Overview
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy a fully personalized Private Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
- Hike at your own pace with a dedicated private guide.
- Visit the most important archaeological sites along the Classic Inca Trail.
- Cross Dead Woman’s Pass and admire breathtaking Andean landscapes.
- Enter Machu Picchu through the exclusive Sun Gate.
- High-quality camping equipment and personalized service.
- Flexible itinerary designed around your travel style.
- Perfect for couples, families and private groups.
JOURNEY OVERVIEW
01
Cusco – Km 82 – Patallacta – Hatunchaca – AyapataTravel from Cusco to Km 82 and begin the Classic Inca Trail, visiting Patallacta before continuing through Hatunchaca to the first campsite at Ayapata.
02
Ayapata – Dead Woman’s Pass – Runkurakay – Sayacmarca – ChaquicochaCross Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point of the trek, before continuing through the second mountain pass and archaeological sites toward Chaquicocha.
03
Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Intipata – Wiñay WaynaFollow a scenic section through cloud forest and archaeological sites before reaching the final campsite and exploring Wiñay Wayna.
04
Wiñay Wayna – Inti Punku – Machu Picchu – CuscoComplete the final section of the Inca Trail through the Sun Gate, continue to Machu Picchu, and return through Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo.
Itinerary
Cusco – KM 82 – Hatunchaca – Ayapata
The Inca Trail trekking team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at around 5:00 a.m. From there, travel for about 2.5 hours to Km 82 (Piscacucho village) to begin the 4-day, 3-night Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. On the way, we stop in Ollantaytambo, where you will have the opportunity to buy any last-minute items for the trek. We then continue to Km 82 and arrive at the trailhead at around 8:00 a.m.
After completing the checkpoint, we begin the Inca Trail. The first section is a relatively easy 2-hour hike to Patallacta, the first archaeological site along the route. Then it is a 2-hour hike to Hatunchaca village, where our team of porters and cooks will be waiting with a delicious lunch.
After lunch, we continue for another 2 hours to Ayapata, the first campsite, arriving at about 5:00 p.m. Before dinner, you will have time to relax, set up your sleeping area and take in the mountain views.
- Hiking Distance14 km / 8 miles
- Duration6 hours
- Campsite Altitude3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- Highest Altitude3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- MealsLunch and dinner
- AccommodationCamping
- DifficultyModerate
Ayapata – Dead Woman's Pass – Chaquicocha
Our team will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea in your tent. Today is the most challenging part of the 4-day hike to Machu Picchu. After breakfast, it is a 4-hour hike to Warmiwañusca, or Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft), the highest point of the Inca Trail. At the summit, we take time to enjoy the views and the serenity of this place.
Next comes a 2-hour descent to the Pacaymayo Alto valley, where we enjoy a well-earned lunch.
After lunch, the second climb is an easier 2-hour ascent to Runkurakay Pass (4,000 m / 13,123 ft). Along the way, we explore two Inca sites, Runkurakay and Sayacmarca, before reaching the second campsite at Chaquicocha (“dry lake”, 3,600 m / 11,811 ft).
- Hiking Distance16 km / 10 miles
- Duration10 hours
- Campsite Altitude3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Highest Altitude4,215 m / 13,829 ft
- MealsBreakfast, lunch, and dinner
- AccommodationCamping
- DifficultyChallenging
Chaquicocha – Intipata – Wiñay Wayna
With the hardest part of the trek behind you, today is the most relaxing and rewarding day of the Inca Trail. The route is remarkably varied and only a 5-hour hike to the final campsite. Along the way, you will pass through several ecosystems, walk through the atmospheric cloud forest and enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Salkantay Mountain, the second-highest peak in Cusco. We visit two Inca sites: Phuyupatamarca (“City in the Clouds”), with spectacular views of the Urubamba River and Machu Picchu Mountain, and Intipata (“Terraces of the Sun”).
We reach the campsite at approximately 1:00 p.m. for lunch, followed by free time to relax. Later in the afternoon, we visit the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna, where your guide will explain the history of this fascinating place. We then return to the campsite for tea and dinner.
