“Classic Machu Picchu Trek”

4 Days Tour Highlights

Classic 4 days Inca Trail Trek from Km. 82, Complete Machu Picchu Tour and great scenic train ride

  • Tour starts and ends in Cusco
  • Departs any day
  • Inca trail permit included
  • Machu Picchu ticket included
  • Free luggage storage

Overview

Walking from one ancient Inca ruin to the next is a mystical and enigmatic experience you will never forget

Machu Picchu’s peculiar emplacement, high in the emerald green Andes, is characterized by a mystical cloud forest environment. This type of ecosystem is the habitat of unique species of flora and fauna, some of them threatened with extinction.

The invaluable archaeological heritage of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu combines magnificently with the splendid natural surroundings.

  • Arrive to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
  • Inca Trail permit included.
  • We pick you up from your Cusco hotel.
  • Expert guides and porters.
  • FREE luggage storage while hiking.

Itinerary

Day 1 (L)(D) : Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Piscacucho, Wayllabamba “Vamonos!”

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The adventure begins today in Cusco, Peru. Before leaving the hotel, make sure you are carrying your original passport and for those with a discount, a valid Student ID card is necessary.

Travelers are collected at around 6:00 am. from their hotels and start a spectacular scenic drive through the mythical Sacred Valley of the Incas with beautiful views of the Urubamba river, picturesque Andean villages and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo.

Along the way we might stop at Urubamba or Ollantaytambo for last minute supplies, leg-stretching or to use the restrooms, before continuing to Piscacucho.

Inca Trail Day One
Inca Trail Day One

In Piscacucho, kilometer eighty two, you will get acquainted with the rest of the crew and the porters who will be carrying the camping equipment. This point is where our hiking trail begins, it is also the location of the first official Inca Trail check point.

After clearing the gates and crossing a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba river, the trek begins with a gentle climb. Following the course of the river, the first three hours are on relatively flat terrain. Superb views of the snow-capped peak of Wakay Willka known as Veronica can be observed as well as the Urubamba mountain range which divides the jungle and the Andes. You are now approaching the Inca fortress of Willka Raccay.

After lunch, you will continue hiking towards the extensive Inca settlement of Llactapata (Patallacta on some maps) and appreciate the impressive farming terraces of this complex. The Inca Trail follows the left bank of the river up to the village of Wayllabamba at 9840 feet above sea level (3000 masl) where you will enjoy dinner and camp for the night.

:: Buenas noches amigos! (about 5 hr. trekking 12 Km/7.5 miles)

Day 2 (B)(L)(D) : Wayllabamba, Warmi Wañuska (Dead Woman’s Pass), Paqaymayu “Si se puede!”

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Early wake up call, with hot tea brought to your tent, in order to prepare for today’s trek which is considered by many, the hardest. You need to complete a steep ascent reaching an altitude of 13779 feet above sea level (4200 masl) at Warmi Wañuska pass.

After breakfast, depart from the campsite at around 07:00 hrs. The uphill hike through Llulluchapampa will give you the opportunity to appreciate several species of birds (with luck you may see falcons, hummingbirds or black-chested eagles). From here the trail traverses a beautiful cloud forest full of Polylepis or Queñua trees before entering the puna, a zone characterized by treeless grasslands only found at this altitude across the Andes.

Dead Woman Pass
Dead Woman’s Pass – Warmi Wañuska

Walk at your own pace, stop as many times as you like, to catch your breath or to stretch a muscle.

The last hard climb takes us right to the highest pass of the inca trail at Warmi Wañuska. Once at the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Andes, the Huananay massif and the surrounding snow-covered peaks.

You will also feel a great sense of accomplishment after conquering Dead Woman’s pass. Remember to have a warm jacket and your beanie at hand when reaching this altitude as temperatures may drop drastically. After a deserved rest, continue traversing the slopes on the left side of the valley all the way to our campsite in Paqaymayu at 11811 feet above sea level (3600 masl). You will find toilet facilities here.

(about 6 to 7 hr. trekking)

Day 3 (B)(L)(D) : Paqaymayu, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñayhuayna “Que lindo dia!”

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Possibly the longest day of inca trail hiking but one that will bring splendid landscapes and vistas. A perfectly scheduled cup of hot tea will follow the wake up call at around 06:00 hrs. Enjoy breakfast with your trekking comrades and prepare yourself to hike along well preserved Inca pathway, for the most part, being original.

Start with a steady ascent to the second highest pass at Runkuracay reaching 12400 feet above sea level (3780 masl) and passing through a circular inca control point that occupies a commanding position overlooking the spectacular Vilcabamba mountain range below.

