Classic Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu with Panoramic Train

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco - Ayapata
6 stops
1
Cusco
Your adventure begins early in the morning with a comfortable hotel pickup at approximately 4:30 a.m. in Cusco, or around 6:00 a.m. from hotels in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. This early start allows us to make the most of the day while ensuring a well-organized and seamless beginning to your unforgettable journey.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Ollantaytambo
We’ll stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo, giving you time to enjoy a meal and pick up any last-minute essentials before starting the hike.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Inca Trail
We then continue to Km 82, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by our dedicated trekking team, including our experienced chefs and porters. After a short orientation and passport check, you’ll set off on your first scenic hike, officially beginning your unforgettable Inca Trail adventure.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Walk through charming Andean villages while enjoying breathtaking mountain scenery. Along the way, we’ll stop at the Inca site of Willkaraqay, where you’ll admire the impressive Llactapata ruins from a privileged panoramic viewpoint.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
About an hour later, we arrive at Hatunchaca, where our skilled chefs will treat you to a freshly prepared, delicious lunch. After a well-earned break, we continue with a scenic two-hour hike through lush Andean landscapes toward our overnight camp at Ayapata.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
6
We’ll arrive at Ayapata Campsite, where your comfortable tent will already be set up and waiting for you. Relax with hot tea, snacks, and a freshly prepared dinner, all while enjoying breathtaking mountain views, before resting up for the next day’s adventure.
Admission ticket free
Day 2
Ayapata - Chaquicocha
6 stops
7
Wake up to a hot cup of coffee or coca tea delivered to your tent, then enjoy a hearty breakfast before tackling the most challenging and rewarding part of the trek—the ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
8
At Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft), enjoy breathtaking views and a brief ceremony honoring the sacred Apus, before descending into the Pacaymayo Valley.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
9
At Pacaymayo Campsite, enjoy a well-earned lunch and time to rest and recharge before continuing the afternoon hike.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
10
After lunch, we climb to Runkurakay Pass (4,000 m / 13,123 ft) before descending to explore remarkable Inca ruins and uncover their unique history along the way.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
11
Sayacmarca
We descend to the mysterious Sayacmarca ruins, where breathtaking views and Inca history come together. After exploring the site, we continue to our campsite for a well-earned rest.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
12
As the day comes to a close, we reach Chaquicocha (3,600 m) just in time to witness a spectacular sunset over the Andes. After dinner, unwind beneath a star-filled sky and enjoy a peaceful night surrounded by mountain silence.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Chaquiccocha - Wiñaywayna
4 stops
13
Begin your morning with a warm drink as you set out along one of the most beautiful sections of the trail, surrounded by lush cloud forests, sweeping mountain views, and remarkable Inca sites. This is where the journey truly feels magical.
Admission ticket free
14
We continue hiking through breathtaking scenery to Phuyupatamarca, the legendary “City in the Clouds,” where sweeping views of the Urubamba River and Machu Picchu Mountain unfold below.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
15
The Ruins of Intipata
We then reach Intipata, famous for its expansive agricultural terraces and tranquil atmosphere—an ideal spot to pause and appreciate the brilliance of Inca engineering.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
16
Winay Wayna
By afternoon, we arrive at Wiñay Wayna. After lunch, enjoy time to relax or explore the surrounding nature, then join your guide for a visit to the ruins before dinner and a special farewell moment.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Exploring Machu Picchu - Cusco
7 stops
17
Winay Wayna
After a hearty breakfast, we head to the checkpoint and wait for the gates to open at 5:30 a.m.—the moment you’ve been waiting for.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
18
We hike the final stretch to Intipunku (the Sun Gate), where your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu appears in the soft morning light—an unforgettable moment.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
19
Machu Picchu
After taking in the breathtaking panorama from the Sun Gate, we enter Machu Picchu via Circuit 1’s elevated route, perfect for capturing iconic, postcard-worthy photos. We then descend to the main entrance and continue with Circuit 3, where your guide leads an in-depth tour through the citadel’s most important and fascinating areas.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
20
Aguas Calientes
After exploring Machu Picchu, we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time to wander through town and enjoy authentic Peruvian cuisine.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
21
In the afternoon, you’ll board the Vistadome train for a scenic journey through the Sacred Valley, relaxing as you take in beautiful Andean landscapes on the way to Ollantaytambo.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
22
Ollantaytambo
Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, your private transportation will be waiting to comfortably transfer you back to Cusco.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
23
Cusco
We’ll arrive back in Cusco at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

Tags