Safety First: costs for rescue services are covered.

Traditional Inca Trail

Duration: 4 days
Trails: T2 trails
Distance: 10 - 15 km per day
Ascent per day: 250 - 500 m ascent per day

+ Machu Picchu tickets & guided tour
+ Sunrise hike to the Sun Gate
+ Return by expedition train (upgrade possible)
- Last day lunch not included

One of the world's best and most accessible treks, requiring no special skills to complete. Enjoy a mix of ancient Inca ruins, snow-capped peaks, beautiful waterfalls and lush jungle. At the end of the trek you will walk through the Sun Gate for your first glimpse of Machu Picchu and admire the ruins from above.

Explore many unique ancient Inca sites to learn about the Inca civilisation that once ruled this area, such as Patallacta, Llactapata, Sayacmarca or Phuyupatamarca. You will also cross the famous Warmiwañuska's Pass and the Runcu Raccay Pass. On your last day, experience a unique sunrise trek to Intipunku and enjoy a 2 hour private guided tour of Machu Picchu. Take your expedition train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo, where a private bus will take you back to Cusco.

All dietary requirements are catered for, please advise when booking. Possible upgrades, equipment hire and optional treks available. Additional treks to Machu Picchu Montaña or Huayna Picchu must be requested in advance as permits sell out quickly.

Itinerary

Day
1

Cusco – Piskacucho Km 82 – Llactapata – Ayapata

Duration: 06:30 h
Distance: 14 km
Highest Point: 3300 m

Our team will pick you up from wherever you are staying in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo. If you’re staying in Cusco, your pickup will be between 4:00 and 4:30 AM; if in Urubamba, between 5:30 and 6:00 AM; and if you’re in Ollantaytambo, between 6:30 and 7:00 AM. These times will be confirmed at your briefing as they may vary slightly depending on your exact location. After a delicious breakfast prepared by your cook, you’ll be taken to the Porter House in Ollantaytambo, where your guide will introduce you to your team of porters.

We’ll then drive to KM 82, where we’ll pass through the first Inca Trail checkpoint and begin our trek. Make sure to have your original passport with you, as you’ll need it to enter the Inca Trail. The first two hours of the trek are relatively easy as we head towards our first Inca site. Patallacta is an ancient Inca checkpoint on the approach to Machu Picchu.

From Patallacta, it’s another two-hour walk to our lunch spot. After lunch, we’ll continue for 2.5 more hours until we reach our first campsite at Ayapata (3,300 meters). On this last stretch, we pass through two small communities where you can buy energy drinks, snacks, or any essential items you may have forgotten, like batteries. We’ll arrive at our campsite around 5:00 PM. Once settled, you can relax with a hot drink and snack, enjoying the company of your porters, cooks, and guides. Dinner will be ready by 7:30 PM, and afterward, you can enjoy some well-deserved rest.

Ayapata Campsite

Info
Ayapata Campsite
Day
2

Dead Woman's Pass – Runcuraccay Pass – Chaquiccocha

Duration: 07:30 h
Distance: 16 km
Highest Point: 4215 m

Your porters will wake you early with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day. We will start early as this will be our longest day. We’ll walk for about 4 hours to the highest pass on the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m / 13,829ft). Once we’ve reached the pass, we’ll take a short break to enjoy the views before starting our descent into the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley - Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot, where you’ll have a chance to refill your water bottles. After lunch, we start climbing again to the second pass of the trek. It’s a 2-hour hike over the pass, where we’ll stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another hour’s descent to the magnificent Inca site of Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village).

We’ll stop here to rest and take a short tour. Afterwards, we can watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. Then it’s only 20 minutes to our second campsite, Chaquicocha (dry lake, 3,600m). After dinner, if you’re not too tired, we can do some stargazing and point out the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent southern hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lights, this is a sky to behold!

