Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu - 2,4 or 5 days
Below we offer 3 basic options for the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu:
booking dates for permits to hike the Inca Trail in 2023 were announced and the booking schedule is as follows:
Oct. 10 - for January treks
Oct. 11 - for March treks
Oct. 12 - for April treks
Oct. 13 - for May 1-15 treks
Oct. 14 - for May 16-31 treks
Oct. 17 for June treks
Oct. 18 - for July treks
Oct. 19 - for August to December treks
Normally, permits for the 4 and 5 day treks during high season sell out months in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Remember, booking requests must have all the required information:
- 2 days - also called the Inca Trail Express or km104 trek
- 4 days - the classic Inca Trail trek
- 5 days - a more relaxed version with less hiking per day and more time at Machu Picchu
booking dates for permits to hike the Inca Trail in 2023 were announced and the booking schedule is as follows:
Oct. 10 - for January treks
Oct. 11 - for March treks
Oct. 12 - for April treks
Oct. 13 - for May 1-15 treks
Oct. 14 - for May 16-31 treks
Oct. 17 for June treks
Oct. 18 - for July treks
Oct. 19 - for August to December treks
Normally, permits for the 4 and 5 day treks during high season sell out months in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Remember, booking requests must have all the required information:
- First Names
- Last names
- Passport number
- Ages
- Nationality
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2 day Inca Trail Express |
5 day Inca Trail Trek |
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Day 1: Cusco / km 104 / Wiñay Wayna / Aguas Calientes
We will pick you up from your hotel in the early morning and take you to the train station. Our hike will begin at Km 104 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railroad. On this beautiful short trek we will experience spectacular scenery dominated by snow-capped peaks, and there will be plenty of time to visit the fascinating Wiñay Wayna archaeological site. We will have our first glimpse of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, or Intipunku, high above the Inca city. Forty minutes later, we will arrive at Machu Picchu, from where we will descend to the small town of Aguas Calientes. Box lunch included. Traveling time: • Cusco – Ollantaytambo (private vehicle): 77 kilometers / 47.4 miles (1 hour 30 minutes) • Ollantaytambo – Km 104 of the railroad (train): 36 kilometers / 22.4 miles (1 hour 15 minutes) Trekking distance: 9.3 kilometers / 5.8 miles (5-6 hours) Altitudes: Km 104: 2201 meters / 7219 feet; Wiñay Wayna: 2665 meters / 8743 feet; Intipunku: 2693 meters / 8833 feet; Machu Picchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet; Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet Day 2: Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu Today will be devoted to an extended tour of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Our guide will escort us as we visit the site’s temples and palaces and wander through its residential and agricultural areas. After this guided tour you will have plenty of free time to walk around these famous ruins independently or visit the mountain known as Huayna Picchu (this has fixed departure times in the morning and requires another permit), before rejoining the group for the return trip to Cusco by train. Altitudes: Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet; Machu Picchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet 2022-2023 Rates per person in US$: group = $724 with minimum of 2 people. Private = $1003 with 1, $751 with 2, $674 with 3, $645 with 4-5 Included
4 day Inca Trail TrekDay 1: Cusco / Piscacucho (Km82) / Huayllabamba
