Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days/3 Nights Hike

Cusco, Perú

Overview

The Classic Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous and popular trekking routes in the world. It combines stunning high-mountain scenery, lush cloud-forests, subtropical jungle, and a remarkable mix of Inca paving stones, ruins, and tunnels, providing a breathtaking backdrop for an adventure journey. Machu Picchu, the iconic 15th-century Inca citadel, is the jewel that crowns this wonderful hike.

The classic Inca Trail trek is only about 45 kilometers (27 miles) long, but it goes up and down the mountain, in three steps, and generally avoids the treacherous terrain in this part of Peru. This makes for a more strenuous 45km of scenery than most, but also spectacular, through a variety of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra. During this trip, hikers cross the Urubamba River, passing through many small towns and incredible landscapes. On the last day, you will enter Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) as the Incas did.

Experience the adventure of a lifetime with Qoricancha Expeditions' Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days trek. Hike through breathtaking Andean landscapes, camp under starlit skies, explore ancient Inca ruins, and culminate your journey at the majestic Machu Picchu. This is not just a trek; it's an immersive exploration of history, culture, and natural beauty, expertly guided by Qoricancha Expeditions. Join us and create lasting memories on this iconic trail.

The Inca Trail Quick Overview:

Distance: Approximately 26 miles/43 kilometers
Duration: Typically 4 days and 3 nights
Altitude: The trail reaches an altitude of 13,828 feet (4,215 meters) at its highest point, Dead Woman's Pass.
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging, depending on fitness levels.

Why Travel with Qoricancha Expeditions?

Expertise and Excellence : Embark on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days/3 Nights with Qoricancha Expeditions, a renowned leader in delivering excellence in guiding and customer service. Trust our experienced team of professionals to ensure a hassle-free and unforgettable journey.
Cultural Immersion : Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Peru. Qoricancha Expeditions provides expert guides who will share their deep knowledge of the region, offering insights into the ancient Inca civilization and local traditions.
Small Group Advantage : Smaller tour group sizes allow for a more intimate experience, increased interaction with guides, and the opportunity to form connections with fellow travelers.
Memories for a Lifetime : Traveling with Qoricancha Expeditions guarantees not only an unforgettable adventure but also memories that will stay with you forever. It's a journey that promises to leave you with a profound appreciation for the wonders of Peru.

Important Notes:

The Classic Inca Trail requires permits, so booking in advance with Qoricancha Expeditions is crucial.
Physical fitness and acclimatization to the high altitude are important for a successful trek.
Guided tours enhance your understanding and appreciation of the archaeological sites.

What you need to take for this tour:

Original passport.
Small day pack.
Insect repellent (Machu picchu is located in the cloud forest area)
Sunhat. Sunscreen.
Rain gear just in case for any month of the year.
Camera.
toilet
Sandwich.
trekking cloth
Walking shoes. For more details information about packing list check HERE.

Weather : Peru is a year-round destination for travelers, but the dry/winter season, between May and October, is generally the most popular time to visit the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days. This is when the nights are cooler and there are often wild flowers in bloom along the Inca Trail, its usually full sunny days allowing you to enjoy this royal Inca trail a lot, November and December are the beginning of the rainy season and January to mid -April is the middle or rainy season, it usually rains a lot, make sure you bring good rain gear.

Included

Briefing the night before of the tour at 6pm
Experienced english speaking tour guide
Expeditions tourist class train
Meals: 3 Lunch, 3 dinner, 4 breakfast, snack on the Trail
We take care any of your food restrictions, just le tus know at booking time.
Bus ticket Machu picchu Aguas Calientes.
Inca Trail and Machu picchu entry free
Fully guided tour.
Oxigen tang and first aid kid.
Private transportation to trailhead and back to Cusco on the last day.
Extra porter included, for that we provide you a duffle bag.
Taxes.

