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The trek to Machu Picchu is four days of epic adventure as you embark to reach the Lost City. Each day, you’ll see the seasons change before your eyes, while scaling challenging peaks and exploring impressive ruins along the way. You’ll sleep under the same stars that the Incas meticulously charted. Each stop is an experience unto itself until your journey culminates at the ultimate destination — Machu Picchu.
If you are traveling with a family or just want to spend more time at each ruin, you can opt for an extra day of hiking and take things slow!
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Before sunrise, you’ll be picked up from your hotel by your guide and transferred to the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo, where you’ll make a 45-minute break to collect porters and equipment. Visit the town of Ollantaytambo and drive to the trailhead KM 82. From there, you’ll see a great view of the Andes along the way. Start off your 4-day adventure by hiking for two and a half hours. It will be pretty flat until you arrive at the Inca site of Llactapata at 2,550 m/ 8,365 ft above sea level. You will have the first taste of Incan culture and learn about the history of Peru. After another hour and a half, eat lunch, rest, and continue for another two and a half hours until you reach the first camp at Wayllabamba. You’ll spend the night in a tent, sleeping under the starry skies that the Incas spent so much time observing.
Walking distance: 6.2 miles/ 10 km (5-6 hours)
Campsite altitude: 9,845 ft/ 3,000 m above sea level
Meals: Lunch, dinner -
After an early breakfast, embark on the most challenging day of your hike through the Valley of Huayllabamba. Hike towards the highest point of the Inca Trail—the Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 meters/13,830 ft). It will be a four-hour climb through different microclimates, with amazing views of the mountains. Once you reach the summit, head downhill for another hour and a half and you’ll arrive at your lunch spot. Continue with the hike for another four hours with plenty of breaks until you will reach your campsite at Pacaymayo, where you’ll finish the day off with dinner at the campsite.
Walking distance: 9.94 miles/ 16 km (9-10 hours)
Campsite altitude: 11,811 ft/ 3,600 m above sea level (chilly weather)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Start the day with an early rise and you’ll be on your way through the cloud forest, scaling the last peak of your adventure, the Runkurakay at 3,860 m. Visit Sayacmarca and the complex of Phuyupatamarca where the Incas charted their star maps. With Machu Picchu just out of reach, you’ll explore Wiñayhuayna, an orchid paradise, and admire the many terraces of Intipata. You’ll spend the night in a tent.
Walking distance: 9.94 miles/ 16 km (7-8 hours)
Campsite altitude: 8,530 ft/ 2,600 m above sea level (chilly weather)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Today’s the day! You’ll finally reach the Lost City of the Incas. Seeing the first sun rays from the Sun Gate (Intipunku) is a life-changing experience, so you’ll wake up hours before sunrise. You’ll get the chance to explore the ruins and either start your Huayna Picchu hike, or wander around on your own. At the end of your journey, you will return to the Poroy station, and take a train back to your hotel in Cusco. You should be back around 7 or 8 p.m.
Walking distance: 4.3 miles/ 7km (2-3 hours)
Meals: Breakfast
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57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Peru, please refer to the Peru Travel websites or the U.S. Embassy in Peru websites.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
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What you get in this adventure:
- A local English speaking professional guide
- 4 days of hiking with a guide
- Accommodations in tents along the way
- Porters to transfer your belongings
- Permits
- Transfers to and from the hotel
- Expedition Train from Aguas Calientes
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks each day for the trek
- Water
- Satellite phones
What’s not included:
- Transportation to Cusco
- Rentals
- Accommodation prior and after the trip
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
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While previous hiking experience is unnecessary for hiking the Inca Trail, you’ll need to be in considerably good shape. Each day you will hike between five and nine hours, on your most challenging day, you’ll traverse almost 10 miles.There are no flat areas on the entirety of the trail — it’s either uphill or downhill. Prior to your trip, you can prepare by exercising on steep inclines or even stairs.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
- Hiking poles — optional
- Water storage for 2-3 liters
- Sleeping bag (can be rented for $35)
- Inflatable Air Mattress (can be rented for $30)
- Quick-dry towel
- Battery charger (there is no place to plug in while trekking!)
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
Clothing and gear list:
- Hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
- Shoes for camp
- 2-3 dry-wicking t-shirts
- 2-3 pairs of hiking pants
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 4 sets of hiking socks
- Fleece jacket
- Warm down jacket
- Rain jacket and pants
- Sun hat
- Wool hat
- Headlamp
- Waterproof gloves
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- High quality sunglasses
- Trekking poles (can be rented for $30)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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There is no other way to experience the legendary Inca Trail. To keep the history intact, not even horses are allowed on this one-of-a-kind thru-trek. There are easier ways to reach the Lost City of the Incas from Cusco, but this is the best way. Wander through lush forests filled with orchids, scale towering peaks, witness centuries of culture and find yourself along the way.
Due to strict government regulations, a guide must be present on all Inca Trail trips. For you, this is a guarantee that you’ll get the most out of your hike. Not only will you learn all about the history behind the sites you’ll pass along the way, in case of inclement weather, your guide will know just what to do.
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Group sizes and prices:
- For this group adventure, groups usually consist of up to 16 people.
- It takes at least 3 people for the tour to operate.
- If you are traveling alone, you will be placed in a group of people with similar abilities and skill levels.
- All pricing is per person. The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
Hiking in Peru can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
- If you are older than 17, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 17 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 17, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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To get to Cusco, most people fly into Cusco International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service to your accommodation.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, usually at your accommodation in Cusco, and take you to the trailhead. At the end of your adventure, you will return to Cusco via train.
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