Classic Inca Trail 4 days Exclusive Service

Our expedition begins early with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco to head to the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo, where we will enjoy an energizing breakfast. Here, you will have the opportunity to meet your expert guide and fellow travelers who will accompany you on this unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu.

Next, we continue in our private transportation for approximately 40 minutes to Kilometer 82, the starting point of the hike. At this location, we will meet our support team, made up of porters and cooks, who will be a key part of the expedition.

Before starting the hike, we will go through the main Inca Trail checkpoint, where it will be mandatory to present the official permits and tickets. Our guide will handle the process, but each participant must show their original passport. It is crucial that the details provided at the time of booking exactly match those in the passport, as any mistake could invalidate the permit and lose the right to hike.

With all the documents in order, we will begin our journey by crossing the Urubamba River, advancing along a path surrounded by stunning landscapes. After about 2 hours of walking, we will reach the first archaeological site of the route: Patallaqta, an ancient Inca citadel with spectacular agricultural terraces and buildings that reveal the grandeur of this civilization.

After exploring and capturing the beauty of this place, we will continue for 30 more minutes to our lunch point at Tarayoc, where we will enjoy a comforting meal and a short break.

In the afternoon, we resume the hike, ascending the valley to our first camp at Wayllabamba, a peaceful Andean village surrounded by mountains and nature. Here, we will settle in for the night, enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by our team and recharging for the challenges of the next day.

And thus concludes the first day of one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life!

Day 1 Overview

• Distance Piskacucho – Wayllabamba: 6.8 miles (11 km)
• Estimated travel time: 6 hours
• Altitudes:
  • Piskacucho: 8,500 feet (2,600 m.s.n.m.)
  • Patallaqta: 9,000 feet (2,750 m.s.n.m.)
  • Wayllabamba: 9,842 feet (3,000 m.s.n.m.)

The second day of the expedition begins with a nutritious and energizing breakfast, prepared by our chef to tackle the most challenging day of the hike. Additionally, we will receive some snacks to replenish our energy during the journey.

We will begin the ascent from Wayllabamba, crossing a spectacular cloud forest while gaining altitude progressively. After approximately 5 hours of walking, we will reach the Warmiwañusca Pass, the highest point of the entire Inca Trail, with an impressive altitude of 4,215 m.s.n.m. (13,828 feet).

From this point, we will enjoy an unparalleled panoramic view of the Peruvian Andes, a reward for our effort. We will take some time to rest, capture photographs, and absorb the majesty of the landscapes before starting the descent to Pacaymayo.

The descent will take approximately 1.5 hours, a stretch that requires concentration and control due to the incline of the path. Finally, we will reach our camp in Pacaymayo (3,600 m.s.n.m. – 11,811 feet), where we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch and dinner, as well as a much-needed rest amid the mountains.

Although this day may seem short in distance, it is undoubtedly the most demanding of the entire hike due to the altitude and slope of the terrain. Overcoming it will be an unforgettable achievement and a key step toward the ultimate reward: Machu Picchu.

Day 2 Overview

• Distance Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca: 5.6 miles (9 km)
• Estimated travel time: 7 hours
• Altitudes:
  • Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass): 13,828 feet (4,215 m.s.n.m.)
  • Pacaymayo: 11,811 feet (3,600 m.s.n.m.)

The third day of our expedition starts with a comforting breakfast, perfect for recharging energy before a day full of history and stunning landscapes.

We will begin the hike by ascending for 45 minutes to the enigmatic archaeological site of Runkuraqay (3,760 m.a.s.l. – 12,336 feet), an ancient Inca watchtower with a unique semicircular structure. After exploring this fascinating place, we will continue ascending to the Runkuraqay Pass, where we will enjoy spectacular views of the Peruvian Andes.

From here, we will start a descent of approximately 1 hour to the archaeological site of Sayaqmarka (3,620 m.a.s.l. – 11,876 feet), one of the best-preserved Inca cities on the Inca Trail. Its strategically located buildings on a cliff offer an unparalleled panoramic view. We will take some time for a guided tour and photos before continuing our journey.

We will continue walking on the ancient Inca Trail for 2 hours, passing through lush landscapes until we reach the Phuyupatamarka Pass (3,650 m.a.s.l. – 11,975 feet), where we will stop to enjoy a well-deserved lunch.

Just 10 minutes from the lunch stop, we will find the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarka, known as “The Town Above the Clouds” due to its strategic location and the impressive agricultural terraces surrounding it. After a brief guided visit, we will embark on the final stretch of the day.

The final descent will take approximately 3 hours, following a winding path until we reach Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m.a.s.l. – 8,694 feet), one of the most beautiful archaeological sites on the Inca Trail. Here, you will find perfectly preserved agricultural terraces and an incomparable natural setting.

At Wiñay Wayna, we will set up camp for the third night, enjoying a special farewell dinner with our guides and support team. This is the perfect moment to share experiences before the big day: the arrival at Machu Picchu.

Day 3 Overview

• Distance Pacaymayo – Wiñay Wayna: 10 miles (16 km)
• Estimated travel time: 7 hours
• Altitudes:
  • Runkuraqay: 12,336 feet (3,760 m.a.s.l.)
  • Sayaqmarka: 11,876 feet (3,620 m.a.s.l.)
  • Chaquicocha: 11,482 feet (3,500 m.a.s.l.)
  • Phuyupatamarka: 11,975 feet (3,650 m.a.s.l.)
  • Wiñay Wayna: 8,694 feet (2,650 m.a.s.l.)

This day will begin very early with a hike of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the ancient ceremonial entrance to Machu Picchu. From here, we will enjoy the sunrise and our first panoramic view of the Inca citadel.

For many, this is the most special moment of the trip, as after four days of effort, we will finally be able to see Machu Picchu from an exclusive vantage point. This unique experience is only possible for those who walk the Classic Inca Trail (either 2 or 4 days), as no other tourists have access to this viewpoint. It is, without a doubt, one of the major differences between this expedition and other tours.

After enjoying the scenery and taking photographs, we will descend to the most famous viewpoint of Machu Picchu, known as the Guardian’s House. From here, you can capture the classic photo of the citadel, the same one you’ve seen in countless publications and social media.

After some time for photographs, all Inca Trail hikers will be required to exit the citadel and cross through the main entrance to Machu Picchu. Upon re-entering, we will embark on a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, exploring the temples, sacred enclosures, ceremonial fountains, and agricultural terraces.

After the tour, you will have free time to continue exploring Machu Picchu. If you wish to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, it is important to know that an additional entry ticket is required, and reservations must be made in advance as spaces are limited.

Finally, we will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy lunch (not included) before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There, our private transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in the city of Cusco, thus concluding one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.

Day 4 Overview

• Distance Wiñay Wayna – Intipunku: 3.7 miles (6 km)
• Estimated travel time: 2.5 hours
• Altitudes:
  • Aguas Calientes: 6,700 feet (2,040 m.s.n.m.)
  • Machu Picchu: 7,874 feet (2,400 m.s.n.m.)

Important: Access to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain requires an additional ticket and must be reserved in advance.