Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 4 Days: The Complete Trekking Experience (All Inclusive)
The Ultimate Inca Trail Experience – Short Description
The Inca Trail is one of the most iconic trekking routes in the world, following the original stone paths built by the Inca civilization through the Andes Mountains. This unforgettable 4-day journey combines breathtaking mountain scenery, cloud forests, and remarkable archaeological sites that can only be reached on foot.
Along the route, hikers explore impressive Inca sites such as Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñay Wayna, before reaching the legendary Inti Punku, where the first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu appears.
Itinerary at a Glance:
- Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba. Early morning pick-up (around 05:00) and transfer to Km 82, the starting point of the Inca Trail. Begin the hike through valleys and small archaeological sites before reaching the campsite in Wayllabamba in the afternoon.
- Day 2: Wayllabamba – Dead Woman’s Pass – Pacaymayo. Morning hike ascending to the highest point of the trek (4,215 m / 13,828 ft), followed by a descent to the Pacaymayo campsite.
- Day 3: Pacaymayo – Runkurakay – Sayacmarca – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna. Trek through beautiful cloud forest landscapes while visiting several important Inca archaeological complexes before camping near Wiñay Wayna.
- Day 4: Wiñay Wayna – Inti Punku – Machu Picchu – Cusco. Early morning hike to the Sun Gate for sunrise views of Machu Picchu, followed by a guided visit of the citadel and return to Cusco later in the day.
Itinerary
Our adventure will begin when your guide picks you up from your hotel in Cusco or Ollantaytambo at the indicated time agreed in the pre-trek talk (the hiking day eve at 5:30 PM) at our office. Pick up would happen at around 4:00 AM from Cusco or 7:00 AM from Ollantaytambo, and we will get breakfast in this town.
After filling ourselves with an energetic breakfast we will head up to km 82 which is the Inca Trail checkpoint, you will be introduced to your team of porters. It’s compulsory to have your original passports to enter the Inca Trail and your valid student ID card, if you booked the tour as a student.
We will cross the bridge over the Vilcanota River. Our first day is relatively easy, a previous warm-up toward the next days, we will see Huillca Raccay fortress, the outstanding Inca site of Llactapata(Patallacta), and you will also see the Urubamba mountain range, Andes mountains, and the beauty of the snow-capped mountain “La Verónica”. After 4 hours hiking we will have our first buffet lunch, then our hike resumes for another 2 hours to the first night’s campsite (Ayapata) we will arrive there by 5:00 PM, settle yourselves and have some snacks or hot drinks that your porters, dinner will take place at 7:30 PM, and sleep to recover for the next day adventure.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodations: Camping
- Maximum altitude: 3300 m/10,824 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,750 m/9,020 ft
- Distance to walk: 14 km/8.7 miles
- Approximate walking time: 7 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Our porters will wake us up early with a hot cup of tea or coffee, you can enjoy it inside your tent before getting ready for a hearty breakfast, this is the longest day and we will have an early start. We will hike approximately for 4 hours to the highest point of the trek known as the Dead Woman’s pass (4,215m/13828ft). On this day you will feel a real sense of goal achievement upon reaching the top, and we will stop there to witness and be amazed at astonishing views of the mountain range. We will descend towards the next valley Pacaymayu for our lunch. After lunch on our way up towards the second pass. We will be delighted with the variety of plants and life in the polylepis forest, an incredible cloud forest located at (3640m/11942ft).
After our lunch, we keep ascending to the second pass and we will have the chance to visit two Inca sites. The first one, Runku Raccay, it will be seen after two hours of steep hiking. It’s an extra hour hike down to reach the gorgeous Inca site Sayacmarca and we will rest for a moment, then we hike for another 20 minutes to our 2nd campsite in Chaquicocha at around 5 PM, some appetizers and thirst drinks will be served for you.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodations: Camping
- Maximum altitude: 4215 m/13,825 ft
- Minimum altitude: 3,300 m/10,824 ft
- Distance to walk: 16 km/ 10 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8-9 hours
- Area: Andes and Cloud Forest
- Difficulty: Challenging
We start the trip in the early morning, your porters will serve you a hot mug of tea as they did the previous days. The hike itself will be less hard. We start off with a gentle climb up toward Phuyupatamarca Incan site, which is the third highest mountain pass.
This is by far the most exciting day of trekking. Once we reach the pass, we walk a few minutes to Phuyupatamarca Inca site, and we descend again walking down the uneven Inca stone steps through the cloud forest and breathing a subtle aroma of jungle. You will visit another Incan settlement (Intipata). It’s about three hours to reach our last campsite and we will be able to see it from the last highest point. We arrive at Wiñay Wayna at lunch time. total walking time (5-6 Hours.)
You set up your belongings to your respective tent and, later on we will be walked through Wiñaywayna which is known as the young Mountain or translated “FOREVER YOUNG” let’s be young again, It’s the most beloved and amazing Inca site on the trek before reaching Machupicchu.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodations: Camping
- Maximum altitude: 3600 m/11,808 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,680 m/8,792 ft
- Distance to walk: 10 km/6.2 miles
- Approximate walking time: 6 hours
- Area: High Cloud Forest
- Difficulty: Easy
We are over our last day of the journey. We wake up at around 3:30 AM. Our breakfast, in contrast to earlier days will happen at 4:00 AM. You will thank and say goodbye to your porters, and we will wait at the checkpoint until 5:30 when guardians open the gates. You will reach the Sun Gate “Intipunku” around 6:30 AM, this is our first viewpoint of Machupicchu. Views from there are outstanding. While hiking down (40 minutes) and getting closer to Machupicchu views are better, Finally we stop at Machupicchu itself.