- Hiking Distance10 km / 6 miles
- Duration5 hours
- Campsite Altitude2,600 m / 8,530 ft
- Highest Altitude3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- MealsBreakfast, lunch, and dinner
- AccommodationCamping
- DifficultyModerate
Discover Machu Picchu – Cusco
On the final day of the Classic Inca Trail, we rise very early for the most anticipated moment of the trek: your arrival at Machu Picchu. We head straight to the checkpoint and wait for it to open at 5:30 a.m. As the sky begins to brighten, we hike for about 1 hour to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where the first panoramic view of Machu Picchu comes into sight. On a clear morning, this is one of the most iconic views of the entire route.
After taking in the views from the Sun Gate, we continue on a gentle 1-hour descent toward Machu Picchu, following the scenic upper section of Circuit 1, the best spot for classic panoramic photos of the citadel. We then continue down to the main entrance, where you will find restrooms, a coffee bar and the official checkpoint.
Once inside, we explore Machu Picchu through Circuit 3, visiting some of its most important temples, palaces, water fountains and ceremonial spaces with your expert guide. If you would like an extra challenge, you can also hike Huayna Picchu Mountain (tickets must be booked well in advance).
After the guided tour, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the panoramic Vistadome train. A member of our team will meet you on arrival and take you safely back to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. The approximate arrival time in Cusco is 7:30 p.m.
- Hiking Distance6 km / 3 miles
- Hiking Duration2 hours
- Highest Altitude2,720 m / 8,923 ft
- MealsBreakfast
- DifficultyEasy to Moderate
Inclusions
We carefully organize every aspect of your experience from transportation and professional local guides to the services and activities included in your itinerary allowing you to relax and fully enjoy your adventure.
Because every tour is unique, included services may vary depending on the itinerary you choose. We encourage you to review each program carefully before booking to ensure you have all the information you need and can prepare for an unforgettable experience in Cusco and Peru.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Permits & Entrance Tickets
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket – Circuit 1, Route 1-C (Day 4): walk through the upper platforms of Machu Picchu and enjoy the world-famous postcard viewpoint. This is the route followed by all Inca Trail hikers and offers the best panoramic introduction to the citadel, perfect for unforgettable photos and a complete first impression of the site.
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket – Circuit 3, Route 3-B (Day 4): explore the heart of Machu Picchu’s sacred lower sector, home to the most refined Inca architecture. This route takes you to iconic spots such as the Temple of the Sun, the Twelve Niches, the agricultural terraces, the Temple of the Condor and the ceremonial reflecting pools.
Quality Service & Safety
- Pre-departure briefing.
- Experienced private tour guide: our guides bring professionalism, experience, responsibility and passion to make your trip safe and comfortable.
- Private camping equipment: tents, a spacious dining tent so you can enjoy your meals worry-free, tables, chairs and cooking equipment, a portable travel toilet, sleeping pads (foam mattresses) and inflatable mattresses. All equipment is carried by our team of porters.
- One duffle bag.
- Trekking poles with rubber tips: a great help on uneven terrain, especially on ascents and descents, as they reduce the impact on your knees and improve stability.
- Medical or first aid kit.
- 24/7 customer service.
Accommodation
- 3 nights of comfortable tent accommodation.
Meals
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners.
- Water on the trail.
- Wake-up tea.
- Daily snacks on the trail.
- One cloth snack bag per person.
- Hygiene products.
Transportation
- Day 1: Pick-up from your hotel in the morning and transportation to Piscacucho (Km 82), the starting point of the trek.
- Day 4: Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 4: Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo – Vistadome by PeruRail or The 360 by Inca Rail.
- Day 4: Transportation from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
- Porters: during the trekking days, our team of porters carries all the camping equipment and your allowed luggage (max. 7 kg / 15 lb) to each campsite.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: if you are up for a challenge, you can climb the famous mountain seen behind Machu Picchu in photos. It is a 45-minute climb and can be daunting if you are afraid of heights, but the views from the top are well worth it. You can do it after your guided tour of Machu Picchu; due to high demand, tickets must be booked at least two months in advance, and the climb may be changed for your safety, mainly due to weather conditions.
- Machu Picchu Mountain: another of the mountains surrounding the archaeological site, with less steep, wider and less vertiginous trails than Huayna Picchu. The climb takes about 1.5 hours and requires an entrance ticket, which we can secure for you if you request it in advance.
- Sleeping bag: you can rent one from us if you don’t have your own. Our sleeping bags are high-quality, durable and designed for temperatures as low as -18 °C (0 °F).
- Lunch and dinner on Day 4.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips for our staff: tipping is customary on excursions in Peru. Although we pay our team good salaries, something extra is always welcome.
