Inca Trail Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights

Day 1

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 5:30 a.m. to go to the town of Ollantaytambo. Here we will have time to have breakfast (breakfast not included), and we will have the opportunity to buy some items we will need during the walk. Then we will board the transport again to head to Piscacucho (KM 82) and begin our first 2-hour hike to Patallacta (2,750m/9,020ft), an Inca archaeological site with spectacular scenery. After visiting this fascinating place, we will continue walking for 45 minutes to our lunch spot, where we will also have time to rest. We will then hike for 1.5 hours to our Wayllabamba camp (3,000m/9,800ft), where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Hiking Distance: 11 km/5 miles

Day 2

This part of the route constitutes the most challenging day of the Inca Trail since the walk consists of a steep and narrow climb for about 9 kilometers. Along this ascent, the landscape will change from sierra to puna, a dry and high area with scarce vegetation.

After a large breakfast and a hot cup of coca tea, we will hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, the Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m/ 13,829ft). On reaching the pass, we will stop for a short break to enjoy the fascinating views before setting off again for our 2,5 hours descent to the next valley of Pacaymayo (3,600m/ 11,800ft). We will have some tea and a freshly prepared dinner and spend the night at our campsite.

Hiking Distance: 10 km/7.5 miles

Day 3

This day will be the longest; we will observe different archaeological sites during this walk. The first archaeological site we visit is the ruins of Runcurakay (3,760m/12,300ft). Unlike other buildings of Inca origin, the Runkurakay ruins have the peculiarity of having circular enclosures between their structures. After a short break, we walk for 1.5 hours to the archaeological site of Sayacmarka. Later we will arrive at our lunch point in Chaquicocha. After a short break, we will continue the trek for 2.5 hours and arrive at the following archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (3,600m/11,810ft), also known as “The City Above the Clouds.” There are Inca ruins with five small stone baths, which during the rainy season contain constant fresh running water. From there, we begin our 3-hour descent to our Wiñayhuayna camp, where we will have dinner and spend the night. It will be a memorable night because the time has come to say goodbye to the porters.

Hiking Distance: 15 km/10 miles

Day 4

Today we will wake up at 3:30 am, have breakfast, and descend to the checkpoint. We will wait over an hour for the doors to open. Once we have passed through the checkpoint, we will take a 1.5-hour walk to the Puerta del Sol (Inti Punku), and here we will have our first view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. From here, we will descend for 40 minutes to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Our local guide will share his knowledge about this sacred place and show us around the complex. Later, you will have enough free time to explore the archaeological site independently.

Then we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes, and you will have free time to have lunch (not included). Finally, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo, and on the way, we will enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Sacred Valley. In Ollantaytambo, the bus will be waiting for us to return to Cusco.