Private Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km82 – Huayllabamba
2 stops
1
Cusco
Your trek begins with a 5:30 AM hotel pickup in Cusco. Travel by private van through Chinchero, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo (optional breakfast stop), arriving at Km 82, the official starting point. After check-in, hike along the Urubamba River to Huillca Raccay, with panoramic views of the Urubamba Valley and Mount Veronica (5,870 m). After about 3 hours, enjoy a buffet lunch near Llaqtapata ruins, followed by a short guided visit. Continue uphill for another 3 hours to the Wayllabamba campsite (3,000 m).
8 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Enjoy a warm dinner, tea, and a well-earned rest under the stars. Cold showers available at this campsite before your journey continues the next day.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Wayllabamba – Tres Piedras – Lluyucha Pampa – Dead Woman’s Pass – Paqaymayu
1 stop
3
After a country breakfast, hikers leave the first campsite and follow the ancient trail along the Lluyuchayoc River. This is the hardest day of the trek, so it’s important to hike slowly. After 1–2 hours, you’ll reach Tres Piedras and cross the Wayruro Bridge, stopping for a short rest and toilet break. The trail then climbs steeply for 3–4 hours through cloud forest with views of Lluyucha Pampa (3,680 m). The ascent ends at Abra Warmiwañusca, or Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200 m), the highest point of the trail. The final stretch is tough, especially for those not well acclimatized. After time to rest, celebrate, and enjoy the views, you’ll begin the descent to the Paqaymayu Valley (3,600 m), where you’ll camp for the night surrounded by mountain scenery.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Paqaymayu – Runkuracay- Puyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna
1 stop
4
Winay Wayna
After breakfast at 7:00 AM, hikers begin a 15 km trek through breathtaking scenery and key Inca ruins. The day starts with a steep ascent to Runkuracay, a circular site believed to have served as a storage and rest point for Inca messengers. After a guided visit, continue to the second pass and descend to Sayaqmarca, known as the “Inaccessible Town,” passing two small lagoons along the way. The trail winds through lush jungle, orchids, and bromeliads, passing an Inca tunnel and following a ridge to Puyupatamarca ("Town in the Clouds"), a sacred site with fountains, terraces, and stunning views of Salcantay, Veronica, and Pumasillo. Stop for lunch here before descending to Wiñay Wayna, a beautiful Inca site near Machu Picchu with terraces, fountains, and ceremonial structures. After exploring the ruins, settle in at the nearby campsite.
Admission ticket free
Day 4
Wiñayhuayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes- Cusco
1 stop
5
Machu Picchu
Wake-up call at 4:30 AM for breakfast before beginning the final hike. Descend from cloud forest into high jungle, where orchids and hummingbirds are often seen. Reach Inti Punku (Sun Gate) to witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu from a panoramic viewpoint. Continue down to the citadel for a guided tour, visiting the Main Plaza, Royal Quarters, Temple of Three Windows, and more. After the tour, enjoy free time to explore or, if pre-booked, climb Huayna Picchu (additional $85) for spectacular views. In the afternoon, return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then travel by train and private transfer back to your hotel.
4 hours • Admission ticket included

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 at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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