Chaquicocha Campsite

Info
Chaquicocha Campsite
Day
3

Chaquiccocha - Wiñaywayna

Duration: 05:00 h
Distance: 10 km

Finishing day 2 and starting day 3 certainly deserves a pat on the back! We start early again, getting up at 6:30 AM to begin what is generally considered the best day of the whole Inca Trail. We walk for 2 hours along what we call the "Inca Flat" (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle known as the Cloud Forest. Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca Flats, we’ll start to climb the last peak, Phuyupatamarka (3,600m), from where we’ll have great views over the Urubamba River. Down in the valley, we get our first glimpse of the mountain of Machu Picchu, although the site itself is still hidden.

From Phuyupatamarka, it’s a 3-hour walk down a flight of steps to our final campsite near Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite due to its proximity to Machu Picchu. On the descent, we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (City in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We arrive at our campsite at around 1:00 PM for lunch.

Then we will relax so that you’re ready for your last day in Machu Picchu. At around 4:30 PM, your guide will give you a short orientation and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half. Your guide will explain the significance of the site and summarize all the information given during the trek. You’ll be well prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day. We like to spoil our guests by sharing our last meal with the porters and cooks. It’s a tradition on the Inca Trail to hold a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists, allowing a moment to thank them for their hard work (if you’d like to give them any tips, this is the time to do so). We recommend going to bed at a reasonable hour to rise early and arrive at Machu Picchu at dawn, hoping the weather provides a beautiful sunrise over the ruins.

Wiñay Wayna campsite

Info
Wiñay Wayna campsite
See entire itinerary

Included

  • Guides

    A well-trained English-speaking guide is included in the price. The guides all grew up in the Cusco region and are committed to sharing their history and culture with visitors. The guides are friendly and professional and will make sure you don't miss anything.

  • Camping during the trek

    During the trek, you will be staying on campsites. Your camp will be set up for you.

  • Satellite phones

    Guides are equipped with satellite phones and can organise anything on the fly.

  • Taxes and fees

    All tourist taxes and permit fees applicable are included in the listed price.

  • First aid

    Your guide has received training in first aid from a physician. Mandatory training sessions are conducted every year. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. You will be escorted off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible, if needed, and taken to a clinic for treatment.

  • Food and water

    Food and water are included and will be provided as per the itinerary. Water is boiled, filtered, and then cooled before distributing. You must bring your water bottles and or camelback. We recommend carrying about 3L worth per day. You will be able to restock your water supplies at each meal.

  • Getting to and from

    Getting to and from the start/end point of this trekking is included, as per the itinerary.

  • Duffel

    You will receive your duffel bag that will stay with your porters while you hike. This bag should not exceed 7kg/14 lbs and does need to include your sleeping bag and air mattress.

  • Porters

    A personal porter will carry most of your belongings using a duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this. You will have access to your duffel bag in the mornings and evenings.

  • Trekking Briefing

    The night before your trek, you will come to the local office for a briefing. The entire itinerary will be explained and the final logistics for the Inca Trail Trek will be taken care of.

  • Permits

    Permits for both your Inca Trail Trek trek and for the entry to Machu Picchu are included and will be taken care of.

Excluded

  • Accommodation in Cusco including breakfast

    Before and after the trek you have to take care of your own accommodation.

  • Rentals

    Every trekker needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent: Sleeping Bag: USD 20, Inflatable Air Mattress: USD 15, Trekking Poles (Pair): USD 15.

  • Huayna Picchu

    Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is USD 75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.

  • Travel Insurance Including Repatriation

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. It is important that your travel insurance also covers adventures at a high altitude. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before you travel to Peru.

  • Tipping

    Tips for guides, cook and porters are not included. You decide what you want to tip, but be generous.

FAQ

  • What and Where is the Inca Trail?

  • How Do I Get a Permit for the Inca Trail?

  • Is the Inca Trail Something For Me? - Difficulty

  • When is the Best Season to do the Inca Trail Trek?

How to Book

  • Booking

  • Availability

  • Cancellation policy

Reviews

Book Now
Free cancellation up to eight weeks in advance!
Starting at
per person
persons
Book Now
Contact our Trekking Expert
Zulema del Pozo Moral
Zulema del Pozo Moral
This trek is operated by
Alpaca Expeditions

Reviews

Just for You