Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Follow in the footsteps of the Incas and hike the complete world-famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Overview
Four days that change everything
The classic 4 day / 3-night Inca Trail to Machu Picchu follows a magical route surrounded by spectacular Andean scenery and dotted with fascinating archaeological sites. This 25-mile (40-kilometer) trek through a variety of landscapes is famous as one of the world’s great hiking routes. After walking for three days on the morning of the fourth day, from high above the site hikers can enjoy their first view of magnificent Machu Picchu.
We are an official Inca Trail operator and hold our own permits rather than buying them through a third party. Permits for the classic route are capped daily and sell out months ahead; holding them directly is why we can often still find dates when other operators cannot.
Your route through the Andes
Four days on foot from the Urubamba valley to the Sun Gate, climbing to 4,205 m on the second morning.
- Cusco — briefing and departure
- Km 82, Piscacucho — permit check and trailhead
- Wayllabamba — first camp
- Warmiwañusca pass — 4,205 m
- Pacaymayo valley — second camp
- Wiñay Wayna — third camp
- Inti Punku and Machu Picchu
Itinerary
The journey, day by day
100% customisable. This is the shape of the trek; the dates, the pace and the days either side are yours.
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1 Cusco – Piscacucho (Km 82) – Huayllabamba 11 km / 6.8 miles (5–6 hours)
We will pick you up from your hotel in the early morning for the journey by private vehicle to Piscacucho, a community at Km 82 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railroad. After crossing the Urubamba River, we will begin our trek. Along the way, you will be met by fine views of snow-capped Mount Veronica (5,850 meters / 19,193 feet). After hiking along the riverbank, we will arrive at the beautiful Inca ruins of Llactapata, from where our route continues to the village of Huayllabamba and our first campsite.
- Trekking11 km / 6.8 miles (5–6 hours)
- AltitudePiscacucho 2,650 m · Llactapata 2,610 m · Huayllabamba 2,968 m
- MealsLunch, dinner
The trailhead at Piscacucho, Km 82. 
The camp, pitched before you arrive. 
Dinner, in the dining tent. -
2 Huayllabamba – Pacaymayo 7.6 km / 4.7 miles (6–7 hours)
After a good breakfast, we will begin the day by hiking up to Warmiwañusca Pass (4,205 meters / 13,795 feet), the highest part on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Along the way, the landscape will change as we move into the sparse vegetation of the high plains. It is possible to spot alpacas and llamas on this section of the Inca Trail. Arriving at the pass, we will have time to rest and enjoy the fine views, before descending to our second campsite at Pacaymayo in time for our evening meal.
- Trekking7.6 km / 4.7 miles (6–7 hours)
- AltitudeLlulluchapampa 3,767 m · Warmiwañusca 4,205 m · Pacaymayo 3,604 m
- MealsBreakfast, lunch, dinner
The climb, on the Inca Trail. 
A briefing before the day starts. -
3 Pacaymayo – Wiñay Wayna 11.1 km / 6.9 miles (7 hours)
This is the longest day of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, offering the best views and most interesting archaeological sites on the entire route. We begin this day by hiking up to the second pass (3,950 meters / 12,959 feet). At the ruins of Runkuraqay, our knowledgeable guide will explain the significance of the site. We will then descend as far as the Sayacmarca archaeological site, before continuing to the third pass at Phuyupatamarca (3,640 meters / 11,942 feet), where the best-preserved archaeological site on the Inca Trail is located. At the end of this wonderful day, we will descend to the picturesque ruins of Wiñay Wayna, where we will make our final camp.
- Trekking11.1 km / 6.9 miles (7 hours)
- AltitudeRunkuraqay pass 3,950 m · Phuyupatamarca 3,640 m · Wiñay Wayna 2,665 m
- MealsBreakfast, lunch, dinner
Runkuraqay. 
Phuyupatamarca, with the team. 
Wiñay Wayna. -
4 Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu 4.6 km / 2.9 miles (3 hours)
At the beginning of this much-anticipated day, we will leave Wiñay Wayna very early, and after two hours we will arrive at the Sun Gate, from where there is a wonderful view of Machu Picchu. After descending to the lost city of the Incas, there will be plenty of time to enjoy an in-depth tour in the company of our expert guide. Leaving the ruins in the afternoon, we will descend to the small town of Aguas Calientes for the return train trip to Cusco.
- Trekking4.6 km / 2.9 miles (3 hours)
- AltitudeSun Gate 2,693 m · Machu Picchu 2,460 m · Aguas Calientes 2,070 m
- MealsBreakfast
Machu Picchu, from the Inca Trail. 
The first look, from the viewpoint.
What’s included
Transport and tickets
- Private transport from your hotel in Cusco to the trailhead
- Return Vistadome train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
- Transfer from the train station to your hotel in Cusco
- Entrance tickets to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu
Camping equipment
- 4-person tents for every two participants; single tents on request
- Air mattresses
- Dining tent, kitchen tent and latrine tent
- Kitchen utensils, complete tableware, chairs and tables
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle
- Duffle bag
Team
- English-speaking tour guide
- Cook
- Porters to carry camping equipment, food and up to 7 kilograms of each participant’s personal gear
Food
- Meals as listed day by day above
- Drinking water to fill your bottle regularly, from natural sources, filtered and boiled
- Snacks morning and afternoon: fruit, biscuits, chocolate and energy bars
- Hot drinks such as tea and coffee
Not included
Tipping is not compulsory. It is at your discretion, when you feel the team has gone beyond their normal job requirements.
