Classic Inca Trail 4 Days

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).