Classic Inca Trail 4 Days / 3 Nights

• 06:00 AM – Wake up with Hot Tea & Toughest Ascent

  Awake to a hot cup of coca tea delivered straight to your tent door. After a hearty breakfast, we begin the most physically demanding day of the trek. We hike upward through the mystical Polylepis (Unca) cloud forest, stepping onto steep stone pathways.

• 11:00 AM – Standing at Dead Woman’s Pass Peak

  We reach the highest summit of the entire trail: Warmiwañusqa, famously known as Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 meters / 13,828 feet). Take your time to catch your breath, celebrate with your group, and capture an incredible view above the mountain peaks.

• 12:30 PM – Descent to Pacaymayo Campsite

  From the high pass, we follow a long, steep stone staircase engineered downhill into the Pacaymayo Valley (3,600 meters). We arrive at our second campsite just in time for a celebratory hot lunch. You have the entire afternoon completely free to rest your muscles, enjoy afternoon tea, and sleep before dinner.

• 07:00 AM – Overcoming the Second Mountain Pass and Runkurakay

  We begin our third day climbing up to the semi-circular ruins of Runkurakay, an ancient Inka watchtower. We continue ascending slightly to cross the second high mountain pass of the trek: Runkurakay Pass (3,950 meters), looking out over the Vilcabamba mountain range.

• 10:30 AM – Exploring Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca Citadel

  We descend along incredible original stone pathways into a dense semi-tropical cloud forest. We stop to explore Sayacmarca (Inaccessible Town), an impressive citadel fortress built high on a thin mountain ridge. We continue trekking along a flat, stone highway to Phuyupatamarca (Town in the Clouds), enjoying an incredible hot lunch surrounded by mountain peaks.

• 02:00 PM – Descending the Thousand Steps to Wiñay Wayna

  We face a steep, engineering marvel: a descent down thousands of original Inka stone steps winding through bamboo forests. By late afternoon, we arrive at our final base campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,650 meters). We will tour the breathtaking agricultural terraces and royal water fountains here before enjoying a special farewell dinner with our porter and chef team.

• 03:30 AM – Early Rise and Final Checkpoint Trail

  We wake up early to pass through the final trail checkpoint as it opens. We trek for roughly 1.5 hours along a cliffside path shrouded in lush jungle foliage.

• 06:00 AM – Unveiling Machu Picchu at the Sun Gate (Intipunku)

  We conquer the final steep stone steps to stand at Intipunku (The Sun Gate). As the morning sun crests over the Andes, the morning mist parts to reveal the full, timeless architectural layout of the Machu Picchu Citadel sitting directly below you. This is the ultimate, inspiring reward for your 42-kilometer trek.

• 07:30 AM – Official Private Guided Tour of the Sanctuary (Circuit 2)

  We walk down from the Sun Gate to the upper terraces to capture your classic, crowd-free postcard photographs. We then exit the park briefly to check large backpacks and enter through the main gates. Your expert guide will lead you on a comprehensive 3-hour private tour along Circuit 2, exploring the Temple of the Sun, the Main Squares, and royal living quarters.

• 12:30 PM – Shuttle Bus to Town and Scenic Return Drive

  Take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes town to enjoy lunch or purchase souvenirs. In the afternoon, you board your return tourist train back to Ollantaytambo station, where a private Cusco Land Expeditions driver will bring you comfortably back to your hotel doorstep in Cusco by 08:30 PM.

End of services.

1. Huayna Picchu Mountain: Entry is strictly limited and must be booked several months in advance. The additional fee is approximately $75.00 USD. Due to current circuit regulations at Machu Picchu, availability sells out quickly.

2. Extra Porter: If you require a personal porter, they can carry up to 12 kg of your personal belongings (in compliance with current porter welfare laws). The service costs $150.00 USD and includes their insurance, meals, and equipment.

3. Tips: Tips for guides, cooks, and porters are optional but highly appreciated in local culture as a gesture of gratitude for their hard physical work.

4. Campsites: Specific campsites are assigned by the Ministry of Culture at the time of booking. During high season (May to September), you must book 4 to 6 months in advance to secure a spot on the trail.

5. Return Train: Return tickets are usually scheduled between 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM, depending on availability. This schedule allows enough time to enjoy lunch or visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes before returning to Cusco.

6. Health & Fitness: The Inca Trail is a 45km (26 miles) trek through high altitudes and steep terrain. It is physically demanding. We strongly recommend arriving in Cusco 2 days early for acclimatization and being in good physical shape. Please disclose any medical conditions beforehand.

7. Weather: Andean weather is unpredictable. The dry season runs from May to October, and the rainy season from December to April. Always pack for sudden temperature changes and rain, regardless of the season.