Premium Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days / 4 Nights

This premium version of the Inca Trail 5 Days tour is a refined variation of the Classic Inca Trail. Over four days of trekking and a visit to Machu Picchu on day five following a comfortable hotel stay, you have the opportunity to explore off-the-beaten paths and enjoy a more secluded experience. Our journey includes a final night of camping at Phuyupatamarca, arguably the most breathtaking spot on the trail, exclusively available on the Premium Inca Trail. We conclude our adventure with an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, where we dine together at one of the town’s best restaurants, Indio Feliz.

The Premium Inca Trail 5 Days itinerary lets you experience Machu Picchu twice. Enjoy an early morning hike to catch the sunrise over the citadel and later, a guided tour at sunset. Each campsite is carefully chosen for its spectacular and remote setting. Far from the city’s glare, the Andean night sky offers a mesmerizing display of stars. We are committed to making your camping experience comfortable by using top-quality equipment and a team of experienced porters. Our chefs, true masters of mountain cuisine, will delight you with exceptional meals throughout the trek!

Experience a worry-free adventure as we handle all transfers, transport, and tickets, ensuring a seamless journey. Our expert guides, selected for their trekking expertise and in-depth historical knowledge, will keep you on track, set a steady pace, and provide insightful commentary on the ancient sites along the way.

Due to several steep ascents surpassing 4,000m, this trek is classified as “Challenging” and is recommended for individuals with good physical fitness and some trekking experience.

Whether you are traveling as a couple, family, or group of friends—or if you’re seeking a private adventure—this unique trek promises an unforgettable mountain experience.

Highlights

• Trek with passionate local guides who have hiked the Inca Trail over 500 times and led tours at Machu Picchu more than 700 times
• Enjoy premier camping gear
• Savor authentic Peruvian cuisine prepared by our expert chefs
• Follow the original Inca Trail and explore ancient Incan sites along the way
• Enter the sacred city of Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
• Experience a fully inclusive service
• Stay one night in a hotel before touring Machu Picchu
• Relish a scenic Vistadome train ride back to Cusco

• Type of tour: Historical, guided expedition with train ride, trekking, camping, and hotel stays.
• Distance covered: 45 km (28 miles)
• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
• Lowest elevation: 2400m (7,880 feet)
• Highest elevation: 4200m (13,776 feet)
• Difficulty (1 to 10): 7

Group size: We keep our hiking groups small—typically 2 to 8 participants—to ensure personalized service and flexibility.

Accommodation: This trek includes three nights in tents and one night in a hotel on a double occupancy basis. Solo travelers can request a private tent or a single hotel room.

Our guides: Peru Trails was founded in 2015 by Jose Condor, a veteran guide with experience dating back to 2004 and over 1,000 visits to Machu Picchu. Starting as a porter on the Inca Trail and later earning a degree in tourism, Jose has built a team of professionally trained guides who receive annual refresher courses and wilderness first-response training. Your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities.

Location: The trek begins in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, depending on your preference. You will fly into Lima and then connect to Cusco via Velasco Astete Airport.

Departures: This hike is operated exclusively by Peru Trails. We depart daily, year-round, with small groups (averaging 2 to 5 participants) to offer a tailored experience. We recommend booking at least six months in advance. For inquiries, please contact us via WhatsApp at +51 987467790 or email us at info@perutrails.com.

Day 0: Briefing

At Peru Trails, we believe it’s essential that all guests receive the final details—such as the itinerary, challenges, and packing tips—before the trek begins. A pre-arranged briefing will be held at your Cusco hotel the day before departure.

Day 1: Warm-Up Day – Cusco to Wayllabamba

An early departure from your Cusco hotel marks the start of our journey. We travel through picturesque villages to the starting point of the Classic Inca Trail at Pisqacucho (Km. 82), where our team of porters—responsible for carrying equipment and preparing meals—awaits.

