Classic Inca Trail (4 Days)
Classic Inca Trail (4 Days)
Please contact us to find out prices and book a tour.
The trip at a glance
Start: Cusco Duration: 4 Days
Finish: Cusco Group size: Max 16
Maximum altitude: 4,215m
Difficulty Rating: 3/5
Is this trip right for you?
We will be trekking at high altitude. Some people may suffer from altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can affect anyone regardless of fitness level or age. However our guides will share ways to mitigate these symptoms such as staying hydrated and limiting alcohol intake.
There will be early morning starts.
You will need to bring suitable clothing for trekking. You need hiking boots, comfortable outdoor clothing and warm waterproof gear.
The hiking options require a moderate level of fitness as we walk for up to 8 hours a day on mountain paths. Your duffel bag will be carried for you, however you will need to carry a small day pack with your daily water, jacket and snacks.
Inclusions
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinner
Accommodation: 3 nights with basic camping facilities.
Activities: Entrance to Machu Picchu, Inca Trail permits.
Transport: Train from Aguas Calientes, bus to and from Machu Picchu, private minivan.
Expert guide: Professional, English-speaking, Inca Trail qualified guide.
Radios: For coordination of logistics, customer safety, our crew and guide are in constant communication throughout the trek.
Oxygen tank: To deal quickly with any high altitude issues (only used in emergencies).
First Aid Kit: To deal quickly with immediate basic first care.
Tents: We provide 2-person tents suitable for all kinds of weather.
Inflatable hiking mats: For your comfort in the tents, waterproof and insulated.
Dining equipment: For meals we have a tent, table, chairs, tablecloths, dishes, glasses, cutlery.
Kitchen staff: Specialized cook, trained in food hygiene, can accommdate dietary requirements.
Porters: Helpful, local crew with extensive experience that will carry your bags and other equipment for you.
Duffel bags: We lend these to you to carry up to 5kg of clothes and other essentials.
Day 1 - Cusco
We will meet you early in the morning at your hotel in Cusco. This is where you will meet your dedicated guide. At this meeting we will give you a full briefing, and collect your next of kin, passport and insurance information. You will be given a duffel bag which can take 6 kg of gear, the rest of your bag will be held safely at the hotel in Cusco. The porters will carry your duffel bag ahead of you on the walk and you can access them each night when you arrive at the camp. You will need a daypack to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen and anything you may want to use during the day.
We travel from Cusco by private minibus to the start of the 43km trek that leads to one of the new wonders of the world - Machu Picchu. From there we hike 10km, an estimated 7 hour mainly uphill hike to the first campsite which sits at 3,100m above sea level. On the way you will marvel at the Incan ruins of Huillca Raccay, Canabanba and Llactapata.
Inclusions
Accommodation: Camping in a 2 person tent with an inflatable mattress.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Activities: Expert English speaking guide, professional chef and porters.
Transport: Private minivan to the start of your trek.
Day 2 - Trekking
Today is the most challenging day of the trek, we will walk 12 km in total starting at 3,100 m above sea level. At half way, after approximately 4 hours, we will arrive at our lunch spot at Llactapata where we will provide a delicious meal and more water for your bottles. We will then walk up a steep track to cross what is known as the ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4,215m above sea level (the highest we will go on this trek). Here you can see the sweeping views across the Pacaymayo Valley, it's a great photo opportunity. We will then start the descend to the second campsite at 3,650 m above sea level after approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
Inclusions
Accommodation: Camping in a 2 person tent with an inflatable mattress.
Meals: Breakfast,lunch and dinner.
Activities: Expert English speaking guide, professional chef and porters.
Day 3 - Trekking
Today we hike 16 km, first through the valley and then crossing the second mountain pass, Runkurakay Pass which sits at 3,980 m above sea level. After that, we descend down to another valley where we explore the Sayacmarca archaeological site. We then cross our last pass at 3,7000 m above sea level, here we find ‘The Town above the Clouds’, Phuyupatamarca at 3,550 m above sea level. An approximate 2.5 hour hike down the Inca steps takes us to our final campsite next to the Winay Wayna archeological site.
Inclusions
Accommodation: Camping in a 2 person tent with an inflatable mattress.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Activities: Expert English speaking guide, professional chef and porters.
Day 4 - Machu Picchu
We wake up before the sun today at 3:45am to hike approximately 1.5 hours to the Sun Gate. We set off early to the final checkpoint which opens at 5:30am to hike the last 2.5 hour stretch of the Inca Trail before entering the Machu Picchu site through the famous Sun Gate. Here we can find a spot to take in the magnificent views and watch the mist roll through the mountains around the Machu Picchu citadel. Now we have the time for a private tour with your guide who will bring the city to life with his expert knowledge of this new wonder of the world. There will be plenty of time for pictures.
Finally, we travel back to Ollantaytambo on the glass roofed tourist train then onto Cusco in a private minivan. That's the end of the trip, celebrate your successful completion of the Inca Trail or head straight off to your next adventure!
Inclusions
Meals: Breakfast.
Activities: Exploring Machu Picchu with your private English speaking guide.
Transport: Return tourist bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, Glass roofed tourist train to Ollantaytambo, Private minivan to Cusco.