4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The 4-Day Classic Inca Trail is the most iconic trek in Peru and the only route that allows you to reach Machu Picchu by walking along the original trail built by the Incas. You will hike approximately 45 kilometers from Piskacucho, Km 82 in the Sacred Valley, until reaching the citadel through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate.
During the four-day trek, you will cross landscapes that change completely along the way: open valleys, mountain passes above 4,000 meters, and cloud forests where vegetation surrounds the ancient trail. The highest point is Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca), located at approximately 4,215 m a.s.l., which you will cross on the second day and represents the most challenging section of the route.
You will visit archaeological sites that can only be experienced along this route, including Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñay Wayna. These sites were part of the ceremonial path used by the Incas to reach Machu Picchu, and discovering them in sequence on foot provides a unique understanding of the landscape and history.
On the fourth day, you will start before sunrise to reach Inti Punku and enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu with the morning light. It is the moment every hiker looks forward to after three days on the trail.
Inca Trail permits are limited and issued under each traveler’s personal information. They often sell out months in advance, especially between May and September, so we recommend securing your permit before purchasing flights.
Itinerary of the 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba
Before leaving your hotel, make sure you have your original passport and, if you are a student, your valid student ID. Hotel pick-up is scheduled around 5:30 a.m. using tourist transportation for an approximately 3.5-hour journey to the starting point of the Inca Trail. Along the way, you will travel through the Sacred Valley, enjoying views of the Urubamba River, traditional villages, and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, there will be a short stop where you can purchase souvenirs or use the facilities. From there, we continue by bus to Piskacucho, arriving at approximately 10:00 a.m.
At Piskacucho (Km 82), you will meet the rest of the group, including the Quechua porters and the cook. This is also the first official Inca Trail checkpoint, where permits, entrance tickets, and passports are verified. After registration, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Urubamba River to begin the trek.
The first day is the easiest of the four, allowing you to gradually adapt to the pace of the trek. The hike begins with a gentle ascent and continues for approximately two hours along relatively flat terrain, following the river until reaching Miskay, where the first lunch prepared by the group’s cook will be served.
After lunch, the route continues to Patallacta, an Inca archaeological site featuring extensive agricultural terraces. From there, you will continue along the left side of the river for approximately two hours, enjoying views of Wakay Willka Mountain (also known as Veronica), which reaches around 5,900 m above sea level, and the Urubamba Mountain Range, marking the transition between the Andes and the cloud forest. The hike ends in the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 m a.s.l.), arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m., where the campsite will be set up.
Upon arrival at the campsite, our staff will serve tea time with hot beverages and snacks. Dinner will be ready around 7:30 p.m.
- Hiking duration: approximately 5 hours.
- Distance: 10 km / 6.5 miles.
- Difficulty: moderate.
- Climate: warm with occasional winds.
- Altitude: from 2,700 m a.s.l. (start point) to 3,000 m a.s.l. (campsite).
- Accommodation: camping.
Day 2: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) – Pacaymayo
This is the most challenging day of the route. The staff will bring a cup of coca tea to your tent early in the morning, and the hike begins around 7:00 a.m. The first hours involve a steady ascent through polylepis forest until reaching the puna, the open grassland area characteristic of these high-altitude landscapes. After a stop at Llulluchapampa to refill water, there are approximately two more hours of climbing to Warmiwañusca, also known as Dead Woman’s Pass, located at 4,200 m a.s.l., the highest point of the Inca Trail. It is recommended to keep warm clothing and a hat accessible, as temperatures can drop quickly.
From the pass, the trail descends toward the Pacaymayo Valley. The descent takes approximately two hours until reaching the campsite located at 3,600 m a.s.l.
- Distance: 16 km.
- Hiking time: approximately 7 hours.
- Difficulty: challenging.
- Altitude: 3,000 – 4,200 – 3,600 m a.s.l.
- Accommodation: camping.
