Classic Inca trail Hike to Machu Picchu – Inca Trail Peru

Experience the best of the esteemed Classic Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu from Cusco on this four days Inca Trail Peru with our local tour guide. Dotted with countless Inca ruins, the trail is ranked as one of the best hikes around the world by National Geographic Travel Magazine.

Classic Inca trail hike offers an historic experience. You will be retracing the footsteps of the Incas through the cobblestone trail that was built some 500+ years ago for them to travel to their sacred site – Machu Picchu from Cusco. 

Inca Trail Permit:

Machu Picchu, the world wonder, tops the bucket list of many travelers in South America. Most prefer visiting it on a two day tour to Machu Picchu by Train from Cusco while a vast majority want to hike the esteemed Inca Trail Trek.

Due to its overgrowing popularity and to protect the authenticity of the trail, local authorities have implemented stringent measures for both tour operators and hikers. One of them is the introduction of Inca Trail Permit.

Inca Trail Permits are released 180 days before. It limits access to only 500 people a day. This includes porters, chefs and tour guides. So barely 200 hikers from over a hundred tour operating companies get the opportunity of hiking the trail each day.

Often Inca Trail permits are sold out within minutes since they are released. We strongly recommend you to plan and book your trip well in advance to secure your place.

Inca Trail Peru Recommendations:

Inca Trail Peru is a high altitude experience. The highest point of the trail is the Dead Woman’s Pass that is at 4200 meters above sea level (13779 ft). The trail could be challenging to some, especially if you are not acclimatized. We highly recommend that you spend a few days acclimatizing in Cusco before the trail to avoid altitude sickness.

As local tour operators, we take pride in working with locals. All our staff from porters to tour guides are locals. They are born and raised in the region and have plenty of knowledge to share about Andean traditions and Inca history.

Our tour guides are certified tourism professionals. They have years of experience in hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and are well aware of the route. Our tour guides are also trained in first aid and are fluent in English and Spanish.

Best Time to Experience Classic Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu:

The best time of the year to hike Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is during the dry season – between April and November. This is when the weather is pleasant and you will have clear visibility of the sites along the way. 

During monsoon, December to March, the trail gets slippery and often the high mountain passes are covered under a blanket of cloud.

Inca Trail remains closed every year in February for maintenance. 

Join us on this immersive esteemed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and get an insight into the Andean traditions and Inca history. 

Before the Inca trail 4 days:

Acclimatization: Spend 1-2 days in Cusco (or Sacred Valley) before trekking to adjust to high altitude (Cusco: ~3,400m / 11,150ft).

Physical Fitness: Essential. Regular cardio and hiking training recommended.

Altitude: Highest point is Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,215m (13,780 ft).

Machu Picchu Circuit (Regulations 2025/2026):

Inca Trail hikers enter Machu Picchu via Circuit 1, which offers panoramic views from the top, but may not include full access to the main archaeological complex (Lower Section). Please check the circuit details with your tour operator.

“Therefore, the best option would be to purchase an additional ticket to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 – subject to availability for the fourth day at the time of booking) to experience the full Machu Picchu tour a second time. However, this would be at your own expense, as the guide is only for Circuit 1.

Useful Information:

• Starting Altitude – 2,720 m.a.s.l. / 8923.8 ft
• Highest Altitude – 4,217 m.a.s.l. / 13835.3 ft
• Walking Distance –  43 km / 26.7 mi
• Longest Day – Day 2, 15 km / 9.3 mi
• Coldest Night – Day 2, around 0 Celsius
• General difficulty: Moderate – Difficult – Easy

Day 01: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Piscacucho (Km 82) – Llactapata – Ayapata

Your epic 4 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins with an early morning transfer from your hotel in Cusco. We will embark on a two hours drive from Cusco along the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo train station.

We will be meeting our support crew – Porters and Chefs here. While you relish a typical Andean breakfast, we will organize your things. Please note that during the trek, you won’t have access to your backpack and duffle bags. So make sure to pack them in a small day pack.

After breakfast, we will be driving you further to Piscacucho (Km 82). This is the trailhead. It is named after its distance from Cusco en-route to Aguas Calientes.

After passing through a checkpoint, where your Inca Trail permit will be verified against your original passport, we will begin the hike through a flat terrain. This will be more of a practice for you to get accustomed to the altitude and climate.

Patallacta:

Our first stop will be in Patallacta. It is a notable site which served as a checkpoint during the Inca civilization for those visiting their sacred site, Machu Picchu from Cusco.

Our local expert will be giving you an immersive tour of the complex. You will get a detailed insight into the Inca civilization and Andean traditions.

Llactapata:

After the guided tour of the complex, we will start hiking for three hours, gradually ascending to another prominent Inca site – Llactapata.

