The Classic Inca Trail 4 days is the most famous way to reach Machu Picchu. You’ll hike along real Inca stone paths, climb high Andean passes, and walk into the cloud forest to visit beautiful ruins like Wiñay Wayna. The best moment comes at the end—entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) and seeing the citadel for the very first time.
With Ultimate Trekking, you’ll hike in a small group with an expert local guide and a full support team. Your personal porter carries up to 7 kg, we provide quality camping gear, and our chef prepares fresh meals on the trail—so you can enjoy every step while we take care of permits and logistics. The itinerary is well paced and easy to follow, and you can add optional upgrades like Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets, train class, and gear rentals for extra comfort.
Trek details
Highlights:
- Arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for an unforgettable first view
- Visit the best Inca sites on the trail: Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, and Wiñay Wayna
- Small-group trekking with a professional local guide and a strong support team
- Personal porter included (up to 7 kg), so you hike with a lighter daypack
- Comfortable camping setup with quality tents and thick sleeping mats for better rest
- Fresh, hearty meals cooked on the trail by our mountain chef, plus snacks and tea time
- Return in comfort on the Vistadome panoramic train
Inca Trail Overview:
Day 1: Cusco - Inca Trail - Ayapata
- 4:30 AM Pick up and travel to Ollantaytambo for breakfast
- Drive to Km 82, then hike for 6 hours
- Visit Patallacta, Willkarakay, and local villages
- Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Tea time, Dinner
- Distance: 13.5 km / 8 miles
- Campsite Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Day 2: Ayapata - Dead Woman's Pass - Chaquicocha
- Hike for 10 hours to the Chaquicocha campsite
- Conquer Dead Woman's and Runkuraqay Pass
- Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Tea time, Dinner
- Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Difficulty: Challenging
Day 3: Chaquicocha - Phuyupatamarca - Wiñaywayna
- Hike: 6 hours to Wiñaywayna campsite
Visit: Inca sites of Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, and Wiñaywayna - Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, Tea time, and Dinner
- Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
- Campsite: Wiñaywayna (2,600 m / 8,530 ft)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Day 4: Wiñaywayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
- Hike: 2 hours to Sun Gate and Machu Picchu
- Explore: Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Return: Panoramic Vistadome Train to Cusco
- Meals: Breakfast
- Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
- Final Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
Around 4:30 AM, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and drive toward Km 82, the start of the Classic Inca Trail. On the way, we’ll stop in Ollantaytambo for a warm breakfast at a local spot, with beautiful morning views of the Sacred Valley. After breakfast, we continue to Piscacucho (Km 82), where you’ll meet the trekking team and get ready to begin.
At about 8:00 AM, we’ll pass the checkpoint and start hiking—so keep your passport handy. The first part of the trail is a gentle walk, perfect for finding your rhythm. After around two hours, we reach Patallacta, an impressive Inca site with wide views over the valley. Your guide will bring the ruins to life with stories about how the Incas lived and traveled through these mountains.
After visiting Patallacta and the viewpoint at Wilkarakay, we continue for about two more hours to Hatunchaca, where our chef will be waiting with a fresh lunch made from local ingredients. It’s a great moment to rest, refuel, and enjoy the scenery before the afternoon hike.
After lunch, we hike for about two hours to Ayapata campsite at 3,300 m / 10,826 ft. We aim to arrive around 5:00 PM, giving you time to settle in, relax, and take in the mountain views. Then comes one of the best parts of camp—tea time and a hot dinner. You’ll sleep well tonight, ready for the big challenge of Day 2.
- Campsite Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- Distance: 13.5 km / 8 miles
- Duration: 8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Tea Time, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
We’ll wake you up early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea to help you start strong—today is the most challenging day of the trek. After breakfast, we begin the steady climb up to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,214 m / 13,828 ft. It’s a tough hike, but your guide will keep a good pace with plenty of breaks, and the mountain views along the way are absolutely worth it.
At the top, take a deep breath and enjoy the moment—you did it. Then we descend for about two hours into the quiet Pacaymayu Valley, where our chef will be waiting with a well-earned lunch. After a good rest, we start hiking again, climbing to the second high point of the day, Runkuraqay Pass at 4,000 m / 13,123 ft.
