4-Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Group Hiking Tour
Highlights
Experience the famous Inca Trail for four incredible days, culminating in a magical sighting of Machu Picchu at the Sun Gate
Visit awe-inspiring Inca ruins, journey through lush cloud forests, and traverse Andean mountain passes
Enjoy the support of Alpaca Expeditions, ensuring a stress-free journey with top-notch equipment
Discover a trek that combines history, beauty, and adventure for an unforgettable journey
Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Wiñay Wayna, Machu Picchu
Locations Covered
Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Wiñay Wayna, Machu Picchu
nature, trekking, cultural
Group Tour
4 Days
Medium
English, Spanish
Description
Experience the renowned Inca Trail over four incredible days, culminating in your first magical sighting of Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. This itinerary perfectly combines history and beauty, featuring visits to stunning Inca ruins, lush green cloud forests, and Andean mountain passes. Alpaca Expeditions ensures a stress-free journey by providing all essentials, from securing the best campsites and serving delicious meals to surrounding you with a dedicated team. Our motto is "the journey is the destination," and we promise that this will be your best journey yet.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Cusco - Piskacucho Km 82 - Llactapata- Ayapata
- Alpaca Expeditions will pick you up from wherever you are staying in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo.
- Pick-up from Cusco will be from 4 to 4:30 AM, from Urubamba from 5:30 to 6 AM, and if you stay in Ollantaytambo, you get to sleep in a bit with your pick-up from 6:30 to 7 AM. These times will be confirmed at your briefing, as they might fluctuate based on where you are staying.
- We will take you to the Porter House which is located in Ollantaytambo after a delicious breakfast prepared by your cook, your guide will introduce you to your team of porters.
- We will then drive to Km 82, we’ll go through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek.
- Please make sure you have your original passport with you to enter the Inca Trail. The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site. Patallacta is an ancient Inca checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu.
- From Patallacta it’s another 2-hour hike to our lunch stop.
- After lunch, we will hike for another 2½ hours until we reach the first night’s campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters).
- On this last stretch, we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drink, snacks, or essential items you may have forgotten such as batteries you can do so here.
- We’ll arrive at our campsite by 5:00 PM.
- After settling in for a bit, you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chefs, and guides.
- By 7:30 PM, your dinner will be ready, and after you can get some well-deserved rest.
Walking distance:
8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours)
Campsite altitude:
3300 meters (high) above sea level
Considered:
Moderate day (getting used to the Inca Trail)
Weather:
Warm and windy
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Day 2: Dead Woman´s Pass - Runcuraccay Pass - Chaquiccocha
- Your porters will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day.
- We will have an early start since it will be our longest day.
- We’ll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 meters/13829 feet).
- On reaching the pass, we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River).
- It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot, where you will have a chance to refill your water bottles.
- After lunch, we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek.
- It’s 2 hours over the pass where we will stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley.
- After the second pass, it’s another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village).
- We’ll stop here to rest and have a quick tour.
- Afterward, we will be able to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range.
- It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters).
- After dinner, if you’re not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing, and we’ll point out the fascinating Inca constellations.
- In the magnificent Southern Hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold!
Walking distance:
9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
Campsite altitude:
3600 meters (high) above sea level (chilly weather)
Considered:
Top day (you will have survived the two highest passes)
Area:
Andes and Cloud Forest
Weather:
Cold and rainy
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Day 3: Chaquiccocha - Wiñaywayna
- Completing Day 2 and beginning Day 3 certainly deserves a pat on the back!
- We will start early again, waking up at 6:30 am to begin what is commonly felt to be the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail.
- We hike for 2 hours along what we like to call “Inca flat” (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest.
- As we walk, we will have the opportunity to see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range.
- Towards the end of the Inca flats, we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River.
- Down the valley, we get our first view of Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself is still hidden.
- From Phuyupatamarka it´s a 3-hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of its proximity to Machu Picchu.
- During the descent, we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun).
- We arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM to have lunch.
- Then we will relax so that you are ready for your final day at Machu Picchu.
- At around 4:30 PM your guide will give you a short orientation, and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half there.
- Your guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek.
- This way you will be fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day.
- We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs.
- It’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again. This is to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them then you can do so at this time).
- It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn in the hopes that the weather will give us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins at Machu Picchu.
Walking distance:
6.2 miles/10km (5 hours)
Campsite altitude:
2.600 meters (high) above sea level (chilly weather)
Considered:
Easy day - all downhill!
Area:
High Cloud Forest
Weather:
Warm and very humid
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Day 4: Sun Gate - Machu Picchu - The Lost City Of The Incas
- Wake up time is at 3:30 AM.
- We’ll eat breakfast at 4:00 AM and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking when they open the gates at 5:30 AM.
