Classic Inca Trail – 4 Days / 3 Nights

INTRODUCTION

The classic 4-day Inca Trail is Peru’s most iconic trekking route. Starting from Piskacucho (km 82) in the Sacred Valley, the trail covers 45 kilometers along a pre-Hispanic path that passes through distinct ecological zones, from open valleys to cloud forest, before reaching Machu Picchu.

Over four days, trekkers pass through Inca archaeological sites including Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñay Wayna, all integrated into the original ceremonial route leading to the citadel. The highest point of the route is the Huarmihuañusca Pass, known as Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,215 m.a.s.l.

On the fourth day, trekkers set off before dawn to reach the Sun Gate, Inti Punku, where the first panoramic view of Machu Picchu appears at sunrise. Permits for this trail are limited and must be booked in advance.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Book the Inca Trail at least 4 months in advance, as permits sell out quickly.
• Arrive in Cusco at least 1 day before the start of the trek to acclimatize.
• The city sits at 3,400 m.a.s.l.
• Check the personal items you will be carrying during the trek.
• Visit our main office in the Historic Center of Cusco the evening before the trek at 7:00 p.m. for an informational briefing led by your guide.
• If you have nowhere to leave your luggage, you are welcome to store it free of charge at our main office.
• Carry valid identification documents, as they will be requested at the Inca Trail checkpoints and at Machu Picchu.
•  If you have any questions or want more information about this Tour, do not hesitate to contact us: Cell: +51 984 525 006 / WhatsApp: +51 984 683 047 or write to: info@incredibleperutours.com

TOUR SCHEDULES

DAY 1:

• 6:00 a.m. Hotel pickup in Cusco.
• 6:30 a.m. Private transportation from Cusco to km 82 (trailhead).
• 9:30 a.m. Arrival at km 82.
• 10:30 a.m. Start of the trek.
• 1:00 p.m. Lunch in the Miskay area.
• 2:00 p.m. Hike to Wayllabamba.
• 5:00 p.m. Arrival at the Wayllabamba campsite.
• 5:30 p.m. Tea time and rest.
• 7:30 p.m. Dinner.
• 9:00 p.m. Overnight in camping tents.

DAY 2:

• 6:00 a.m. Breakfast.
• 7:00 a.m. Departure from campsite toward the highest point of the trail.
• 11:30 a.m. Arrival at Huarmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), the highest point of the route at 4,200 m.a.s.l.
• 12:00 p.m. Hike down to Pacaymayo.
• 1:50 p.m. Arrival at the Pacaymayo campsite.
• 2:00 p.m. Lunch and rest.
• 5:00 p.m. Tea time and rest.
• 7:00 p.m. Dinner.
• 9:00 p.m. Overnight in camping tents.

DAY 3

• 6:00 a.m. Breakfast.
• 7:00 a.m. Departure from campsite toward Runkurakay.
• 7:40 a.m. Arrival and visit to the Runkurakay archaeological site.
• 8:00 a.m. Hike up to Runkurakay Pass (4,000 m.a.s.l.).
• 9:00 a.m. Arrival at Runkurakay Pass and rest.
• 9:30 a.m. Hike down to Sayacmarca.
• 10:30 a.m. Arrival and visit to the Sayacmarca archaeological site.
• 12:00 p.m. Hike to Chaquicocha.
• 12:30 p.m. Arrival at the Chaquicocha area.
• 12:45 p.m. Lunch and rest.
• 1:30 p.m. Hike to Phuyupatamarca.
• 2:30 p.m. Arrival and visit to the Phuyupatamarca archaeological site.
• 3:30 p.m. Hike down to Wiñay Wayna.
• 5:30 p.m. Arrival at the Wiñay Wayna campsite (2,600 m.a.s.l.).
• 5:45 p.m. Tea time and rest.
• 7:00 p.m. Dinner.
• 9:00 p.m. Overnight in camping tents

DAY 4:

• 4:00 a.m. Breakfast or packed lunch to go.
• 5:00 a.m. Departure from campsite toward Inti Punku (Sun Gate).
• 6:30 a.m. Arrival at Inti Punku with panoramic views of Machu Picchu.
• 7:00 a.m. Hike down to the Machu Picchu citadel.
• 7:40 a.m. Arrival at Machu Picchu.
• 8:00 a.m. Guided tour of Machu Picchu (approx. 2 hours).
• 10:00 a.m. Free time at Machu Picchu.
• 1:00 p.m. Bus down to Aguas Calientes.
• 1:30 p.m. Arrival in Aguas Calientes.
• 2:00 p.m. Lunch at a local restaurant.
• 3:30 p.m. Free time in Aguas Calientes.
• 6:20 p.m. Train to Ollantaytambo station.
• 8:00 p.m. Arrival at Ollantaytambo station.
• 8:20 p.m. Return transportation to Cusco.
• 10:00 p.m. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

The schedule above is approximate and may vary depending on each participant’s physical condition and the train class selected, subject to schedule availability.

DÍA 1: CUSCO – KM. 82 (TRAIL HEAD) – WAYLLABAMBA

Before leaving your hotel, make sure you have your original passport and, if you are a student, your valid student card. Hotel pickup takes place around 5:30 a.m. for a transfer of approximately three and a half hours to the start of the Inca Trail. Along the way, the route passes through the Sacred Valley, with views of the Urubamba River, traditional villages, and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. There will be a brief stop in Ollantaytambo where you can purchase souvenirs or use the facilities. From there, the bus continues to Piskacucho, with an estimated arrival at 10:00 a.m.

At Piskacucho (km 82) you will meet the rest of the group, including the Quechua porters and the cook. This is also the first official checkpoint of the Inca Trail, where permits, entrance tickets, and passports are verified. After registration, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Urubamba River to begin the trek.

The first day is the most relaxed of the four, giving you time to settle into the rhythm of the route. The trek begins with a gentle ascent and continues for approximately two hours over relatively flat terrain, following the course of the river to Miskay, where the first lunch is served by the group’s cook.

After lunch, the route leads to Patallacta, an Inca archaeological site with extensive agricultural terraces. From there, you continue along the left bank of the river for approximately two hours, with views of the Wakay Willka snowcapped peak, also known as Verónica, which reaches 5900 m.a.s.l., and the Urubamba mountain range, which marks the transition between highland and cloud forest. The day ends at the village of Wayllabamba (3000 m.a.s.l.), with an estimated arrival at 5:00 p.m., where the campsite will be set up.

Upon arrival, the team will serve tea with hot drinks and snacks. Dinner will be ready around 7:30 p.m.

• Trekking time: approx. 5 hours.
• Distance: 10 km / 6.5 miles.
• Difficulty: moderate.
• Weather: warm with wind. Altitude: from 2,700 m.a.s.l. (start) to 3,000 m.a.s.l. (campsite).
• Accommodation: campsite.

DAY 2: WAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWANUSCA (DEAD WOMAN PASS) – PACAYMAYU

The day begins with a cup of coca tea brought to your tent by the staff, to help you wake up early and prepare for the most demanding day of the four. The trek covers nearly 10 km of ascent and 6 km of descent, reaching the highest point of the Inca Trail at 4,200 m.a.s.l.

Departure from Wayllabamba is at approximately 7:00 a.m. The first two hours consist of steady uphill walking, with the chance to spot bird species such as hummingbirds, hawks, and eagles. The route passes through cloud forest with native Polylepis trees, before entering the puna, an open grassland zone without trees, typical of this altitude.

Trek at your own pace and rest as many times as you need. The porter and guide team will be with you throughout to provide support along the way. Before the final stretch, the route reaches Llulluchapampa (3,600 m.a.s.l.), where a stream offers the chance to refresh yourself and refill your water bottles. From there, two more hours of ascent lead to the summit.

Huarmihuañusca, known as Dead Woman’s Pass, is the highest point of the Inca Trail at 4,200 m.a.s.l. Upon arrival, there will be a stop to rest, take photographs, and enjoy the views. Keep a warm layer and a hat within reach, as temperatures can drop quickly at this altitude.

From the summit, the route descends for two hours along the slopes of the Pacaymayo valley to the campsite, situated at 3,600 m.a.s.l., with an estimated arrival at 2:00 p.m. After lunch there will be time to rest. Tea time with hot drinks and snacks is served at 5:00 p.m., and dinner will be ready at the campsite in the evening.

