Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is renowned as one of the world’s most celebrated multi-day hikes. Trekking in the footsteps of ancient Incan pilgrims to the mystical citadel of Machu Picchu is a truly remarkable experience, as the trail ascends dramatic mountain passes with awe-inspiring views of the majestic Andes. Along the way, you will encounter well-preserved Incan ruins, visit remote highland communities maintaining ancestral traditions, and traverse diverse ecosystems ranging from arid highlands to lush cloud forests.
You will camp for 3 nights in some of the most stunning and secluded settings. We are dedicated to ensuring your camping experience is as comfortable as possible, utilizing top-quality gear and the expertise of seasoned porters who prioritize your safety. Enjoy authentic mountain Peruvian cuisine, expertly prepared to delight your palate!
We manage all transportation and ticket arrangements to guarantee a seamless journey. Our guides are carefully selected for their extensive trekking experience, deep historical insights, and wilderness first aid expertise. They will guide you along the trail, setting a steady pace while sharing the rich history of the sites you visit.
Due to several steep ascents reaching over 13,800 ft, this trek is considered challenging. We recommend it for individuals with good physical fitness and some trekking experience.
Highlights of the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days
- Hike with our passionate local guides who have completed the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days over 300 times and led more than 500 Machu Picchu tours.
- Enjoy our premium camping equipment.
- Delight in authentic Peruvian cuisine prepared by our expert chefs.
- Follow the original Inca Trail and discover numerous Incan sites along the journey.
- Enter the sacred city of Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate.
- Benefit from our comprehensive all-inclusive service.
- Type of tour: Historical, guided tour, train journey, trekking, camping
- Distance: 45 km (28 miles)
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights camping
- Lowest elevation: 2400m (7,880 feet)
- Highest elevation: 4200m (13,776 feet)
- Difficulty level (1 to 10): 7-8 (with 10 being extremely challenging)
Group size: We maintain small hiking groups, typically 2 to 8 participants, to ensure personalized service and quality experiences.
Imagine trekking in silence along a secluded path without the distraction of large crowds. Small groups allow for intimate encounters with nature and greater flexibility during your adventure.
Accommodation: This trek includes 3 nights in our robust, spacious two-person tents. Solo travelers may request a private tent or be paired with another adventurer.
Our guides: Peru Trails was founded on a passion for guiding unforgettable treks. Our lead guide, Jose Condor, began as a porter on the Classic Inca Trail and has since earned a tourism degree. Today, our team of expert guides—both men and women—hold professional certifications and receive annual refresher training, including Wilderness First Responder training, ensuring your safety and enriching your journey.
Location: This journey begins in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, according to your preference. You will fly into Lima, the capital of Peru, then connect to Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco.
Departures: Operated exclusively by Peru Trails, our departures run daily year-round. With group sizes averaging 2 to 8 participants, you receive a highly personalized service.
Book your adventure any time of the year. For inquiries, reach us 24/7 at +51 987467790 or via email at info@perutrails.com.
Day 0: Briefing
At Peru Trails, we ensure every guest receives all the essential details about the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu before embarking on this unforgettable journey. A full pre-trek briefing will be held at your Cusco hotel at 5:30 pm the day prior to departure.
Day 1: Warm-Up – Cusco to Wayllabamba
Your adventure begins early in the morning from your hotel in Cusco. We drive through picturesque villages en route to the starting point at Pisqacucho (Km. 82), where our team of porters—responsible for carrying all camping equipment and preparing meals—awaits you.
The trek commences along a trail lined with cacti and dry forest, with views of the towering Waqayhillca mountain (5,800 m / 19,030 feet). After approximately two hours of hiking, we pause for lunch. In the latter part of the journey, the landscape transitions into a jungle setting, where you might catch a glimpse of Patagonia gigas, the region’s largest hummingbird. We aim to reach the campsite by 4 pm.
Upon arrival, our porters will offer you a warm bowl of water to freshen up. Enjoy an Inca Trail happy hour featuring hot drinks, popcorn, and cookies, followed by dinner served by 7 pm.
