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1 Day (Full Day)
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1 Day (Full Day)
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HALF DAY
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Half Day (4 hours)
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DESERT ADVENTURE
2 Hours
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3 Days / 2 Nights
The legendary route of the Incas: 45 km of stone paths, mountain passes, cloud forest and archaeological sites, arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
The classic 4-day Inca Trail is the most famous hike in South America and the only one that reaches Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), just as the Incas did. Over about 45 km you walk stone-paved paths built more than 500 years ago, cross mountain passes and orchid-filled cloud forests, and discover archaeological complexes you can only reach on foot: Patallacta, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna.
The Inca Trail is part of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and is managed by SERNANP and Peru’s Ministry of Culture. Access is limited to 500 people per day (including porters, cooks and guides), so booking several months in advance is essential. The trail closes every February for maintenance.
Each day has been carefully planned to optimize acclimatization and avoid peak tourist hours.
Pickup at 5:30 a.m. and a drive to Ollantaytambo and Km 82, where we pass the official permit checkpoint. We hike alongside the Urubamba River with views of snowcapped Verónica to the Patallacta viewpoint (2,750 m). We have lunch along the way and reach the Wayllabamba campsite (3,000 m) in time for dinner.
We climb for about 4 hours up Inca stone stairways through polylepis (queñua) forest to the Warmiwañusqa Pass (4,215 m), the highest point of the trek. After celebrating at the top, we descend for about 2.5 hours to the Pacaymayo campsite (3,600 m) for lunch and a well-earned rest.
The richest day for archaeology and scenery. We climb to the circular structure of Runkurakay and the second pass (3,950 m), visit the citadel of Sayacmarca, walk through an Inca tunnel and arrive at Phuyupatamarca, the “town above the clouds”, with its ceremonial fountains. We descend through the cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna, an impressive complex of agricultural terraces. Farewell dinner with our team of porters.
We wake up at 3:30 a.m. to reach the checkpoint and hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we get our first view of Machu Picchu. We descend to the citadel for the guided tour and free time. Then we head down to Aguas Calientes, take the train to Ollantaytambo and the bus back to Cusco.
Complement your journey with exclusive comfort experiences and panoramic summits.
Extra ticket for day 4 (subject to availability).
Carries up to 7 kg of your belongings for all 4 days.
High-altitude sleeping bag.
A pair of poles with rubber tips (mandatory on the Inca Trail).
Permits are limited and issued under each hiker’s name. We recommend booking 4 to 6 months ahead, and even earlier for May through August.
Day 2 has the steepest climb, up to 4,215 m, and day 3 is the longest (15 km). With good acclimatization both are completely manageable.
No. It closes every February for maintenance and conservation. During that month you can hike the Salkantay Trek or the Inca Jungle Trek instead.
No. The permit is issued in your name and linked to your passport, so you must send your correct details when booking.
The Inca Trail passes archaeological sites and arrives through the Sun Gate, but spots are limited. The Salkantay Trek offers more high-mountain scenery, fewer people and no advance permits.
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