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Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

  • Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
  • Trip Type: Trekking
  • Place: Cusco
  • Journey Difficulty: Moderate
  • TOTAL DISTANCE: 43 KM / 26 MILES.
  • GOOD FOR: THOSE WHO ENJOY HIKING AND HAVE A MODERATE LEVEL OF FITNESS.
  • CONSIDERATIONS: PERMIT REQUIRED.
  • HIKING SEASON: 11 MONTHS OF THE YEAR
  • TRAIL CLOSE: ONLY FEBRUARY.
  • ACCLIMATIZATION:  PLEASE SPEND AT LEAST REST DAYS IN CUSCO BEFORE START YOUR HIKE.
  • GROUP SIZE: CAN BE 2 OR 8 HIKER.

Overview

 

 1.-  DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN OF THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL

 DAY 1 CUSCO – KM82 – HUAYLABAMBA

Departure time: 5:00 AM

Hiking distance: 14kM
Trail head elevation: 2720m/8923ft
Campsite elevation: 3000m/9829ft
Hiking difficulty: moderate challenging
Weather: Warm to cold
Inca sites to see / visit: Ccanabamba & Llactapata

DAY 2 HUAYLLABAMBA – DEAD WOMANS PASS – PACAYMAYU

Hiking distance: 16 km
Trail head elevation: 3000m/9829ft
Campsite elevation: 3600M/11800ft
Hiking difficulty: challenging
Weather: cold
Inca sites to see/visit:  NO INCA SITES

 DAY 3 – PACAYMAYU – RUNKURAKAY PASS – WIÑAYWAYNA

  • Hiking distance: 16 km
  • Trail head elevation: 3600M/11800ft
  • Campsite elevation: 2680m/8792ft
  • Hiking difficulty: challenging
  • Weather: cold
  • Inca sites to see/visit : Runkurakay, Sayaqmarca, Phuyupatarmarca, Intipata & Wiñay Wayna

DAY 4 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Departure train to Ollantaytambo:  13:37 pm, 14:55pm, 15:20 pm (according availability). Journey by train 1h 40 min, bus to Cusco 1h 30 min.

Hiking distance: 6 km
Trail head elevation: 2680m/8792ft
Machupicchu elevation: 2400meters/7873ft
Hiking difficulty: moderate
Weather: warm

2.- HIGHLIGHTS HIKING WITH CUSCO ANDEAN HIKE

  • 100% LOCAL COMPANY Cusco Andean Hike, its create by local tour guides, ist the only company create by Inca trail tour guides .
  • INCA TRAIL TOUR OPERATOR, We are the official inca trail tour Operator since 2016.
  • SMALL GROUPS our maximum per groups 8 people with a minimum of 2 people 100% departures guaranteed. NO 16 PEOPLE LIKE OTHER COMPANYS.
  • CAMPING EQUIPMENT. Cusco Andean hike is considered a leading agent of change due to its implementation of top-quality equipment such as.
  • FOOD. During your hike with Cusco Andean hike you are guaranteed to put on some pounds. Our chefs have special yearly training to create unique meals while on the trail. Our food is prepared with fresh ingredients, and is served buffet style. Our services includes breakfast, snacks, lunch that will come with soup, main course ad hot drinks, happy hours with hot drinks upon your arrival to each campsite and dinners that include with soup, main course and desserts. We also provide all hikers with potable drinking water while on the trails.
  • FREE LUGGAGE STORAGE. Cusco Andean Hike offers free luggage storage and we are available to muve your luggage to other hotel.
  • TOP QUALITY SERVICE.

Classic Inca Trail trek 4 Days

Considered the best hike of Peru´ and the world for the beauty and wonderful archeological sites on the mountains. Also you can see different microclimates. we will also see some archaeological centers that are partially covered by the forest and makes it look as if we discovered it for the first time, to finally arrive at the lost city of The Incas, “Machu Picchu“.

It is perfect for those who seek to experience archaeological, cultural treasures and great diversity of native plants of the zone. This is one of the most known hikes in the world and will reward those who are willing to break sweat with an impressive combination of mountains and beautiful trails.

We run our own tours, which guarantees the fair treatment of our porters and quality equipment creating an unforgettable trip for you that will be engraved in your memory and you will not be able to forget it or compare it with others.

FAQs Classic Inca Trail trek 2025

The Inca Trail is one of the most famous and most sought after Trek routes in Perú. Perhaps you are thinking of doing this hike and have some doubts.

Here we have the most frequently asked questions about the Inca Trail, which will help you better plan your adventure.

Is the Classic Inca Trail trek open all year?

The classic inca Inca Trail trek in its various 4-day accesses as well as the short 2-day version are open every day of the year except for the month of February. That month, the rainiest of the year, road maintenance and cleaning work is carried out on the route.

