INCA TRAIL TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
Looking for the best way to get to Machu Picchu? Definitely, you should go through the Classic Inca Trail 4-Day. This is the most incredible trekking tour to Machu Picchu; it is on many travelers’ bucket lists to walk on it. It is an authentic Inca path that passes through multiple Inca sites, eventually reaching Machu Picchu through the iconic Sun Gate.
Hiking on the Inca Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all travelers, setting off from the ancient Inca capital, Cusco.
Hiking in Peru is the perfect way to get up close to truly incredible nature while experiencing the Andes Mountains. Hiking the Inca Trail while in Peru is on many travelers’ bucket lists, and truly, it should be on many more.
Daily Itinerary of the Inca Trail 4 Day
Day 1. Cusco – Km 82 – Huallabama
Your adventure on this famous trek will start in Cusco. Our representative will collect you from your hotel and drive to Ollantaytambo, where we will have a short stop to use the restrooms, buy some items that you could need on the trek, and also give you time to take your breakfast.
If we continue to Km. 82, where we will begin the hike, you will have time to repack your items. Then we pass the first checkpoint, showing our passports and tickets.
The hike on the first day will be quite easy on the trail that goes up and down with some beautiful scenery along the way. Your guide will explain to you some important history of the Incas when you arrive at the next Inca site. Llactapata, a beautiful Inca building, is also one of the biggest along the trail.
Then we’ll reach Tarachalloc, where we will enjoy our buffet lunch. After we continue our hike for a couple hours, we reach Huallabamba, 3,000 meters (9,843 feet), which is our camp site.
Day 2. Huallabamba – Dead Woman Pass – Pacaymayu
This is the most challenging day on this Inca Trail; this is the day that we have to get to 4,215 meters at the Dead Woman’s Pass. Our team will wake us up with a hot cup of Coca-Cola tea, which will help you be ready for this challenging day. After an energetic breakfast, we will start hiking up. It will take about five hours in total to reach the pass; however, on the way, you will have different breaks and enjoy the incredible views that the area has. You can observe some waterfalls with different biodiversity, and if possible, you can see some wild animals around, such as deer or condors.
Once you have reached the pass, you will get stunning views of both valleys. Take a break and start descending towards Pacaymayu, which is our lunch spot and campsite.
Day 3. Pacayamayu – Runkurakay Pass – Chaquiqocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna
Today is the longest day on this trek. We will start the day with breakfast and ascend a step trail until we reach the next Inca site.
The ruins of Runkurakay are semi-circular in design and reside in a location with a beautiful view of the Valley of Pacaymayu, or “Hidden River” Valley below. The next pass is a steep climb away but offers gorgeous vistas of the Vilcabamba and Pumasillo mountain ranges.
Resting at an elevation of about 11,800 ft (3,600 m), Sayaqmarca is a set of ruins located on a cliff with a panoramic view of the surrounding terrain.
Continuing the ascent, trekkers pass the third and final mountain pass of the trek at Phuyupatamarca, undoubtedly one of the most unique villages along the Inca Trail. It’s located on the side of a ravine looking down on the Urubamba River, surrounded by terraces. The ruins are covered in a blanket of mist more often than not.
Our next camping site is in Wiñaywayna, 2,650 meters (8,694 feet) just behind Machu Picchu mountain.
Day 4. Wiñanwayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Wake up before the sun on the fourth and last day of the Inca Trail. After an early breakfast at 4:30 am, the group is on the trail by 5 am to head to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate entrance to Machu Picchu. The hike on this section offers breathtaking vistas of the Urubamba Valley, and we will also see many orchids on the way. Then it’s time to discover Machu Picchu.
After enjoying the spectacular view from the Sun Gate, we keep hiking down to Machu Picchu. Every time that you approach Machu Picchu, the view is fantastic. We will arrive next to the guard’s house and have time to capture the stunning views of Machu Picchu.
Go outside of Machu Picchu to use the restrooms, and pass the control again. We will go in to Machu Picchu to explore the most important temples around. The tour will take about two hours and end at the exit. Then we board the bus down to Aguas Calientes town, where you will get lunch. In the afternoon, take the train back to Cusco.
Important Info:
Here’s more to walking the Inca Trail than just showing up at the trailhead with your pack strapped to your back.
Best time to go: The best time to trek on the Inca Trail is during the dry season, generally running between May and September. The rainy season is between November and March.
When not to go: Don’t make plans to hike the Inca Trail in February. The path is closed every February for conservation work and maintenance.
Reserving your permit: Travelers need a permit to walk the Inca Trail. Each day, there are 500 permits available, with approximately 200 allocated to tourists and 300 to guides, porters, and cooks. Demand for Inca Trail permits is high, especially during the dry season. Plan ahead because permits sometimes book up months in advance! If there are no permits for the dates you want to walk the classic Inca Trail.
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