The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu snakes its way through the Andes Mountains, tiny villages, following winding rivers and ruins that were abandoned long time ago. Explore The Inca Trail, hike through isolated communities with the best itinerary, best food, best porters, best tour guide!
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
HOTEL
DAY 1: CUSCO TO KM 82 (with a private bus) - KM 82 TO WAYLLABAMBA
Pick up from your hotel is very early in the morning (5:30 am). Once we’ve left Cusco by private bus we’ll drive through the famous Sacred Valley (Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo) and will arrive after about 2 ½ hours at “km 82” that is the start of the trail. On our way from Cusco to km 82 our bus usually stops for around 30 minutes in Ollantaytambo in order to give our customers the opportunity to have breakfast or to buy something else (snacks, drinks etc.). Having arrived at km 82 at around 09:00 am you are going to cross the Urubamba river and follow the left bank of the river for about 1 ½ hours. The first little climb will be to Wilka Rakay; from here there is a spectacular view of the Inca site Patallapta and the Kusichaca Valley. The subsequent descent down to Kusichaca river is very simple. On the way to our first camp side there are great views of the Urubamba mountain range with the snow-capped Peak Veronica (5’750 m, Wakay Wilka). We’ll follow Kusichaca Valley for approximately 7km up to Wayllabamba (3’000 m), where we will spend our first night.
Trekking distance: 12km
Estimated time: 6-7 approx.
Maximum altitude: 3000m
Campsite altitude: 3000m
DAY 2: WAYLLABAMBA TO PACAYMAYU
After an energetic breakfast we will start climbing up for about 1 hour to Tres Piedras (The Three Stones). A little farther we will enter into the beautiful cloud forest. After having trekked for around 2 hours through spectacular vegetation we will reach the tree lines and Llulluchapampa at 3’800m. Here we will stop to have a short break with some tea or coffee and some sandwiches to regain your strengths. You’ll need them for the next 1 ½ hours of hiking that will bring us to the highest point of the Inca Trail - Abra de Warmihuñusca or dead woman pass (4’215m). Predominant flora of this part of the trail is the vast grassy land that you’ll cross when getting closer to the pass. Once we have reached the summit of the pass, we’ll celebrate all together for having completed the most difficult part of Inca Trail. The following 2 hours descent will bring us to the base camp in Pacaymayo (3’600m) where we will spent the second night.
Trekking distance: 12km
Estimated time: 6-7 hours approx.
Maximum altitude: 4215m
Campsite altitude: 3600m
DAY 3: PACAYMAYU TO WIÑAYHUAYNA
The third day starts with a 40 minutes hike from Pacaymayo to Runkurakay. These small ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking Pacaymayo valley and offering a very nice view. Another 45 minutes hike will bring you to the top of the second pass, Abra Runkurakay (3’950m). The descent down to Sayacmarka (3’500m) takes around 1 hour. From here the trail descends into the magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging moss, ferns and native flowers. It takes 30 minutes passing by the small Inca site Conchamarka and then reaching Chaquicocha (3’550m), where we will have lunch. On the way to Phuyupatamarka pass (3’700 m) we will follow for approximately 1 ½ hours a paved stones road that also leads us through an Inca tunnel carved into the rocks. From the top of the pass we have a spectacular view of the snow-capped peaks Salcantay (6‘271m), Veronica (5’750m) and also of Machu Picchu mountain. The descent to the last camp site Wiñayhuyna (2’650m), close to Machu Picchu will take us around 2 ½ hours.
Trekking distance: 15km
Estimated time: 8-9 hours approx.
