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The Inca Trail is a renowned trekking route that winds through the mountainous terrain of the Peruvian Andes, passing several archaeological sites before culminating at the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu.
The traditional version of the trail lasts for 5 days and provides an exhilarating and demanding adventure, with awe-inspiring vistas of the Peruvian Andes and chances to investigate ancient Inca ruins while making your way to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail is a renowned trekking route that winds through the mountainous terrain of the Peruvian Andes, passing several archaeological sites before culminating at the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu.
The traditional version of the trail lasts for 5 days and provides an exhilarating and demanding adventure, with awe-inspiring vistas of the Peruvian Andes and chances to investigate ancient Inca ruins while making your way to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – KM 82 – Hatunchaca.
Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in our private transportation and we will head to the town of Ollantaytambo. There will be a brief stop to purchase any necessary items for the 5-day and 4-night trek. Afterward, we will continue our journey and arrive in the town of Piscacucho, which is the starting point of the Inca Trail. We will pass the first control by showing our original passports, and then we will hike for approximately 2 hours until we reach the town of Miskay. There, our support staff, including the porters and cook, will have prepared our lunch. After lunch, we will have some free time to rest before continuing our hike to our campsite. Along the way, we will pass by the archaeological site of Patallaqta/Llactapata and our guide will provide a guided visit. The hike will continue for another 2 hours until we reach the village of Hatunchaca, located at an altitude of 3,000 meters/9,840 feet, where we will camp for the first night. Our guide will introduce you to our support staff, and they will be happy to share their stories and experiences. We will have our traditional tea time, during which the guide will provide information about the next day. After dinner prepared by our support staff, we will rest for the night.
Total distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Estimated hiking time: 4 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,600 m (8,530 ft.)
Camp altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft.)
Day 2: Hatunchaca – Dead Woman’s Pass – Pacaymayo
We will start the day with a refreshing coca tea at 6:00 am, followed by a breakfast prepared by our support staff. We will then begin our ascent hike for 2 hours to Ayapata, our first resting point located at 3,300 meters / 10,800 feet. After a short break, we will continue our hike, ascending for another 2 hours to reach our lunch spot, LlulluchaPampa, located at 3,800 meters / 12,500 feet. Our support staff will have everything ready for us to enjoy our lunch. After lunch, we will hike for 2 more hours, ascending to the first pass of our trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca), located at 4,215 meters / 13,821 feet. We will take some time to take pictures and enjoy the stunning views before starting our descent on a path of steps for 2 hours to reach our campsite at Pacaymayo, located at 3,600 meters / 11,800 feet. We will have tea time, during which our guide will provide information about the next day, followed by dinner and some well-deserved rest.
Total distance: 10 km (6.21 miles)
Estimated trekking time: 6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,215 m (13,821 ft.)
Camp altitude: 3,600 m (11,800 ft.)
Day 3: Pacaymayo – Runkurakay Pass – Sayacmaraca Ruins – Phuyupatamarca
We will wake up at 7:00 am and after breakfast, we will start walking at 8:00 am to the archaeological site of Runkurakay, a checkpoint from the Inca period. The hike will take about an hour, and after a guided tour, we will continue walking for another hour until we reach the second Runkurakay pass, located at 4,000 meters / 13,123 feet. We will enjoy the stunning views and take lots of pictures before starting our descent on a path of steps for an hour and a half to reach the archaeological site of Sayacmarka, located at 3,500 meters / 11,480 feet, where we will have a guided tour. After the tour, we will walk for 20 minutes to our lunch spot in Chaquicocha. Following lunch, we will hike for 2 more hours until we reach our campsite at Phuyupatamarka, located at 3,680 meters / 12,033 feet. We will have some free time in the afternoon to admire the Urubamba Valley scenery. Tea time will be at 5:00 pm, followed by dinner, during which our guide will provide information about the next day’s itinerary. We will then go to sleep, looking forward to another day of adventure on the Inca Trail.
