INKA TRAIL 4 DAYS/ 3 NIGHTS

The exciting Inca Trail adventure begins early. If you are staying in Cusco, the team will pick you up at 4:30 a.m., while travelers in the Sacred Valley will be picked up a little later, around 6:00 a.m. The first stop will be in Ollantaytambo, a charming village where you can enjoy a nutritious breakfast surrounded by breathtaking Andean and Inca landscapes. It will also be your last chance to purchase any essential items for the trek.

At 8:00 a.m., we will arrive at Km 82, the official starting point of Machu Picchu. Here, you will meet the team accompanying you during the trek, including the chef, porters, and expert guides. The hike begins with a leisurely two-hour stretch to Patallacta, a fascinating archaeological site that we will explore from a strategic viewpoint. Afterward, we will continue the trek for another two hours to Hatunchaca, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with fresh, local ingredients courtesy of our team.

After recovering our energies, we will resume our trek with an additional two-hour walk to our first campsite in Ayapata, where we will arrive around 5:00 p.m. There, you will find your tent ready to welcome you. After a well-deserved rest, you will enjoy a comforting dinner before retiring to rest and prepare for the exciting second day of adventure.

Hiking distance: 8.7 miles/14 km 6-7 hours)
The altitude of the camp: 3300 m.a.s.l.
Considered: Moderate
Climate: Warm with the presence of wind.

The second day of the Inca Trail 4D/3N tour starts early with coca te prepared by the cooks to help you start the day. After a walk of approximately 4 hours, we arrive at the Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 meters), the trek’s highest point. After a short rest, we descend to the
Pacaymayu Valley for lunch, where we can recharge water.

After lunch, we ascend for 2 hours to Runcu Raccay, an Inca site from where two waterfalls can be seen. Then, we descend for an hour to Sayacmarca, an important archaeological site inaccessible from other points. After a brief visit, we camp at Chaquicocha (Lago Seco, 3600 meters), where we will enjoy a sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. At the end of the day, if tiredness permits, we can admire the starry sky of the southern hemisphere, enjoying the Inca constellations in their maximum splendor.

Hiking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
Altitude of the camp: 3600 m.a.s.l.
Considered: Difficult
Area: Andes and Cloud Forest
Climate: Cold and rainy

This will be the most spectacular day of the Inca Trail. We will walk for 2 hours on what is known as the “Inca plane”, a terrain of gradual inclines, as we enter the jungle or Cloud Forest. We will enjoy panoramic views along the way, including the imposing Salkantay Mountain, the second highest in the Sacred Valley, and the Vilcabamba mountain range.

Towards the end of the trek, we will reach Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters), the last peak, from which we will be able to see the Urubamba River and get our first view of Machupicchu mountain (although still hidden). From here, we will descend for 3 hours to our campsite near Wiñay Wayna, known to be one of the most impressive Inca sites on the trek and the closest campsite to Machu Picchu.

On the way down, we will visit two crucial Inca ruins: Phuyupatamarka (City in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We will arrive at the campsite around 1:00 PM, where we can have lunch and rest. For the rest of the day, you will be free to relax and prepare for your last day in Machu Picchu.

At 4:30 PM, your guide will offer an orientation to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, explaining their historical relevance so that you will be ready for Machu Picchu the next day. As it falls, we will enjoy a special dinner with the porters and chefs, followed by a ceremony to thank them for their hard work. It is advisable to rest early, as the last day starts very early, with the hope of a beautiful sunrise over the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Walking distance: 6.2 miles/10km (5 hours)
Camp altitude: 2,600 meters above sea level.
Considered: Easy day
Area: Cloud forest
Climate: Warm and very humid

The last day of the Inca Trail culminates with the arrival at Machu Picchu. We start early with a breakfast that prepares us for the last stage of our adventure. At 06:00 hrs, we arrive at Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the first viewpoint from where we get a spectacular view of the citadel of Machu Picchu, an exciting moment reflecting our journey’s achievement. From Inti Punku, we descend for about 40 minutes to the main entrance of Machu Picchu, located 2,400 meters above sea level. We cross the House of the Guardians, and after checking in, we begin the guided tour. Our guide will take us through the site’s main areas, such as plazas, temples, and terraces, highlighting the impressive Inca architecture. Machu Picchu is considered a sacred place, spiritually linked to the Inca world.

At the end of the guided tour, you will have free time to explore at your own pace. You can climb the Huayna Picchu mountain for panoramic views or visit the local museum in Aguas Calientes to learn more about the site’s history. You can also relax in the nearby hot springs (activities not included in the tour).

Finally, we will return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo. The transportation will take us back to Cusco, completing this unforgettable journey along the Inca Trail. This day culminates in a unique experience full of history, adventure, and natural beauty.

Considered: Easy
Area: Cloud and subtropical forest
Climate: Warm and very humid