Classic Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu
Walk the original stone path of the Incas for 4 days and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Permits, professional guide, cook, porters and camping included. Limited permits: book 3 months ahead.
Overview
The Classic Inca Trail is the most famous trek in South America: around 42 km of original Inca paving that links cloud forest, high passes and a chain of archaeological sites hidden in the mountains, before arriving at Machu Picchu through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. The Peruvian government limits the number of daily permits, so availability must be confirmed before booking.
Why trek the Inca Trail with us?
- We check permit availability for your dates before you pay anything.
- Professional guide, cook, porters for the camping gear and comfortable 4-person tents shared by only 2.
- Free luggage storage at Recoleta while you trek.
Highlights
- Original Inca stone path from Km 82 to Machu Picchu
- Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 m
- Inca sites of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna
- Sunrise entrance through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Tour plan
-
Day 1Cusco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba
Early pick-up and drive through the Sacred Valley to Km 82 (Piscacucho), the official start of the trail. After the permit check, an easy walk along the Urubamba river past the Inca site of Llactapata to the first camp in Wayllabamba.
≈ 12 km · 6 h · 3,000 m -
Day 2Wayllabamba – Dead Woman's Pass – Pacaymayo
The toughest day: a steady climb through native forest to Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m), the highest point of the trek, followed by a steep descent of Inca steps to the Pacaymayo valley camp.
≈ 11 km · 7 h · max. 4,215 m -
Day 3Pacaymayo – Sayacmarca – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna
The most beautiful day: second pass and the Inca sites of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca, "the town above the clouds", then a long descent through cloud forest to the terraces of Wiñay Wayna, close to the final checkpoint.
≈ 16 km · 8 h · max. 3,950 m -
Day 4Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Pre-dawn start to reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, for your first view of Machu Picchu. Guided tour of the citadel, then bus down to Aguas Calientes and backpacker train at 14:55 or 21:50 to Ollantaytambo, with a tourist bus back to Cusco.
≈ 5 km · 2,430 m
Included
- Transport to Km 82 (start of the Inca Trail)
- Inca Trail entrance permits
- Professional guide
- Mattress and 4-person tents (only 2 people per tent)
- Cook and cooking equipment
- Tables and chairs
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Porters for camping gear and food (not personal luggage)
- First-aid kit and oxygen
- Backpacker train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (14:55 or 21:50)
- Tourist bus Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Not included
- First breakfast and last lunch
- Sleeping bag (USD 15)
- Extra porter (USD 180 for 4 days – carries 14 kg)
- Consettur bus Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (USD 12)
- Aguas Calientes hot springs
- Huayna Picchu ticket (USD 65 extra)
- Tips
What to bring
- Backpack
- Warm clothes for the night
- Rain gear and poncho
- Flashlight / headlamp
- Cap or hat
- A couple of T-shirts
- Insect repellent
- Water purification tablets
- Personal medication
- Water bottle
- Original passport
- Student card (if applicable)
- Extra cash in soles and dollars
- Trekking poles
Important: Booking must be made 3 months in advance. Passport details are required to issue the permit and cannot be changed afterwards.
Your questions, answered
01How far in advance do I need to book the Inca Trail?+
Around 3 months in advance (6 months for May–August). Permits are limited by the government and sell out. Send us your dates and we confirm availability before you pay.
02Is the Inca Trail open all year?+
It closes every February for maintenance. The rest of the year it operates daily, with drier weather from April to October.
03Can I hire a porter for my personal backpack?+
Yes. An extra porter costs USD 180 for the 4 days and carries up to 14 kg.
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