The Classic Inca Trail begins along a path lined with cacti and dry forest, with views of Waqayhillca mountain at 5,800m (19,030 feet), the highest peak in the Sacred Valley range. After about two hours of hiking, we pause for lunch. In the final two hours, the terrain transitions to jungle, offering a glimpse of the largest hummingbird, the Patagonia gigas. We aim to reach our campsite by 4 p.m.

Upon arrival, our porters provide a warm water wash. After a refreshing break, we enjoy a happy hour featuring hot drinks, popcorn, and cookies, with dinner served by 7 p.m.

• Distance covered: 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 Day Through Dead Woman’s Pass – Huayllabamba to Paqaymayo

An early wake-up call from our porters, along with freshly brewed coffee, starts the day. After a warm wash and a hearty breakfast, we set off around 7 a.m. This day is particularly demanding due to the high altitude and the ascent to Warmiwañusqa (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,215m (13,776 feet)—a climb of nearly 4,000 feet.

The four-hour trek takes you through high-altitude terrain, entirely uphill, offering stunning mountain vistas. Upon reaching the summit, we descend to our campsite at Paqaymayo (3,650m / 11,975 feet), where temperatures may drop to 0°C (32°F) during winter (May to August).

• Distance covered: 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 and Historical Day – Paqaymayo to Phuyupatamarca

This day features the longest stretch on the Premium Inca Trail, rewarded with breathtaking views, multiple Incan sites, and lush jungle flora, including orchids. We begin with a 1.5-hour ascent to the second pass, Runkuraqay (3,950m / 12,959 feet). After a short break for photos, we descend to explore the Incan ruins of Sayaqmarca before stopping for lunch. After lunch, we hike for about 1.5 hours through varied terrain to reach what is widely regarded as the most picturesque campsite on the trail.

• Distance covered: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours
• Lowest elevation: 3650m (11,975 feet)
• Highest elevation: 3950m (12,959 feet)
• Difficulty: Moderate to demanding

Day 4: Down to Machu Picchu Through Sun Gate

After a breathtaking sunrise, we depart early from camp and descend for about three hours to Wiñayhuayna, where some of the most magnificent Incan ruins along the trail await. A guided tour is provided at the site, followed by our final trek lunch. After bidding farewell to our porters and chef, we embark on a two-hour hike to Machu Picchu, arriving before sunset—ideal for capturing stunning photos as the crowds thin. We then take a bus to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night in a hotel and enjoy a group dinner.

• Distance covered: 12 km (7.4 miles)
• Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours
• Lowest elevation: 2400m (7,874 feet)
• Highest elevation: 3700m (12,139 feet)
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5: Machu Picchu Tour

Rise early to catch one of the first buses to Machu Picchu and witness a magnificent sunrise. Enjoy a guided tour of the citadel for approximately two and a half hours, exploring key sites such as the main viewpoint, temple, terraces, granaries, and stone quarry—this package includes a full Machu Picchu permit.

At around 1 p.m., board the scenic Vistadome train for a 1.5-hour ride to Ollantaytambo station, followed by a car transfer to Cusco, taking an additional 1.5 hours.

Why Choose Peru Trails

• Peru Trails offers tailor-made treks and tours designed around your interests.
• We are committed to delivering world-class tours backed by exceptional customer service.
• As a locally owned and experienced company based in Cusco, our team brings decades of firsthand tourism expertise.
• Our staff is fluent in English, Spanish, and Quechua—the language of the Incas.
• Our guides are professionally trained in Incan history, Peruvian culture, wilderness first aid, and trekking.
• We are dedicated to protecting our environment and promoting sustainable tourism.
• We empower local communities through fair labor practices and community development programs, including educational support and local projects.
• Every trip is meticulously planned to offer you an experience of a lifetime!
• Peru Trails provides a worry-free trekking experience by managing all logistics so you can fully immerse yourself in the adventure.

Peru Small Group Specialists

Our tours are crafted for adventurers who love exploring new places, experiencing local culture, and capturing historical moments through photography—ideal for solo travelers, friends, couples, or families. We keep our groups small (typically 4 to 8 participants) to ensure flexibility and personalized service.