Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu | CUSCO, PERU

Overview 

Walk in the footsteps of the Incas on one of the world’s most famous treks. Step back centuries as you trace the trails of an ancient civilization and enjoy an epic adventure to one of the Seven Wonders of the World!

Over four days you will hike 45 km and climb to 4,200 metres above sea level on a journey that combines the wonders of natural beauty with fascinating historical sites. Along the way, you will pass amazing Inca ruins, snow-capped Andean mountains and lush cloud forest. 

Fresh and nutritious meals will keep you going throughout the day and your nights will be spent camping under the stars. On the final day, you will pass through the famed Sun Gate where you will behold the most impressive sight of your final destination, magical Machu Picchu. 

Experience the ultimate way to reach this bucket-list landmark and embark on a journey that is every bit as beautiful as the destination!

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Itinerary

Please note that there is a briefing at 6pm the day before the trek begins.

Day 1: Cusco – Piskacucho Km 82 – Llactapata – Ayapata (14 km hiking)
Inca sites to see/visit: Ccanabamba & Llactapata

Pick-up from Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo will be between 4 and 7am depending on where you are staying, followed by breakfast in Ollantaytambo. You’ll then travel to Km 82, the start of the Inca Trail. 

There is a relatively easy start to the trek with a 2-hour hike to the first Inca site you’ll pass on the trail, Patallacta. It’s another 2 hours to the lunch stop, and then a further 2.5 hours to the campsite at Ayapata.

Day 2: Ayapata – Dead Woman’s Pass – Runkuraccay Pass – Chaquiccocha (16 km hiking)
Inca sites to see/visit: Runkuraccay & Sayacmarca

Day 2 will begin early with hot coca tea provided with your wake-up call. This is the toughest day and starts with a 4-hour hike to the highest point on the trail, Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m.a.s.l.). 

At the pass, you can enjoy a well-earned rest to soak up the view before beginning the descent to Pacaymayu Valley. It’s a 1.5-hour downhill hike to the lunch spot.

After lunch, you’ll ascend again to 4,000 m.a.s.l. as you hike over Runkuraccay Pass and reach the small Inca site Runcuraccay after around 2 hours. Here, you can also see two huge waterfalls on the opposite side of the valley. 

You’ll reach the next Inca site, Sayacmarca, after a further 2-hour downhill hike. You can enjoy a rest and a guided tour of the ruins before watching the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range.

A short 20-minute hike will take you to the evening’s campsite. If the weather allows, you can enjoy some stargazing after dinner.

Day 3: Chaquiccocha – Phuyupatamarca Pass – Wiñay Wayna (10 km hiking)
Inca sites to see/visit: Phuyupatarmarca, Intipata & Wiñay Wayna

Day 3 is generally considered the most beautiful day on the trail and begins at 6.30am. The first section of the hike is a gradual incline for 2 hours into the cloud forest. Along the way, you can enjoy views of Salkantay Mountain, the second-highest peak in the Sacred Valley.

You’ll then begin the ascent to the third and final pass on the trail, Phuyupatamarca at 3,680 m.a.s.l. From here, there are great views over the Urubamba River and you will have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain.

From Phuyupatamarca, you’ll begin the 3-hour walk down steps to the final campsite. On the way down you will visit the Inca sites Phuyupatamarca (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). The campsite is close to the spectacular site of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), the most impressive Inca ruin on the trail.

Lunch will be served when you arrive at the camp around 1pm. In the afternoon you can enjoy a guided tour of Wiñay Wayna and relax ahead of your visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

Day 4: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco (5 km hiking)

An early rise at 3.30am is required on Day 4 in order to reach the Sun Gate by 6.30am. From the Sun Gate you can enjoy spectacular views over Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains! From there, it’s an hour’s walk to the citadel itself with stunning views all the way. 

You’ll reach the entrance to Machu Picchu at around 7.45am and then enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the site. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore by yourself or climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (2 hours round trip). (Tickets for Huayna Picchu Mountain must be booked in advance and cost an additional $75USD per person.)

After lunch in Aguas Calientes (not included) you will take the train to Ollantaytambo (2 hours) and then a car transfer back to Cusco for drop off at your hotel (2 hours).

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Accommodation

Camping accommodation is provided for three nights. Four-man tents are shared by two people allowing you plenty of space. Alpaca Expeditions use Eureka Timberline Tents made for all seasons.

A small pillow and foam sleeping mat are included in the tour price and air mattresses and sleeping bags are available to hire. Warm water is provided for washing at campsites.

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Food

All meals and snacks are included from breakfast on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 4. On the trail, nutritious meals are cooked fresh by Alpaca Expeditions’ professionally trained chefs and served buffet style for the group to enjoy together.

A typical lunch may include soup to start followed by chicken or fish, rice, beans, potatoes, vegetables and salad.