We will pick you up from your hotel in the early morning for the journey by private vehicle to Piscacucho, a community located at Km 82 of the Cusco-Machupicchu railroad. After crossing the Urubamba River, we will begin our trek. Along the way, we will be met by fine views of snow-capped Mount Veronica (5850 meters / 19193 feet). After hiking along the bank of the Vilcanota River, we will arrive at the beautiful Inca ruins of Llactapata, from where we will continue to the community of Huayllabamba and our first campsite. Lunch and dinner included. Traveling time: Cusco – Piscacucho: 91 kilometers / 56.5 miles (paved: 77 kilometers / 47.4 miles; dirt road: 14 kilometers / 8.7 miles); 3 hours Trekking distance: 11 kilometers / 6.8 miles (5-6 hours) Altitudes: Cusco 3400 meters / 11,159 feet; Piscacucho (Km 82): 2650 meters / 8692 feet; Llactapata: 2610 meters / 8563 feet; Huayllabamba: 2968 meters / 9737 feet Day 2: Huayllabamba / Pacaymayo You will need to be prepared to cross the highest point on the Inca Trail today! After a good breakfast, we will begin the day by hiking up to Warmihuañusca Pass (4205 meters / 13795 feet, “Dead Woman’s Pass”, in Quechua). Along the way, the landscape will change as we move into the sparse vegetation of the high plains (“puna”). It is possible to spot alpacas and llamas on this section of the trail. Arriving at the pass, we will have time to rest and enjoy the fine views our efforts are rewarded by, before descending to our second campsite at Pacaymayo in time our evening meal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Trekking distance: 7.6 kilometers / 4.7 miles (6-7 hours) Altitudes: Huayllabamba: 2968 meters / 9737 feet; Llulluchapampa: 3767 meters / 12,359 feet; Warmiwañuska Pass: 4205 meters / 13,795 feet; Pacaymayo: 3604 meters / 11,821 feet Day 3: Pacaymayo / Wiñay Wayna This is the longest day of the trek, rewarding walkers with the best views and most interesting archaeological sites. We begin the day by hiking up to the second pass (3950 meters / 12,959 feet). After we arrive at the ruins of Runkuraqay, our guide will explain the significance of the site. Following this visit, we will descend as far as Sayacmarca before continuing to the third pass at Phuyupatamarca (3640 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Trekking distance: 11.1 kilometers / 6.9 miles (7 hours) Altitudes: Runkuraqay Pass: 3950 meters / 12,956 feet; Sayacmarca: 3611 meters / 11,844 feet; Phuyupatamarca: 3640 meters / 11,942 feet; Wiñay Wayna: 2665 meters / 8743 feet Day 4: Wiñay Wayna / Machu Picchu 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, or Intipunku, from where there is a wonderful view of Machupicchu. 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 guide, after which you will have time to wander around the ruins independently. Leaving the ruins, we will descend to the small town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon for the return trip to Cusco. Breakfast included. Trekking distance: 4.6 kilometers / 2.9 miles (3 hours) Altitudes: Wiñay Wayna: 2665 meters / 8743 feet; Intipunku: 2693 meters / 8833 feet; Machupicchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet; Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet. 2022-2023 Rates per person in US$: group = $1221 with minimum of 2 people. Private = $1941 with 1, $1250 with 2, $1026 with 3, $914 with 4. Single supplement = US$50 Included on 4 and 5 day treks:
Transportation and tickets
Not included
Regarding the menu on the Inca Trail, please find below an example of this:
Breakfast Hot beverages, Yogurt, Cereals, Bread, Pancakes, Butter, marmalade Lunch Soup or cream of soup (spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, etc), Main dish (spaghetti, rice with chicken, quinoa with vegetables) Dinner Spaghetti, Sauteed vegetables, fried chicken with rice, etc. Hot beverages, Popcorn Please take note this is an idea of the menu, this can change slightly. "We had a great experience in Peru, due largely to the great service provided by the staff aand our wonderful guides, porters and cooks. A couple of people in our group had some challenges with altitude sickness and illness, and Oswaldo and Elvin did an excellent job of caring for them while shepherding the rest of us along. We loved the Inca Trail hike. The mountains were unbelievably beautiful, the plants amazing, and the night sky spectacular. We learned so much about the Inca culture and the Peru of today. The people were so good to us. " Alene "Our trip went flawlessly!!! We loved everything immensely. Our guides were terrific......very knowledgeable and experienced. And also attentive and personable. The transports to and from the airports and hotels were always waiting for us, and ready to whisk us off to our next destination. We can't thank you enough for your expertise in planning all the details of our trip! It was a trip of a lifetime for us!! We loved the Inca Trail and the Galapagos Islands