- We’ll wave goodbye to our team of porters and chefs and then it’s “Forward On” to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
- From here we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory.
- We will reach the Sun Gate by 6:30 am, and then it’s just an hour trek down to reach the Lost City of the Incas.
- As we hike and get closer to Machu Picchu, the views of the city get better!
- At about 7:40 AM we’ll reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hours private guided tour.
- After the tour, you’ll be given your bus tickets to make your way down to Aguas Calientes, and you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the city on your own or climb one of the neighboring mountains – Huaynapicchu (must be arranged ahead of time).
- Your guide will offer to meet you down in the village of Aguas Calientes to enjoy your last lunch in a local restaurant.
- This is optional and not included.
- At lunch, your guide will hand out train tickets, so if you choose to skip, please arrange to get these before leaving him at Machu Picchu.
- Unless you arranged for an upgraded train, we will book the Expedition class train departing Aguas Calientes at 2:55 p.m. or 3:20 p.m.
- Please make sure you are on the platform at least 30 minutes ahead of time.
- This will be a 2-hour train to Ollantaytambo, where an Alpaca driver will meet you and drive you back to the city on our bus, then drop you off at your hotel.
Considered:
The most exciting and magical day (early wake up 3.30 AM)
Area:
High Cloud and Subtropical Forest
Weather:
Hot and very humid (bring lots of water)
What's Included
Professional guides fluent in English and trained in tourism
Permits and Machu Picchu entrance
Pre-trek briefing and duffel bag
Personal porter for belongings
Trekking chef and meals catering to dietary needs
Water provided from the first lunch
High-quality camping equipment
Hotel transfers and train service
Guides equipped with first-aid kits and satellite phones
Ethical treatment of porters and responsible tourism practices
What's Excluded
Rentals for sleeping bags, air mattresses, and walking sticks
Huayna Picchu entrance fee
Optional lunch in Aguas Calientes
Tips for guides and porters
Know Before You Go
Know Before You Go: Classic 4-Day Inca Trail TourPhysical Preparation
The Inca Trail is a physically demanding trek that requires good fitness. Daily hikes range from 6 to 9 hours, and you will reach altitudes of up to 4,215 meters (13,828 feet) at Dead Woman’s Pass.
We recommend training beforehand with regular cardio exercises, hiking, or long walks with a weighted backpack to prepare for the trek.
The trail includes steep inclines, uneven stone steps, and varying weather conditions, so mental and physical readiness is essential.
Acclimatization
Cusco is located at 3,400 meters (11,155 feet) above sea level, and altitude sickness can affect anyone. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2–3 days before your trek to properly acclimatize.
Stay hydrated, eat light meals, and avoid alcohol to help with altitude adjustment. If needed, consult a doctor about altitude medication.
Permits and Booking
Permits for the Inca Trail are strictly limited and must be booked several months in advance. They are non-refundable and non-transferable, as they are issued in your name for a specific date.
Ensure your passport details are accurate when booking. If you renew your passport before the trek, bring both the old and new passports.
Packing Essentials
Duffel Bag: A 7kg/14lb limit applies for the duffel bag carried by your personal porter. This includes your sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
Daypack: You will carry your own daypack with essentials like water, snacks, sunscreen, and personal items.
Clothing: Layered clothing is key for varying temperatures. Bring moisture-wicking shirts, warm layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable hiking pants.
Footwear: Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots with good grip are essential. Bring extra socks and blister prevention supplies.
Sleeping Bag: A sleeping bag rated for sub-freezing temperatures is required. Rentals are available if needed.
Other Essentials: Sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, gloves, trekking poles (optional but recommended), reusable water bottles or a hydration bladder (3 liters capacity), and toiletries.
Trail Highlights
The Inca Trail includes stunning archeological sites such as Wiñay Wayna and Phuyupatamarca. Your guide will share historical and cultural insights along the way.
The highlight of the trek is entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at sunrise, offering breathtaking views of the citadel.
Weather Conditions
The weather on the trail can vary greatly. Expect sunny mornings, rainy afternoons, and cold nights. The dry season runs from May to September, and the rainy season is from November to March.
Rain ponchos and waterproof covers are provided for your comfort.
Meals and Dietary Restrictions
All meals on the trek are prepared by our professional trekking chefs. Expect hearty, nutritious meals with fresh ingredients to keep you energized.
Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.) are fully accommodated—please inform us in advance.
Health and Safety
All guides are trained in first aid and carry first-aid kits and oxygen tanks. Satellite phones are available for emergencies.
Stay hydrated and pace yourself to avoid overexertion.
Camping and Facilities
Tents are provided for double occupancy (single tents are available for an additional fee). Foam sleeping pads and pillows are included.
