4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Walking Tour
Cusco, Peru
Trip Type: Multi-day Tours
Duration: 4 days
This 4-day trek will give you the chance to go back in time and experience the long journey the Incas took along the Inca trail. Enjoy four days filled with exciting adventures exploring what Cusco and the Sacred Valley have to offer. A guided walking tour in Machu Picchu is included.
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This 4-day trek will give you the chance to go back in time and experience the long journey the Incas took along the Inca trail. Enjoy four days filled with exciting adventures exploring what Cusco and the Sacred Valley have to offer. A guided walking tour in Machu Picchu is included.
Day 1: The Adventure Begins – "Inca Flat"
You will meet your guide at the Regocijo Plaza at around 4-4:30am and travel by bus to Piskacucho (Km 82) where the trail starts.
Once there, you will have some time to organize (use the restrooms, apply sunscreen, insect repellent, and more). You will need to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) the student card at the trail’s first control point. To start the trail, you will cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy and will have great views of the site of an Incan Fortress ('Huillca Raccay'), the vast and incredible Incan site of Llactapata. The first campsite (Ayapata) is 1.5-hours up the small village of Wayllabamba (3,000 meters/9,842 feet).
Day 2: The Trail Trial - Crossing Two Passes
After waking up at 5:30am, enjoy breakfast and then start a steep ascent towards the highest pass (Abra de Warrmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass' at 4,200 meters/13,779 feet). You will feel fulfilled and with a sense of achievement once you reach the top. Rest for a bit here and then begin the descent to Pacaymayu (3,550 meters/11,646 feet), where you will have lunch. Then, you will begin a 2-hour steep climb to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4,000 meters) and arrive at the campsite by 5pm. Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night.
Day 3: Back in the Past
Start your day with a smooth climb to visit the archaeological site of 'Phuyupatamarca' (meaning 'Town in the Clouds') and reach the third highest point on the trail (3,680 meters). You will continue to walk for around 3,000 steps through the cloud forest see the amazing agricultural Inca site of 'Intipata'. You will arrive at the third campsite Wiñay Wayna (2,680 meters/8,792 feet). From this campsite, you can get to the Inca site of the same name 'Wiñay Wayna' ('Forever Young'). You can visit this wonderful site and rest for the day afterwards. Temperatures during the night are about 12º C.
Day 4: Machu Picchu
You will wake up early and enjoy breakfast at around 3:30-4:00am. You will leave the campsite at around 5:30am to head to Machu Picchu. You will reach "Inti Punku" ('Sun gate') (2,730 meters/8,792 feet) before sunrise and see the wonderful Inca citadel. Then, you will enjoy a 2-hour guided walking tour and then can explore the city on your own. Meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and take the train back to Ollantaytambo. Then reach Cusco by bus.
You will meet your guide at the Regocijo Plaza at around 4-4:30am and travel by bus to Piskacucho (Km 82) where the trail starts.
Once there, you will have some time to organize (use the restrooms, apply sunscreen, insect repellent, and more). You will need to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) the student card at the trail’s first control point. To start the trail, you will cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy and will have great views of the site of an Incan Fortress ('Huillca Raccay'), the vast and incredible Incan site of Llactapata. The first campsite (Ayapata) is 1.5-hours up the small village of Wayllabamba (3,000 meters/9,842 feet).
Day 2: The Trail Trial - Crossing Two Passes
After waking up at 5:30am, enjoy breakfast and then start a steep ascent towards the highest pass (Abra de Warrmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass' at 4,200 meters/13,779 feet). You will feel fulfilled and with a sense of achievement once you reach the top. Rest for a bit here and then begin the descent to Pacaymayu (3,550 meters/11,646 feet), where you will have lunch. Then, you will begin a 2-hour steep climb to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4,000 meters) and arrive at the campsite by 5pm. Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night.
Day 3: Back in the Past
Start your day with a smooth climb to visit the archaeological site of 'Phuyupatamarca' (meaning 'Town in the Clouds') and reach the third highest point on the trail (3,680 meters). You will continue to walk for around 3,000 steps through the cloud forest see the amazing agricultural Inca site of 'Intipata'. You will arrive at the third campsite Wiñay Wayna (2,680 meters/8,792 feet). From this campsite, you can get to the Inca site of the same name 'Wiñay Wayna' ('Forever Young'). You can visit this wonderful site and rest for the day afterwards. Temperatures during the night are about 12º C.
Day 4: Machu Picchu
You will wake up early and enjoy breakfast at around 3:30-4:00am. You will leave the campsite at around 5:30am to head to Machu Picchu. You will reach "Inti Punku" ('Sun gate') (2,730 meters/8,792 feet) before sunrise and see the wonderful Inca citadel. Then, you will enjoy a 2-hour guided walking tour and then can explore the city on your own. Meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and take the train back to Ollantaytambo. Then reach Cusco by bus.
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