Total distance: 13 km (8,136 miles)
Estimated trekking time: 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,000 m (13,123 ft.)
Camp altitude: 3,680 m (12,033 ft.)
Day 4: Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
On this day, weather permitting, we will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises on the Inca Trail. After breakfast, we will have a guided visit to the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, which was named by the Incas as an astronomical observatory. We will then begin our descent down the stone steps to the Inti Pata archaeological site (Terraces of the Sun), where we will enjoy a unique view before continuing our walk for 25 minutes until we reach Wiñay Wayna, located at 2,650 meters / 8,692 feet, where we will have lunch.
After lunch, we will hold a traditional ceremony of thanksgiving for all the hard work that our porters and cooks did for us during the trek. Traditionally, a collection is made to give a tip.
After saying goodbye to our team, we will continue on to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we will get our first views of Machu Picchu. It takes about an hour to reach the Sun Gate, and we will have the opportunity to enjoy a crowd-free sunset of Machu Picchu before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes town. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, the guide will take you to your 3-star hotel, where you will have free time to take a shower and prepare for dinner. Dinner will be included in a tourist restaurant where we will enjoy a good Pisco Sour. The guide will give you information about the next day, and after dinner, we will go to sleep.
Total distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Estimated hiking time: 5 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,680 m (12,033 ft.)
Hotel: 3 stars
Total distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Estimated hiking time: 5 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,680 m (12,033 ft.)
Day 5: The most important day (The Lost City of the Incas) – Cusco
After the breakfast included at the hotel, we will board a bus that will take us to Machu Picchu to watch the sunrise over the citadel, weather permitting. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, we will pass through the main control that will allow us to enter through circuit 3. We will have a 2-hour guided tour of the Inca citadel. If you have purchased permits for Huayna Picchu, your guide will show you where this hike begins. The hike takes 45 minutes to reach the top and another 45 minutes to descend, and costs $75 per person. It is necessary to reserve this hike in advance.
After the tour of the citadel, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, and we will meet for our last lunch in town. However, please note that lunch with your group is optional and is not included in the cost of the tour. You will then take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private bus will be waiting to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Orientation: The night before the trek starts, you will have an orientation meeting where we will inform you about the itinerary of the 5-day, 4-night Inca Trail. If you have paid for an extra porter, you will receive a bag with the company’s logo to put the things you will carry during the 4 days. This bag cannot exceed 7 kilos/14 pounds.
Professional guides: All of our guides have extensive experience in their work as ambassadors of our culture.
Permits: Once you make your reservation with your deposit, we will purchase your entrance ticket to the Inca Trail. Once purchased, you cannot change the date or transfer it to another person. You are only allowed to change your passport number for renewal reasons. In this case, you must bring your old and new passport.
Porters: They will carry part of the camping equipment and the bags you rented, including the 7 kilos.
Camping equipment: You will have spacious tents; every 2 people will share Eureka Timberline tents with a capacity for 4 people. You will also have a dining tent, a kitchen tent, tables, chairs, and cooking utensils, carried by our porters.
First aid kit: The guide will carry a first aid kit with basic medicines to treat altitude sickness, cuts, diarrhea, etc. They will also carry a small oxygen tank.
24/7 customer service.
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners.
Wake-up tea: Every morning, starting on day 2, our support staff will wake you up with mate de coca and take you to your camp tent with coffee with milk, black coffee, hot chocolate, or the beverage of your choice.
Water for the trek: Cold boiled water will be provided after the first lunch (day 1) until after the last breakfast (day 4).
Tea time or happy hour: Every afternoon before dinner, we will enjoy a moment with our afternoon tea such as hot water, popcorn, cookies, chocolate, etc., offered by our support staff.
Return train ticket: from Aguas Calientes town to Ollantaytambo train station. The service is Expedition at 14:55 or 15:20. If you wish to upgrade the class of train service, you have the option to upgrade to the Vistadome train class for an additional $75 per person.
Bus ticket down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town (day 4).
Bus ticket up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (day 5).