The name Llactapata in Quechua means “city in the clouds”. It nestles at 2840m/9317ft above sea level. The Incas named it after its height from the sea level. 

After getting your fill of the history and insight into the complex, we will be hiking to our lunch camp. Our crew will welcome you with a cup of freshly brewed coca tea which helps to fight altitude sickness or a cup of Peruvian coffee.

We will then serve a freshly cooked traditional meal for lunch. You will have plenty of time to soak in the views of the Peruvian highlands as you relish a native meal.

Ayapata:

After lunch, we will be hiking through two native communities to Ayapata. There are small shops here, so if you have forgotten something, you may buy it here.

We will be reaching our campsite in Ayapata by 0530 PM. It is at 3300 meters above sea level (10827 ft). After witnessing the sunset here, we will be serving dinner. We will be setting up tents under the clear Andean sky so you can sleep with a sight of a constellation of stars.

• Meals: lunch and dinner
• Maximum Altitude: 2,954 m.a.s.l. / 9691.6 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 2,670 m.a.s.l. / 8759.8 ft
• Distance Travelled: 11 km. / 6.8 mi
• Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours
• Difficulty: Easy – Moderate

Day 02: Ayapata – Warmi Wañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) – Runkuraqay – Sayacmarca – Chaquicocha

At 0600 AM, our crew will be waking you up to a cup of freshly brewed Peruvian coffee or Coca tea. This will be followed by a nutritious Andean breakfast to prepare you for the challenging hike.

Dead Woman’s Pass:

We will begin our second day’s hike, up the hill, to the highest point of the Classic Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. The infamous Dead Woman’s Pass at 4215m/1382ft. The four hours uphill hike offers staggering views of the Peruvian highlands.

As we reach the Dead Woman’s Pass, our crew will be serving you a cup of coca tea to help you fight the altitude sickness. 

We will be stopping here to soak in the pristine views of the Andean valley. Our local expert will be sharing some interesting facts about the Dead Woman’s pass and local beliefs. You will be introduced to the Andean mythology where you will understand the prominence of  The Apus (Mountain Peaks).

You will also have time to feel the energy of the mountain spirits and of the Incas who built the trail and hiked through them for years. 

After getting an insight and relishing the views, we will begin with a gradual descent to our lunch camp. We will be hiking through the cloud forest. For lunch, we will be serving you a quite heavy meal so you could regain the strength to continue the hike. 

Runkuraqay:

After lunch, we will be hiking 45 minutes, up the hill to Runkuraqay Archaeological site that nestles amidst two beautiful waterfalls. Our local expert will be giving you an immersive tour here.

Once you have had your fill here, we will be hiking further up the hill for another 45 minutes to Runkuraqay Pass. At 3760m/12335ft above sea level, this is the second highest pass on the trail to Machu Picchu.

The Incas stopped here to give their offerings to the Apus (Sacred Peaks). Our local expert will be giving you an insight on this.

We will then descend to Sayacmarca. This is another prominent site on the trail. We will be giving you an immersive tour here before continuing with our downhill hike for another 25 minutes to our campsite in Chaquicocha.

Our crew will be serving you tea or coffee accompanied by snacks followed by dinner before you retire to your tent for a well deserved rest. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Maximum Altitude: 4,226 m.a.s.l. / 13864.8 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 2,954 m.a.s.l. / 9691.6 ft
• Distance Travelled: 15 km / 9.3 mi
• Approximate Walking Time: 9 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate – Challenge

Day 03: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Intipata – Wiñay Wayna

A much relaxed yet an interesting day of the Inca Trail Peru. As always, we will be waking you up to a cup of freshly brewed tea or coffee followed by breakfast.

Phuyupatamarca:

We will then begin with a gradual uphill hike to the Inca complex of Phuyupatamarca. It is perched at 3650 meters (11975ft) above the sea level.

After a detailed tour of Phuyupatamarca, we will be hiking down the hill for two hours to Intipata. During the Inca civilization, Intipata served as an important farming sector. From here, you will be able to soak in the pristine views of Urubamba river snaking through the villages of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

We will be giving you a detailed insight into farming and its importance to the Incas and in the life of the people living here today. 

Wiñay Wayna:

After the tour, we will be hiking down the hill for forty minutes down the hill to our campsite in Wiñay Wayna. In Quechua, the name signifies forever young. We will be reaching Wiñay Wayna campsite, tentatively by 0100 PM.

After checking in to our campsite, we will be meeting for lunch. After lunch, we will be hiking to Wiñay Wayna archaeological site. Arguably, this is the most beautiful Inca site on the trail to Machu Picchu.

On an immersive guided tour of the complex with our local expert, you will discover the importance of each area of the complex. After the tour, you will have plenty of time to soak in the views and capture the sights.