equally. I have been recommending Amazon Adventures and you to our friends and acquaintances whenever they ask how we planned such a trip. Thank you so very much!!! Hope to use you again and return to South America again someday. Helen "Thank you for a fabulous adventure from pick up at the airport in Cusco, to tours of the Sacred Valley, to the four-day hike of the Inca Trail, tour of Machu Picchu and departure. The tour arranged by Jim McDaniel of Amazon Adventures for the Arndt party of nine was a trip of a lifetime. The guides, Rubin and Marco, were extremely knowledgeable, encouraging and entertaining. The food service was excellent including the unexpected popcorn appetizer every night. The drivers and porters provided excellent service at every step of our journey. I would recommend your company for anyone contemplating a Machu Picchu adventure. Well done to your entire crew." Steve |
On the 5-day Inca Trail trek, hikers will arrive at Machu Picchu on the fourth day of the trek and descend directly to the small town of Aguas Calientes, for a well-deserved night’s rest in a hotel. Starting early the following day, an experienced guide will provide a tour of the Inca city, after which there will be time for the optional ascent of Huayna Picchu or a visit to the Temple of the Moon, before the return train ride to Cusco.
This way you don't have to hike at the same time and camp at the same places as all of the other people on the trail and so can have a more peaceful and enjoyable trek Day 1: Cusco / Piscacucho (km 82) / Huayllabamba Our vehicle will take us to the trail head at Piscacucho (76 kilometers by paved road and 15 kilometers by dirt road - 3 hours). From the trailhead we will follow the left bank of the Urubamba River, enjoying fine views of snow-capped Mount Veronica (5850 meters / 19,188 feet). After lunch we will visit the ruins of Llactapata before continuing along the Huayllabamba valley to our campsite near the village of the same name (2968 meters / 9737 feet). Travel time: Cusco – Piscacucho: 91 kilometers / 56.5 miles (Paved road: 77 kilometers / 47.4 miles; dirt road: 14 kilometers / 8.7 miles); 3 hours Trekking distance: 11 kilometers / 6.8 miles; 5-6 hours Altitudes: Cusco 3400 meters / 11,159 feet; Piscacucho (Km 82): 2650 meters / 8692 feet; Llactapata: 2610 meters / 8563 feet; Huayllabamba: 2968 meters / 9737 feet Meals: Lunch, dinner Day 2: Huayllabamba / Pacaymayo From the village of Huayllabamba the trail climbs steadily through high Andean woodland to the plain known as Llulluchapampa, just before the first pass, from where there are excellent views of the Huayanay mountain chain. After another two hours walking we will reach Warmiwañuska Pass (4205 meters / 13,795 feet), before descending as far as the canyon of the Pacaymayo River (3604 meters / 11,821 feet), where we will make our second camp. Trekking distance: 7.6 kilometers / 4.7 miles; 7 hours Altitudes: Huayllabamba: 2968 meters / 9737 feet; Llulluchapampa: 3767 meters / 12,359 feet; Warmiwañuska: 4205 meters / 13,795 feet; Pacaymayo: 3604 meters / 11,821 feet Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 3: Pacaymayo / Phuyupatamarca The trail climbs to the second pass at Runkuracay (3950 meters / 12,956 feet), from where there are views of both the Vilcabamba and Urubamba mountain ranges. After a short rest we will descend along a paved Inca road to the ruins of Runkuracay and Sayacmarca, which have been recently restored. Here we enter the cloud forest and in the afternoon the trail continues via a series of stone steps past the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (3640 meters / 11,942 feet) where we will camp for the night. Trekking distance: 7 kilometers / 4.3 miles; 5-6 hours Altitudes: Pacaymayo: 3604 meters / 11,821 feet; Runkuracay Pass: 3950 meters / 12,956 feet; Phuyupatamarca: 3640 meters / 11,942 feet Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 4: Phuyupatamarca / Machu Picchu From Phuypatamarca, the trail descends a vertiginous slope along a remarkable set of stone Inca steps, a descent of approximately three hours to the picturesque ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2665 meters / 8743 feet), an Inca site set in dense forest. The Wiñay Wayna complex was once inhabited by Inca farmers who used terracing to reclaim these steep slopes for agriculture. It