Our walking tour with the guide lasts 2 hours roughly, after your guided tour you will have time hike Huaynapicchu Mountain on your own, don’t forget to ask for yours bus ticket to go to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival to the town you can chose any restaurant to have lunch, and your guide will give you the train tickets to go back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station. We have to show up at the train station half an hour prior your train departure (14:55PM or 15:20PM).
The train rides by 2 hours, and as soon as you get out of the train station at Ollantaytambo, a Cams Travel representative will be waiting for you with a banner of the company with your names on it, we will drive you Cusco and leave you as close as we can to your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Maximum altitude: 2700 m/8,856 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,430 m/7,972 ft
- Distance to walk: 6 km/3.73 miles
- Approximate walking time: 2 hours
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. At Cams Travel we will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
Includes
- Satellite Phone.
- A personal porter to carry your 7 kg of your personal belongings
- Pick up and drop off at your hotel.
- Private tourist transport Cusco – Km 82 (the starting point of the walk).
- English-speaking guide with conduct radio communication.
- Foam mattresses.
- Professional chef
- Kitchen equipment.
- Dining tent with chairs and tables.
- Portable environmental biodegradable toilet (The Pett).
- Meal service at the campsites (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 3 snacks). With options for vegetarians, gluten-free, lactose Intolerance, and any food allergy.
- 4 season Tents for two people (tent with capacity for 3 people used as doubles – Eureka Timberland).
- Porter service. As detailed in the table authorized by the Ministry of Culture. (To carry our camping equipment and food) We never overload our porters and they have the proper equipment.
- Inca Trail Permits and Machu Picchu ticket.
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes after the guided tour in Machu Picchu.
- Expeditions train ticket back (14:55 or 15:20 Hrs.) To Ollantaytambo.
- Private transportation from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco.
- Emergency oxygen bottle and first aid kit.
- Pre-departure Inca Trail expedition briefing, presented by the tour guides at 6:00 p.m. at the office a day before.
- Wake-up tea. Hot herbal tea is brought to your tent, each morning before breakfast.
- A duffle bag, where you put your 7 kg / 14 pounds of personal items per person (personal care, personal items, and sleeping bag are within this 7 kg / 14 pounds).
- We provide hot water bins each day to help our clients clean and feel good at night.
- Rain Poncho to cover you from the rain.
- Two-hour guided tour in Machu Picchu
- Boiled water to fill in your water bottles or Camelback (your chef will provide clean water after each meal)
- Day pack covers to keep you dry your belongings.
Does not include
- Huayna Picchu Moutain: It is $65USD
- Vistadome: It is $50
- Sleeping Bag: It is $20
- Walking Sticks: It is $20
- Lunch – Day 4.
- Entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes town (US $ 5).
- Tips (optional).
Recommendations
- Original passport.
University Student Card. * valid for children under 25 years of age. - Mountain boots.
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho.
- A warm jacket.
- Hat and gloves.
- Comfortable poles.
- Comfortable pants
- Sun hat.
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher).
- Insect repellent.
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer.
- Personal medication
- Camera .
- Flashlight with spare batteries.
Prices
Price per person (Private Service):
-
$750.00 USD per person.
Student Discount:
-
$35.00 USD off per person.
Student discounts apply to anyone with a valid University Student Card or those under 17 years old. A copy of the card/passport is required at booking.
Please send inquiries to: info@camstravelperu.com
More Info
Please read the following details for your stay in Cusco:
BOOKING PROCESS We are committed to a smooth booking experience. Please fill out the booking form with all trip details. Our system requires a $200 USD deposit to secure your reservation (rights). If you are a group of more than two, the balance can be paid separately. Once confirmed, we will process your permits and send an invoice.
ARRIVAL IN CUSCO We include airport pick-up! You will be met by one of our team members and driven to your hotel. Please ensure you send your flight details at least two weeks in advance. Note: Drivers cannot enter the terminal; please look for our sign at the exit.
BRIEFING Your pre-tour briefing is scheduled for 5:00 PM the night before your trip at your Hotel.
HOW TO PAY THE BALANCE? You can pay the remaining balance upon arrival in Cusco at your Hotel (CASH ONLY is preferred to avoid fees). If you prefer using PayPal or Visa, a 5.5% service fee applies.
LUGGAGE STORE
Most people change hotels after hiking, therefore we offer a free secure luggage store while trekking. You only have to communicate at the briefing.
HOW DO I PAY THE BALANCE DUE?
You are able to pay the rest of your bill upon arrival to Cusco specifically at your Hotel(CASH ONLY), this if you want to avoid any extra high credit card fee. Our representative will take your invoice and it will be the same as the system shows. Otherwise you can pay through PayPal or Visa but you have to pay 5.5% service fee charged by VISA and PayPal.
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Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 4 Days: The Complete Trekking Experience (All Inclusive)
4 Days - 3 Nights of breathtaking adventure and trekking.
$ 750.00
Per Person
Request Booking
Quick Stats
Duration
4 Days - 3 Nights of breathtaking adventure and trekking.
Physical Rating
Challenging: High-altitude hikes and strenuous activities, yet accessible to most healthy travelers
Trip Type
Trekking/Hiking, cultural, adventurous
Team
Private Guide, Driver and Trip Managing Experts