Excluded

Hotel before and after the tour.
Some meals on the tour.
Gratitudes: for the porters and guide.
Insurance: Advisible but not mandatory.
Rentals: for the Inca Trail you need sleeping bag (mandatory), airt matts and trekking poles (optional).

Itinerary

Day 1: Start the Classic Inca Trail Trek to Machu picchu.

Let the adventure begin! Today, your expert guide will collect you from your Cusco hotel at 4:30 am, marking the start of your unforgettable journey. We embark on a scenic 2-hour drive to Ollantaytambo, where we'll enjoy a nourishing breakfast. After this delightful meal, we continue our journey with an additional 40-minute drive to kilometer 82, the official starting point of the Inca Trail.

Before setting out on our trek, your guide will introduce you to our dedicated team, which includes our talented chef and porters. Together, we'll function as a close-knit family during this expedition. At this point, you'll hand over your duffle bag to our team, leaving you with only a daypack for the hike.

Once we arrive at the checkpoint, it's imperative to have your original passport ready, as the park rangers will verify your personal information. With the formalities complete, we step onto the historic Royal Path. Throughout the hike, you'll encounter an array of captivating elements, from diverse flora and fauna to ancient Inca sites. Your knowledgeable guide will provide fascinating insights into each of these along the way.

Our pace will be leisurely, with frequent breaks for snacks, photos, and to appreciate the scenery. We have the entire day to progress slowly and steadily. Lunch is served around 1 pm, providing sustenance for the journey ahead. After lunch, we'll replenish your water bottles with clean water.

As we approach our final campsite, Huayllabamba, located at an elevation of 3,350 meters (equivalent to Cusco city's elevation), our support team will have your tents ready for a well-deserved rest. They'll also offer warm water in small containers for you to freshen up, along with a small towel and soap. Following this, you'll have some downtime for tea before dinner, which is typically served around 7:30 pm. This marks the commencement of your incredible Inca Trail adventure.

Acomodation. Camping
Tickets: Included
Meals: breakfast – lunch - dinner

Day 2: Hike the challenge day of the Inca Trail

Day two of your incredible Inca Trail adventure begins with a gentle wake-up call at 5:30 am, as our attentive team delivers a steaming cup of revitalizing coca tea to your tent. This invigorating beverage, renowned for alleviating altitude discomfort, will help prepare you for the day ahead.

You'll have ample time to prepare your daypack and duffle bag before breakfast is served. Additionally, we provide snacks and water to ensure you're well-fueled for the journey. At 7:30 am, we commence our hike, embarking on a path that gradually ascends without any strenuous climbing. This portion of the trail takes us through a captivating valley where you'll have the opportunity to observe ancient trees, including Queñas and Uncas, which are indigenous to this unique ecosystem.

Our journey continues as we enter the Highland forest, characterized by its distinct vegetation, making this area truly distinctive. After approximately four hours of hiking, we'll arrive at Llulluchapampa, where our skilled chef will have a delectable lunch prepared, offering a well-deserved break.

Following lunch, we'll encounter an exhilarating two-hour uphill stretch, eventually leading us to the trail's highest point, known as Dead Woman's Pass, standing at an impressive elevation of 4,200 meters. At this vantage point, you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring panoramic views in every direction, providing the perfect opportunity to capture some of your most memorable photographs.

After savoring this breathtaking experience, our path takes a gentle descent to our campsite at Pacaymayu Alto, situated at an elevation of 3,650 meters. Upon arrival, your tent will be set up and ready for your comfort. A delightful 'happy hour' featuring hot beverages precedes dinner, which is typically served around 7 pm. Given the day's physical demands, it's common for everyone to retire early, usually falling asleep by 8.30 pm.

Accomodation. Camping
Tickets. Include
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – dinner

Day 3: The Amaizng day of Inca Trail (Cloud forest área).

