The most popular journey to Machu Picchu is the Machu Picchu Inca Trail trip, also referred to as the Classic Inca Trail Peru. This cobblestone track was considered the most sacred route to Machu Picchu by the Incas since it was dotted with numerous unspoiled Inca ruins.
Around 500 years ago, the Incas constructed it as a part of their well-known Qhapaqan network. Most people consider trekking this 26-mile trail to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. According to National Geographic Traveler, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is among the best 25 hikes in the world.
Local authorities have placed restrictions due to the overflowing demand and to preserve the integrity of the trial. On this trail, just 500 persons are permitted each day. Chefs, guides, and porters are all part of it. Only 200 individuals manage to trek it in a single day.
The famed Dead Woman’s Pass, which rises 4200 meters above sea level, is the highest point on the Inca Trail Peru (13780 feet). Before trekking the Machu Picchu Inca Trail tour, it is strongly advised that you spend a few days in Cusco acclimatizing.
South America’s most well-known trail is the Inca Trail. Six months in advance, it’s not uncommon for the Machu Picchu Inca Trail tour permit to be sold out. Planning and scheduling the experiment well in advance is strongly advised.
Check out our 2-day plan for the shorter Inca Trail to Machu Picchu if the four-day trek seems too strenuous for you. We are also an authorized Salkantay Trek provider. A well-liked substitute for the Inca Trail in Peru is the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
05:00 am
A transportation from your Cusco accommodation is provided at 0500 AM to begin your Machu Picchu Inca Trail Tour. Then, in our private vehicle, we will travel for three hours through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo, the previous Inca administrative center.
We will take a little stop here, so if you want to pick up any last-minute supplies for your 4-day trek up the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, feel free.
The next stop will be mile 82, or Piskacucho in the local language, which is the start of the Inca Trail. On the way to Machu Picchu, the location is named given its distance from Cusco. Your documentation and Inca Trail permission will be examined by the local authorities.
We are prepared and will now start our hike to the Llactapata archaeological complex along the Urubamba river’s path. You will be given an in-depth guided tour of the complex by our local expert. After you’ve had your fill of this fascinating ancient site, we’ll hike for another two hours to our lunch camp.
Authentic Peruvian cuisine will be served to you by our chef. When you book the trip, please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions so we can do our best to accommodate you.
The first of our two uphill hikes will begin after lunch. This is more of a warm-up for the challenging ascent to the trail’s highest point the next day. Along the trip, there will be several stops. Ayapata Campsite is where we will spend the night after our hike there.
The hardest and most intriguing day of the four-day Inca Trail walk is the second day. We will start our five-hour ascent to the trail’s highest point, the Dead Woman’s Pass, after savoring a traditional Andean breakfast.
Warmi Wausca, sometimes referred to as Dead Woman’s Pass, is located at a height of 4215 meters (13779 feet). Being acclimatized is essential since this part of the trek requires a lot of physical effort.
We will take a little rest when we get to the top of the pass so you can enjoy the unspoiled views of the valley. About this pass, our guide will tell some tales.
The two-hour journey to lunch camp in Pacaymayu will then be made when we descend the slope. You will go down the trail’s ancient Inca steps in this phase.
You’ll be served a special lunch by our chef that is based on a long-standing tradition. The lunch hour is a good time to replenish your water bottle.
We will take a 45-minute hike up a hill to reach the Runkurakay archaeological complex after lunch. The complex’s views may be appreciated in great detail during your free time. On an incline of a mountain, it has two stunning waterfalls.
A thorough tour of the facility will be provided by our local expert. We will continue our ascent for another 45 minutes after the tour to reach Runkurakay Pass. As we descend to the Amazon Cloud forest, you will get to enjoy a few last views of the Andean peaks from this location.
Apus (Sacred Peaks) and Pachamama will receive our thanks, which we shall do (Mother Earth).
We will stop briefly at the ancient site Sayacmarca before beginning the descent to the campground. Here, you’ll learn some obscure Inca facts.
Once you’ve gotten your fill, we’ll continue our 25-minute descent to our campground as we continue trekking. Our tour guide will give you a guided tour as we stop at other archaeological sites along the way.
You go through some of the intriguing archaeological sites on the third day of the Machu Picchu Inca Trail Tour.
You’ll be awakened by our team at 06:30 AM. To begin yet another extraordinary day, we will be offering you a substantial and protein-packed breakfast.
After breakfast, we will hike through a cloud forest to Phuyupatamarca (3650m/11975ft), the trail’s final high mountain pass. A wide-ranging perspective of the highland flora and animals is provided.
Phuyupatamarca’s name translates to “City in Clouds” in Quechua. In addition to providing you with an overview of this location, our tour guide will share some fascinating information with you.
We will hike for two and a half hours down the hill to another well-known Inca site, Intipata, after taking in the breath-taking vistas. For the Incas, this was a significant farming location.
From here, you can see the Urubamba River meandering through the towns of the Sacred Valley of the Incas in breath-taking detail.
To get to our campground in Wiay Wayna, we still have another 30 minutes of hiking to do. By 1:00 PM, we’ll be there for a well-earned lunch. You will have some time for a nap after lunch.
We will hike to Wiay Wayna’s entrance at approximately 4:00 PM. The name means “forever youthful” in Quechua. Perhaps the most stunning archaeological site along the Inca Trail is this one.
You will be given a thorough tour of the facility by our local expert. As our expert explains the history, you will be transported back to the Inca era. We will take you on a thorough tour of the complex during which you will learn about Inca farming practices and other things.
We will watch the sunset and then head back to the campground for supper. With our support team, this supper will be the last. So please think about saying “thank you” for all of their hard work and for making the event possible. Although it is absolutely up to one’s will, tipping is welcomed.
The tour of the Machu Picchu Inca Trail’s most memorable day. As we are leaving the campground at 3:30 AM, we will provide you a food box. Our goal is to get to the Sungate by 4:00 AM in time to see the dawn.
This vista is really breathtaking. A genuinely unique spectacle that only a select few get to view is the sun’s golden rays reflecting off the Inca walls.
The distance to Machu Picchu from here is only a short trek down the hill. Your passports will once more be compared to your entry ticket to Machu Picchu as we proceed through another security checkpoint.
You will have a thorough two-hour tour of the citadel from our tour guide. The primary attractions of the citadel, including the sun clocks, temples, and remnants of the royal quarters, will be visited during this trip.
You will have some free time to explore the citadel after the tour. If you have scheduled a walk up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, our guide will point you in the direction of the appropriate trailheads.
We will ride the bus down to Aguas Calientes town later in the evening. You will have some free time to explore the area or have a typical meal while you are here.
We shall ride the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo railway station at 02:55 PM. Getting to the railway station at least 30 minutes in advance is advised.
Our agent will greet you at the airport in Ollantaytambo and transport you to your accommodation in Cusco.
