Join our experienced crew for the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machupicchu.
We offer a high-class trek service, including state-of-the-art camping equipment and an experienced team of guides and chefs. Trek through a variety of different ecological zones, including a dry, arid cactus zone, the Polylepis area with its gnarled foliage, the high grasslands, and the humid cloud forest full of exotic flowers.
The Inca Trail is rich in archaeological sites and is considered one of the top treks in the world, with the lost city of Machupicchu as a fantastic finale.
With Private Service, you will have a guide specialized in adventure tourism, who will do their best to ensure you enjoy the trek at your own pace, explaining each detail of the archaeological sites and the surrounding flora and fauna along the route.
Cusco / Sacred Valley - Km. 82 - Wayllabamba
Wayllabamba - Pacaymayu
Pacaymayu - Winay Wayna
Winay Wayna - Machu Picchu
Activity:
Destinations:
Reservation code:
CHA-IT4D-P
Best season:
Trek grade:
Altitude:
From 8,694 to 13,779 feet / from 2,650 to 4,200 meters
This day begins with an early pick-up from your hotel in either Cusco or the Sacred Valley for your transfer to the trailhead.
The trek starts at Km 82, along the road to Machupicchu. You’ll begin your hike with your private guide, following the left bank of the Vilcanota River, with stunning views of Mount Veronica’s summit at approximately 5,800 meters (19,028 feet). Your experienced guide will ensure every detail is taken care of, adjusting to each hiker’s pace and offering the best recommendations for the days ahead.
At Km 82, we will pass through the control point where your documents will be checked for authorization to enter the Inca Trail. The porters’ weights will also be verified (according to the Porter Law, the maximum weight they can carry is 20 kg per porter). At this point, you’ll meet our fantastic team of porters and cooks from indigenous communities, who will accompany us throughout the 4-day trek.
Today’s hike will be light, allowing us to enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and archaeological sites while settling into the rhythm of the Inca Trail. This is a great opportunity to mentally prepare for the more physically demanding days ahead, which will be full of unforgettable experiences.
We will camp tonight on a terrace near the small village of Wayllabamba (3,000 meters / 9,842 feet).
Distance: 15.8 km (9.8 miles)
Estimated walking time: 6 hours
Meals: Lunch and dinner included
Overnight: Campsite
We will trek upward through native forest to Pacaymayu – the highest campsite of the Inca Trail. Today will be one of the most demanding days of the trail as we ascend to the mountain pass called in Quechua «Warmiwañuska» (Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,200 m / 13,779 ft). At this point, we will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Huayanay peaks to the east and the rugged Vilcabamba range to the west. Afterward, we will descend to our campsite at Pacaymayu (3,600 m / 11,811 ft).
Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 mi)
Estimated walking time: 6.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Overnight: Campsite
Today, we will cross a second mountain pass at 3,974 m / 13,038 ft and follow a finely paved and well-preserved Inca trail to the restored archaeological site of Sayacmarka. This section of the Inca Trail is paved with white granite and traverses a thickly forested slope.
We will camp at Wiñaywayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft) after a spectacular descent from the cloud forest and high jungle. Wiñaywayna is a beautiful ceremonial site divided into two sectors, built with finely carved stones fitted together with great precision.
We recommend arriving before 5:00 p.m. to explore Wiñaywayna, as it is one of the most important archaeological sites on the route. The following day, we will leave the camp very early, and there will be no chance to visit the site.
Distance: 15 km (9.3 mi)
Estimated walking time: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Overnight: Campsite
Orchids and hummingbirds are common sights along this stretch of the Inca Trail, with the Urubamba River flowing far below.
From Wiñaywayna, we will follow a beautiful trail hidden in the forest until we reach Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. Along the way, we will admire the abundant flora and fauna, contrasting with the perfectly built Inca stairways.
Once we reach Intipunku, we will be rewarded with the most spectacular view of the Historical Sanctuary of Machupicchu and the famous Huayna Picchu Peak.
