Classic Inca Trail 4 Days
3 Days from $ USD 100.00
Classic Inca Trail 4 Days
c3 Days from $ USD 100.00
Overview
The 4-day Classic Inca Trail is a trekking route that runs along part of the ‘qhapac ñan’, ancient Inca roads built by the Incas. A part of this route was the one that communicated Cusco with Machu Picchu. Today there are 43 kilometers of these roads enabled by the Peruvian State for the famous route of the ‘Inca Trail’, from km 89 of the railway to Aguas Calientes to Intipunku, the ancient gateway to Machu Picchu used by the Incas. The route can only be done with an authorized tour which includes camping, porters team, cook team, tour guide, entrance fees and more.
Trip Details
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights.
- Departure Point: Cusco
- Return Point: Cusco
- Group Size: Small Group (Average 8, Maximum 16 travelers).
- Trip Style: Hiking, Trekking, also it is an archaeological and cultural trip.
- Route Value: The Inca Trail is by far the most famous trek in South America.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult.
- Minimum altitude: 2000 m.a.s.l. (Aguas Calientes Village).
- Maximum Height: 4200 m.a.s.l. or 13,776 feet (Dead Woman’s Pass).
- Distance to be covered: 45 km. or 28 miles.
- Departure Dates: Daily departures throughout the year (Except February because the Inca Trail is closed for the rainy season).
- Accommodations: 3 nights camping (tents or tents very comfortable, comfortable and safe).
Highlights
This ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu combines beautiful mountain scenery of incredible panoramic views, lush forests, a subtropical jungle of splendid natural surroundings, with the magnificent work of the Inca masons as the exceptional stone pavement on the road, beautiful Inca cities, sumptuous temples, agricultural terraces, canals and water sources, tunnels and amazing archaeological sites including the famous Sun Gate, from where you can observe the Sunrise over the Inca City of Machu Picchu (One of the new 7 Wonders of the World).
This great excursion begins with the pick up from your hotel, which can be located in the city of Cusco or in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to go in our private vehicle to the area known as Piskacuscho or km. 82 (Start of the hike), from where our travelers can enjoy beautiful landscapes and all the Inca constructions that are found along the route of 45 kilometers.
Cusco - Km 84 – Wayllabamba.
We will start the tour by picking you up at your hotel at 06:00 am; we will drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and then to km 84, the place where we must register to enter the Inca Trail and where we will meet all the staff that will make this trip with us. From km 82 we will start an easy hike of 2 hours until we get to our lunch spot known as Miskay. After lunch we will take a short nap and continue our adventure for 4 hours until we arrive in Huayllabamba. On the way there we will be able to visit the Patallacta archaeological site. In Huayllabamba we will prepare for dinner and sleep in tents and in a campsite.
Walking Distance – 12km / 7.45 miles
Starting Elevation – 3000 meters / 12477 feet
Campsite Elevation – 3000 meters / 12477 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Lunch, Dinner (Snack and afternoon tea)
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely, completely satisfactory
Wayllabamba - Pacaymayo
In the morning we drink the coca tea recommended for the altitude; then we have breakfast prepared by our chef. Freshly strengthened, we will start our adventure on the second day. We will hike for about 5 hours to get to the top of the mountain Warmihuañusca; there we will have a breathtaking view of the Andes; after resting, we will descend for about 1 hour until we get to our lunch spot. After lunch we will continue hiking until we reach Pacaymayo, where we will spend the rest of the day resting, relaxing and sleeping in tents.
Walking Distance – 13 km
Starting Elevation – 3800 meters
Campsite Elevation – 3800 meters
Maximum Altitude: 4215 meters – Warmy Wañuska Pass
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Snack and afternoon tea)
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely
Pacaymayo - Wiñay Wayna
After a nice coca tea and breakfast we will continue with the Inca Trail, we start in Pacaymayo, we pass the archaeological site of Sayaqmarca, where after visiting the beautiful Inca structures we would stop for lunch. After lunch we will continue our trek until we arrive in WiñayWayna, where we will set up our tents and have dinner and sleep at the campsite.
Walking Distance – 15km
Starting Elevation – 3800 meters
Campsite Elevation – 3700 meters
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely
The Most Important Day – Machu Picchu!
It will be a very important day and we will get up early because we have to hike 2 hours from Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate or “Inti Punku”, where the Inca Trail officially ends; from this place we will be able to admire the great beauty of the Inca city of Machu Picchu. After resting and relaxing, we will start the tour of the sanctuary of Machu Picchu; the tour lasts about 2 hours; we will go to the most important places of the city such as the main square, the round tower, the sundial, the royal rooms, the temple of the 3 windows, the royal cemetery and much more. At the end of the tour, you will have time to explore further, take pictures and enjoy one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. At a convenient time, we will take a bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch, visit the hot springs or walk around the town and the artisan market. At 18:30 we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and from there we will take a bus that will take us back to Cusco. We end our adventure around 22:30.
Recommendations
- Reserve your Inca Trail Trek as soon as possible as permits sell out quickly.
- Arrive at least 1 day before your excursion as it will serve as acclimatization prior to your trek.
- Remember that the city of Cusco is at 3400 meters above sea level.
- Check your personal items that you will take with you on your trip.