• Trekking time: approx. 7 hours.
• Distance: 16 km / 10 miles.
• Difficulty: hard.
• Weather: warm with wind. Altitude: from 3,000 m.a.s.l. (departure) to 4,200 m.a.s.l. (highest point), descending to 3,600 m.a.s.l. (campsite).
• Accommodation: campsite.

DAY 3: PACAYMAYU – SAYACMARCA – PHUYUPATAMARCA – WINAY WAYNA

The day begins around 6:00 a.m. with a cup of hot tea brought to your tent by the staff. After a group breakfast, the trek starts with an ascent of approximately two hours to the second pass of the route, Runkurakay Pass, at 4,000 m.a.s.l. Along the way, the route passes through the circular Inca archaeological site of Runkurakay, where your guide will explain its history, and continues past two small lagoons before reaching the summit.

From Runkurakay Pass, the trail descends for one hour to Sayacmarca (3,497 m.a.s.l.), whose name means “inaccessible town,” an accurate description of its position above rocky cliffs. Your guide will lead a tour of the site. The route then continues for approximately 30 minutes to Chaquicocha (3,600 m.a.s.l.), where lunch is served and facilities are available.

After lunch, the trail continues for one and a half hours through cloud forest, with orchids, hanging mosses, bromeliads, and ferns along the path. The route passes through a tunnel carved into the rock and climbs gently to the third pass at 3,700 m.a.s.l., with views of snowcapped peaks and the Urubamba River. From there, the descent follows an Inca stone path to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, known as “town above the clouds,” where your guide will explain the details of its architecture.

From Phuyupatamarca, the trail descends for two hours past Intipata (2,800 m.a.s.l.), an archaeological site with extensive agricultural terraces, to the Wiñay Wayna campsite (2,680 m.a.s.l.), the last official campsite on the Inca Trail and the closest to Machu Picchu. Arrival is estimated at around 5:00 p.m. Upon settling in, the staff will serve tea, hot chocolate, coffee, biscuits, and snacks.

During dinner, your guide will go over the plan for the following day. It is a tradition on this last night to hold a small ceremony to thank the porters and cook for their work throughout the trek. An early bedtime is recommended, as the group will set off before dawn the next morning.

• Trekking time: approx. 7 hours.
• Distance: 14 km / 8.3 miles.
• Difficulty: moderate.
• Weather: warm.
• Altitude: from 3,600 m.a.s.l. (departure), ascending to 4,000 m.a.s.l. and descending to 2,680 m.a.s.l. (campsite).
• Accommodation: campsite.

DAY 4: WINAY WAYNA – INTI PUNKU (DOOR OF THE SUN) – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO-CUSCO

This is the final stretch of the trek. From Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu the route covers approximately 5 km through cloud forest with giant ferns, along a narrow and well-marked trail that includes a steep ascent before reaching Inti Punku (Sun Gate) at 2,719 m.a.s.l.

The day begins at 4:00 a.m. Breakfast is served at 4:30 a.m. After saying goodbye to the cook and porters, the group heads to the checkpoint to be among the first to begin the trek when the gates open at 5:30 a.m.

From the campsite, the trail is relatively flat for the first hour and twenty minutes to Inti Punku, where you will have your first full view of the Inca citadel and the surrounding mountains. There will be a brief stop to rest and take photographs. From there, 40 minutes of descent lead to Machu Picchu (2,400 m.a.s.l.), with increasingly close views of the citadel as you approach.

Around 7:40 a.m. the group reaches the final checkpoint, where passports are presented. At 8:00 a.m. the guided tour begins, lasting approximately two hours, during which your guide will walk you through the main sectors of the citadel and explain its history and architecture. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore at your own pace and take photographs. If you have an entrance ticket for Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you may use it during this period. Book these tickets in advance as spaces are limited.

After the visit, take the tourist bus down for 25 minutes to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,000 m.a.s.l.), where lunch is served at a local restaurant. You will also receive your train tickets for the return journey here.

The train departs at 16:20 or 18:20, heading to Ollantaytambo (approx. 2 hours). At Ollantaytambo, a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco (approx. 2 hours).

• Trekking time: approx. 2 hours to Machu Picchu + 2 hours guided tour + 1 hour free exploration.
• Distance: 5 km / 3.2 miles to Machu Picchu.
• Inside the citadel, distance varies depending on the areas explored.
• Difficulty: easy.
• Weather: warm.
• Altitude: from 2,680 m.a.s.l. (Wiñay Wayna), descending to Machu Picchu at 2,400 m.a.s.l. and by bus to Aguas Calientes at 2,000 m.a.s.l.

