Classic Inca Trail Hike 4 days/3 nights – Group Tours

Your Inca Trail trekking team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 4:30 am (depending on your location); if you stay in the Sacred Valley like Urubamba Ollantaytambo,,, the pick-up will be after 6:00 am. Then, drive for 3 hours to Km. 82 (Piscakucho) to start the Inca Trail 4 days and 3 nights trekking to Machu Picchu. We will arriev at the trailhead at approximately 8.00 am – First, meet your team of chefs, porters, guides, and enjoy a delicious breakfast with amazing views of the Andes mountains. Next, we will head straight to the control point to show our passports and begin the amazing trip to the lost city of the Incas.

The first part is a relatively easy two-hour walk to Patallaqta, the first ancient site along the Inca Trail route. From a unique, secluded location, we will enjoy the breathtaking views of this ancient city. Then, it’s another two-hour walk to Hatunchaca – located in the Inca Trek’s heart, where the team of porters and chefs will be waiting with a delicious lunch prepared with fresh local products. After lunch, we will walk for another two hours to the first campsite located in Ayapata, arriving at approximately 5:00 pm. Your tent, a snack, and a hot drink will be waiting for you. You will then have some time to rest and enjoy the view of the mountains before dinner.

Campsite Altitude: 3300m – 10826ft
Highest altitude: 3300m – 10826ft
Distance: 14km / 8 miles
Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate

We will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea in your tent. Today will be the most challenging part of the 4-day hike to Machu Picchu, and after breakfast, it will be a 4-hour trek uphill to Dead Woman’s Pass (4215m / 13829ft), the highest point along the Inca Trail Trek. At the summit, we will take time to appreciate the serenity of this location while your guide completes a traditional offering ceremony to the Apus (local Gods). After enjoying the views, we will start a 2-hour downhill trek to Pacaymayu Valley, where we will enjoy a well-earned lunch. The second mountain is an easier 2-hours climb to Runqurakay Pass (4000m / 13123ft). We will take time to explore two Inca sites along the way; Runqurakay and Sayacmarca. The second campsite is Chaquicocha (dry lake, 3600m / 11811 ft.), where you will be able to admire a beautiful sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range before dinner. With an unobstructed view of the constellations, this is the perfect place to stargaze!

Campsite Altitude: 3600m – 11811ft
Highest altitude: 4215m -13829ft
Distance: 16km / 9 miles
Duration: 10 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

With the hard part of the 4-day Inca Trail tour well and truly over, you can relax and enjoy the easiest and arguably most exciting day of the trek. Today’s route is extremely varied, and it is only a 5-hour hike to the final campsite. Along the way, you will pass through several different ecosystems, experience the atmospheric cloud forest, and observe the magnificent panoramic view of Salkantay Mountain (the second-highest peak in Cusco). We will visit two Inca sites, Phuyupatamarka (City in the Clouds), with spectacular views of the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu Mountain, and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). At Intipata, there will be time to rest and take in your magical surroundings. We will reach the campsite at approximately 1:00 pm to have lunch, and then you can then enjoy some free time to relax, unwind at the camp, chase llamas, or take a refreshing shower. Later in the afternoon, we will visit the important Inca site of Wiñaywayna, where your guide will explain this fantastic location’s history. We will then return to the campsite for tea, dinner, and a special farewell surprise!

Campsite Altitude: 2600m – 8530ft
Highest altitude: 3600m – 11811ft
Distance: 10km / 6 miles
Duration: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Easy

On our final day of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we have to get up very early to prepare for the highlight of your TreXperience, visiting Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. We will go straight to the checkpoint and wait until it opens at 5:30 am. As the sky brightens, we will walk for one hour to the Sun Gate, taking in the stunning views along the way. You can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate on a clear day, which is truly an unforgettable sight. We will then start our one-hour final descent towards Machu Picchu, arriving at the last control point around 7:30 am.

Your tour guide will take you on a two-hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving you in Machu Picchu to explore on your own or climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible). Your guide also will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then take the panoramic train and bus back to Cusco. TreXperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.

Highest altitude: 2700m -8858ft
Distance: 6km / 3 miles
Duration of the hike: 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks
Difficulty: Easy