Can the Inca Trail be done without a Tour Guide and Travel Agency?

No, since 2001 it is not possible to do the Inca Trail without the company of an official tour guide.

Therefore, you must contract the services of an official agency that operates the authorized Inca trail.

How long does it take to finish the available spaces?

The 500 permits per day are reserved well in advance. Due to the high demand and therefore it is recommended to book the Inca Trail permits 6 to 5 months in advance, with the most requested dates from May to August.

The 2-day Inca Trail, on the other hand, is 250 permits per day, it can be reserved 1 month or weeks in advance. According to the availability of the one-way train to the starting point.

What to do if I can’t find availability?

In case you do not find availability of the 4-day Inca Trail, in Cusco andean hike you can find different options to do other similar hiking trails, such as Lares trek + short Inca trail 4D-3N.

This very little-known hiking route in Cusco, but you have the option of reaching Puerta del Sol by the short version of the Inca Trail route and observing Machu Picchu from the distance.

Other good options are: the 5-day salkantay trek, the 4-day Huchuy Qosqo trek.

Is there an age limit?

No, anyone can do the Inca Trail, both in its 4-day and 2-day versions. However, both adventures are not recommended for children under 8 years of age and adults over 65 years of age (prior medical consultation).

Can I find Inca Trail permits once in Cusco?

No, the 4-day Inca Trail cannot be booked in Cusco, due to the fact that it takes a long time to plan. On the other hand, the 2-day Inca Trail can be purchased once in Cusco, just a few days in advance. (Previous availability of trains and permits of the Inca trail 2d-1n).

Can I only book the Inca Trail online?

Yes, the 4-day Inca Trail, due to the high demand for permits, can only be reserved online. If you live in the city of Cusco, you can approach an authorized Inca Trail tour operator.

Itinerary

DAY I CUSCO - KILÓMETRO 82 - LLAQTAPATA - HUAYLLABAMBA

DAY I CUSCO – KILÓMETRO 82 – LLAQTAPATA – HUAYLLABAMBA

CUSCO ANDEAN HIKE will pick you up from your hotel very early at 5:00 a.m on our private bus. Maybe your breakfast is not included in your hotel we will stop at ollantaytambo (a village in the sacred valley) To have a breakfast and you can buy some things that you lack (breakfast is not included by CUSCO ANDEAN HIKE).

Then we continue with our trip to arrive at kilometer 82 Piscacucho around 8:30 am, we enlist With our backpacks, then we walked to stop us near the train track to make photographs under a large sign the beginning of the Inca Trail.

We see the checkpoint with tourists in the queue, we will show the ticket and passport. Once inside the Inca trail, the hike is easy, looking at the flora and fauna and archaeological sites, stopping in some places to have information about Inca sites, there are  some villages with people selling water and food to tourists, we see the Way to LLAQTAPATA and the place of lunch Tarachayaq, after lunch we walk for an hour and half, to the camp that is in Huayllabamba village, a place to camp.

  • Meals: Lunch/Dinner
  • Accommodations: Camping
  • Maximum altitude: 2980 m/ 9776 ft
  • Minimum altitude: 2750 m/9000 ft
  • Distance walk: 14 km/8.7 miles
  • Approximate walking time: 7 hours
  • Difficulty: Moderate
DAY II HUAYLLABAMBA - DEAD WOMAN´S PASS - PACAYMAYO

DAY II HUAYLLABAMBA – DEAD WOMAN´S PASS – PACAYMAYO

It is harder for everyone, we will gradually ascend to the highest point on the Inca trail, the dead woman’s pass  or Warmiwañuska(4215masl) we walk from the village of Huayllabamba (2980 masl) along the way we can find different native trees  Of the area as it is also possible to find local animals like condor, hummingbird, deer, foxes, along the way we can find only two places to buy water and some food, after the second place nobody sells anything. But do not worry we will make water to provide them during the last two days of the Inca trail.

Here you will have the great satisfaction of reaching the highest point of the entire Inca Trail. After this fabulous experience, we will have to descend to Pacaymayo, where we will have lunch, dinner and our camp

  • Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • Accommodations: Camping
  • Maximum altitude: 4215m/ 13825 ft
  • Minimum altitude: 2980 m/9776 ft
  • Distance walk: 7 km/4.3 miles
  • Approximate walking time: 7 hours
  • Difficulty: Challenging
DAY III PACYAMAYU - PHUYUPATAMARCA - WIÑAYWAYNA

DAY III PACYAMAYU – PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAYWAYNA

This day is one of the longest. But the presence of small Inca archaeological sites along the way makes it worthwhile. We will ascend by a steep path and to the second pass, where we will find the first archeological center of Runkuracay (3750 masl) and the runkurakay pass (3950 masl). Afterwards, we will descend to Sayaqmarka (3600 masl) known as “The dominant city”.