The third day of our Inca Trail adventure is a true testament to the diversity of ecosystems encountered along the journey. It's a day that many consider unique and unforgettable, as nature generously bestows us with an extraordinary display of flora, predominantly orchids. In this region alone, there are approximately 135 distinct types of orchids, and you'll have the privilege of encountering many of them during your trek. Where there are blossoms, you'll also find hummingbirds and various other bird species, enhancing the natural beauty that surrounds us.

Our day commences with an early breakfast, providing the sustenance needed for the day's explorations. We embark on our hike, which begins with a challenging two-hour ascent. Halfway along the ascent, we'll come across Runcuracay, a small yet historically significant Inca site. Here, we'll take a break to explore, and our guide will provide you with informative insights into its history.

Following this, we continue our journey for an additional hour until we reach the second highest point of the trek—the summit. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to panoramic views that are nothing short of breathtaking. After relishing this awe-inspiring experience, our path leads us downhill for approximately one and a half hours, ultimately bringing us to the captivating Inca site of Sayacmarka. This site is often considered the most beautiful on the third day's itinerary, and we'll take our time to explore its intriguing features.

As we venture deeper into the lush jungle terrain, the climate becomes warmer, and the surroundings take on a different character. Be prepared for occasional encounters with mosquitoes in this section. We'll pause for a nourishing lunch to replenish our energy levels.

Continuing our trek, we'll embark on a two-hour journey that leads us to Phuyupatamarca. From this elevated point, we'll enjoy breathtaking vistas of Machu Picchu Mountain and the town of Aguas Calientes. It's a clear indication that we're nearing the renowned 'Lost City of the Incas.' The remainder of the trail consists of numerous stairs, which can be challenging. Trekking poles prove invaluable in these sections and significantly aid in your progress. The descent to our final campsite at Wiñayhuayna, situated at an altitude of 2,650 meters, takes approximately three and a half hours. Here, we'll spend our last night camping before our grand arrival at Machu Picchu.

Accomodation. Camping
Tickets. Include
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – dinner

Day 04: Machu Picchu Citadel and back to Cusco.

Today marks the pinnacle of our journey, as the legendary Machu Picchu lies ahead, beckoning with its timeless allure. Prepare for an early rise at 3:30 am, a tradition shared by all groups embarking on this extraordinary experience. Breakfast is served promptly at 4 am, and by 5:30 am, we'll be at the checkpoint, eagerly awaiting our momentous entry.

The journey commences with a one-hour trek to the renowned Sun Gate, an exclusive privilege reserved for Inca Trail trekkers. As we arrive at 6:30 am, we witness the captivating sunrise over Machu Picchu—an enchanting spectacle that defies description. This moment is truly unique, setting the stage for the grandeur that awaits us. Capture these indelible memories in photographs and immerse yourself in the magic.

From here, we continue our descent for approximately 40 minutes, leading us to the illustrious Machu Picchu citadel. This is where you'll have the opportunity to capture the most iconic postcard-worthy photographs. Our knowledgeable guide will accompany you on a comprehensive Machu Picchu guided tour, offering captivating insights into its history, significance, and the mysteries that shroud it. This immersive experience lasts approximately three hours, during which you'll explore the citadel's most significant sites.

Upon completing your tour of Machu Picchu, you may choose to bid farewell to this remarkable site, or, if you've secured tickets for Huayna Picchu (an option that requires advance booking at the time of your reservation), you can embark on a challenging yet rewarding hike up this majestic mountain. The ascent and descent typically take about two hours, and only a limited number of tickets are available daily.

After your memorable Machu Picchu adventure, you'll descend to Aguas Calientes town via a comfortable bus ride, where you'll savor your last group lunch (please note that this meal is not included). Following lunch, you'll board the afternoon train, with a usual departure time of 3 pm from Aguas Calientes. The train will transport you to Ollantaytambo, where our dedicated driver will be patiently awaiting your return. From Ollantaytambo, we'll transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco, with an estimated arrival time of around 7:30 pm.

Accommodation: book on your own
Tickets. Includes
Meals: only breakfast