Overview
The Classic Inca Trail is a 4-day, 42 km walk from km 82 in the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, which you enter through the Sun Gate on the last morning. You camp three nights and cross Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 m on day 2. Permits are limited and issued only through licensed operators; the price includes the permit and the Machu Picchu ticket.
- Groups of up to 16, 8 on average, with 1 guide per 6 hikers.
- Porters carry the tents, food and kitchen; you carry a day pack.
- Hotel pickup in Cusco; a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu.
- Closed every February; April to September sells out 3 to 6 months ahead; see Inca Trail permits 2027 for open dates.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco to Wayllabamba
11 km, about 5 hours. High point 3,000 m. Pickup at your Cusco hotel and a drive through the Sacred Valley to km 82 (Piscacucho, 2,720 m). After the permit check and the bridge over the Urubamba, the trail climbs gently past the Llactapata terraces, with views of Veronica (5,893 m).
Camp: Wayllabamba, 3,000 m. Meals: lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Dead Woman’s Pass
11 km, 6 to 7 hours. High point 4,215 m. The hardest day: a steady climb of about 1,200 m through cloud forest and puna grassland to Warmiwañusqa, Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point of the trek. Then a steep descent on stone steps to camp.
Camp: Paqaymayu, 3,600 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca
16 km, 7 to 8 hours. High point 3,970 m. Over Runkurakay pass to the ruins of Sayacmarca, through an Inca tunnel to Phuyupatamarca and its ceremonial baths, then a long descent through cloud forest. The government assigns campsites; when Wiñay Wayna is full or closed, the camp is Phuyupatamarca.
Camp: Wiñay Wayna, 2,650 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4: Sun Gate and Machu Picchu
4 km, about 2 hours to the Sun Gate. High point 2,720 m. Wake-up at 4 am; the last checkpoint opens at 5:30. You see Machu Picchu first from the Sun Gate (Intipunku), then walk down for a 2-hour guided tour of the citadel.
Services end at Machu Picchu. Add the return train and bus to Cusco in the booking box. Meals: breakfast.
Want everything in one price? The Inca Trail Cusco round trip includes the return train, bus and hotel transfers. Short on time? The 5-day Inca Trail express pairs the Sacred Valley with the one-day Inca Trail from Km 104.
What is included
- Pre-trek briefing in Cusco, hotel pickup and transfer to km 82
- Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
- English-speaking guides, 1 per 6 hikers
- Cook, kitchen and porters for the group equipment
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners; vegetarian on request; boiled water
- Tents for 2, sleeping mats, dining tent
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Free luggage storage in Cusco during the trek
Not included
- Return train from Aguas Calientes and transfer to Cusco: add it in the booking box
- Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes
- Sleeping bag and trekking poles: rent them in the booking box
- Single tent, extra porter, Huayna Picchu ticket
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips, flights and personal gear