Catch your breath and realize the rest of inca trail is mostly downhill. Be careful with your knees as the descent from the pass to the ruins of Sayacmarca is very steep and you may feel the strain at the end of the day.

It is recommended the use of trekking poles, additional gel insoles and perhaps an additional porter.

Inca Trail Day Three - Sayacmarca
Inca Trail Day Three – Sayacmarca

Take a pause at this archeological complex located at 11472 feet above sea level (3497 masl) for an in depth tour and explanation. The name Sayacmarca means “inaccessible town” and clearly describes the position of the site, perfectly perched on the edgy rocks.

The one of a kind Inca trail, now a monumental structure of granite stones, continues through ever-changing layers of cloud forest full of rare orchids, hanging mosses, bromeliads and tree ferns.

Past the inca tunnel, a gentle climb will take you to the third pass at 12139 feet above sea level (3700 masl), offering incredible views of several snow capped peaks including Salkantay (20574 ft./6271m) and Veronica (18865 ft./5750m).

Close to the pass you will find the impressive ruins of Phuyupatamarca (cloud-level town). A brief explanation of the mysteries of Inca architecture, before continuing along splendid paved Inca road to the impressive agricultural site of Intipata and up to the third and last campsite at Wiñayhuayna (forever young) located at 8856 feet above sea level (2700 masl).

Wiñayhuayna, named after a variety of pink orchid that grows here, is the last official campsite before Machu Picchu. The most impressive ruins until this point are located minutes away, even if you are tired after today’s hike, it is a good idea to explore the Wiñayhuayna archeological site or just rest…

(about 7 hr. trekking)

Day 4 (B) : Wiñyhuayna, Intipunku, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, Cusco

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Today begins earlier than normal, we’ll have breakfast by 04:00 hrs and say farewell to our porters. We will wait at the checkpoint and access towards Intipunku as soon as they open the gates at 5:30 hrs. It will take us about 50 minutes to get to Intipunku.

The path is narrow, traverses a lush cloud forest of giant ferns and brings an almost vertical ascent of about 50 steps to The gate of the Sun at 8920 feet above sea level (2719 masl). This part of the trail from Wiñayhuayna to Intipunku is clearly marked but it will be dark. It is highly recommended to bring a head lamp.

Machu Picchu - Day Four
Machu Picchu – Day Four

Suddenly all efforts up until this point are rewarded with an unforgettable sight. A backdrop of natural beauty, human art and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu.

You will have plenty of time to take photos of the Lost city of the Incas, from the classic postcard view and different angles around. We will hike for about 1 hour towards the sanctuary entrance and into the heart of Machu Picchu itself, where we spend the rest of the morning with a 2 hours guided tour and some more exploring on your own.

The shuttle bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes is included, departs every 15 minutes and will be available for you to descend whenever you decide it is time to go, just double check your train schedule and be at the train station at least 45 minutes before departure.

The train ticket included departs in the afternoon arriving to Ollantaytambo. It is recommended to upgrade your train service giving you an earlier departure time and superior seat comfort for the ride back to Cusco. Whichever train station you arrive (Ollantaytambo or Poroy) transfer from this location to Cusco will be provided. You will arrive to Cusco with the included service.

(B)=Breakfast ; (L)=Lunch ; (D)=Dinner

Important note: Campsite allocations are subject to change depending on availability provided by the National Institute of Culture (government office in charge of the Inca Trail). Exact arrival time to Machu Picchu may vary accordingly (e.g. around 07:30 hrs when camping at Wiñayhuayna).

Inclusions

  • Pre-departure Inca Trail tour briefing, presented by your tour guides at our downtown Cusco office
  • Collection from your hotel in Cusco and transfer to head of Inca trail at Km. 82 (trek starting point)
  • Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail (Inca Trail Permit)
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
  • Two hours Machu Picchu guided tour
  • Visit different Inca archaeological sites during the Inca Trail hike
  • Bus ticket down from Machu Picchu complex to Aguas Calientes
  • Return Expedition train ticket on Day 4 from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Collection from train station on day 4 and transfer to downtown Cusco
  • Professional multilingual Inca Trail Tour guides and leaders
  • Assistant Tour Guide (for groups of 9 or more people)
  • Savvy cook and cooking equipment
  • Crew of experienced local porters to carry all camping equipment
  • 3 Nutritious Breakfasts
  • 3 High-energy Lunches
  • 3 Delicious Dinners
  • Vegetarian food available upon request with no extra charge
  • Nutritious Snacks
  • Hot tea kindly brought to your tent first thing in the morning
  • Boiled water at every meal
  • Clean and spacious 4P-capacity Tents (Marmot Limestone) only 2 people per tent
  • Comfortable Personal foamy pad (double foam)
  • Dining and kitchen tent
  • Portable camping tables and chairs
  • 24 hours emergency oxygen assistance
  • First aid equipment
  • Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
  • Bio-degradable dish washing detergents used by our kitchen staff
  • Accommodation, food, transport, permits and entrance fees for our porters and cooks
  • Safe storage of your belongings at our office in Cusco while you are hiking the Inca Trail
  • Specialized travel advisor assigned for you to customize the rest of your Peru Trip
  • Inca Trail Survivor Certificate
  • High-quality service and support

