Classic Inca Trail

Your Classic Inca Trail adventure begins with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 5:00 a.m. Travel for around 2.5 hours toward Km 82 at Piscacucho, the official starting point of the four-day trek. Along the way, stop in Ollantaytambo, where you will have an opportunity to purchase any last-minute items before continuing to the trailhead.

After completing the required checkpoint procedures at Km 82, begin hiking along the historic Inca Trail. The first section is a relatively gentle approximately two-hour hike toward Patallacta, the first archaeological site visited along the route.

Continue hiking for approximately two more hours toward Hatunchaca Village, where the trekking team will be waiting and lunch will be served. After the meal, continue uphill for another approximately two hours toward Ayapata.

Arrive at the first campsite at approximately 5:00 p.m. Once there, you will have time to rest, prepare for the evening, and enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery before dinner.

Wake up early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea served at your tent and prepare for the most challenging day of the Classic Inca Trail. After breakfast, begin an approximately four-hour ascent toward Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass.

At 4,215 m / 13,829 ft, Dead Woman’s Pass is the highest point of the entire trek. Upon reaching the summit, take time to rest and appreciate the surrounding high-Andean landscape before beginning an approximately two-hour descent toward the Pacaymayo Alto Valley, where lunch will be served.

After lunch, begin the second major ascent of the day toward Runkurakay Pass at approximately 4,000 m / 13,123 ft. Along this section, explore the archaeological sites of Runkurakay and Sayacmarca while your guide explains their history and significance.

Continue through the mountains until reaching Chaquicocha, or “Dry Lake,” at approximately 3,600 m / 11,811 ft. Here, settle into the second campsite and rest after the longest and most demanding trekking day of the itinerary.

With the most demanding section of the trek behind you, Day 3 offers a more relaxed opportunity to enjoy the landscapes and archaeological sites of the Classic Inca Trail. The route passes through several different ecosystems, including atmospheric cloud forest and spectacular mountain scenery.

During the journey, enjoy panoramic views toward Salkantay Mountain and the surrounding Andes. Visit Phuyupatamarca, often known as the “City in the Clouds,” where you can appreciate views toward the Urubamba River and Machu Picchu Mountain.

Continue toward Intipata, an impressive complex of agricultural terraces built into the mountainside, before reaching the final campsite at approximately 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be served upon arrival, followed by time to rest.

Later in the afternoon, visit the nearby archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna. Your guide will explain the history and significance of this remarkable Inca complex before returning to camp for tea and dinner.

On the final day of the Classic Inca Trail, wake up very early and prepare for the most anticipated section of the journey: your arrival at Machu Picchu. Head to the checkpoint and wait for it to open at approximately 5:30 a.m.

Once the trail opens, hike for approximately one hour toward Intipunku, the Sun Gate. From here, weather permitting, enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains.

After taking in the scenery from the Sun Gate, continue for approximately one hour toward Machu Picchu. Follow the upper section included in your Circuit 1, Route 1-C entrance, where you can enjoy panoramic perspectives of the archaeological site.

After completing this first route, continue according to the entrance arrangements for Circuit 3, Route 3-B. Your guide will accompany you through the areas included in the route while explaining the history and significance of the archaeological site.

If you have separately booked Huayna Picchu Mountain, you can complete the additional hike according to the entrance time and conditions indicated on your ticket.

After the Machu Picchu visit, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where lunch will be on your own. Later, board your return train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, a member of our team will meet you and provide transportation to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. The approximate arrival time in Cusco is 7:30 p.m.