THIS TOUR INCLUDES

• Informational meeting with your guide 1 or 2 days before the trek at our Cusco office.
• Secure luggage storage at our Cusco office during the excursion.
• Hotel pickup on the day of the excursion.
• Transportation from Cusco to km 82 (trailhead) in a tourist vehicle.
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
• Second professional guide for groups of 9 or more participants.
• Cook and kitchen assistant for the preparation of all meals.
• Entrance tickets to the Inca Trail and the Machu Picchu citadel.
• Full meals throughout the excursion: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks, and 3 dinners.
• Vegetarian menu or special diet available at no additional cost, subject to prior arrangement.
• Boiled water to refill your bottle every morning from the second day onward.
• Porter team responsible for carrying all camping equipment: tents, tables, chairs, food, and cooking gear.
• Personal porter with a 5 kg carrying capacity for your sleeping mat and sleeping bag.
• Complete camping equipment:
• High-quality mountain tents with capacity for 4 people, used by 2, for greater comfort and storage space for backpacks.
• Thermarest inflatable sleeping mats, provided at the start of the trek.
• Dining area with portable tables and chairs, with a gas lamp for evening use.
• Fully equipped kitchen tent.
• First aid kit and emergency oxygen tank.
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu of approximately 2 hours.
• Bus ticket for the descent from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
• Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo on the fourth day.
• Transportation from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco.

OPTIONAL SERVICES

SAdditional services can be requested at the time of booking or in person at our main office in the Historic Center of Cusco up to one day before the excursion.

• Sleeping bag rental: USD 5 per day. Trekking pole rental (pair): USD 5 per day.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain entrance ticket: USD 80. Limited to 400 tickets per day.
• Request at the time of booking. Machu Picchu Mountain entrance ticket: USD 80. Limited to 400 tickets per day. Request at the time of booking.
• If you would like to extend your stay by one day in Aguas Calientes, we will provide your return train ticket for the fifth day at no additional cost. Accommodation in Aguas Calientes is available from USD 35 per person in a single, double, or triple room, with breakfast included, private bathroom with hot water, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. The service is provided at Hotel Killa Inn or a similar property. Please request this at the time of booking.

NOT INCLUDED

• Personal items (see the full list in our What to Bring section).
• Travel insurance.
• Tips for the guide, cook, and porter team (optional, at the end of the trek).ur link: WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING.)

A CONSIDERATION

• Entrance tickets for Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain are limited to 400 per day each and sell out quickly. We recommend requesting them at the time of booking.
• Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive an email with your travel voucher. Please print it and bring it on the day of the excursion.
• If you have any Question or Querie about the Services Included in this Excursion, please contact us: Cell: +51 984 525 006 / WhatsApp: +51 984 683 047 or write to: info@incredibleperutours.com

LIST OF PERSONAL ITEMS TO BE BROUGHT

Weather conditions along the Inca Trail vary with altitude and can be very cold at night, particularly at higher elevation campsites. Below you will find the complete packing list for the trek. If you are missing any items, they can be purchased or rented in advance at the camping gear stores in the Historic Center of Cusco.

Please review the following list carefully before your departure. Every item on the list plays an important role in the success of your trek.

Documents

• Original passport.
• Valid student card, if you are a student.
• Travel Insurance (some copies).
• Travel Coupon issued by us.

Essential

• Backpack.
• Sleeping bag.
• Water bottle.
• Some snacks like cookies, candies, chocolates, cereals.
• Extra cash, if you want to buy some souvenirs from the Excursion.

Clothes and shoes

• Cotton or synthetic clothing: hiking pants, shorts, socks, polo shirts, T-shirt, underwear.
• Bathing clothes, if you want to enjoy the Thermal Baths in Aguas Calientes.
• Hat to cover from the Sun.
• Hiking boots and sandals

Pharmaceutical products

• Personal medicines, plasters and anti-inflammatory pills.
• Insect repellent.
• Sunscreen.
• Skin and lip cream.

