Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Classic Inca Trail with Incatrekkers
Hike the world's most famous trek with a local team from the Sacred Valley. Incatrekkers was founded by Juvenal Iturriaga, a native of Urubamba, and has over 15 years of experience on the Inca Trail. As a licensed Inca Trail operator, we take care of all permits and entry times according to the current Machu Picchu regulations.
Why travelers choose Incatrekkers:
True Small-Group Intimacy: We limit our groups to 12 hikers, ensuring a personalized pace and private campsite atmosphere.
Gourmet High-Altitude Dining: Our professional chefs prepare three-course meals using fresh, local ingredients—no "backpacking food" here.
Superior Comfort: Sleep soundly in professional-grade Eureka Timberline SQ 4XT tents with complimentary inflatable mattresses.
Ethical Trekking: We pay our porters fair wages and provide them with high-quality equipment.
The Journey: A Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1: Into the Sacred Valley | Following the Urubamba
Your adventure begins with a private "door-to-door" pick-up from your Cusco hotel. We bypass the crowds with an early start, stopping in Ollantaytambo for a final gear check. At Km 82, we cross the Urubamba River and enter the National Archaeological Park. You’ll trace the riverbank with the snow-capped Peak Veronica as your backdrop before settling into our first campsite at Wayllabamba.
Distance: 12km / 7.4 miles
Time: 6–7 hours
Max Altitude: 3,100m / 10,170ft
Highlights: Patallapta Ruins, views of Mt. Veronica (Wakay Wilka).
Day 2: Conquering the Pass | The Challenge
Today is the "Legendary Day." We ascend through a mystical cloud forest where the air grows thin and the views grow vast. Reaching the summit of Warmihuñusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) is a moment of pure triumph. Our team will be waiting at the top with encouragement before we descend into the Pacaymayo Valley for a restorative Andean feast.
Distance: 12km / 7.4 miles
Time: 6–7 hours
Max Altitude: 4,215m / 13,828ft (Dead Woman’s Pass)
Highlights: High Andean Cloud Forest, Warmihuñusca Summit.
Day 3: The Path of the Sun | Ancient Engineering
The most scenic day of the trek. We navigate original Inca stone pathways and hand-carved tunnels. You will explore the "Town Above the Clouds" (Phuyupatamarka) and witness the dramatic shift into high-jungle flora. We camp at Wiñay Wayna, a stunning archaeological site perched above the Urubamba River, placing us just a short distance from the Sun Gate.
Distance: 16km / 9.94 miles
Time: 8–9 hours
Max Altitude: 3,950m / 12,959ft
Highlights: Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarka, and Wiñay Wayna.
Day 4: The Grand Finale | The Lost City
We wake before the sun to reach Inti Punku (The Sun Gate) as the first light hits the Citadel. You’ll enjoy the classic "postcard" view of Machu Picchu before a comprehensive 2-hour guided tour. Learn the secrets of the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of Condor before heading to Aguas Calientes for a celebratory lunch and your return train journey.
Distance: 6km / 3.72 miles
Time: 3–4 hours
Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,400m / 7,874ft
Highlights: Inti Punku (Sun Gate), Full Guided Tour of Machu Picchu.
