Inca Trail: 4 Days, 3 Nights

DAY 1

Cusco | Piscacucho Km 82 – Huayllabamba.

Pickup from the hotels begins at approximately 5:30 a.m. We’ll head toward Piscacucho or Kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins. Along the way, we’ll stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo around 6:30 a.m. to refuel, and then we’ll begin our hike. (Breakfast is not included.) Around 9:30 a.m., we’ll arrive at Kilometer 82, which is the first checkpoint on the Inca Trail. Be ready to show your admission tickets and passports there.

At the start of the trail (2720m / 8923 feet), we’ll cross the Vilcanota River and follow its course to the right. The first day is relatively easy—a warm-up along the flat Inca terrain. There are excellent views of the Inca fortress “Huillca Raccay,” the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata (officially called “Patallacta”), and the beautiful snow-capped peak of “W’akay Willca” (5,860 m / 19,225 ft), known as Verónica.

Our first camp is in Wayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,842 ft), a temperate, green valley of the same name. Nighttime temperatures hover around 5°C, depending on the month.

• Meals: Lunch, snacks, and dinner.
• Accommodations: Campground facilities.
• Distance: 11 km / 6.8 m above sea level (about 6 hours of hiking)

DIA 2

Huayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo

After waking up around 5:30 a.m. and enjoying a hot breakfast, we’ll begin a steep ascent toward the highest pass, Abra de Warmihuañusca, or “Dead Woman’s Pass,” at 4,200 m / 13,779 ft. On this day, you’ll feel a true sense of accomplishment when you reach the summit! After a well-deserved rest, we’ll begin the descent to Pacaymayo, where we’ll stop for lunch (3,550 m / 11,646 ft).

On our way to the pass, we’ll see a variety of hummingbirds and a mix of other bird species. You’ll have time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and trees, and after lunch, we’ll begin the second steep, two-hour climb to the Runkuraqay Pass (almost 4,000 m / 13,123 ft). We’ll arrive at our camp at 5 p.m. Temperatures at this camp drop to 4°C at night.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Accommodations: Campground.
• Distance: 16 km / 10 m above sea level (about 9 hours of walking time)

DIA 3

Pacaymayo – Puyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna

This is the most breathtaking day; keep this in mind as you climb on Day Three! We’ll get up for breakfast at 6:00 a.m. and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of “Phuyupatamarca” (which means “City in the Clouds”). Here we reach the third-highest point on the Inca Trail (3680m /). The views of the mountains, canyons, and the surrounding landscape are spectacular!

The Inca site of “Phuyupatamarca” is located just a few minutes’ walk from the third pass. After visiting this site, we continue down 3,000 steps through the cloud forest to the impressive Inca agricultural site of “Intipata.” After taking some time to explore this site, we’ll continue on to our third campsite, Wiñayhuayna (2,680 m / 8,792 ft). Today, we’ll only hike for about 4 to 5 hours. We’ll arrive at the campsite around lunchtime!

Nighttime temperatures are around 12°C. Just a short walk from our campsite is the famous Inca site of “Wiñayhuayna” (“Forever Young”). Even if you’re feeling tired after the hike, this is a sight you can’t miss—it’s the most impressive site on the Inca Trail.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Accommodations: Campground facilities and cold-water showers.
• Distance: 10 km / 6.2 m above sea level (about a 5-hour hike)

DIA 4

Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Around 4:00 a.m., it’s time to get up, have breakfast, and begin Day 4 on the Inca Trail to arrive at Machu Picchu on time. This is the final leg of your journey, arriving at 6:00 a.m. at Inti Punku, or the Gate of the Sun. At that point, the majestic Citadel of Machu Picchu stands before us in all its breathtaking beauty—an incredible sight for everyone. It brings home the reality of what the Inca people must have encountered on their grueling journey to this sprawling temple complex at Machu Picchu. From there, we walk downhill toward the citadel of Machu Picchu. (2,400 m / 7,872 ft.)

After a 40-minute walk, we entered the citadel from the top through the “House of the Guardians.” From there, we proceeded to the checkpoint where we checked in and left our belongings. Your professional guide will lead you through the amazing ruins and their main streets. You can stroll through the city’s plazas and climb the intricately carved stone staircases. Machu Picchu is considered the spiritual center of the world according to esoteric wisdom.

Once the guided tour is over, you’ll have free time to explore the site on your own. Return to Cusco: You’ll descend to Aguas Calientes and then board the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station. “The train’s departure time may vary depending on the schedule and availability of the train.”

At the Ollantaytambo train station, you will meet our shuttle and be taken to your hotel in Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Distance: 8.9 km / 5.5 meters above sea level
• Difficulty: Easy