Excluded in tour cost

  • International round-trip airfare to and from Peru
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Sleeping bag
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal trekking gear

Price

Group Service Price : 2024 Inca Trail trekking season

  • Student : USD 695.00 *
  • Adult : USD 745.00

* Valid Student ID card required. + details Please send us a digital copy of your student id card immediately after booking. Without this document we will not be able to apply the discount (a clear digital photo of the card will suffice). Recent Government policy for getting this discount includes: Student must be under 26 years old, student card expiration date must be no later than one year after the start of your trek, it does not have to be linked to a credit card (e.g. showing Visa, MasterCard, etc.), Graduated student Cards and ISIC cards are not valid. Only Student ID cards with these features are acceptable. Bring your student card with you on the Inca Trail as it will be checked several times by government officials. Unfortunately no other forms of student identity are acceptable.

Important: 2024 Inca Trail Trekking season starts March 1st, 2024 and ends January 31st, 2025.

Permits for the Inca Trail are included in the package. We will begin processing your permit with the government promptly after you complete the booking. It is unlikely that you won’t get a permit, but to be safe please wait for the final confirmation to proceed with other bookings of your trip.

Tour Optionals:

  1. Additional portering service : USD 85.00 (per load) + detailsIf you are considering bringing some photography equipment or other heavy accessories, or just simply don’t want to carry anything, please request additional portering service. Cooks handle all the kitchen chores. Working conditions of our porters is very important for us, that is why we enforce Inca trail regulations. Porters require a permit and they won’t be available if permits are sold out. Each porter load of 5 kg (11 lb) is available for USD 85.00
  2. Train ticket upgrade from Aguas Calientes: USD 70.00 + detailsTransfer from train station to Cusco is still included when upgrading
  3. Huayna Picchu entrance ticket : USD 85.00 + detailsOnly 200 spots are available per day to hike Huayna Picchu, please request this additional ticket at the time of booking.
  4. Single tent accommodation : USD 40.00
  5. Sleeping bag : USD 25.00 (per unit / 3 nights)
  6. Hiking poles : USD 30.00 (per pair / 4 days)
  7. Aguas Calientes overnight: + detailsNormally you return to Cusco the fourth day, but it is possible to arrange an additional night in Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes). Different types of accommodation are available as well as activities for the next day like climbing Huayna Picchu (could also be done on fourth day), taking a hike along the Orchid Trail or visit Mandor waterfall. This also gives you the opportunity to return to the Machu Picchu Archaeological complex the next day and keep exploring (additional entrance ticket required).

Booking

how many travellers?

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select a date to start the inca trail

Optionals

Student Discount

We will need a digital copy of your student id card. Please email a scanned copy or digital photo to: info at incatrailreservations.com -$40 ea.
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portering service?

We need to obtain an additional permit for the porter along with yours. Please request now if you will need this service. It is recommended if you haven’t hiked above 10000 feet. 1 load = 5kg (11 lb). $85 ea.
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sleeping bags?

We have sleeping bags available in our office at the Cusco location. We rent them for the entire duration of the trek. $25 ea.
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hiking poles?

Due to the conditions of the terrain you will be hiking on, hiking poles are recommended. $30 pair.
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single accommodation?

Normally tents are for two people, request here if you need a single tent accommodation. $40 ea.
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train upgrade?

Depending on availability, your return train ticket will be upgraded with more departure times to chose from. This will give you a more pleasant and full of views back ride to Cusco. $70 ea.

huayna picchu ticket

The high peak next to Machu Picchu is called Huayna Picchu. A special ticket is needed to hike to the top. Request this now due to limited availability per day. $85 ea.

machu picchu overnight

Staying overnight by Machu Picchu is possible the last day of the trek. If you decide for this option your train ticket will be issued for the next day with no extra charge.
Wiracocha Inn
Santuario
El Mapi
Sumaq
^ Please select date on the availability calendar above ^

Tour Details