Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 4 Days

It’s another early start as we wake around 5:30 a.m. Our cooks will prepare a hearty breakfast to get your energy levels up, and you’re going to need it. Day 2 on the classic Inca Trail is generally regarded as the toughest day, and we have a steep ascent ahead of us. We’ll be following the Inca Trail along a route that was sacred to the Incas, as it rises up into the Apus, where the mountain spirits dwell.

After a few hours, we will reach the highest pass on the trail, known as Abra de Warrmihuañusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, at an elevation of 4,200 m (13,779 ft). It’s a challenging trek to get up to this point, but we’ll be with you all the way, taking it one step at a time. The high altitude makes it even tougher, so don’t worry if you find yourself stopping every few steps – that’s perfectly normal (unless you’re one of our incredible porters, who make it look easy!). Once we make it to the pass, we’ll have a well-deserved rest and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery, and you can be justifiably proud to have made it to Dead Woman's Pass. After our rest, we will begin the descent to our lunch stop, located at Pacaymayu at 3,550 m (11,646 ft). On our way, you’ll be able to see lots of hummingbirds as they flit about, as well as other species of birds. The variety of native plants is all impressive here, and your guide will point out some species, such as the Polylepis, a native tree that only grows in the cloud forest at this particular altitude.

After lunch, we’ll set off on another steep ascent for about two hours. Our destination is the Runkurakay pass (4,000m), It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). where we will camp for the night. We should get there around 5 p.m., with plenty of time to set up our campsite before having dinner. Then it will be time for bed, your body tired but your mind exhilarated by the day’s achievements.

• Total trekking distance: 16 km / 9 hours approx.
• Highest altitude: 4,200 m (13,779 ft)
• Lowest Altitude: 3,300 m (10,829 ft)

After another energy-filled breakfast, we’ll set off on a relatively gentle uphill trek to our first stop of the day: the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, "The City Above the Clouds," located at around 3,680 m. This enchanting Inca ruin features terraced slopes and five small stone baths that contain constant fresh running water during the wet season. From here, we have incredible views of snow-capped peaks in the distance, including Salkantay and Veronica.

Heading on, we walk up and down a series of Inca steps – more than 1,000 in total! While not as physically difficult as the previous day’s trek, these steps put a lot of strain on the knees, especially going downhill, so take it slowly. Then we’ll pass through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Inca site of Intipata, which is one of the lesser-known ruins along the Inca Trail. But its agricultural terraces are very impressive, and we’ll have great views of them from parts of the trail.

We will continue on our way, heading to the third campsite at Wiñay Wayna, at 2,680 m (8,792 ft). After a total of 4 or 5 hours of trekking on Day 3, we will arrive at the campsite by lunchtime. We’ll have lunch and a rest, and then go on a short walk to explore the nearby Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”) archaeological site. This site has magnificent agricultural terraces as well as numerous Inca buildings displaying a high level of Inca masonry. There is also a series of 10 baths, which suggests that the site was once a religious center of water worship. Some archaeologists have surmised that travelers heading to Machu Picchu may have cleansed themselves here before heading on to the citadel.

We are now close to our final destination and the end of our trek. We’ll have dinner at the campsite and rest in advance of the next day and our arrival at Machu Picchu.

• Total trekking distance: 10 km / 5 hours approx.
• Highest altitude: 2,700 m (8,858 ft).
• Lowest point: 2680 m (8792 ft).

The Inca was the son of 'Inti' (The Sun) and only he was allowed to do this path since it was his way to glory among the Apus and to enjoy his royal house, Machu Picchu. Now you too have become part of Royalty or you feel like it since you have mixed with the Apus on this spiritual path. Thus, after completing the Inca Trail, things will no longer be the same. The total distance to travel is 5 km (about 2 hours). It's time to get up, have an early breakfast, and get back on track. On this early start, we have to reach 'Intipunku' ('Puerta del Sol') (2,730 m / 8,792 ft) before sunrise.
 You will get your first great view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft) with the sun rising over it.
 We will spend some time there taking an impressive tour of the ancient city. We will walk the last part of the way to a place where you can take a classic postcard photo of this Inca citadel. A moment that makes every step of the trail worthwhile. Depending on the weather, we’ll rest here for 15 to 30 minutes, soaking in the silence, the scenery, and the sense of awe that fills the air at sunrise.
From there, we begin our one-hour descent, walking in the footsteps of the Inca along Circuit 1-B, also called the Panoramic Terrace Route, which is the upper section of the archaeological site. This circuit leads us to the main viewpoint, the picture-perfect perch where travelers and trekkers can take their iconic postcard shot of Machu Picchu. Afterward, we will continue descending to Aguas Calientes, where a bus (included in the tour) awaits. Lunch will be in this town (not included), and your guide will provide your return train tickets to Cusco. Our car will be waiting at the train station to transfer you back you your Cusco hotel.

If you're not quite ready to say goodbye to this magnificent Inca Citadel, or if you would like to climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain / Machu Picchu Mountain,  you may re-enter Machu Picchu to do so. This option requires an additional Machu Picchu entrance ticket and is subject to availability through the Ministry of Culture.

• Total trekking distance: 5 km / 2 hours approx.
• Highest altitude: 2,730 m (8,792, ft).
• Lowest Altitude: 2400 m (7,873 ft).