Campsites have basic restroom facilities, but conditions are rustic. Hand sanitizer and toilet paper are essential.
Transportation and Logistics
We provide hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cusco.
Your return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus transfer to Cusco are included.
Cultural Respect
The Inca Trail is a sacred path with cultural and spiritual significance. Respect the environment, archeological sites, and local communities. Leave no trace by disposing of waste responsibly.
Tips for Porters and Guides
Tipping is not mandatory but is greatly appreciated by the hardworking team. Tips are usually given as a group contribution on the final day of the trek.
This guide ensures you are well-prepared for an unforgettable adventure on the iconic Inca Trail! Let me know if you'd like this tailored further.
Professional Guides:All of our guides studied English and tourism at Cusco National University. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. They are fun yet professional, and will ensure you are safe and happy.
Permits and Machu Picchu:In order to hike the Inca Trail, you must have a permit to enter the trail. This can only be obtained by licensed Inca Trail tour operators, like Alpaca Expeditions. As soon as we receive your details and deposit we will purchase your permits. These permits are given for a specific date and in your name. They can’t be changed, once they are confirmed. The only thing that can be updated is your passport number. The permit includes entrance to Machu Picchu.
Briefing:The night before your trek, you will have a trek briefing at our office with your guide and other trekkers in your group. At the briefing, you will receive your duffel bag, that will be with the porters while you hike. This bag should not exceed 7kg/14 lbs and needs to include your sleeping bag and air mattress, if you have chosen to rent or bring one. Remember, layering your clothes is key.
A Porter for your Personal Belongings:We include a personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this. You will not have access to your duffel bag until your evening campsite. The duffel should not exceed 7kg which will include 4kg of clothes, 3 kg for your sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
Green Machine Porters: The men and women that make up our porter team are the most loyal, hardest working on the planet. They make magic happen, always with a smile and a helpful hand. They are responsible for carrying all the camping equipment and food, setting up and breaking down each campsite, assist the chef with all food preparation. By law, they can carry up to 20 kg max, which is a rule we take very seriously. For example, with a group of 8 trekkers there will be 15 porters.
Trekking Chef and Food: Our Porters are not the only ones making magic on the mountain. There is nothing comparable to what the Alpaca Expeditions chefs do on the mountainside. They will make prepare amazing meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, often starting with a nutritious soup and mostly serving family style. There will always be a protein, salad, assorted sides, and even amazing desserts. They will cater to all food restrictions and make sure everyone has enough to make it up the mountain. Please make sure that your Alpaca Expeditions booking agent knows of any food restrictions at time of booking.
Water: Water is the key to feeling good on the trek. Hydration helps battle any effects of the altitude, so be prepared with something that can hold at least 3 liters of water. We will provide water at each meal – boiling it, filtering it and then cooling it down to make sure all water is clean and ready to drink.
Water will not be provided until your first lunch when our porters will have the ability to prepare clean water. Please bring enough water for your first morning on the trail.
Equipment: Alpaca Expeditions uses the best equipment on the market including Eureka Timberline 4 person tents shared by only 2. Single tents are available ($30US). We have large dining tents for clients to enjoy their meals. Every client will receive a pillow for sleeping and foam sleeping pad to insulate you from the cold ground. All dining equipment including chairs and dishes are provided.
Hotel to Hotel Service: You will be picked up from your hotel the morning of your trek and driven to KM 82 in our comfortable, Alpaca Expeditions van. After the trek, we will drive you from the train station back to your hotel or Air BNB.
Transportation and Train Service: All your logistics are included in this trek including the bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes as well as your tourist class train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. This is a 2 hour trip and it will be another 2 hours by car back to Cusco. If you wish to upgrade to the Vistadome train, a train with larger windows and more comfortable seats, it will cost $75 per person.
First Aid:Your safety is our number one concern. All our guides are trained and re-trained every February by a medical doctor. They all carry first-aid kits and full oxygen tanks. If needed, we will get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible to be taken directly to a clinic for treatment. While these situations are rare, we prepare for them.
Satellite Phones: While our guides can handle most first aid issues that happen on the trek, there are some that need a bit more attention. Every guide has a fully charged satellite phone with them when they leave for a trek. Being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured that they are safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach, so Alpaca Expeditions includes this feature to make sure that we can connect no matter where we are on the mountain. And they can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they are not cheap to use, they are available just in case you need to check in on the puppy you left at home with grandma.
Extras: We believe it´s the attention to small details that separates us from other tour companies. As we wrote earlier, every trekker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mattress for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking, and a rain poncho. We provide hot water bins each day to help our clients clean and feel good at night. We enjoy happy hour each evening to relax and unwind and discuss the days events. We will work very hard to create your best vacation.