Day 3: Pacaymayo – Sayacmarca – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna
This is the most diverse day in terms of landscapes. A two-hour ascent leads to Runkurakay Pass, located at 4,000 m a.s.l., passing by the circular archaeological site of the same name and two small mountain lakes. The descent continues to Sayacmarca, a complex built on a rocky promontory with a narrow entrance, and then to Chaquicocha, where lunch is served.
In the afternoon, the trail crosses cloud forest filled with orchids, mosses, and ferns, passes through an original Inca stone tunnel, and reaches Phuyupatamarca, known for its ceremonial fountains that are still preserved. The final section descends along original Inca stone steps, passes through the Intipata terraces, and ends at Wiñay Wayna, located at 2,680 m a.s.l., the last campsite before reaching Machu Picchu.
- Distance: 14 km.
- Hiking time: approximately 7 hours.
- Difficulty: moderate to challenging.
- Altitude: 3,600 – 4,000 – 2,680 m a.s.l.
- Accommodation: camping.
Day 4: Wiñay Wayna – Inti Punku (Sun Gate) – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Upon reaching Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, you will enjoy your first complete view of Machu Picchu, the same entrance used by travelers who arrived at the citadel through the Inca Trail. After a short break to rest and take photos, you will descend for approximately forty minutes toward the entrance, with the citadel getting closer as you continue walking.
The Inca Trail permit grants you access to Machu Picchu through Circuit 3B, the route designated for travelers arriving on foot. For approximately two hours, your guide will accompany you through this circuit and explain the history and architecture of the citadel. During the visit, you will explore the agricultural sector, the Temple of the Sun, the Inca House, the ceremonial fountains, the Three Doorways sector, and the Temple of the Condor, along with the classic viewpoints of the urban sector. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore the site on your own and take the photographs you wish. If you have an entrance ticket for Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you may use it at this time; remember to reserve in advance, as availability is limited.
After completing your visit, you will take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where lunch will be served and you will receive your train tickets. In the afternoon, you will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, and from the station, private transportation will take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
View Route Map
What’s Included?
- Pre-trek briefing with the guide one or two days before the hike at our office in Cusco.
- Secure luggage storage at our office during the trek.
- Hotel pick-up on the day the tour begins.
- Tourist transportation from Cusco to Km 82, the starting point of the Inca Trail.
- Bilingual professional guide in English and Spanish.
- Second guide for groups of 9 travelers or more.
- Cook and assistant responsible for preparing meals.
- Entrance tickets to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- Meals during the trek: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 snacks, and 3 dinners.
- Vegetarian menu or special diet at no additional cost, upon request.
- Boiled water to refill your bottle starting from the morning of the second day.
- Porters to transport tents, food, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment.
- Personal porter to carry up to 6 kg of your belongings.
- Mountain tent for 4 people, shared by 2 travelers for greater comfort.
- Thermarest inflatable mattress for each participant.
- Dining tent equipped with tables, chairs, and lighting.
- Kitchen tent with utensils and complete equipment.
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.
- Approximately 2-hour guided visit of Machu Picchu.
- Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes.
- Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo on the fourth day.
- Tourist transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Services not mentioned in the program
More Trek Information
Check this list before packing your backpack. If you are missing anything, there are stores in Cusco where you can easily buy or rent trekking equipment.
Documents
- Original passport, the same one used for your reservation.
- Valid student ID, if applicable.
- Copy of your travel insurance.
- Tour voucher provided by our team.
Essentials
- Small backpack.
- Snacks: cookies, chocolate, cereal bars, and candy.
- Extra cash for souvenirs or personal expenses.
Clothing and Footwear
- Warm jacket.
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho.
- Hat or cap for sun protection.
- Comfortable, previously used hiking shoes.
Personal First Aid Kit
- Your usual medications.
- Sunscreen.
- Insect repellent.
- Lip balm.
Hygiene
- Wet wipes.
- Toilet paper.
Other Items
- Sunglasses.