Dietary requirements are catered for and vegetarian and vegan options are available. Drinking water refills are available at each mealtime.

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Location

This trek begins and ends in Cusco. Hotel pick-up and drop off are included. Train and car transport back from Aguas Calientes to Cusco is also included.

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How to Get There

Cusco is served by an airport and is just over a 1-hour flight from Peru’s capital, Lima. It’s also possible to reach Cusco by bus from Arequipa (11.5 hours) or Puno (7.5 hours).

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What’s Included

Includes:

• Local English-speaking guide
• Trail permit and entry to Machu Picchu
• Briefing
• Porters to transport equipment and luggage
• Camping accommodation for 3 nights
• All meals, snacks and drinking water
• Transport: car transfer to the start of the trail; train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and car transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco; round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Duffel bag
• Pillow and foam sleeping mat
• Daypack cover and rain poncho
• Access to first-aid kit, first-aid trained guide and satellite phone

Does not include:

• Sleeping bag (available for hire from Alpaca Expeditions for $25USD)
• Inflatable air mattress ($20USD to hire)
• Trekking poles ($20USD to hire)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
• Daypack (please note, only bags 25L or less are allowed into Machu Picchu)
• Flights
• Tips
• Travel insurance

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FAQs

• What is the best month to trek the Inca Trail?

The dry season in Cusco runs from April to October and is generally considered the best time for trekking. However, it can rain at any time of year. 

Whichever month you decide to trek, layers, waterproof clothes and a warm jacket are essential to be prepared for all weather. Even at altitude it can get very warm during the day and evenings are cold in the mountains. Temperatures will also vary throughout the trek as the trail passes through different microclimates. 

Please note, the Inca Trail is closed each February for maintenance.

• How difficult is the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail is a challenging route that involves hiking at altitude. The highest point is 4,200 m.a.s.l. A good general level of fitness is required and it is advised to spend a couple of days in Cusco before embarking on the trek to acclimatise to the altitude. 

• How long is the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail covers a distance of 45 km, which will be hiked over four days.

• How far in advance should I book the Inca Trail?

There are a limited number of permits available for the Inca Trail each day and the treks fill up quickly. It’s advised to book at least 3 months in advance.

• Does the price of the trek include entry to Machu Picchu?

Yes, your Machu Picchu ticket is included in the trek price as well as the permit for hiking the Inca Trail.

• How big will the group be?

When you book this trek you will join a group of other hikers. The group size is up to 16 people.

• What is the average age range of people on the trek?

  People of all ages are welcome to join the trek. Typically, groups include people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

• What should I bring? 
  • Passport & Immigration Card (you will have received this when you entered Peru)
  • Student ID (if booked as a student)
  • Daypack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water (you will need to bring enough for the first morning hike, after which water refills will be available at each mealtime)
  • Water reservoir or water bottles with capacity for 2-3 litres
  • Hiking poles (optional but recommended)
  • Hiking boots
  • Sunhat
  • Sunglasses
  • Rain jacket/poncho
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Fleece
  • Warm jacket
  • Warm hat
  • Waterproof gloves 
  • Comfortable shoes for camp
  • 2-3 wicking t-shirts
  • Hiking trousers
  • Underwear
  • Hiking socks x 4 pairs
  • Quickdry towel (a small one is provided but you may prefer something bigger)
  • Headlamp (essential)
  • Sleeping bag (down bags for at least -10ºC are recommended)
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Toiletpaper
  • Small soap
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Personal medication and first aid kit
  • Power bank (there is nowhere to charge devices on the trail)
  • Plastic bags (for wet clothes and dirty laundry)
  • Camera
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips 

• Do I have to carry my own luggage?

Porters are provided and will carry your duffel bag. You must ensure that your duffel bag weighs no more than 7 kg. This allowance must include your sleeping bag and air mat (if you hire one), which together weigh 3.5 kg.

You will need to carry your daypack with anything you may need whilst trekking, including water, raingear and extra layers. Please note that you will not have access to your duffel bag during the day. Any luggage you don’t take on the trek can be left at the Alpaca Expeditions office in Cusco.

• Where is the start and end point for the tour?

The tour starts and ends in Cusco. The meeting point is the Alpaca Expeditions office in Cusco, which is centrally located. Hotel drop off is included on the last day.

• I’m vegetarian / vegan / have dietary requirements. Can I be catered for?

Yes! Alpaca Expeditions can cater for dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan options. Please let Alpaca Expeditions know of any dietary restrictions before the start of the trek.

• I’m a student, can I get a discount?

Yes, there is a $35USD discount for students on the Inca Trail Trek. Please get in touch with us to request a discount code. To be eligible for the student discount you must have a valid University Student Card at the time of the trek or be 17 years old or younger. You will need to send a copy of your student ID (or passport for those 17 and under) to Alpaca Expeditions upon confirmation of your booking.