Classic Inca Trail 4 Days 3 Nights

Short Overview of the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days

• Total Distance: 42 km (26 miles)
• Maximum Altitude: 4,215 m (13,828 ft) at Dead Woman’s Pass
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
• Best Time to Go: May – September (dry season)
• Permit Required? Yes (book 4-6 months in advance)
• Camping? Yes (tents are provided)
• Guide Required? Yes (must trek with an official tour operator)

Day by Day Overview

Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba

• Trek Distance: ~12 km (7.5 miles)
• Altitude: 2,720 m (8,923 ft)
• Highlights: Start at Km 82, cross the Urubamba River, pass the first Inca site Llactapata, and camp near Wayllabamba village.

Day 2: Wayllabamba – Dead Woman’s Pass – Pacaymayo

• Trek Distance: ~11 km (6.8 miles)
• Altitude: 4,215 m (13,828 ft) at Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass)
• Highlights: The hardest day! A steep climb leads to the highest point of the trail, followed by a descent into the Pacaymayo Valley for camping.

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Wiñay Wayna

• Trek Distance: ~16 km (10 miles)
• Altitude: 3,600 m (11,811 ft) at Runkurakay Pass
• Highlights: Visit several Inca ruins (Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca) and descend through cloud forests to Wiñay Wayna, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites.

Day 4: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

• Trek Distance: ~5 km (3 miles)
• Altitude: 2,430 m (7,972 ft) at Machu Picchu
• Highlights: Early morning hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for the first sunrise view of Machu Picchu, followed by a guided tour. Then, return to Cusco by train. Finish our inca trail 4 days.

01 Day: Cusco – KM 82 – Wayllabamba (or Ayapata)

We will pick you up from your hotel between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. and travel by bus to Piskacucho (kilometer 82), where the trail begins. We will make a brief stop in the town of Ollantaytambo for about 30 minutes for breakfast, restroom use, and any last-minute shopping before starting the hike. Upon arrival at kilometer 82, you will need to show your original passport (or your student ID if you are paying the student rate). To begin the trail (2720m / 8923ft).

We will cross the Urubamba River and follow the route to the right. The first day is relatively easy (a warm-up). Along the way, we’ll observe a variety of local flora and fauna, as well as different structures, the Inca fortress (‘Huillca Raccay’), the Inca city of Llactapata (officially called ‘Patallacta’), the Urubamba mountain range that divides the rainforest from the Andes, and the beautiful snow-capped mountain ‘W’akay Willca’ (5860m/19225ft), known in books as Veronica.

Our first campsite will be near the village of Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft) in the valley of the same name. The temperature at night is generally around 10°C.

02 Day: Wayllabamba – Dead Woman’s Pass – Pacaymayo

This day we will wake up early (6:00 a.m.) and after breakfast, we will begin a steep climb towards the highest point of this trip (Abra de Warmiwañusca / Dead Woman’s Pass – 4200 m / 13779 ft). Today we will climb 1200 m / 3936 ft, and it will be a real challenge! After a rest here, we will begin the descent to the Pacaymayo campsite (3550 m / 11646 ft).
On the way to the pass, we will see many hummingbirds and other birds. We will also have time to appreciate an incredible variety of endemic plants and trees, such as the Queuña tree (Polylepis), which grow in the stunning cloud forest located at 3650 m / 11972 ft! The temperature at this campsite is around 6°C at night.

03 Day: Pacaymayo – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna.

This is the most impressive day of the trip. We wake up for breakfast at 6:00 and begin the day with a climb to visit the archaeological site of Runkuracay and reach the second highest point of the trail (Runkurakay Pass – 4000 m/13123 ft). Here, we’ll have beautiful views of the mountains and surrounding area. Then, we’ll begin a descent from the pass towards the Inca archaeological site of Sayacmarca.

After this site, the route continues through a magnificent cloud forest, and we begin another ascent to the third highest point (3680 m/12073 ft). The scenery along this part of the route and the views from the third pass are exceptionally enchanting. Here we will visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (meaning ‘City of the Clouds’), located a short walk from the third pass. After visiting the site, we continue hiking down a steep slope through the cloud forest towards Inti Pata, an Inca agricultural site, and arrive at our campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2680m/8792 ft).
A short distance from this campsite is the Inca site of the same name, Wiñay Wayna (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are tired, after a short rest you can visit it, as it is a very beautiful place with lovely views.

04 Day: Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco.

On this last day, we will have an early breakfast (4:00 a.m.). Afterward, we will head to the checkpoint, which opens at 5:30 a.m. From there, we will begin our 1.5-hour hike toward Inti Punku (Sun Gate) (2730 m/8792 ft). From this point, you will have your first views of the city of Machu Picchu (2400 m/7873 ft) as well as the sunrise over it! After some time there, we will hike the final part of the trail to the spot where you can take the classic photo (postcard shot).

Finally, we will visit Machu Picchu. The guide will give you a guided tour (approximately 2 hours), and after this, you will have free time to explore the city further. If you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8923 ft). It takes 45 minutes to reach the summit. To return to Aguas Calientes, you have two options: walking or taking the bus (optional). There, you will meet your guide again for lunch and receive your train ticket back to Cusco. Finish our inca trail 4 days.

The train service is included in all tours (Expedition to Ollantaytambo) and the bus to Cusco.

*If you wish to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you must inform us in advance so we can arrange your hotel and adjust your return train service. The campsites mentioned in the program are for reference only, as they depend on the time and date of your reservation and the availability of the Ministry of Culture – Cusco.

The train service that includes all the tours (the Expedition to Ollanta) and bus to Cusco. * If you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes you have to tell us in advance to arrange your hotel and change the return train service.

CONDITIONS FOR THE MOUNTAIN MACHU PICCHU AND HUAYNA PICCHU.

Reservation & Booking Policies

OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:

NOT INCLUDED:

Note: Train schedules are subject to depending on Peru rail on schedule and availability changes. The train can be changed to Vista dome + 90 US (bigger than the expedition train windows) with an increase in price.

WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE:

OPTIONAL TO TAKE:

OPTIONAL SERVICES (NOT INCLUDED):

Inca Trail 4 Days Our Camping Equipment

Our camp, with a breathtaking view of the snow-capped Veronica mountain, is where you can connect your mind with nature. At this camp, you can enjoy all the comforts that nature offers.

• Meals: Lunch – tea – dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Maximum altitude: 3150 m
• Time: 5h approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

The second campsite, located in the middle of the mountains, very close to the Pacaymayo River, will offer panoramic views of the Vilcanota mountain range, and we can also enjoy the local vegetation.

• Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea – dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum altitude: 3620 m
• Time: 7h about
• Difficult: challenge

This last camp, very close to the Inca city of Machu Picchu, at an altitude of 2600m, offers unique views of the surrounding landscape and the Wiñaywayna archaeological complex.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Maximum height: 2.600.m
• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

IMPORTANT: Prices depend on the service you hire and the number of people. You have to be flexible with your travel dates (giving alternatives of 1 or 2 days on each side of the preferred date), the availability for specific dates can change quickly, since there are only 500 spaces on the Inca Trail per day.

Prices: Season 2026

Group Service

• U$. 750 Per Person (Group Service)
• U$: 870 Per Person ( Private Service)

Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?

• Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
• If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
• Minimum booking size is 02 people; one person may book a group trek if Salkantay Expeditions, is able to join that person with additional groups.

Discounts

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