- Camera.
- Trekking poles with rubber tips (optional).
Final Recommendation
Arrive in Cusco at least one day before the trek to allow time for acclimatization.
Where does the 4-Day Classic Inca Trail begin?
The trek begins at Piskacucho, also known as Km 82. There, you will present your passport, pass the entrance checkpoint, and meet the team that will accompany you throughout the route.
How many nights do you spend camping?
The program includes three nights of camping. Our team is responsible for transporting, setting up, and removing the tents at each campsite.
How many days of acclimatization are recommended before starting?
We recommend staying at least two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the trek. This allows your body to adapt better to the altitude and start the route in good condition.
Which day is the most challenging on the Inca Trail?
The second day is usually the most demanding because it includes the ascent to Warmiwañusca, also known as Dead Woman’s Pass. You can walk at your own pace and take the breaks you need along the way.
Do I need previous mountain hiking experience?
Technical hiking experience is not required, but a good level of fitness is recommended. Before your trip, it is advisable to practice walking, climb stairs, and maintain a moderate exercise routine.
How much luggage can my personal porter carry?
The service includes a personal porter who can carry up to 6 kg of your belongings. You will carry a small daypack with the items you need during the trek.
How is water provided during the trek?
From the morning of the second day, you will receive boiled water to refill your bottle. For the first day, you should bring enough water from Cusco or Ollantaytambo.
Which archaeological sites are visited along the route?
During the trek, you will visit sites such as Patallacta, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, and Wiñay Wayna before reaching Machu Picchu through Inti Punku.
What is the arrival at Machu Picchu like?
On the final day, you will hike from Wiñay Wayna to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From this point, you will enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu before descending to the citadel.
What documents do I need to present at the Km 82 checkpoint?
You must present the original passport used for your reservation. Students must also bring their valid student ID if they booked with a student discount.
Can I do the Inca Trail without an authorized agency?
No. Access to the Inca Trail must be arranged through an authorized agency and includes registered permits, a professional guide, and support staff.
Does the Inca Trail operate during February?
No. The Inca Trail network is closed throughout February for conservation and maintenance work. Treks normally operate from March to January, subject to official conditions.
What support does the team provide during the trek?
The group is accompanied by guides, cooks, and porters. The guide also carries a first aid kit and oxygen for possible emergencies.
What happens to the tents while I am hiking?
The porters transport the equipment to the next campsite and prepare everything before your arrival. This way, your tent will be ready when you finish each day’s hike.
Does the fourth day include time to visit Machu Picchu?
Yes. After arriving through the Sun Gate, you will enjoy an approximately two-hour guided visit of the main areas of Machu Picchu, according to the assigned circuit.
4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour
We offer fixed prices throughout the year, with no unexpected payments or hidden fees. The rate includes all services detailed in the program from the beginning to the end of your journey.
This excursion is available exclusively as a private service. You will share the experience only with your family, friends, or travel companions. The price per person decreases according to the number of travelers in your group.
Discounts for Children and Students
| Category | Age | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 18+ | USD 790 |
| Student | 18–25 | USD 750 |
| Child | 3–17 | USD 720 |
| Infant | 0–2 | Free |
We offer special rates for infants, children, school students, and university students. To request a discount, you must send a digital copy of the required document before confirming your reservation.
We accept valid student IDs issued by universities from any country. Travelers aged 26 and older must book under the regular adult rate.
Additional Services
You can complement your experience with the following optional services. Requests must be made at the time of booking or, at the latest, one day before departure at our office located in Cusco’s Historic Center.
- Trekking pole rental: USD 10 per pair for use throughout the entire route.
- Huayna Picchu Mountain entrance: USD 70 per person. Spaces are limited and subject to availability.
- Machu Picchu Mountain entrance: USD 70 per person. We recommend requesting it in advance due to limited availability.
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to your hotel: USD 5 per person.
- Transfer from your hotel to Cusco Airport: USD 5 per person.