Taxes and Fees: All taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in our price. There are no hidden fees.
The Alpaca Difference: While the below list is less tangible, its equally important and part of everything we do and include at Alpaca Expeditions.
Ethical and Responsible Treatment to our Porters: Most people would not be able to handle the challenges of these treks if it wasn’t for the porters helping with all the lifting, preparing and cheering. They are the backbone of our company and the reason why Raul Ccolque created Alpaca Expeditions to begin with. He began in this industry as a porter and understands their needs better than anyone. We are dedicated and promise a better life to every member of our Green Machine. This includes better salaries that they can live from so they do not need to beg for tips to make ends meet. This is our job. We provide all their gear including warm, down jackets, proper hiking boots, backpacks, hats, headlamps, sleeping bags and pads and tents for them. We have a Porters House for our porters to sleep in the night before and after their trek since they often travel far from home. We include a medical doctor to work Monday through Friday at the Porters House to tend to our team and make sure they feel good and are looked after. And we support their families with helping their village schools, bringing doctors and dentists to visit with the families, planting trees in their valleys. We are committed to our social projects and it is appreciated by the more than 300 porters on our team.
Porters Trip: We love meeting all our clients, but our favorite trips are when our porters and their families become our clients. While our porters hike to Machu Picchu dozens of times per year, they never make it inside our famous citadel. We take 4 trips a year to bring our team inside and spend two days travelling around the important ruins and letting them touch and see the history of their ancestors.
Equality Matters: Another big difference is that we believe that we are all equal and every person contributes something different and beautiful to our team. We have always had female guides and have had female porters and chefs on our team since 2017. While the number are not equal yet, we are hoping for the day when we have 50/50 men and women working on the mountains as part of the Alpaca Expeditions team.
Sustainable and Responsible Tour Operator: Alpaca Expeditions is far ahead of our competitors on being a sustainable tour operator. We honor our planet by making sure there is no trace behind on any of our treks. We even include an extra porter to make sure they help clean the trash left from other groups. We use local products that are biodegradable and organic whenever possible.
DAY BY DAY INCLUSIONS
DAY 1.- CUSCO – KM82 – AYAPATA
Briefing at our office the night before of your hike to provide the duffle bags
Pick up from your hotel to begin the hike
Storage if you have extra luggage
Breakfast on the first day
Drive to Km 82 in our AE bus
Porters bus to transport Porters
Entrance ticket to the Inca trail
Porters in general to carry your camping stuff
We will carry 7km/14pound of personal porter.
Snack for hiking
Lunch which will have appetizer, main course and hot drinks
Happy Hour with hot drinks
Tents to stay tonight for two people with from pads
DAY 2.- AYAPATA – DEAD WOMENS PASS- RUNKURACCAY PASS – CHAQUICCOCHA
Wake up coca tea in your tent
Breakfast to begin the hike
Snack for during the hike
Complete lunch with soup, main course, and hot drinks
Drinking water in the morning, Lunch time and dinner time
Happy hour with hot drinks upon your arrival to the campsite
Dinner
DAY 3.- CHAQUICCOCHA – PHUYUPATAMARCA PASS – WIÑAYWAYNA
Morning wake up hot drinks
Breakfast
Snack
Drinking water
7kg of your clothes is carried by our team
Lunch Happy hour
Visit the Inca sites
Happy Hour
Dinner
DAY 4.- MACHUPICCHU THE SACRED CITY OF THE INCAS
Early breakfast
Snack
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel
Bus ticket from Machu Picchu citadel to Agaus Calientes
Expedition class train with great views
AE bus transfer back to your hotel in Cusco
Rentals
Every trekker needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent:
Sleeping Bag: $25
Inflatable Air Mattress: $20
Walking Sticks (Pair): $20
Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.
What To Bring
Packing List
ESSENTIALS
Passport
Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
FOR YOUR DUFFEL
Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.
2-3 wicking t-shirts
2-3 hiking pants
4 sets of undergarments.
4 sets of hiking socks
1 Fleece
1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
1 Rain jacket and pants
1 sun hat
1 wool hat
Headlamp: essential
Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)oComfortable shoes for camp
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least
TOILETRIES
Sunscreen
Face moisturizer
Bug spray
Handsanitizer
Wet wipes
Toothbrush and paste
Toiletpaper
Personal medication
First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25L will not be allowed in. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside citadel gates. But don´t worry, they have a secure storage facility.
Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
Sunhat
Rain gear
Fleece
Camera
Music (IPhone)
Handsanitizer
Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
Earplugs
Meeting Point
Cusco, Perú
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
| Adult | |
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| 1 to 15 | /person |
| Child | |
| 1 to 15 | /person |
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This is a group tour |
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/person