- Distance: 12 km (7.4 miles)
- Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
- Lowest elevation: 2700m (8,858 feet)
- Highest elevation: 3000m (10,168 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 2: Challenging Ascent through Dead Woman’s Pass – Huayllabamba to Paqaymayo
Rise early to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee served by one of our porters in your tent. After a warm water wash and a hearty breakfast, the trek begins around 7 am. This day is particularly demanding due to the high altitude and the ascent to Warmiwañusqa (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,215 m (13,776 feet).
The four-hour hike traverses high-altitude jungle with steady inclines, offering spectacular mountain vistas. Upon reaching the pass, you will descend to the campsite at Paqaymayo (3,650 m / 11,975 feet), where nighttime temperatures may drop to 0°C / 32°F during winter (May to August).
- Distance: 11 km (7 miles)
- Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours
- Lowest elevation: 3000m (10,168 feet)
- Highest elevation: 4215m (13,776 feet)
- Difficulty: Demanding
Day 3: Jungle Trek – Paqaymayo to Wiñayhuayna
This day covers the longest stretch on the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, rewarding you with breathtaking views, fascinating Incan sites, and vibrant orchids along the way. The trek begins with an ascent to the second pass, Runkuraqay (3,450 m / 12,959 feet). After a pause for photos and rest, you will descend to explore the ruins of Sayacmarca before stopping for lunch.
Following lunch, a 1.5-hour hike leads into a gradual descent towards the campsite at Wiñayhuayna, where you will spend your final night on the trail.
- Distance: 16 km (9.9 miles)
- Hiking time: 8 to 10 hours
- Lowest elevation: 2650m (8,694 feet)
- Highest elevation: 3950m (12,959 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Day 4: Machu Picchu Tour and Train Return to Cusco
The day begins with an early wake-up call at 3:30 am, although you will not leave camp until 5:30 am. After packing and enjoying a final breakfast (available until 4:15 am), proceed to the checkpoint located just 5 minutes from the tents. Here, you will wait for over an hour until the gate opens at 5:30 am to catch the early train that transports your camping gear back to Cusco.
At 5:30 am, hike towards the Sun Gate to enjoy your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Continue with a 45-minute descent into the citadel, where a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour awaits. After the tour, a bus will take you down to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy a farewell lunch and a celebratory Peruvian Pisco Sour with your group before boarding the train back to Cusco, concluding your journey.
- Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)
- Hiking time: 2 hours of hiking and a 2.5-hour tour
- Lowest elevation: 2400m (7,874 feet)
- Highest elevation: 2700m (8,858 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate
Services included
- Transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
- 24/7 support available at +51 987467790
- Organic meals (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)
- Entrance tickets for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Porters to handle all camping equipment (food, tents, chairs, tables, etc.)
- A personal porter for your belongings (sleeping bag, pad, clothing, up to 7 kg/15.4 lbs)
- Duffle bag for your items (available upon request during briefing or by emailing us in advance)
- Trekking chef
- Daily supply of boiled drinking water
- Professional trekking guide with expertise in history, culture, fauna, and flora, trained in wilderness first aid
- Walkie-talkies for real-time communication with Machu Picchu Park in emergencies
- First Aid Kit, including an oxygen tank, carried by your guide
- Camping gear (sleeping, dining, kitchen tents, tables, chairs, air mattresses)
- Bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (expedition service; upgrade to vista dome available for an extra US$40 per person)
- Toilet tent with a proper toilet seat (public toilets are available but may be in poor condition)
Services excluded
- Sleeping bag (rental available for US$20; bags are sanitized after each use)
- Lunch and dinner on Day 4, as you will be in Aguas Calientes and free to choose your dining options
- Gratuities for porters and guides, which are optional and paid at the end of the trek
- Valid Passport – Ensure you bring your current passport. If you have recently renewed it, bring both the new passport and a copy or photo of the previous passport details provided at booking, as the information must match your Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tickets.
- Sleeping Bag – Recommended for temperatures at least 5°F; available for rent at US$20 if needed.
