu starts at 2,720m / 8,923 ft and we will be following the Vilcanota River. This first day on this Classic Inca Trail 4 days, is for you to adjust to the plane surface we’ll be hiking.
The first archeological site we will spot will be the Inca Fortress called ‘Huillca Raccay’, then the incredible Inca site of ‘Patallacta’. Also, we will see the beautiful snow-capped peak of ‘W’akay Willca’ at 5, 860m /19,225 ft, known as La Veronica. Now we will set up our first campsite near the small village of Wayllabamba 3, 000m / 9, 842ft Temperatures at night are around 5ºC.
Total distance to be covered on day 2: 16 km (8 to 9 hours more or less)
It is time to wake up!
Today we’ll hike the highest pass: Warmihuañusca or ‘Dead Woman Pass’ at 4,200 m / 13,779 ft. you’ll be proud of yourself as it is not an easy task to get this high. We will have a rest at the top and enjoy the view. After resting, we begin the descent to our lunch stop in Pacaymayu at 3, 550m /11,646 ft. During this hike the biodiversity will be the star, so be prepared to take some pictures.
After lunch, we will start the next steep climb to Runkurakay pass at almost 4,000m and set up there our campsite by 5 pm.
Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night
Total distance to be covered on day 3: 10km (5 hours more or less).
After you got your breakfast we start a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ in English ‘Town in the Clouds’ and reach the third highest point on the trail 3, 680 m.
As we are walking to our third pass The Inca site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ starts the steps through the cloud forest at the impressive agricultural Inca site of ‘Intipata’. Later we will arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna ‘Forever Young’ at 2, 680m/8, 792 ft.
We have walked so far between 4 to 5 hours and will arrive at camp by lunchtime. A short distance from our campsite is located the Inca site of the same name ‘Wiñay Wayna’ or.
Temperatures during the night are about 12º.
Total distance to be covered on day 4: 5 km (around 2 hours)
This day we have to get to ‘Intipunku’ (‘Sun gate’) (2,730 m / 8,792 ft) before sunrise.
This is the location where you will have your first fantastic view of Machu Picchu (2,400m / 7,873 ft with the sun rising over it. We will spend time there to observe the ancient city.
Then we will go to the spot where you can take the classic picture and say: Finally, we visit Machu Picchu! Our guide will lead you during 2 hours tour and introduce you the most important parts of this Royal Inca citadel. Afterward, you will have some time to explore this mystic city by yourselves.
Once you finished exploring Machu Picchu, you will go down by foot or bus to Aguas Calientes to meet your guide. There you will have lunch and receive your train and private bus tickets back to Cusco.
If you would like to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes we can arrange it for you. This option is very popular as it allows an extra time to explore Machu Picchu.
Please note: allocations or Itineraries are subject to change depending on the time of bookings and campsites provided by INC (National Culture Institute that runs the Inca Trail).
Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.
We would love to take everyone on the Inca Trail and guide you to Machu Picchu. We can leave any day of the week as long as permits remain with the government. Please remember, permits are only needed for your START DATE.
$680 per person
2 Trekkers: $1000 per person
3 Trekkers: $900 per person
4 Trekkers: $750 per person
5 Trekkers: $700 per person
6 Trekkers: $600 per person
7 Trekkers: $575 per person
8 or more Trekkers: $550 per person
– $25 off per person
Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a University Student Card our under 17-years-old, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.
Please send all to info@theincatrails.com.
As seen in our Additional Items under Trip Overview there are several optional upgrades. Below is a quick list of prices but be sure to check our Overview section for more details.
Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It’s a 45-minute hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. The views of Machu Picchu from the top are incredible. However, if you’re afraid of heights you need to be warned that coming back down the path is quite steep. If you decide to take this hike then you would it after your tour of Machu Picchu. While this hike is on your own your guide will direct you to where it starts. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity.
Machu Picchu mountain is the mountain that stands above the Machu Picchu ruins. It offers even more stunning views than Huayna Picchu but takes an hour and a half to reach the top. You can book this with an additional entrance ticket that we can secure for you.
All our tours include the Expedition (Tourist) Train. This train is usually booked at 4:22 p.m. departing from Aguas Calientes. There is also the Vistadome train, which is an upgraded train that offers slightly larger seats, windows and some entertainment. Usually the Vistadome train is booked for 4:43 p.m. and travels to Poroy, a train station closer to Cusco. While this is an upgraded fee, we will still include your transportation back to your hotel.
You’ll have a full day at Machu Picchu arriving at the citadel around 6 AM and leaving no later than 2 PM to catch your 4:22 train. If you would like to tour Machu Picchu again on your own the next day that can be arranged for you.