From Intipunku, we will walk the final stretch of the royal trail and finally enter the enigmatic citadel, which lay hidden for four centuries before its rediscovery.
Distance: 5 km (3.1 mi)
Estimated walking time: 2.5 hours
We will enjoy a guided tour of Machupicchu, exploring different sectors such as the Urban and Ceremonial Areas and other fascinating sites. Afterward, you will have time to take memorable pictures.
In the afternoon, we will return to Cusco by train, arriving in the late evening.
Meals: Breakfast included
Overnight: Cusco
*Note: Campsites may change as dictated by government regulation.
Included
Pre-Hike Briefing
Two days before your trek, we will hold an informational meeting where we will provide you with all the necessary details about the hike.
During this session, we will:
• Review the terms and conditions of the trek.
• Discuss your travel insurance and medical condition.
• Check if you have the proper equipment.
• Provide the option to rent trekking poles, sleeping bags, or an extra mattress.
1. Entrance Permits
We will secure your entrance permits to the Inca Trail and Machupicchu as soon as we receive confirmation of your reservation and deposit. These permits are issued by the Ministry of Culture, the institution responsible for regulating access to the Inca Trail.
Additionally, we can reserve tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain upon request. (We recommend this if you have an extra day at Machupicchu. Please note that these tickets are optional and available at an additional cost.)
2. Our Expert Team
Professional Guides
Our guides are specialists in trekking, fluent in English, and highly experienced in leading hikes throughout the region. They are trained in first aid and rescue techniques, ensuring your safety at all times.
Cooks
Our chefs are trained in local gastronomy schools and receive additional training from our company every year. They will prepare delicious, nutritious, and hygienic meals, ranging from traditional Andean and Peruvian dishes to international cuisine, including vegetarian options.
Porters
Our porters will carry all group equipment as well as 7.5 kg (16.5 lb) of your personal belongings. We hire porters from various indigenous communities in the Cusco region, supporting the local economy and preserving their customs. We provide them with accident insurance and appropriate work attire to ensure their well-being.
3. Camping Equipment
• Mountain Hardwear tents (3-person tents for every 2 individuals).
• Therm-a-Rest self-inflating mattresses.
• Cooking equipment.
• Mess tent, dining tent, chairs, tables.
• Bathroom tents.
4. Meals & Hydration
We provide:
• 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and snacks.
• Meals designed for trekking, rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins to provide energy for the hike.
• Boiled water daily to refill your water bottles.
5. Transportation
• Private transport from Cusco or the Sacred Valley to the trailhead at Km 82.
• Shuttle bus from Machupicchu Citadel to Aguas Calientes.
• Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station. (Sometimes the service can be bimodal, that means, train until Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station then bus service of the train company until Wanchaq train station in Cusco).
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo or Poroy station to your hotel in Cusco.
6. Eco-Friendly and Biosecurity Measures
• Biodegradable personal hygiene products for staff and clients.
• Cleaning supplies for sanitizing camping and cooking equipment.
• COVID-19 Safety Measures: Use of quaternary ammonium disinfectants and other sanitation protocols.
7. Emergency Equipment
• Radios for communication.
• First Aid Kit, including:
– Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, germicidal soap, cotton, gauze, bandages, and surgical gloves.
– Pain relievers for muscle and stomach aches.
– Antipyretics, anti-allergy medication, anti-inflammatories, and burn cream.
– Oral rehydration salts and splints.
– COVID-19 Safety Gear: Pulse oximeter, face masks, and infrared thermometers.
IMPORTANT: If you take prescribed medication, please bring your own supply.
Not Included
– Breakfast on the first day.
– Entrance tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain (available upon request for an additional fee).
– Lunch and dinner on the last day.
– Tips for guides, cooks, and porters (gratuities are not mandatory but greatly appreciated).
– Travel Insurance: Highly recommended.
