Classic Inca Trail

Treks

SUMMARY

4 Days

Peru

The Classic Inca trail in Peru is one of the world’s most iconic treks and a usual bucket-list item for many travellers. A four-day adventure that takes you through some of Peru’s most captivating scenery to arrive at Machu Picchu citadel. This fantastic trek goes through spectacular paths of the Andes mountains in Peru. Discover the way to the fascinating citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the world’s best-known archaeological sites.

The trail to Machu Picchu is strictly limited to 500 people per day (including guides and porters). Therefore, you must plan and book well in advance, particularly during the peak season of June to September. Campsites are simple but comfortable with thermarest mattresses and cosy sleeping bags to keep out the mountain chill.

The trek is moderate to challenging, with steep inclines, uneven steps, varied terrain, and a total distance of 42km. The trek’s highest point is Warmiwañusca Pass at 4,200m, which you will reach on the second day. However, on day three, you will cover 16km and hike over two high passes, considered the most challenging day.
Our Deluxe trekking options with a bedroom-style tent, folding beds with pillows and feather sleeping bags; as well as hot showers and daily massages are available. Short on time or stamina? Consider the one-day Inca Trail Express – a great compromise to the Classic Inca Trail. This 12km hike on the final section of the Inca Trail reaches a maximum altitude of 2,650m, offering a fantastic alternative.

HIGHLIGHTS

Walk and camp along the Inca Trail and arrive at the fascinating citadel of Machu Picchu, South America’s best-known archaeological site.
Enjoy a stunning walk through the mountains, with spectacular views of snow-capped Andean peaks and centuries-old ruins in bucolic river valleys.
The trails combine beautiful mountain scenery, lush cloud forest, subtropical jungle, and, a stunning mix of Inca paving stones, ruins, and tunnels.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Cuzco/Inca Trail

The Classic Inca Trail is one of the world’s most renowned treks, a four-day adventure that takes you through some of Peru’s most captivating scenery to arrive at the mountain citadel of Machu Picchu. The Incas built a highly advanced network of nearly 40,000 thousand kilometres of trails to connect the distant corners of their vast empire that stretched from Quito in Ecuador down to Santiago in Chile and east to Mendoza in Argentina. The most famous section of this network is the 42km route that winds through the Sacred Valley and connects the important Inca archaeological sites of Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñay Wayna and, of course, Machu Picchu.

KM 82 to Patallaqta: From your hotel, you’ll travel by road to the historic, picturesque town of Ollantaytambo, built by the Inca Emperor Pachacuti. You will have time to do some last-minute shopping before starting the trek. The first stop will be the Piscacucho community at km 82 of the railroad to Machu Picchu, the starting point of our hiking adventure.
The first part of the day will take you hiking for about 2.5 hours alongside the Urubamba River and its astounding landscapes. Start walking on the opposite side of the river, avoiding the crowds of the classic route, and taking the chance to explore less visited archaeological sites like Salapunku. Before crossing the river at Km 88, your guide will find the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.
Cross over the bridge to the other side of the Urubamba River and start hiking up near agricultural terraces with spectacular views of the river passing along the Qoriwayrachina archaeological site. As you arrive at Patallaqta, an impressive Inca complex, take some time to explore the place while the crew prepares the camp for the night. Patallaqta is a lesser-used camp, so you will have space to enjoy yourself and relax or to break the ice with the crew and learn about the local customs and the role and importance of porters on the Inca Trail.
Day Length: 9 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Highest Point: 2690 masl.
Lowest Point: 2484 masl.
Difficulty: Medium.

Day 2 Inca Trail

Patallaqta to Llulluchapampa: Wake up at dawn with a stunning view of the archeological site of Patallaqta. After an energizing breakfast, you will start the ascent to Huayllabamba Valley behind the other groups that usually camp higher up the valley. Today you will walk through an Andean gorge surrounded by ancient native trees like Qeuñas, Unqas, and Chachacomos.
The first part of the day takes us to Ayapata, where you will have a recovering lunch accompanied by dense vegetation and forest peace. After lunch, the ascent continues until you arrive at Llulluchapampa, your campsite for the night. With recharged energies, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at the camp with the company of the crew.
Take some time to interact with them and learn more about the way of living in the mountains. Some crew members like to play soccer on a natural soccer field at 3900 masl. – you are welcome to join them!
On this magnificent location and with the view of Mount Huayanay, you’ll take part in an Andean ceremony to express our gratitude to Mother Earth and ask the Apus (spirits of the sacred mountains) for permission and protection during the ascent to the highest altitude pass (Warmiwañusca) next morning. Finally, you’ll have the briefing for the following day as you enjoy a delicious local dinner.
Day Length: 9 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Highest Point: 2590 masl.
Lowest Point: 3780 masl.
Difficulty: Advanced.

Day 3 Inca Trail

Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca: On the third day, you’ll be challenging yourself by hiking over altitude passes, walking through cloud forests, and visiting Inca archeological sites along the way.
Start ascending to the first and highest pass of the route called Warmiwañusca (4,215 masl./13,829 ft.), where you’ll find spectacular views of the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota mountain ranges. The,n continue the hike down to Pacaymayo and ascend back to the second pass, Runcuracay (4,000 masl.) – a little lower than the first one. You then hike down for about one hour to the Sayaqmarca complex and take some time to explore it before continuing the journey towards Chaquicocha, where you’ll enjoy a tasty lunch and recover some energy.
Finally, you’ll go a little further to Phuyupatamarca, arriving at the place where you’ll set up camp (3,750 masl. / 12,303 ft), rest, and enjoy a tasty well-deserved meal.
This campsite is a favorite to most visitors as it offers a doubtlessly stunning view of the mountains, the river at the bottom, and the clouds below. Also, there are usually fewer people at this campsite. Day three is the most challenging day of the route. Well done!
Day Length: 10.5 km
Hiking Time: 8-9 hours
Highest Point: 4215 masl.
Lowest Point: 3340 masl.
Difficulty: Challenging.

Day 4 Inca Trail/Cuzco

Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu: Start your final day early in the morning with a tasty breakfast, surrounded by unforgettable scenery, before taking the trail to Wiñaywayna, an Inca agricultural site with impressive terraces between the mountains and the valley. From there, continue towards the famous Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate, where you will get your first look at the historic Inca sanctuary of Machu Picchu. It’s an exhilarating sight.
After some minutes of walking, you will enter the Sanctuary, and your guide will share an introduction to the history, organization, and mysteries of this world-famous place. You’ll take a break to enjoy lunch outside the citadel to return reenergized to explore its incredible buildings and terraces and meet photogenic alpacas while admiring the stunning backdrop of Huayna Picchu Mountain.
After soaking up the magical energy (with plenty of photographs to show), you’ll head down to Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you’ll have some spare time to walk around the town. Finally, after a relatively short but satisfying time on this exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime trek, you’ll board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where transportation will wait to take you to your hotel in Cusco.
Day Length: 9 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Highest Point: 3641 masl.
Lowest Point: 2400 masl.
Difficulty: Medium.