In the afternoon, we continue toward Chaquicocha, our campsite for the night. On the way, we’ll visit impressive Inca ruins like Runkuraqay and Sayacmarca, and your guide will share the stories behind these places—why they were built, and what they meant to the Incas.
Chaquicocha sits at 3,600 m / 11,811 ft with wide views over the mountains and a beautiful sunset over the Vilcabamba range. After tea time and dinner, if the sky is clear, step outside your tent for one of the best parts of this campsite: quiet skies full of stars.
- Campsite Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Duration: 10 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Tea Time, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Challenging
Day three is a favorite for many hikers. It’s a more relaxed day on the trail, with about five hours of hiking as we move through changing landscapes and into the cloud forest. Along the way, you’ll enjoy big views of the mountains, and on a clear day, you may even spot the snowcapped Salkantay Peak shining in the distance. We’ll also visit Phuyupatamarca, a stunning Inca site high in the Andes at 3,600 m / 11,811 ft.
After exploring Phuyupatamarca, the trail drops from the high Andes into the green cloud forest. Soon we reach the beautiful terraces of Intipata, where you can look out over the Urubamba Valley and learn how the Incas farmed these steep mountainsides.
We arrive at Wiñay Wayna around 1:00 PM, just in time for lunch and a good rest. The afternoon is yours to enjoy—take a cool shower, relax at camp, or walk with your guide to explore the nearby Inca ruins, with terraces, shrines, and ancient homes built right into the hillside.
Later, we gather for our last tea time on the trail—a perfect moment to slow down, share stories, and feel the excitement building for Machu Picchu the next morning. After dinner, we’ll enjoy a small farewell surprise from the team, then head to bed early so you’re rested and ready for the big day.
- Campsite Altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
- Highest Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Tea Time, Dinner
- Campsite: Wiñaywayna (2,600 m / 8,530 ft)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Today is the day you’ve been waiting for—we arrive at Machu Picchu, the famous Lost City of the Incas. We’ll wake up early, enjoy breakfast, and head straight to the gate. When it opens at 5:30 AM, we begin the climb to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). It takes about an hour, and the reward is incredible: your first wide view of Machu Picchu from above. If the weather is clear, you may even catch the soft morning light over the citadel.
After taking time at the Sun Gate, we continue for about another hour down toward the main viewpoint. The views keep changing as you descend, and each one gets better. When we reach the classic lookout, you’ll have time to take that unforgettable photo you’ve seen so many times—only now you’re really there.
Next, we go to the main checkpoint to enter Machu Picchu and explore the central area with your guide. You’ll walk through the terraces and visit key places like the Temple of the Sun, the King’s Palace, and other important buildings and sacred spaces. After the guided tour, you’ll have free time to keep exploring on your own. If you booked in advance, you can also add an extra hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain for even more adventure and views.
After your visit, we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Then it’s time to relax and enjoy the ride back: the Vistadome panoramic train to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private van to Cusco. You’ll arrive back at your hotel at around 7:30 PM.
- Final Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft (Machu Picchu)
- Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
- Hike Duration: 2 hours
- Guided Tour of Machu Picchu: 2-3 hours
- Meals: Breakfast
- Difficulty: Moderate
Included
- Pre-departure briefing
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
- Complimentary luggage storage
- All transfers are included during the 4-day tour
- Inca Trail permits
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Duffle bag (up to 7 kg / 15 lb) for your personal items
- Personal porter to carry your duffle bag (max 7 kg / 15 lb)
- Porters to carry food and group equipment
- Trekking chef to prepare your meals
- Professional tour guide
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Panoramic train return (Vistadome or 360°)
- 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners
- Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options (available on request)
- Camping equipment (tents, dining tent, tables, chairs, pillows)
- First aid kit, oxygen tank, and satellite phones
Not Included
- Huayna Picchu Mountain (optional add-on)
- Sleeping bag, trekking poles, and air mattress (available to rent)
- Lunch on the last day
- Travel insurance
Important to know about this tour
- Inca Trail permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All bookings require manual confirmation.
- Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary requirements are available on request.
What will I see on the Classic Inca Trail (4 days)?
You’ll see a little bit of everything: wide mountain valleys, high passes, and then the green cloud forest as you get closer to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll visit some of the best Inca sites on the route, including Patallacta, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, and Wiñay Wayna. Every day feels different, and the grand finale is walking to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for your first unforgettable view of Machu Picchu.
How hard is the 4-day Inca Trail? Do I need to be super fit?
The Classic Inca Trail is moderate to challenging. It’s not technical (no climbing), but there are lots of stone steps, long walking days, and high altitude. Day 2 is usually the hardest because you hike up to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,214 m / 13,829 ft). You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be active and comfortable hiking for several hours. The best prep is walking, hiking, and doing stairs for a few weeks before your trip—plus arriving in Cusco early to acclimatize.
Do I need a guide, and how big are your groups?
Yes. The Inca Trail must be done with an authorized guide and permitted team. With Ultimate Trekking, you hike with a professional local guide who sets a steady pace, shares the history behind the ruins, and supports you throughout the trek. We run small groups (8 to 16) so you get personal attention and a better experience on the trail. Prefer something more private? You can also request a private service for your family or friends (subject to permit availability).
When is the best time of year to hike the Inca Trail?
The most popular months are during the drier season, usually April to October, with peak demand from May to September. You’ll get clearer skies more often, but nights can be cold at camp. The rainy season is typically from November to March, so you’ll want stronger rain gear and a flexible mindset. The Inca Trail is usually closed in February for maintenance, so plan around that if you’re traveling in the early part of the year.
When should I book, and why do Inca Trail permits sell out?
Inca Trail permits are limited to 500 each day (and the total includes trekkers plus staff), so the best dates can sell out quickly—especially in peak season. We recommend booking months in advance if you have fixed travel dates. You’ll also need to provide your passport details, and you must bring your original passport on the trek because it’s checked at the trail entrance. Your booking is confirmed once we secure the permit and manually confirm everything with you.
How high is the trek, and how can I handle the altitude?
The highest point is Dead Woman’s Pass (4,214 m / 13,828 ft). At this altitude, it’s normal to feel more tired, breathe harder, and walk slower than usual. The best way to help your body is to arrive in Cusco 2–3 days early, drink plenty of water, sleep well, and avoid heavy drinking right away. On the trail, we take a steady pace with breaks. Our team also carries a first aid kit and oxygen for extra support if you need it.
What are the campsites and bathrooms like on the Inca Trail?
You’ll camp at official Inca Trail campsites along the route. They are simple but practical, with basic toilet facilities and set areas for tents. Your team sets up camp for you, and you’ll have time to rest, enjoy tea time, and sleep under the stars. Some campsites may have cold showers (Wiñay Wayna often does), but it depends on conditions. For extra comfort and hygiene, Ultimate Trekking provides a private portable toilet for our groups.
What should I pack, and how does the porter service work?
Pack light and bring layers. You’ll hike with a daypack, and your personal porter carries your duffle bag allowance (usually up to 7 kg / 15 lb). In your daypack, bring water, a rain jacket, a warm layer, sun protection, snacks, a camera/phone, and your passport. Good hiking boots and broken-in shoes make a big difference. If you don’t want to travel with everything, you can rent items like sleeping bags or trekking poles (if available) and keep your load simple.
What meals are included on the trek? Can you handle dietary needs?
Meals are prepared on the trail to keep you energized for hiking days. Expect hearty breakfasts, filling lunches, and warm dinners—plus snacks and tea time in the afternoon. Our trekking chef cooks with fresh ingredients and serves a good mix of local flavors and familiar meals. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements are available—just tell us in advance so we can plan properly. If you have allergies, let us know early so we can take extra care.
Can I add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes—both are great add-ons, but they require separate, limited tickets. Huayna Picchu is steeper and more adventurous, with dramatic views looking down over Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu Mountain is longer and higher, with a steady climb and wide panoramic views. Tickets can sell out, so the key is to request it early when you book your trek. If it’s available for your date, we’ll help you add it to your visit.