- Sturdy Hiking Shoes – Well-broken-in shoes with ankle support are essential.
- Insulating Fleece Jacket – A warm, wind-resistant jacket is recommended for chilly nights.
- Multiple T-Shirts – Bring at least 3 or 4 suitable for trekking; one for hiking, one for sleeping, and one for Machu Picchu.
- Socks – At least 3 pairs.
- Sun Hat – To protect your face on sunny days.
- Lightweight Long Pants – Preferably convertible trekking pants that dry quickly.
- Sleepwear – Warm, long underwear; consider bringing gloves for use at the campsite.
- Headlamp – Essential for navigating in dark campsites or during nighttime activities.
- Sunscreen – SPF 35 or higher is advised.
- Sunglasses
- Trekking Poles – They can reduce strain by up to 30%; available for rent at US$15 per pair for 4 days.
- Camera – With extra batteries, as battery life is reduced at high altitudes.
- Bug Repellent – To ward off mosquitoes year-round.
- Reusable Water Bottle – Use a Nalgene bottle or camel bag since plastic bottles are not permitted in Machu Picchu National Park. Fill up at the hotel in Cusco for the first day; additional water will be provided as needed.
- Toiletries
- Prescription Medications – Inform your trip leader of any medications you require.
- Dietary Restrictions – Note any allergies or food preferences on the booking form.
- Reading Material – Bring a book to enjoy during downtime; recommended titles include Last Days of the Incas by Kim MacQuarrie and Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams.
Why Choose Peru Trails
- Peru Trails offers personalized treks and tours tailored to your interests.
- We are committed to delivering world-class experiences with exceptional customer service.
- Locally owned and operated in Cusco, Peru, our team brings decades of expertise in Peruvian tourism.
- Our staff speaks English, Spanish, and Quechua, ensuring a culturally immersive journey.
- Our guides are professionally trained in Incan history, Peruvian culture, wilderness first aid, and trekking leadership.
- We are dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism practices.
- We empower local communities by creating job opportunities and supporting fair labor practices.
- Our programs contribute to the development of porter families and local communities through initiatives like tree planting and educational support.
- We honor the native communities that have safeguarded the lands you explore.
- A portion of every tour’s income supports an Education Fund for porters’ children.
- Our itineraries range from 1 to 15 days, offering a diverse and unique experience tailored to your needs.
- Peru Trails organizes worry-free tours so you can fully embrace your adventure.
Small Group Specialists
Our tours are designed for adventurers of all ages—whether traveling solo, with friends, as a couple, or with family. With group sizes typically between 2 and 8 people, you benefit from an intimate and flexible travel experience.
Group Service
Our tours usually consist of 2 to 8 guests per group, ensuring personalized service. Once a tour is booked with 2 guests, the travel date is generally fixed, providing a semi-private experience that allows you to connect with fellow travelers.
Accommodations
Costs are based on double occupancy in US dollars. For single occupancy, please contact us at info@perutrails.com or reach us via WhatsApp at +51 987467790.
To secure your reservation, a 20% deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 30 days prior to your trip.
Why Choose Group Service
- Once a tour date is confirmed with 2 guests, it typically remains unchanged.
- This option offers the opportunity to meet and socialize with other travelers.
- You receive the same high-quality service as with private tours.
- If any traveler is unable to continue, the tour will proceed as planned.
Private Service
Our private service is available for solo travelers or groups of any size, allowing you to select your preferred travel dates.
Accommodations
We operate with 3-star hotels as standard, with customization options for 5-star accommodations.
Costs are based on double occupancy in US dollars. For single occupancy, please contact us at info@perutrails.com or via WhatsApp at +51 987467790.
To confirm your booking, a 20% deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 30 days prior to your trip.
Why Choose Private Service
- This option provides the flexibility to tailor the tour to your specific needs.
- Tour dates can be adjusted if scheduling permits.
- It is ideal for families, couples, or groups celebrating special occasions such as honeymoons.
- You receive the same level of service as our group tours.
