This classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s greatest adventures. During the Inca Empire, the trail served as a kind of royal highway, linking Cusco with Machu Picchu. This trail traverses across the magical Peruvian Andean mountains, taking in long Inca stone stairs through the Amazonian rain forest. It features ancient storage buildings, houses, temples with strategic observatories along the way, that allow you to see breathtaking views.
Season: Mar – Jan
Challenge yourself with the ascent to Warmiwanusqa, the highest point of the Inca Trail, offering sweeping views and a sense of achievement at 13,780 feet.
Explore Patallaqta, an ancient Incan site featuring impressive terraces and stunning mountain vistas, providing a fascinating glimpse into the region’s historical agricultural practices.
Marvel at Winay Wayna, a spectacular Incan complex with intricate terraces and lush greenery, perched dramatically on a mountainside near Machu Picchu.
Visit Sayacmarca, an enigmatic archaeological site offering a labyrinth of stone structures and panoramic views, evoking the mystery and grandeur of the Inca civilization.
Experience the thrill of reaching Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where the first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu unfold before you, signaling the end of your epic trek.
Climb Huayna Picchu for an exhilarating adventure, rewarded by unparalleled views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding Andean peaks from this iconic vantage point.
Conclude your journey at Machu Picchu, exploring the legendary Lost City of the Incas, with its stunning architecture and profound historical significance.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a breathtaking 4-day trek that immerses you in the rich history and stunning landscapes of the Incan Empire. Prepare to be awestruck as you uncover the mysteries of this iconic UNESCO World Heritage site with River Explorers.
Distance to cover: 12 km – 7.45 miles during a 5 to 6 hour hike.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins at 6 am, where guides collect the passengers from their hotels. After two hours’ driving through the beautiful villages of Chinchero, Maras and Urubamba, we arrive at Ollantaytambo. Here, we will have a little break before we begin the last bus ride to the starting-point of the hike to Machu Picchu.
Piscacucho (Km 82) is the final destination and the Inca trail checkpoint, the start of the hike. Here we will meet our porters and camp staff for the trail. While our porters load the gear, the group can go ahead and start hiking downriver, alongside the rushing Vilcanota River through beautiful cactus, gardens, and Andean farms with a magnificent panorama of the Salkantay mountain “Wild mountain” snow peak.
A little later, we will arrive at the Inca complex of Patallacta (“Town on hillside”), where some time will be spent exploring this site before continuing with the hike on the Inca Trail. Our next destination will be the Cusichaca (“happy breach”) Valley and Huallabamba, our camp for the night.
Hiking distance: 12.1 km – 7.52 miles / 5 to 6 hours
Distance to cover: 8.8 km – 5.47 miles / 6 to 8 hours.
This day is the most challenging part of the hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We take a steep ascent towards the highest point of the trail. Vegetation changes constantly while hiking, and we can appreciate a variety of native plants such as Icchu and the beautiful Queuñas – one of the few tree’s that has adapted to altitudes above 3,000 meters.
Ascending steadily for couple more hours, we will arrive at the mountain pass called Warmiwañusca (“Dead Woman’s Pass”) on the classic Incan Trail. Warmiwañusca is the highest point on the Inca Trail, located at 4,200 m or 13,776 ft. above sea level. On this portion of the trail, there are amazing views of the Andean mountains including Mount Veronica. The hike then continues, descending to Pacaymayu at 3,600 meters, where we set up our second camp.
Camping Facilities: Tents, sleeping pads, portable camping toilets, no showers and no shops.
Meals included: 1 breakfast – 1 lunch – 1 dinner.
Hiking distance: 8.8 km – 5.47 miles / 6 to 8 hours
Distance to cover: 13.4 km – 8.33 miles / 7 to 8 hours
After a hearty breakfast, the third section of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu tour begins. It will take one hour and a half of gently walking uphill on a well-preserved, paved Inca trail with spectacular sculptured stairways until reaching the small complex of Runkurakay. After a short stay we slowly climb the second pass of Runkurakay at 3950 meters – 12960 foot. Continuing along this Inca stairway, we cross the pass and head down to the major and spectacular sites of Sayacmarca (“Inaccessible Town”), a colossal Inca complex located atop a cliff for lunch, where our guide will speak about Inca architecture and life and the various mysteries of this ancient culture.
We continue along a well-crafted paved Inca road, passing through a cloud forest with many beautiful orchids until we arrive at the impressive Inca ruins of Phuyupatamarca. Where we stay for a few more hours and then we go to Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”), the last official camp of the Inca Trail, where you can buy refreshments, water, beer, etc.
Camping facilities: Tents, sleeping pads, toilets, hot showers available for U$2 and small shop.
Meals included: 1 breakfast – 1 lunch – 1 dinner.
Hiking distance: 13.4 km – 8.33 miles / 7 to 8 hours
Distance to cover: 4.67 km – 2.9 miles / 2 to 3 hours.
The day that everyone is waiting for! It takes two hours walking on the Inca Trail through the cloud forest to get to Intipunku (“The Sun Gate”). This is where we can get our first breathtaking and impressive views of Machu Picchu citadel. The trail will continue for some more minutes until we arrive at the famous citadel itself.
Machu Picchu is the highlight of the Inca Trail. The complex is large and well-preserved. One of the most astonishing things about Machu Picchu is the incomparable view. This fortress is surrounded by incredibly steep mountains, thick Peruvian jungles and winding rivers. Later after this great tour on the classic Incan Trial, we will meet with the rest of the group at the bus station and travel to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo, where we transfer to a bus to Cusco.
Camping gear: Four seasons and double occupancy tents, dinner tent, kitchen tent, dining tent, tent for porters and cooks, sleeping mattress, cooking equipment.
First aid: First aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners – vegetarian option:
Fees: Entrance fees to Inca Trail, train ticket to Cusco.
Transport: Train backpacker cerrojo, from Machu Picchu to Cusco, transfers to and from train station, bus terminal to hotel.
Staff: Porters to carry the tents, food, and cooking equipment; experienced cook.
The price of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu includes all local sales taxes.
Meals: The package includes breakfast on the first day and lunch in Aguas Calientes on the last day.
Gratuities: To show appreciation for the services provided by your guides, it is customary to tip them 10% of the total package price per person.
Thermal baths: The entrance fees to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes are not included in the package.
Sleeping bags: You have the option to bring your own sleeping bag or rent one for US$ 50 for the entire duration of the tour.
Travel Insurance: It is advisable to consider purchasing travel and cancellation insurance for your peace of mind during the journey.