is composed of around structures (which have all been restored), as well as an irrigation system and a splendid Inca temple. You will have at least an hour to explore the ruins of Winay Wayna on foot. In the afternoon we will walk for another two hours, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way, with the Urubamba River far below, until we reach Intipunku (Sun Gate), from where we will get our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. From here it is a forty minute walk to the Inca city. Overnight at Santuario Hotel or similar (can upgrade at extra cost). Bus ride to Aguas Calientes (2070 meters / 6791 feet): 30 minutes Trekking distance: 8.7 kilometers / 5.4 miles; 5-6 hours Altitudes: Phuyupatamarca: 3640 meters / 11,942 feet; Wiñay Wayna: 2665 meters / 8743 feet; Intipunku: 2693 meters / 8833 feet; Machu Picchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet; Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Day 5: Machu Picchu Today we will make an early start to give us plenty of time to visit this lost city, which was rediscovered in 1911. Located at the top of a steep, forested hill overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was hidden by dense vegetation for centuries until the American explorer Hiram Bingham began to clear the site. Today the city has been completely restored and for visitors from all over the world it is an unforgettable sight. Our guided tour includes a visit to the temples, plazas, palaces, watercourses and residential areas of Machu Picchu and you will also have time to explore the ruins independently. Return to Cusco by train, transfer to hotel. Optional: Hike up Huayna Picchu peak (2-3 hours), subject to availability. Altitudes: Machu Picchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet; Huayna Picchu: 2532 meters / 8307 feet; Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet. 2022-2023 Rates per person in US$: With Expedition train: group = $1371 with minimum of 2 people. Private = $2068 with 1, $1376 with 2, $1104 with 3, $968 with 4, Single supplement = US$100 Our trek operator has been honored on several occasions by the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism with certificates, diplomas and trophies acknowledging its commitment to excellence. Among its awards, it has been named twice as the “Best Regional Adventure Travel Company in Cusco", while the company’s manager has been recognized for his contributions to adventure travel and ecotourism. On two occasions one of their guides has been named Tour Guide of the Year, and beyond Peru the company has been nominated for the World Quality Commitment (WQC) award, and won the 24th International Trophy from the Tourism, Hotel and Catering Industry of Spain. So you can be assured of good service and good equipment when doing the trek you've dreamed about. They donate a percentage of their income to remote rural communities for the development of basic educational infrastructure and each year provides Christmas presents for the children of these neglected regions of Peru. What to bring
Tipping of the guiding staff is acceptable at your discretion, when you feel they have gone beyond their normal job requirements and should be compensated by you for it. Tipping for guides, cooks and porters may vary, depending on the type of service, length of trip and group size. Tipping is not compulsory. The Peruvian National Service of Natural Protected Areas (SERNANP) would like to remind visitors to the Inca Trail Network to Machu Picchu that from the 1st of December, 2018 a law was passed by the Peruvian Ministry of Environment, prohibiting the entry of plastics into the protected natural area of the Inca Trail Network.
As a consequence of this decision, everyone walking the trail is recommended to use canteens or camelbacks to store his or her water and avoid the use of plastic bottles. The use of cloth bags or other reusable material instead of single-use plastic bags is also encouraged by the authorities. As a company we also seek to reduce the use of plastic in our operations, implementing reusable materials, and training our staff in the importance of good eco-friendly practices and care for the environment. Some of the measures we take to decrease the amount of waste produced during our trips are:
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