- Additional costs or delays beyond our control: landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary changes for safety reasons, illness, pandemics, changes in government policy, political instability, strikes, etc.
Before you go
The information below will help you plan your trip, understand how our tours operate, and enjoy a smooth travel experience from the moment you arrive in Cusco until the end of your journey.
Preparing for Your Adventure
A little preparation can make a big difference. We recommend reviewing your itinerary, packing according to the season, and making sure you have all the required travel documents before your tour begins.
If you have any questions before your arrival, our team will be happy to assist you.
Acclimatization in Cusco
Many destinations in the Peruvian Andes are located above 3,000 meters (9,840 feet), making altitude an important factor for travelers.
To help your body adjust, we recommend arriving in Cusco at least two days before beginning any trekking adventure. Staying hydrated, eating light meals, and avoiding intense physical activity during your first day are simple ways to improve acclimatization.
Briefing or Informative Meeting
One day before your departure, our operations team will contact you to confirm your pick-up time, meeting point, and any final details related to your tour.
Please make sure your contact information is available and active during your stay in Cusco.
Trek Balance Payment
If your reservation has an outstanding balance, the remaining payment must be completed before your tour departure according to the terms of your booking confirmation.
For your convenience, we accept payments in Peruvian soles (PEN) or US dollars (USD). You may also pay by credit or debit card or through other available online payment methods. Please note that electronic payments may be subject to a processing fee, depending on the payment platform used.
If you prefer to pay in cash, our team will provide the meeting location and payment instructions before your tour begins.
If you have any questions regarding your balance or payment options, our reservations team will be happy to assist you prior to your arrival.
Hotel Pick-Up
We provide hotel pick-up for most tours within the city of Cusco.
Because the historic center has narrow streets and some areas with limited vehicle access, certain accommodations may require a short walk to the nearest meeting point.
Your exact pick-up time will be confirmed before your tour.
During Your Experience
Our professional guides are committed to providing a safe, enjoyable, and informative experience throughout your journey.
Whether you are joining a cultural excursion or a multi-day trek, we encourage you to travel at your own pace and communicate with your guide if you need assistance at any time.
Group Tours
Group tours bring together travelers from different countries, ages, and fitness levels.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the experience at a comfortable pace while respecting the group’s schedule and the guide’s instructions. Any operational decisions during the tour will always prioritize safety and the overall experience of all participants.
Weather Conditions
Mountain weather in Peru can change quickly, even during the same day. We recommend wearing layered clothing and carrying rain protection regardless of the season.
Being prepared for changing conditions will help you enjoy every destination comfortably.
Sustainable Travel
We believe that responsible tourism helps preserve Peru’s extraordinary landscapes and cultural heritage.
We encourage our travelers to reduce plastic waste, respect local communities, stay on designated trails, and help protect the natural environment for future generations.
Every small action contributes to a more sustainable travel experience.
Personal Belongings
Please keep your personal belongings with you at all times.
Before leaving transportation, restaurants, campsites, or attractions, check that you have collected all your items.
Experience Colibri Peru cannot be held responsible for personal belongings that are lost, forgotten, or damaged during the tour.
Unexpected Situations
Occasionally, weather conditions, transportation delays, road closures, or circumstances beyond our control may require adjustments to an itinerary.
If this happens, our operations team will always work to provide the best possible alternative while prioritizing your safety and ensuring you continue to enjoy your experience.
We’re Here to Help
Your satisfaction is our priority. From your first inquiry until the end of your journey, the Experience Colibri Peru team is available to answer your questions and provide support whenever you need it.
We look forward to sharing the beauty, history, and culture of Peru with you.
Packing list
Essential
Valid Passport
Extra money (recommended soles)
Personal medication
Water bottle or CamelBak
Sunblock: factor 70 or more
Insect repellent
Personal Care Products
Clothing
Hiking boots or shoes (preferably waterproof)
Light footwear or sandals
Trekking pants
Trekking socks
Pair of thermal pants
Long sleeve t-shirts
Warm jacket
Rain poncho
Sun hat
Gloves
Equipment
Trekking poles
Medium trekking backpack (15 – 25 liter)
Sleeping bag
Headlamp
Recommended
Camera and charger
Power bank
Snacks: Energy bars, chocolate, candies, dried fruits, etc.
Pricing
Private Inca Trail 4 Days
Request a personalized quote for your group.
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