The 4- day Inca trail hiking to Machu Picchu is physically challenging but worthwhile, and the excursion is within the ability of most reasonably fit. It is 45km (26 mile) trek, with 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 4,200m (13776 ft). The trail to machu picchu is often steep, and it may rain even during the dry season. The Inca trail passes several smaller ruin sites, the first of which is Llactapata. The second day ascends the long steep path to Warmiwañusqha or Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200 or 13776 ft) above sea level, this pass is the highest point of the trek. The second pass of the trek is at 4,000 where on clear days, we enjoy superb views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba.
The inca trail to Machu Picchu is part of a system of more than 45,000 kilometers of roads that made up the vast network of Tahuantinsuyo, from southern Colombia to central Chile passing through Quito, Ecuador; Cajamarca, Huánuco, Jauja, Huamanga and Cusco in Peru; La Paz and Cochabamba in Bolivia to Salta and Tucuman in Argentina. These pathways running mostly along the coast and the mountains and in some cases reached the Amazon rainforest such as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The landscapes change throughout the trek.
Our standard 4 day group service trek is the most popular of the Inca Trail treks that we offer. With this service you join one of our groups so you will find yourself trekking with a variety of like-minded people from all over the world. This service is perfect for individuals, couples and small groups of friends.
Índice del Contenido
TREK ITINERARY – 4-DAY HIKING INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
Day 1.- Cusco – Pisqhakucho – Ayapata
Early pick up from your hotel and head to the starting point at Pisqhakucho or km 82; then trek for 6-7 hours. Today we cover a distance of 13 km.
Day 2.- Ayapata – Dead Woman’s Pass – Chakiccocha.
We commence the trek at 7:00am. Head toward the dead woman’s pass (4,200m) and decent to Pacaymayu valley for lunch. In the afternoon we cross over the second pass (4,000m).
Day 3.- Chakiccocha – Phuyupatamarka – Winaywayna.
Have day trek through the cloud forest and visiting the inca ruins along the inca trail to machu picchu.
Day 4.- Winaywayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Two hours trek very early to see the sunrise at Machu Picchu. Full day can be dedicated to explore the stunning Machu Picchu; in the afternoon we will take the train to return to Cusco.
4-DAY INCA TRAIL TOURS INCLUDES
- 4-day Inca Trail hike with local guide, cook and porters, Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners.
- 3 nights camping
- Train, van, hiking to machu picchu.
- Small group experience; Max 12, Average 6
Full itinerary.- Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights
Day 1.- Cusco – Pisqhak’ucho – Ayapata
The 4-day Inca trail to Machu Picchu start when we pick you from your hotel at 5:00am and travel in our private bus to Pisqhakucho or km 82(the starting point of the hike). Our journey from Cusco to Pisqhakucho takes approximately 3 hours, with many beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, small towns, and the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo where we will meet our porters who will carry our belongings during the 26 mile trek to Machu Picchu. In Ollantaytambo you can use the bathroom enjoy breakfast and purchase some items for the trek; then we continue one more hour by bus to Pisqhakucho. After we pass the control point we cross a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba River and commence the Inca trail with a gentle climb for 5 minutes, then we have three hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river, rewarded with superb views of snow Mountain of la Veronica (5,750 m). We arrive to the Inca ruins of Llactapata (up town). Which consist in urban Inca built surrounded by many Inca terraces and Inca aqueducts used for irrigation system; from here we continue through Cusichaca valley until the community of Wayllabamba (the valley of pasture 3,000m) here our lunch will be served and after a deserve rest we continue the climb to Ayapata camp (3,300).
Meals included: L – D.
Accommodation: Double occupancy camping tent.
Maximum Altitude: 3,300 m.
Minimum Altitude: 2,750 m.
Distance Travelled: 13 kilometers.
Approximate walking time: 7 – 8 hours.
Day 2.- Ayapata – Dead Woman’s Pass – Chakiccocha
After breakfast, we depart from the Ayapata camp at 7:00 am. This is our longest day, but one can be rewarded with spectacular views: down several valleys and up to the surrounding snow-covered peaks. The path climbs for 1:30 hours to Llulluchapampa by a large number of steps, some of them newly laid to protect the mountain from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catch your breath whenever you like. Along the way you can see several species of birds. With luck we’ll see hummingbirds, falcons and black-chested buzzard eagles. From this point, you can see the highest pass ahead; two more hours trekking by many steps brings us to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200m), the first of two that we will cross today. After we take a good rest we start steps down to the Paqhaymayo Valley here lunch will be served. In the afternoon we continue the second ascent toward the the Runcuracay Pass (4,000m). From the pass, in clear weather, you can look back to the Dead Woman’s Pass and forward to a breath-taking sweep of snow-capped peaks. From here, most of the trail is downhill to Chakiccocha camp (3,600 m).the trek will last for 8 hours approximately.