After witnessing the sunset, we will be hiking back to the campsite. Here we will be having a celebratory meal with our crew. This will be the last meal with our crew on the trail.

After dinner, we will bid goodbye to our porters and chef. Feel free to tip them and express your gratitude. 

We will then rest under the clear Andean sky. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Maximum Altitude: 3,974 m.a.s.l. / 13038.0 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 3,650 m.a.s.l. /  11975.0 ft
• Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.2 mi
• Approximate Walking Time: 6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate – Easy

Day 04: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

We will be waking you up bright and early at 03:30 in the morning. Your tour guide will be handing you over a snack box  and a bottle of water as we will embark on an hour’s hike to the Sun Gate (Intipunku). 

We will try to reach there before sunrise. Witnessing sunrise in Machu Picchu from the Sungate is a rewarding experience that only those hiking the Inca Trail get to experience. You will also get your first sight of the Machu Picchu citadel tucked amidst the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu peaks.

After soaking in the views and getting a rewarding view of the golden lights of the sun beaming on the Inca citadel, we will descend for 45 minutes to Machu Picchu.

Welcome to Machu Picchu – the lost city of the Incas!

Our local expert will be giving you a two hours tour of the Inca citadel. We will be visiting some of the prominent sites like the farming terraces, remains of Inca temples, royal quarters and ceremonial sites and more. 

After the two hour hour of the complex, you will have the option of hiking to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain if you have managed to get the permits in advance. Please note that just as Inca Trail permits, even permits to hike Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains get sold out months in advance.

After contemplating the views and getting a fill of the Inca history, we will exit the citadel and take a 25 minutes bus ride down the hill to Aguas Calientes. Here we will have some free time so you can stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants (not included). You can even visit the hot springs here and get a refreshing dip. 

Later in the evening, by 0400 PM, we will be taking the train to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will meet you on arrival and will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco by 09:30 PM.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Maximum Altitude: 3,650 m.a.s.l. / 11975.0 ft
• Minimum Altitude:  2,400 m.a.s.l. / 7874.0 ft
• Distance Travelled: 7 km / 4.3 mi
• Approximate Walking Time: 6 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Classic Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu Includes:

• Pick up from the airport to the hotel
• Professional English Guide
• Briefing a day before the tour
• Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
• Transportation by bus to Km 82
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (Circuit 1 with panoramic view)
• Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Special permit to Inca Trail
• Train ticket back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo at 14:30 pm or 14:55 pm
• Return bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• A personal private porter to carry your belongings 7 kg
• 4 Breakfast, 4 Lunches, and 3  Dinner (Vegetarian or Vegan food is optional)
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• 1 camping tent for 2 people (Eureka Timberline brand)
• Infatable mattress (Thermarest brand)
• Oxygen bottle
• First aid kit

Classic Inca Trail Hike Does Not Include:

• Additional entrance ticket of the Circuit 2 to Machu Picchu; Full access to the main archaeological complex of the lower Section, but it will be visit on your own. Subject to availability for the fourth day at the time of booking (USD 45.00)
• Ticket to climb the Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (USD 55.00)
• Sleeping bag (USD 25.00)
• UP-GRADE Return train to Vistadome or 360 grades- Panoramic (USD 45.00)
• A pair of poles (USD 15.00)
• Day 04 Dinner
• Travel insurance: Highly recommended for your entire trip.
• Tips

Inca Trail Packing List:

• Original Passport
• 02 bottles of reusable water, can be made of ecological glass, stainless steel or flexible silicone to pour water from plastic bottles and thus not contribute to the ecological disaster since plastic bottles are not allowed at least for Inca trail.
• Student Card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket
• Rain coat
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable Trousers
• Extra plastic to wrap up your sleeping mattress
• Waterproof protector for backpack
• Backpack of at least 30 or 40 liters
• Sun hat
• Sun cream (factor 35 to more)
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries (towel, soap, brush, toothpaste, toilet paper…)
• Personal medication
• Camera
• Head light

Classic Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu Group Service Cost:

(It is required at least 02 people to open a new annex and permit for a travel date)

Adult USD 795.00

Student USD 775.00

If you like to apply for the student price you need to comply with the next requirements Peruvian regulation for students. If you are a student, you need to send us a copy or picture of both side of your STUDENT CARD also a picture or photo of your PASSPORT in order to verify, to get discount. The student card must be an original student ID gives from the university in PVC material, and it must have the next requirements printed on it: University information, personal student information, student picture, and expiration date valid only for one year, it year must coincide with the year that student visit Machupicchu, the discount until 25 years old. ISIC cards are not valid for the discount.

It is highly recommended to reserve the Inca Trail at least 3 months in advance, because tickets and permits could run out quickly (Excluding February).