Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – KM 82 – HATUNCHACA – AYAPATA
4:30 AM Pick-up from your hotel for your transfer to the town of Ollantaytambo, where you will enjoy breakfast while admiring the mountains surrounding the valley. This will also be your last opportunity to purchase anything you might need for the trek.
From there, we will continue to Km 82, the starting point of our trek to Machu Picchu. There you will meet the team that will make this experience possible: our chef, the porters, and, of course, our expert guides, who will accompany you throughout the entire route.
The trek begins with a leisurely two-hour walk to Willkarakay, where we will pause to enjoy the view of the first archaeological site: Llactapata, visible from a nearby viewpoint. Then, we will continue for another two hours to the picturesque village of Hatunchaca, where our team will welcome you with a delicious lunch prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
With our energy replenished, we’ll hike for another two hours to our first campsite in Ayapata, located at 3,300 meters. There you’ll find your tent already set up, ready for you to rest. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner before a well-deserved rest, preparing you for the next day’s adventure.
- Distance: 14 km / 8 miles
- Duration: 6 hours
- Campsite Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- Maximum Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 2: AYAPATA – WARMIWAÑUSKA – CHAQUICOCHA
We’ll start the day with hot coffee or coca tea right in your tent. After a nutritious breakfast, the most challenging section of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu awaits: a 4-hour hike to Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point of the trek (4,215 m). Don’t worry, we’ll take a well-deserved break at the summit to enjoy the scenery and participate in a traditional ceremony offered by our guide to the Apus, the mountain spirits.
Afterward, we’ll hike down for two hours to the Pacaymayo Alto Valley, where a delicious lunch awaits. After replenishing our energy, we’ll have a gentler two-hour ascent to Runkurakay Pass, located at 4,000 m. Along the way, we’ll explore two fascinating Inca sites: Runkurakay and Sayacmarca.
Our day will conclude at the second campsite, Chaquicocha, at an altitude of 3,600 meters. Here, you can marvel at a beautiful sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range before dinner. At night, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the constellations—the perfect spot for stargazing!
- Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Duration: 10 hours
- Camp Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Maximum Altitude: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
DAY 3: CHAQUICOCHA – INTIPATA – WIÑAYWAYNA
Having conquered the most challenging part of the Inca Trail, you can relax and enjoy a more leisurely and exciting day. Today’s route is incredibly varied and consists of a 5-hour hike to the final campsite. Along the way, you’ll traverse diverse ecosystems, such as the lush cloud forest, and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Salkantay Mountain, the second highest peak in Cusco.
We’ll visit two Inca archaeological sites: Phuyupatamarca, known as the “City in the Clouds,” with spectacular views of the Urubamba River and Machu Picchu Mountain; and Intipata, or the “Terraces of the Sun,” where you’ll have time to rest and enjoy its magical surroundings.
We’ll arrive at the campsite just in time for lunch, relaxation, rest, following the llamas, or a refreshing shower. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the impressive Inca site of Wiñaywayna, where you’ll learn about its history and explore its incredible terraces.
Finally, we’ll return to the campsite for tea, dinner, and a surprise farewell.
- Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Duration: 5 hours
- Camp Altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
- Maximum Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
On our last day of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we will wake up very early to visit Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. We will go directly to the checkpoint and wait for it to open at 5:30 a.m. At daybreak, we will hike for an hour to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and enjoy incredible views. If the sky is clear, you will see the sunrise over Machu Picchu; it is an unforgettable sight.
After admiring the view, we’ll descend gently for an hour to Machu Picchu and explore Circuit 1, the best place for panoramic photos. Then we’ll continue to the main entrance, where you’ll find restrooms, a cafe, and the official checkpoint.
After checking in, we’ll tour Machu Picchu
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We’ll explore Circuit 3 and visit its most exclusive areas: temples, palaces, fountains, and observatories, guided by our experts. If you’re looking for more adventure, you can climb Huayna Picchu (tickets must be booked in advance). Afterward, you’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Lunch is on your own. In the afternoon, you’ll depart on the train back to Ollantaytambo, where your transportation will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.
