Classic Inca Trail – Trek to Machu Picchu

You will be picked up at your hotel in Cusco between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. to travel by private transport along the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo. From there, you will board a train that will take you to the trailhead, Km 82. This point is known for being 82 kilometers from Cusco, close to Machu Picchu. Once here, the authorities will verify your permit and passport, and we will begin the hike along the iconic Inca Trail.

Our first stage will be a two-hour hike along the Urubamba River until we reach Miskay, where we will take a break to enjoy a delicious lunch. During this stretch, you will be able to admire the local flora and fauna. After lunch, we will continue walking for another two hours until we reach Wayllabamba (3,000 meters above sea level), where we will camp and enjoy a typical Peruvian dinner around 6:30 pm.

We will wake up early at 5:30 a.m., with a cup of hot tea or coffee to start the day off right. After breakfast at 6:00 a.m., we will begin a challenging hike to the highest point of the Inca Trail, the famous Dead Woman’s Pass (4,600 meters above sea level). The ascent will take about five hours, but the views from the top are worth the effort.

The name of the pass comes from a local legend, which says that hikers can feel the presence of a woman’s spirit. After reaching the pass, we will descend for about two hours to Pacaymayo (3,600 meters), where we will camp for the night. Upon arrival, our team will prepare lunch and dinner will be served at 7:00 pm.

At 6:00 a.m., we will wake you up and you will have a nutritious breakfast to start the third day of trekking. This day is one of the most interesting, as you will pass by three important Inca archaeological sites. First, you will climb for an hour to Runkqurakay (3,800 meters), then continue to the second highest point of the Inca Trail, the Runku Pass (4,000 meters).

From here, the hike becomes easier, with a 45-minute descent to Sayacmarka (3,580 meters), an impressive archaeological site. After a brief exploration, we will walk another half hour to Chakicoccha (3,600 meters), where lunch will be served.

After lunch, we will continue for another hour until we reach Phuyupatamarka, which means “City in the Clouds”. From here, we will walk another two hours until we reach Wiñay Wayna (2,600 meters), one of the most beautiful sites on the trail, where we will camp for the night. Our chef will serve you dinner and then we will visit the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, which in Quechua means “eternally young”.

On the last day, we will wake up at 3:30 a.m. and, after breakfast, we will walk to the first checkpoint of Machu Picchu, which opens at 5:30 a.m. From here, we will walk for another hour to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), from where you will have your first view of the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu.

We will take a moment to enjoy the tranquility and the view before entering the citadel. We will pass through a checkpoint where you will leave your backpack (cost 3 soles) and the authorities will verify your passport and entrance ticket.

Afterwards, you will have a two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, where you will learn about its fascinating history. At the end of the tour, you will have free time to explore on your own. Afterwards, we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can stroll around the town or enjoy a dip in the hot springs. At 6:00 p.m., we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, and from there, our transportation will take you back to Cusco, where we will arrive around 10:30 p.m.