Private transportation:
Day 1: Pick up from your hotel and transfer to kilometer 82, the start of the Inca Trail.
Day 5: Pick up and transfer from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco city.
NOTE: A muscle relaxation massage performed by a professional physiotherapist is included after the trek.
Sleeping bag: Peru Infinite Travel offers the rental of a sleeping bag for USD 20 for 3 nights.
Walking sticks: Peru Infinite Travel offers the rental of walking sticks for USD 20 per pair.
Inflatable mattress: Peru Infinite Travel offers the rental of inflatable mattresses in our office for USD 20.
Entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain: The ticket costs USD 60 per person.
Entrance to Machu Picchu mountain: The ticket costs USD 60 per person.
Lunch: In Aguas Calientes on day 4.
Dinner: In Cusco on day 4.
Travel insurance.
Tips for staff: Tips for our support staff are not included. Although they receive a good salary, extra tips are always appreciated as they work very hard. Generally, the tour group makes a collection and then distributes it among the porters and cooks.
VERY IMPORTANT:
TOILETRY ITEMS:
How many days of acclimatization do I need before starting the Inca Trail trek?
We recommend that you arrive in Cusco city at least 2 or 3 days before starting the 5-day and 4-night trek to adapt to the altitude and avoid possible altitude sickness. To help with acclimatization, we offer tours around the city of Cusco such as CITY TOUR, SACRED VALLEY, MARAS MORAY, MARAS SALT MINES, WALKING TOUR, which will assist you in getting used to the altitude.
Season: The trekking season runs from March 1st to January 31st. However, the government closes the Inca Trail for maintenance during February.
Briefing:
The briefing for the trek will be held one night before the start of the hike. At this meeting, you will receive information about the 5-day and 4-night tour, which typically lasts between 30 to 45 minutes. If you are unable to attend, please let us know by email so that we can arrange a meeting with your guide at another time.
Payment of the balance of the trek (in Cusco):
The balance of the trek must be paid at the briefing meeting or one day before. We prefer that you pay in cash. ATMs are available in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas or on Avenida El Sol, where you will find banks and ATMs. We do not accept bank checks or traveler’s checks.
Travel bag or duffel bag:
If you decide to hire an additional porter, you will receive a duffel bag or travel bag that the porter will carry with your clothes, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat for the 5 days. The cost of an additional porter is USD 70 for 6 kilos and USD 140 for 12 kilos.
NOTE: If you choose not to rent an extra porter, you will need to carry your clothes, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat in your backpack for the 5 days. We highly recommend renting an extra porter to make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable.
Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Picchu Mountain:
The citadel of Machu Picchu is best viewed from above. Therefore, we suggest hiking up one of the mountains next to the ruins.
Huayna Picchu: This is the most popular mountain and requires advance booking, as it sells out quickly. The hike takes about 45 minutes to reach the top and another 45 minutes to descend. Tickets are sold in time sessions that indicate when you can begin the hike.
First session: from 7 a. m. to 8 a. m. Second session: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
We generally reserve the second session so that you can enjoy your tour of the Machu Picchu citadel with your guide before doing the hike on your own. Your guide will show you where to begin the hike.
Machu Picchu Mountain: The trek to Machu Picchu Mountain is slightly longer than Huayna Picchu. The hike involves a climb that takes around 1.5 hours to reach the top and another 1.5 hours to descend.
First session: 7 AM to 8 AM.
Second session: 9 AM to 10 AM.
Peru Infinite Travel will provide the second session for this tour.
Strikes / Demonstrations:
Unfortunately, strikes and demonstrations are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our tours. Roads are often blocked, and trains can be stopped. We will make sure that your trek continues as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the start date. In such circumstances, tours may need to be cancelled, but our operations department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our top priority.
Lost and Found:
Each client is responsible for their belongings throughout the tour. Please be careful where you leave your items, and remember to pick up all your belongings from our vehicles, stores, restaurants, etc. It is possible that other hikers or teams may pick them up without knowing who the owner is.
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