After the visit of the archaeological center we continue for about 30 min until the lunch place chakicocha, then continue the journey until reaching the first tunnel on the way and Then we will arrive at the last step on the Inca Trail, from where we will see the city of Phuyupatamarca, “town on the clouds” (3665 masl), undoubtedly one of the most original cities of the Inca Trail. Then we will descend using around 2000 stone steps until we reach our last Wiñaywayna camp “forever young” (2667 masl).

  • Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • Accommodations: Camping
  • Maximum altitude: 3950m/ 12959ft
  • Minimum altitude: 2667 m/8750 ft
  • Distance walk: 16 km/9.3 miles
  • Approximate walking time: 8 to 9 hours
  • Difficulty: Moderate
DAY IV WINAYWAYNA - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

DAY IV WINAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We will get up very early and have our breakfast. This day we will walk our last section of the Inca road about 6 km away, or 2 hours approx. Along the route, we can see a great variety of flora and fauna typical of the area. Afterwards, we will reach Inti PunkuSUN GATE” (2720 masl). It is an excellent opportunity to take panoramic photographs of the citadel of Machu Picchu (2430 masl), since it is clearly visible from this point, one of the most important urban constructions of the Inca Empire Period.

Once in Machu Picchu, we will have a guided tour of 2 hours approx. And after the tour you will have free time to visit the city and take more photos.

If you have some tikect to visit some of the mountains like Huaynapicchu or Machu picchu mountain you will have enough time to do it.

Then, we will take the bus in the direction of the town of Aguas Calientes 25 minutes. In this city, you will be able to have some time to take lunch and later we will take the train back to Cusco from Peru Rail – Expedition. You must be at the train station 30 minutes before to take the train to Ollantaytambo. In this city will be waiting for our transfer with our bus to take him to Cusco and his hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Maximum altitude: 2720m/ 8923ft
  • Minimum altitude: 2430 m/7972 ft
  • Distance walk: 6km/3.9 miles
  • Approximate walking time: 2hours
  • Difficulty: Easy

Includes

INCLUDED

Acclimatize Tour Explore Cusco (optional)

  • We have for you an Optional Walk. If you have time and are interested, we can do the acclimatization tour visiting one of the archaeological centers of Cusco and discover hidden places in the city.
  • Professional Tour Guide.
  • Approximate tour of 5 hours.
  • This is a free activity for travelers who book tours from 2 days and require acclimatization.

Briefing

Informative meeting, one day before the adventure. Once there, you will receive all the pertinent information for your hike and the guide will answer all your doubts.

Transport

  • Private bus pick up from your hotel to the starting point of the trek  km 82 or Piskacucho
  • Bus ticket down.  Machu picchu to Aguas Calientes.
  • Return ticket by train EXPEDITION Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo.
  • Return bus from Ollnataytambo station to your hotel in Cusco.

Accommodation

  • Camps for 4 days and 3 nights.

Field Staff

  • Professional travel Guide in Spanish and English with many years of experience in adventure tourism
  • Professional chef
  • Porters  to carry the necessary equipment and the personal effects of the passengers of up to 7 kg

Water

  • Cusco Andean Hike will provide you with boiled water (previously filtered and cooled) from your first lunch, last breakfast and for your bottles before each walk (you decide how many liters you need each day).
  • Drinking enough water and hydrating is very important to be able to feel good in the mountains and thus avoid altitude sickness.

 Food

  • Breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners (breakfast on day 1 and lunch, dinner on the last day are not included).
  • Option Vegan, vegetarian.

DUFFEL BAG

  • You have included 7 kg so you can carry your personal belongings (be careful with the fragile items)

Tickets and Permits

  • Entrance to Machu Picchu
  • Inca trail Permits

Camping equipment

  • High mountain tent for 4 people, but we use it for 2 people (more comfort for you). If you want a personal tent  we also have personal tents (you must inform us in advance).
  •  The best Mattress, we use therm-a-rest sleeping pad.

NOT INCLUDED

  • Classic Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days: Breakfast not included first day, lunch and dinner of the last day.
  • Sleeping bag.
  • Walking sticks.
  • Ticket HUAYNA PICCHU and MOUNTAIN MACHU PICCHU (if you want any of the tickets you must inform us in advance to be able to make the reservation – any of the tickets has an extra cost)
  • Extra Porter to carry personal belongings of customers more than those already included (for 7 kilos to 14 kilos).
  • Tips for staff.

Huayna picchu and Machu picchu mountain both must be previously reserved more information: info@cuscoandeanhike.com

Price & Availability

INCA TRAIL TREK AVAILABILITY

The Inca Trail is a protected area. To avoid environmental and archaeological damage, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture only allows the entry of a maximum of 500 people per day, including (porters, cooks and guides).

