Classic Inka Trail: 4-Day, 3-Nights, Cusco

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is without doubt one of the world’s best treks and for those who visit Peru looking for good adventure this is definitely the best choice. This ancient trail was laid by the Incas and is one of the many trails that used to connect different cities and temple of the Inca Empire.

The Royal Inca Trail leads from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu combining different ecosystems, microclimates and lot of history giving the visitors a really amazing experience. People enjoy from the very start of this trek looking at how the spectacular scenery of the Andes Mountains merges into the cloudy forest to finally arrive to the magnificent complex of Machu Picchu lying on a green plateau where the architectural art is in perfect harmony with the natural environment.

Inclusions & Exclusions

✔ One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment

✔ Lunch

✔ Administration and Staff available 24 hours in Spanish and English.

✔ First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

✔ 1 Bag or duffle bag where you can out maximum of 6kg per person

✔ Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks.

✔ Dinner

✔ Breakfast

✔ English speaking professional and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)

✔ Transfer train station Ollantaytambo-hotel in Cusco

✔ Chef and cooking equipment.

✔ Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Expedition Service)

✔ Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost

✔ Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead

✔ Bio-degradable personal hand soaps

✔ Inca Trail Permit and entrance fee to Machu Picchu

✔ Accommodation in Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu

✔ Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Challacancha (starting point of the trek)

✖ Lunch on the last day after the guided tour at Machu Picchu

✖ Optional night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged easily.

✖ Alcoholic drinks

✖ Optional climb to Huaynapicchu our Machu Picchu Mountain

✖ Sleeping bag

Departure & Return

Departure: ,

Establishments in the center of Cusco

Return: End right where it started.

View Map

Itinerary

DAY 1 CUSCO – WAYLLABAMBA

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Inca Trail The trekking crew will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco very early in the morning to take a private bus to the town Chilca at Km 82, where the hike starts along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The bus ride is beautiful and you will have the chance to enjoy a spectacular view of the Peruvian Andes. First stop is for about 20 minutes in the well-known Inca town “Ollantaytambo” to continue the bus ride to the starting point of your trek, In here is the unpack and get prepared to start the hike with the trekking guide and team (please have your passport on hand). After approximately three hours of walking and passing a lookout point, where you will see a beautiful Inca building known as “Llactapata” in the base of the mountains, here is the stop for lunch. In the afternoon you will continue walking towards first campsite at 3,000 meters, called Wayllabamba. Dinner is going to be at the camp.

Duration: 4 hours

DAY 2 WAYLLABAMBO – PACAYMAYO

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Inca Trail It's going to be an early morning with a nice and hot cup of tea to get ready for this beautiful day. After breakfast the toughest and the most amazing part of the trail will begin, walking towards the highest point of the Inca Trail, from where you will have an unbelievable panoramic view of the whole area and will observe different types of microclimates (4,250 meters). After a 5 hour walk you will reach the first pass, called Warmiwañusca or Dead Woman's Pass, where will get a tremendous feeling of achievement mixed with relief of having reached the pass. After having reached the top and will continue your walk down to Pacaymayo, where is the lunch and spend the night at the campsite (altitude of 3,600 meter above sea level).

Duration: 5 hours

DAY 3 PACAYMAYO – WIÑAYWAYNA

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Inca Trail We consider this as the most beautiful and longest day due the different microclimate and the arrival to the cloudy forest. After breakfast the hike start towards the second most important pass of the Inca Trail, at 3,950 meters above sea level. On the way you have a guided tour at the archaeological complex of Runkurakay and after the second pass is the visit to the Inca citadel Sayacmarca. The trek goes towards Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument where is the stop for lunch. After a short break the descent is down to one of the most beautiful Inca site along the trail, Wiñay Huayna (means Forever Young). The campsite is right next to this complex, leave your belongings there and will have a guided tour of this impressive archaeological site. Afterwards the dinner is at the camp. That night is time to say goodbyes to the porters and cooks, so the local guide will organize a small party to thank everyone for sharing this amazing and beautiful experience in the Andes together.

Duration: 4 hours

DAY 4 WIÑAYWAYNA - MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

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Inca Trail After breakfast, very early start to arrive in time for sunrise at Inti Punku. After one hour and a half of walking throughout the cloud forest you'll reach the Gate of the Sun, where is the most impressive panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at the citadel, The guided tour is about two hours around the magnificent complex, visiting the main sites and monuments. Machu Picchu is located at 2,400 meters above sea level. After the touring this extraordinary location you will have some free time to wander around on your own and then take a bus down to Aguas Calientes. From there will be catching a train back to Cusco or Ollantaytambo (time and destination indicated on your train ticket). With the arrival in Cusco the adventure will come to the end.

Duration: 3 hours

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

• Not recommended for pregnant travelers

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

• During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both free of charge.

• If you are vegetarian, please advise at time of booking

• Original passport,

• Original ISIC (an international student card if applicable)

• Travel insurance,

• Pocket money in Nuevos Soles,

• A small rucksack,

• Rain gear (a rain-jacket and a waterproof trousers),

• Resistible footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended,

• Sandals (for a higher comfort while at a campsite),

• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping),

• Hat or a cap (to protect you against the Sun, rain as well as cold),

• Sun cream or sun block,

• Insect repellent – recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria cases have been reported during this trip!),

• Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),

• Flashlight/headlamp + batteries,

• Small towel and toiletries,

• Swimsuit (to visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes)

• Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.) Please note: we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taken own snack applies only for customers who like a specific snack that might not be in our menu.

• Bottled water for the first morning and a water bottle to be refill.

• UPGRADES / RENTALS

• Vistadome Train (One Way) – US$55.00

• Entry to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (subject to availability) – US$70.00

• Hiking poles – US$20.00

• Sleeping bag – US$20.00

• Sleeping bag Deluxe Package (+ Pillow & Liners) US$30.00

• Private Tent – US$30.00

• DETAILS

• Black Diamond Hiking Poles

• Sleeping bags according to route requirement

• If you are a lover of nature and landscapes, the Vistadome train is your best choice. Panoramic windows in the walls and roofs of cars make the connection to the outside is experienced in a very vivid way

• DISCOUNTS

• Students (Requires ISIC card to qualify): US $30.00

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