- Visit us in our Main Office located in the Historic Center of Cusco, 1 day before your trek at 7:00 pm. to receive a briefing about the trip led by the Tour Guide. This will help you to be much more Informed, Safe and Ready for your Tour.
- Leave your luggage that you will not be taking on the Tour free of charge at the Luggage Storage at our Main Office.
- Don’t forget to carry your updated personal documents as they will be requested by the Peruvian authorities at the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu checkpoints.
What to Bring
- A backpack
- A beanie hat or ear warmer
- Sun hat
- Scarf
- Gloves
- A mid weight sweater
- A longsleeve t-shirt
- 1 – 2 t-shirts
- A lightweight suater or vest
- A pair of long pants
- Hiking shoes
- An extra pair of shoe
- 2 – 3 pairs wool socks
- A jacket
- A small towel
- Rain gear
- 1 – 2 pair shorts
- Sunglasses
- A small headlamp
- Waterbottle
- A toothbrust and other personal toiletries
- Toilet paiper
- Sun cream
- Insect repelent
Travel Guide
Prices of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2022
For the classic route, prices vary from EUR 400 to just over EUR 700. The difference is mainly due to the number of days you choose to do the trek, whether you go for four or five days. In addition, the price of the Inca Trail obviously differs from one provider to another. Alternatives to the Inca Trail are often a bit cheaper than the classic Inca Trail. This has to do with the popularity of the classic Inca Trail and the small number of permits available.
What happens if you run out of permits for the Inca Trail?
Couldn’t get a permit for the Inca Trail 2020? Try again next year! No, there is always a different version of the Inca Trail that you can do. They call them alternatives to the Inca Trail and although it sounds like these treks are not as exciting as the classic Inca Trail, that is not the case. People who are really determined to hike the Inca Trail 2020 should do the classic Inca Trail and for them it will also be worth the wait in case they don’t get the permits for that year. However, for those who just want to get to Machu Picchu and live a great trekking experience, there are different options worth considering. The most famous alternative to the Inca Trail is the Salkantay trek, but the others are just as good, if not better. Lares trekking, Choquequirao trekking, Inca jungle trekking and Inca quarry trekking are good alternatives for when you can’t get the permits for the classic Inca Trail 2020. Believe us, it is a hidden blessing.
Alternatives to the Inca Trail in Peru – Salkantay Trekking
The Salkantay trek is an alternative route to the classic route. Most consider it as the best alternative route. This trail to Machu Picchu is offered in a four and five day version and starts and ends in Cusco. The four-day Salkantay trek is a bit heavier than the Inca Trail due to the altitude to be conquered. On the first day you already walk at an altitude of 4200m.
The first night is also the coldest of the entire trek. The second day, after an early breakfast, we walk about 3 hours to the Salkantay pass, which is located at an altitude of 4650 m. After lunch we descend to an altitude of 2900 m, where we also spend the night. On the third day we go from Chaullay via La Playa to Aguas Calientes in about 6 h. The last day we walk early in the morning to Machu Picchu, where we hike for 2 h and then you can walk freely until it is time to take the train. At the end of the train ride in Ollantaytambo, we take you back to Cusco.
Faqs Classic Inca Trail 4 Days
What is the Inca Trail and what is its history?
The Inca Trail is one of the oldest pilgrimages and one of the 10 most beautiful hikes in the world. To date, scientists do not agree on the role of Machu Picchu. Some say it was a defense fortress for the Inca Empire, while other scientists assume it was a refuge for kings. What we do know for sure is that the Inca Trail leads to the city of Machu Picchu, built around 1440. Today, the Inca Trail is one of the most popular treks in the world, at least the most popular in Peru. Each year Machu Picchu attracts some 400,000 tourists. Each day a maximum of 2500 people can enter Machu Picchu, of which a total of 500 are authorized to walk the classic Inca Trail. These 500 are divided into 200 tourists who walk the Inca Trail with the support of 300 porters.
Is it possible to do the Inca Trail on foot?
First of all, let’s get this question out of the way. No, you can’t. The Inca Trail can only be done on foot and with an authorized guide who knows the trail. In order to do the Inca Trail you need a permit issued by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture and the accompaniment of a professional guide. The archaeological site of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are two treasures of Peru and they take great care to preserve them in the best possible way, that is why they do not allow unaccompanied tourists to go along the routes.
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Recommendations
- Reserve your Inca Trail Trek as soon as possible as permits sell out quickly.
- Arrive at least 1 day before your excursion as it will serve as acclimatization prior to your trek.
- Remember that the city of Cusco is at 3400 meters above sea level.
- Check your personal items that you will take with you on your trip.
- Visit us in our Main Office located in the Historic Center of Cusco, 1 day before your trek at 7:00 pm. to receive a briefing about the trip led by the Tour Guide. This will help you to be much more Informed, Safe and Ready for your Tour.
- Leave your luggage that you will not be taking on the Tour free of charge at the Luggage Storage at our Main Office.
- Don’t forget to carry your updated personal documents as they will be requested by the Peruvian authorities at the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu checkpoints.
- Included Food
-
Altitude
2,800 to 4,650 masl
- Group Size
- Accoomodation Campsite
-
Physical Level
Demanding
Inquire Now
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