Classic Inca Trail To Machu Picchu - 4 Days And 3 Nights

After breakfast, we embark on a hike to the renowned Dead Woman’s Pass. For the first two hours, we traverse the cloud forest, passing through various biomes and enjoying sightings of diverse plants and birdlife. If lucky, White-Tailed Deer may make an appearance!

We pause at Lluchapampa, the last supply stop on the trail, before continuing toward Warmiwañusca or “Dead Woman’s Pass” (4,215 meters/13,825 feet), a two-hour ascent offering breathtaking mountain vistas.

Following lunch at the Pacaymayu camp, we’ll climb for about 45 minutes to reach the Inca site of Runcuraccay. A further uphill trek of one hour takes us to the Runcuraccay pass (3,950 meters/12,959 feet).

After a 90-minute descent, we arrive at the Inca site of Sayacmarca (3,657 meters/12,000 feet), a perfect spot for capturing stunning sunsets over the Aobamba Valley.

Finally, we reach our campsite at Chaquicocha (3,600 meters/11,800 feet), chosen for its serene and remote location, allowing for a truly immersive experience in the Andes.

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Maximum altitude: 4215 m/13,825 ft
• Minimum altitude: 3,300 m/10,824 ft
• Distance to walk: 16 km/ 10 miles
• Approximate walking time: 8-9 hours
• Area: Andes and Cloud Forest
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3 commences with a 2-hour hike to the Inca ruins at Phuyupatamarca (3,680 meters/12,073 feet). Here, we relish breathtaking views of Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Mountain, and Huayna Picchu Mountain before receiving a guided tour of the ruins.

Our descent into the rainforest begins as we trek downhill for 2.5 hours, visiting Inti Pata along the trail. Many consider this spot to offer the most beautiful views along the entire Inca trail. Just 40 minutes away lies our campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,680 meters/8,792 feet).

Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy lunch and some relaxation time before exploring the archaeological site that shares its name with the camp. Wiñay Wayna, meaning “forever young” in Quechua, stands as the largest and most stunning archaeological site on the Inca Trail.

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Maximum altitude: 3600 m/11,808 ft
• Minimum altitude: 2,680 m/8,792 ft
• Distance to walk: 10 km/6.2 miles
• Approximate walking time: 6 hours
• Area: High Cloud Forest
• Difficulty: Easy

We rise very early on our final day to complete the last few kilometers of the Inca Trail.

Leaving after breakfast, the trekking here is fairly easy going for around an hour, and brings us directly to Inti Punku or the “Sun Gate”. This is the ancient entrance of the sacred city and gives us our first incredible views of Machu Picchu and (weather permitting) the spectacular sunrise over the Andes.

Our trek ends with one final 45-minute downhill hike to the entrance gates of the city.

We will go to the classic photo spot for pictures as soon as we arrive. Then there will be a short break before starting our 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu through circuit 3. All of our guides are experts in the history and mythology of the site, and really bring the visit to life!

After the tour we travel to Aguas Calientes by bus and then take the train to Poroy or Ollantaytambo where our private transportation will be waiting to transport you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket but will be in the evening around 8 pm where your adventure on the 4 day Inca Trail has come to an end!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Maximum altitude: 2700 m/8,856 ft
• Minimum altitude: 2,430 m/7,972 ft
• Distance to walk: 6 km/3.73 miles
• Approximate walking time: 2 hours