Maximum altitude: 3950m
Campsite altitude: 2650m
DAY 4: WIÑAYHUAYNA TO MACHU PICCHU
On the fourth day we will wake you up very early (at 4:00 am) to have breakfast and to be able start our hike to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. Like this we’ll be in Machu Picchu for the sunrise. From Wiñayhuyna it will take us around 1 hour to get the sun gate (Inti Punku at 2’720m). From here you will see magnificent Machu Picchu for the first time. It is another 40 minutes walk down to Machu Picchu and to get to the classical viewpoint. From here we’ll be able to overlook and admire the entire Machu Picchu complex. This is also the spot where you’ll be able to take the classical post card picture with its terrific view of Machu Picchu. Now we have to descend to the main entrance to leave our backpack in the deposit (10 minutes). We will then return to the Inca site to start the guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide. The tour takes approximately 2 hours. After that you will have free time to explore the site on your own again. Once you feel that you have seen every corner of Machu Picchu you will take a bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes to have lunch. Usually we take the bus at around 13:00 pm. The bus ride takes around 25 minutes and your guides will give you the ticket. Make sure that, before you leave Machu Picchu by bus, the guides give you time and location of the restaurant where the group meets in Aguas Calientes. You will get your train tickets back to Cusco.
Trekking distance: 6km
Estimated time: 2 hours
Maximum altitude: 2720m
Machu Picchu altitude: 2400m
Ending Point
HOTEL
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Service included:
Transportation: private transport from Cusco to the start of the trail at km82, bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (your hotel).
All meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners. Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruits, chicken, fish, meat, rice, pasta and hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is very effective against altitude sickness. Tea time every afternoon (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn). Every morning and afternoon we’ll provide warm water to clean yourself up. We can also provide vegetarian meals and special diets. Just let us know in advance or during the briefing on the evening before the trekking.
Camping equipment. 2 people will always share a spacious 4 people dome igloo tent with plenty of space for your backpacks. Inflatable mattress, cooking equipment, dining tent, kitchen tent, first aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
Porters to carry the tents, food, cooking equipment and your personal equipment such as mattress, sleeping bag and clothing to change. Porters will carry a maximum of 5 kilos per person (including sleeping bag).
Entrance fee to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish). Always 2 guides for 8 people.
Service not included:
First breakfast at Ollantaytambo (day 1)
Last lunch at Aguas Calientes (after having visited Machupicchu)
Sleeping bag (25 US$ to rent)
Tips and extra spending.
Ticket for Wayna Picchu. If you would like to climb Wayna Picchu you can select this option upon booking. Additional cost would be USD 80 per person.
Inka trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
The prices includes PERSONAL PORTERS and INFLATABLE MATTRESSES. We will provide you with duffle-bag at briefing time, to carry your personal equipment such as mattres, sleeping bag and clothing to change. You will only carry a small daypack with essential items such as rain gear, warm fleece, water bottle and camera.
This trek combines Inca ruins, original Inca trail, Inca steep(up and down), ecological zones with exuberant and diversity vegetation and more than 350 species of orchids so far cataloged in the sanctuary, which are the most beautiful, diversified and evolved flowers in the vegetable kingdom and fauna with numerous species of insects, reptiles, birds and mammals, the most representative of these area the spectacled bears( tremarctus ornatus), the trail goes over the high passes(4200m), grasslands with unforgettable views of the magnificent mountains, through the cloud forests and finally into the subtropical vegetation arriving on the final day to Machu Picchu.
Level of difficulty (low, medium, high): medium
Required fitness level (low, medium, high): medium
I can guide you in Machupicchu if you pay for my transportation, hostel. ( This is if you take only the one day Machu picchu tour).
I am a licensed local tour guide, born in Urubamba which is known as the Sacred Valley. I have a long experience in arranging exclusive private tours (23 years guiding) and excursions in Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco, Puno and other regions. Whether you are coming single, with family or a big group of friends, I promise you will have an unforgettable experience in Peru and an ultimate break away from the crowds into the most intimate settings.
I personally will carry out and conduct your tour (english and spanish). I Love to customize itineraries, sowhatever are your needs, don't hesitate to contact me, I will get back to you at the soonest with a sample of an adapted itinerary.
$3,500/ per group