Due to the high demand, the spaces for the Inca Trail trek are sold out every minute, so we strongly recommend that you confirm your reservation as soon as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Small Groups 2 to 8 pax
  • 24/7 assistance by our Whatsapp ✆+51 944363112
  • Extra porter 7Kg
  • Food Options  – best Chef – Vegan, vegetarian.
  • Sleeping pad included Therm a rest 
  • Professional tour guide English speaker from the beginning to end
  • 100% Quality service.

INCA TRAIL PRICE 2025

Group service from 2 pax

  • US$ 780 per person.

Private service from 2 pax

  •   US$ 860 per person.

  • US$ 1150 One person

EXTRAS

  • Huayna Picchu Mountain –    US$ 70.00 per person.
  • Machu Picchu Mountain   –    US$ 70.00 per person.
  • Sleeping Bag – US$ 25 per person.
  • Walking Poles – US$ 20  a pair  of walking poles.

Huayna picchu and Machu picchu mountain both must be previously reserved more information: info@cuscoandeanhike.com

INCA TRAIL DISCOUNTS

  • STUDENT DISCOUNT  US$ 35.00 (Valid studend card at the time of the trek  or under 17 years old, we need to see the copy of the card for receive the discount).
  • KIDS ON THE INCA TRAIL US$ 40.00 (Just we need the copy of the passport).

Book Now

Check availability

Write to us by Whatsapp and a member of staff will be with you 24/7.

Consult our payment methods

We recommend 1st Wester Union & Money Gram, low shipping cost

Deposit and dispatch of documents

Send receipt of payment, passports or ID documents

How to book

For any of our services, you must send your personal information and a deposit of US $ 200 per person, the rest may pay at our office in Cusco two days prior to your trip, to get the student discount you must send your ISIC card original by means of a photo to our mail info@cuscoandeanhike.com:

  • Name and surname
  • Passport number
  • Gender
  • Birthday date
  • Student Card (ISIC if you are a student Yes or No)
  • Nationality
  • Email – Phone number
  • Food preferences

PAYPAL

You can make the deposit from our website by PayPal, please note that PayPal charges a 6% tax that automatically includes this option, once the deposit is made, send us the confirmation by email. To make your deposit by PayPal click on the “Pay Now” button below.

WESTERN UNION & MONEY GRAM

You can also use these means to make the deposit. On behalf of our administrator. Take into account that this deposit generates transfer costs, which our clients must assume.

  • Name: Maria
  • Last name: Catunta choque
  • Identity number: 42265390
  • Address: Urb. Progress Jr-spine L-15
  • City: Cusco
  • Country: Peru

Note:

Once the deposit is made, you will receive a receipt with the money transfer code, the client must send the receipt with a photograph to our email. info@cuscoandeanhike.com

Packing list

Classic Inca Trail Trek Packing List

Packing list Make sure to pack only what is strictly necessary for the hike to Machu Picchu itself, and leave your other belongings at the hotel.

What to pack for the Classic inca trail trek?

Important items to pack for the Classic Inca Trail trek 2024.

  • Original Passport (the same name and number passport that you booked).
  • Back Pack (capacity of 36 liters).
  • Sleeping Bag that resists up to -5° celsius (23° fahrenheit) in case you are not bringing your  own, you can rent one from Cusco Andean Hike.
  • Clothes for Trekking: Hiking boots, waterproof clothes (short, pants, rain jacket), T- shirt, and light sweaters. also bring clothes and a warm sweater to change into when we rest at the campsite, preferably made of cotton to keep you warm, especially for the first two nights. when you are hiking it is best to use your waterproof gear.
  • Hiking Poles. In case you do not own any, you can rent
  • Rubber tip.
  • 3 plastic bags to be able to keep your clothes separatein these 3 categories: clean, wet and dirty
  • Toiletries: Ensure you bring enough of everything you will need for the entire trek: soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, a towel and antibacterial gel.
  • Medication: If you are currently taking specific medication, please bring enough with you for the duration of your sta. We recommend you pack some altitude sickness prevention tablets such us aspirine, coramina diamox, sorochipills or acetazolamina, anti-blister gel is also a good idea to avoid getting excessive blisters on your feet from the uphill hiking, since if this gets out of hand it could compromise your participation in the trk.
  • For those who are staying over in Aguas Calientes: Remember to bring clean clothes for your stay after the hike ends. In case you would like to visit the relaxing hot springs in Aguas Calientes. do not forget to bring swimwear and a towel.

  • Camera.
  • Flashligh and Extra Battery
  • Sun cream.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Insect Repellent.
  • Canteen or Camel bak.
  • Swiss army knife (optional)

you can also bring some small change Peruvian soles to buy beverages or somethin along the hike, but this is optional. If you are going to stay in the town of Aguas Calientes an extra night, we recommend you to bring enough cash with you.

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