Personal hygiene articles

• Small towel
• Toothpaste and toothbrush.
• Toilet soap.
• Shampoo and conditioner.
• Brush or comb.
• Wet wipes.
• Spray body deodorant.
• Toilet paper.

Other articles

• Flashlight (frontal one recommended)
• Sunglasses.
• Camera with extra batteries and memory cards.
• Rubber-tipped hiking poles (optional).
• Pocket knife.
• Some plastic bags.
• Good sense of humor 
• We recommend prior acclimatization in Cusco City, at least 1 day before your trek, and good general health…

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 Here you will find the most Frequently Asked Questions from our Clients. Before asking anything, we invite you to carefully read these questions and answers, as well as all our links about this Tour. This will help you to clarify in a simple, fast and practical way.

IMPORTANTE

• The available permits shown on our website are updated in real time.
• These spaces are reduced continuously as other authorized operators purchase them, since access to the Inca Trail is regulated and permits are distributed among all agencies licensed to operate on this route.
• We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your spot.
• If you are interested in doing this Trail and want to reserve permits, or want more information, please contact us: Cell: +51 984 525 006 / WhatsApp: +51 984 683 047 or write to: info@incredibleperutours.com
• Yes, if there is no longer availability for the Date of your Trek, you can search for other similar Excursions that also arrive at Machu Picchu such as: the Inca Trail Route of 2 days/1 night, the Salkantay Route, the Choquequirao Trek or the route of Lares, among others.

WHY DO TICKETS FOR THE INCA TRAIL RUN OUT SO FAST?

Under the current Tourist Use Regulations, the 4-day Inca Trail has a daily limit of 500 permits. This figure includes both travelers and the service staff of authorized agencies: guides, cooks, and porters. As a result, the number of spots available for travelers is considerably lower than the total permitted.

Service staff are an essential part of the excursion. The guide accompanies and leads the group throughout the route; the cook prepares meals at each campsite; and the porters carry all necessary equipment, including tents, cooking gear, food, and sleeping supplies. Under these regulations, the permits required for any group are always double: one for each traveler and one for each staff member.

These regulations are established and enforced by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. Once the 500 daily permits are sold, no additional spaces can be purchased under any circumstances.

To secure your place, book your excursion as early as possible with Incredible Peru Tours, an agency authorized by the Ministry of Culture to operate on the Inca Trail.

PRICES

Our 2025 rates remain in effect throughout 2026. All prices are in US dollars per person and include group service (average 8 travelers, maximum 16). The price varies depending on the return train option.

1. Inca Trail 4D/3N with return in EXPEDITION TRAIN

A comfortable option with no additional services. The train departs from Aguas Calientes station with seats upholstered in locally sourced fabrics and free luggage storage. Snacks and drinks available for an additional charge.

Students: please send a scanned copy of your valid student ID (both sides) by email.
Children: please send a copy of your passport by email.
Infants: travel free when accompanied by parents.

2. Inca road 4D/3N with return on TRAIN VISTADOME

A panoramic window train ideal for taking in the scenery along the route. Includes snack and drink service on board.

Students: please send a scanned copy of your valid student ID (both sides) by email.
Children: please send a copy of your passport by email.
Infants: travel free when accompanied by parents.

OPTIONAL SERVICES

If you want, for an additional cost you have the option of adding some extra services to the trek such as:

• Sleeping bag (can be rented at our travel office + USD 5 per day)
• One pair of hiking poles (can be rented at our Central Office + USD5.00 per day).
• Entrance Ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain (request it when you book this Excursion because it is subject to availability, only 400 tickets per day + USD 70)
• Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu Mountain (request it when you book this excursion because it is subject to availability, only 400 tickets per day + USD 70).

A CONSIDERATION

• Notice that a minimum of 2 people is required to book this Trail.
• If you are thinking of traveling alone, please contact us to offer you a date in an already organized group.
• Our passion is family trips, so if you are traveling with children, please contact us to offer our promotions.
• Our company also has promotions and discounts for groups of students and groups of friends. Please contact us to receive our special offers.
• Incredible Peru Tours – IPT for your peace of mind does not apply any hidden charges or expenses.
• If you are interested in doing this route and want to reserve permits, or want more information, please contact us: Cell: +51 984 525 006 / WhatsApp: +51 984 683 047 or write to: info@incredibleperutours.com