Meals included: B – L – D.
Accommodation: Double occupancy camping tent.
Maximum Altitude: 4,200 m.
Minimum Altitude: 3,300 m.
Distance Travelled: 15 kilometers.
Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours.
Day 3.- Chakiccocha – Phuyupatamarka – Winaywayna
We start the trek at 7:00am; today the trek is short and wonderful. From Chakiccocha camp the trek takes about 1 1/2 hours through an easy path to Phuyupatamarka (3,600m) the most impressive Inca ruins with stunning views; the name means town over the Clouds; This part of the Inca trail is of well-kept paved stone, still in great condition after many centuries, from here we descent through the cloud forest with impressive views of the Urubamba river along which we will observe flowers and different varieties of orchids also great varieties of birds and hummingbirds. The end of the day will be at Wiñayhuayna camp where we will explore exceptional Inca ruins which contains Inca houses, water baths, and terraces.
Meals included: B – L – D.
Accommodation: Double occupancy camping tent.
Maximum Altitude: 3,600 m.
Minimum Altitude: 2,600 m.
Distance Travelled: 10 kilometers.
Approximate walking time: 5 – 6 hours.
Day 4.- Wiñayhuayna – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Get up at 4:00am and start the trek at 5:00am. We trek 1:30 until Inti Punku or Sun Gate to overlook Machu Picchu for the sunrise; then half hour down to Machu Picchu and take the pictures before we commence with the guided tour for about two hours across this stunning and historical Inca monument; we will visit the principal remains and monuments, such as the Principal Plaza, Temple of Three Windows, Intiwatana , The Quarter of the Mortars, The Temple of the Condor, the cemeteries and enclosures, sacred sources, urban and agricultural sector and others. Then we will have free time to continue admiring this Inca site. Among the activities suggested for this day you can conquer Waynapicchu Mountain and enjoy the landscape. After you finish with Machu Picchu we take the bus and head to Aguas Calientes town to enjoy the lunch. In the afternoon we will take the train and return to Cuzco.
Meals included: B
Maximum Altitude: 2,700 m.
Minimum Altitude: 2,000 m.
Distance Travelled: 5 kilometers.
Approximate walking time: 2 hours.
What is Included Inca trail to machu picchu?
All necessary things for this tour:
- Transportation Transfer from your hotel in our Tourist bus to Piscakucho (km 82), starting point of the trek.- Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town.- Tourist train expedition class from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo.- Transfer from the train station to your hotel
- Entrance Fees: For, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- Meals.– (3) breakfast (3) hot lunches.- 3 hot dinners delicious meals prepared by professional chef food includes pancakes, omelettes, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for hiking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Teatime everyday (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn), we offer vegetarian option, We provide available boil water each mourning for your water bottles
- Guide: Licensed bilingual tour guide (2 guides over 8 people)
- General Porters: For camping equipment, food and kitchen gears.
- Camping Equipment: We provide brand new 4 season four people capacity tents for two people, Therm-a-rest, dinning room tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, seats, tables, tent for the and porters, kitchen gear and backpacks, warm clothes and life insurance for the porters.
- Others Items: first aid kit, oxygen bottle.
What is not included inca trail to machu picchu
- Breakfast: Breakfast on the first morning; some hotels offer early morning breakfast. If not, we stop at Ollantaytambo town on the way to the starting point of the hike where you can have breakfast and buy some items that you need for the trek.
- Meals : Lunche in Aguas Calientes town on the final day, you must consider a budget from US$15.00 to US$25.00 for this meal. Entrance to the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes (optional) US$ 3.00
- Extra Porter: To carry your personal items (6kls) in duffel bags that we provide US$ 50.00 for the entire trek.
- Sleeping Bag: can be rented in our office for US$ 20.00 for the entire trek (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use).
- Others: The optional night in Aguas Calientes town we will assist you on this but you must let us to know in advance and change you train tickets for the next day.
- Tips for the staff.
In order to send you all the information regarding how to book, Costs and others, please send us an email to: book@peru-tours.org and we will respond as soon as possible by sending you all the necessary information and / or answering your questions.