- Sleeping bags — we offer them for hire at an additional cost
- Entrance fee to visit Huayna Picchu, subject to availability
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal items, including personal medical supplies
- Tips to guides and to the staff
What to bring
What to pack
You carry a daypack with what you need during the day. Everything else travels with us.
Documents
- Passport, and additional photocopies of itit is checked against the permit at the trailhead and must be the same passport used to book
- Travel insurance certificate
We carry
- Tents, air mattresses and all camping equipment
- All meals on the trail, cooked by our chef
- Drinking water, filtered and boiled, to refill your bottle
- Up to 7 kilograms of your own gear, carried by the porters
Bring or hire from us
- Sleeping bagnot included; we hire them out at an additional cost
- Good hiking boots, broken in before the trek
- A daypack for what you need during the day
Clothing and kit
- Warm clothing for the Andean sections of the trek
- Rain jacket
- Long sleeved shirts (cotton)
- Shorts for walking (optional)
- Cap and sunglasses
- Sun block and insect repellent
- Camera
- Binoculars, for birdwatching enthusiasts
Travel style
Choose your travel style
The same trail, three levels of comfort. What changes is the camp, the team and the train home.
The Essential Experience
- Standard mountain camp
- Trek chef and full meals
- Local guide and porters
- Expedition train return
USD 00Reference price per person
More Comfort on Trail
- Premium tents and thick mats
- Personal porter for your gear
- Custom menu and high-altitude snacks
- Vistadome panoramic train
USD 00Reference price per person
The Trail, No Compromises
- Glamping-style camp
- Full private team
- Extra night in Aguas Calientes hotel
- Huayna Picchu entrance included
USD 00Reference price per person
The final figure depends on party size and season, and nothing is due until you confirm.
Why Andean Adventures Peru
We hold our own Inca Trail permits, our guides and porters are our own staff, and the person who plans your trip is twenty minutes from the trailhead.
That is why the group you walk with is ours from the first briefing to the Sun Gate, and why we can often still find dates when other operators cannot.
A few of the benefits of travelling with us in Peru
- Operating in the Andes and the Amazon since 1985, from Cusco
- A locally owned travel company, based in Cusco
- Official Inca Trail operator under Peruvian government guidelines
- ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified
- Our own lodge inside the Tambopata National Reserve
- A tree planted on behalf of every traveller
Other signature journeys
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Other routes that end in the same place, or start from the same city.
Travel guides
Read before you go
Straightforward advice for the decisions that shape this trip.
Logistics
Packing for a Trek
The complete packing list we use with our travelers. Everything you need for high-altitude trekking, nothing you don’t.
Read the guide [LAST REVIEWED DATE]
Logistics
Managing Altitude Smoothly
Acclimatization strategies and altitude sickness prevention. Practical tips from our guides who navigate these peaks daily.
Read the guide [LAST REVIEWED DATE]
Destinations
Machu Picchu: Tickets and Routes
Ticket types, capacity limits, and how to choose. Navigate the entry options and select the best route for your experience.
Read the guide [LAST REVIEWED DATE]
Planning
Best Time to Visit Peru
Climate, seasons, and what to expect. Learn when Peru shines and how weather impacts your activities across different regions and elevations.
Read the guide [LAST REVIEWED DATE]Speak to our Peru experts
Permits are the binding constraint on this trek. Tell us your dates and a planner in Cusco will tell you honestly what is still available.
FAQs
Everything you need to know
The questions we are asked most about the Inca Trail. If yours is not here, ask a planner directly.
How far in advance should I book?
For treks other than the Inca Trail, book at least five days ahead so we can make the preparations — though we recommend up to 90 days. [INCA TRAIL PERMIT LEAD TIME — TO BE PROVIDED BY CLIENT: your published answer covers other treks only.]
How fit do I need to be?
The Inca Trail is 43 kilometres, hiking five to seven hours a day at high altitude over rough ground. It is a fairly difficult trek and it rewards training beforehand.
We recommend two to three days acclimatising in Cusco before you start. If you do not exercise regularly, or you have heart, respiratory, knee or back problems, this is not the right trek for you.
How can I prepare for the altitude?
The best way to deal with altitude is to give the body time to adapt. Allow at least one day at altitude with minimal activity before anything strenuous.
During those first days your metabolism is working hard to produce more red blood cells. Eat lightly, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.
How much do I carry, and how much do the porters?
You carry a daypack with what you need during the day. Everything else travels by van or with the porters.
Porters carry the camping equipment, the food and up to seven kilograms of your own gear. A sleeping bag is not included; we hire them out at an additional cost. We are official Inca Trail operators under the Peruvian government guidelines designed to protect indigenous porters' rights, and we make sure our porters receive proper pay, adequate meals and comfortable accommodation at the campsites.
Is the trail open all year?
[SEASONAL CLOSURE — TO BE PROVIDED BY CLIENT. Not stated on your site; confirm the February maintenance dates before we publish them.]
Are the departures private?
Both are possible. The minimum group size is two; if a date does not reach it we will offer you an alternative date or refund the deposit in full. We can also run the trek on a private basis for a single participant.
What is the maximum group size?
Sixteen people. Beyond that we run a second group rather than a bigger one.
One guide travels with every eight participants; larger groups also get an assistant guide.
How do I pay, and what if I cancel?
A deposit is due once the booking is confirmed; the amount depends on the trip and the group size. The balance is paid at our Cusco office at least two days before departure, by 19:30, in US dollars or soles.
[CANCELLATION TERMS FOR THIS TREK — TO BE PROVIDED BY CLIENT. Your published 45-day refund policy covers treks other than the Inca Trail.]