Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days
The Inca Trail with Machu Picchu as its final destination, is the most popular and well-known route among tourists. The walk has a total distance of approximately 43 kilometers.
The Inca Trail with Machu Picchu as its final destination, is the most popular and well-known route among tourists. The trek has a total distance of approximately 43 kilometers and takes 4 days to complete, including a day of visit in the Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu.
The surrounding nature is wonderful, with breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, the walk through the jungle with its amazing archaeological remains is an unforgettable experience.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a spectacular trekking experience. Undoubtedly the best trekking experience in Peru, but at the same time it can be said that it is one of the best routes in the world. The trail meanders through some of the most sublime landscapes of the Peruvian Andes and, as if That was not enough, it leads to one of the wonders of the world, the famous Machu Picchu. Condor Travel invites you to awaken your senses through this imposing adventure, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Starting from km 77 in the town of Chillca (2,700 m.) The route is smooth, following a path along the Urubamba or Vilcanota river bank, passing through a eucalyptus forest with a large variety of Cactus. After having walked, 90 minutes begin to accompany us snowed. It stands out for its beauty, the snow capped "Waqay Willca" or "Verónica" (5,682 m.). It will end bordering the Urubamba River, located in the Valley of the same name.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Included
- Essential Info
- Price & Send Payment
- Booking terms & conditions
Trip Overview
- Starting Altitude - 2720m / 8920ft.
- Highest Altitude - 4217m / 13,780ft (Day 2).
- Total Walking Distance - 45km / 26 miles
- Longest Day - Day 2, approximately 16km / 9.9 miles
- Coldest Night - Day 2 around 0º celsius
- Overall Difficulty - Moderately Difficult to Difficult (depending on your level of fitness).
- Acclimatization is Recommended
Quick Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Km82 - Ayapata
Day 2: Ayapata - Chaquicocha
Day 3: Chaquicocha - Wiñay Wayna
Day 4: Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu
Day 1: Cusco - Km82 - Ayapata
The first day of the Inca Trail is easy going to help you settle in to the trek. Covering 14km of the trail climbing gently up the Cusichaca Valley you pass by the Inca site of Llactapata, enjoy great views of the snow-capped peak Veronica (5900m / 19000ft) and get to see a variety of native plant life and birds throughout the day.
Our campsite for the night is at Ayapata (3300m / 10829ft) which is a little further along the trail than most groups go; as we're camping further up the trail the next day's trek up to the pass is a little easier for us and with fewer tourists at the campsite we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of this beautiful place.
Day 2: Ayapata - Chaquicocha
Today is considered by many to be the hardest day of the trek; with 2 high passes (Dead Woman's Pass is the highest at 4200m / 13779ft) to cross and nearly 16km to walk today really tests your spirit. There's no need to worry though as thanks to our enthusiastic guides and team of porters helping you along you'll have all the morale and physical support you need to make it.
Today we get fantastic views of the high mountain ranges as we cross the 2 passes and will have the chance to visit 2 Inca sites (Runcuraccay and Sayacmarca). We will also see a variety of plant and life in the Polylepsis forests that cover this area and hopefully spot White Tailed Deer as we near Dead Woman's Pass. Our campsite tonight is at Chaquicocha (3600m / 11800ft) which like Ayapata is one of the quieter campsites and affords beautiful views of the sunsetting over the mountains in the distance.
Day 3: Chaquicocha - Wiñay Wayna
Having made it over the 2 passes yesterday we're now treated to a relaxing day through some of the most beautiful scenery the Inca Trail has to offer. With a relatively short distance to cover along what is known as Inca Flat (gentle ascents and descents) we get to enjoy the lush and verdant cloud forest around us and the spectacular views of the Andes in the distance.
With visits to 2 Inca sites (Phuyupatamarca and Winay Wayna) this is by far one of the most impressive days of the trek. Our campsite for tonight is at Winay Wayna (2680m / 8792ft) which we will arrive to be early afternoon and get to have an extended guided tour of once we have settled in.
Day 4: Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu
Today is the highlight of the trek. Waking up early you head straight to the checkpoint to enter Machu Picchu and once the site opens can carry on to the Sun Gate where you'll get your first fantastic views of Machu Picchu.
On arrival to Machu Picchu you'll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you'll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you'll have free time to explore the site by yourslef and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.
Included
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
- Pick-up from Plaza Regocijo
- Transportation by bus to Km82
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- Sleeping mattress (you need to carry this unless you hire a personal porter)
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Not Included
- Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us).
- Personal Porter (Need to be hired well in advance).
- Inflatable mattress (can be hired from us).
- Walking poles (can be hired from us).
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 4.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain (this 2 hour round trip needs to be booked in advance).
- Entrance to Machu Picchu Picchu Mountain (this 3 hous round trip needs to be booked in advance).
- Tips (the amount you tip (or if you tip) is a personal decision and it is NOT an obligation.
- Travel Insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
Blog
Inca Trail permits
18 January 2019
If the 2019 limit was set to travel to the Inca Trail, you must make your plans as soon as possible. Book your Inca Trail permits 2019 online 6 months in advance. There are only 500 spaces available per day, approximately 200 are assigned to tourists and 300 to porters, cooks and guides. If the number of spaces is exhausted, you will have to choose another date. If the permits ...
« read more »
Inca Trail Porters
18 January 2019
Every day, five hundred of people do the Inca Trail. They usually complete the 43-km trail in 4 days. For most of them, the trip is their lifetime experience and fulfillment of their personal ambitions. The satisfaction of having completed the trek and visiting the spectacular Incan city of Machu Picchu is hard to beat. Although, this feeling is even better if you know that all porters helping you ...
« read more »
Wildlife of the Sierra
17 January 2019
The Andes of Peru have been heavily populated by wildlife for thousands of years, In Inca times all types of Andean wildlife enjoyed a form of protection, and although periodic hunts occurred, these were few and the privilege of the ruling class. After the Spanish conquest and the breakdown of the Inca infrastructure, wild animals were hunted indiscriminately and consequently suffered a population decline which was further advanced by ...
« read more »
Responsible Travel
17 January 2019
In recent years, the increase in awareness of the impact of our activities on the natural, economic and social environment has extended to the form of tourism, which has led to the emergence of a new way of traveling called responsible tourism. Responsible travel seeks to contribute to the maintenance and protection of the patrimonial, cultural and natural assets of the destinations with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable development ...
« read more »
Trekking in the Andes
16 January 2019
The great Andes mountain chain stretches the entire length of the South American, and made up of dozens of individual mountain groups known as Cordilleras. In Peru, these snow-capped peaks have been the source of superstition, frustration and inspiration to mankind for thousands of years. And modern-day outdoor enthusiasts have found that walking around mountains is as much of a thrill as climbing them. For these trekkers, Peru is a paradise. Mountain ...
« read more »