The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days is the most legendary and by far the most well-known hike in Peru. If you’re moderately healthy, the 4 Day Inca trail hike is the most wonderful way to get to the secret Inca city. After a night in Cusco, you’ll begin on the 44km path along the old Inca trade route that winds its way up through the Andes to the out-of-the-way, and practically out of reach, Machu Picchu. This is the path the Incas used to walk to get to Machu Picchu. Hiking for four days continuous and traversing across the highest pass at 4200m, the Inca Trail is not for the weak, but it’s definitely an experience that you won't forget and a real climax of your Peru trip. During this four-day trekking, you will sleep in tents and you will come across many Inca sites. The landscapes across the peaks of the Andes are amazingly dazzling and it's hard to explain the blissfulness you'll get when you finish your three-day Inca Trail. This is the only trek that really ends at Machu Picchu and not at the village of Aguas Calientes.
In 2001 it was decided that the 4 Day Inca Trail was becoming too seriously degraded because of the number of people using it and the porters were exploited (the porters load 60 kg during 4 days) Figures for 2000 show that 50,000 people walked the trail (Inca Trail without a guide or with guide), compared with 300,000 visiting Machu Picchu. On an average day in the high season, 190 people arrived at Machu Picchu having walked the trail. The Ministerio de Cultura and Sernanrp (Peruvian authorities) proposed therefore to introduce limits on the number of people using the Inca Trails.
The Inca Trail New rules - The Inca Trail reopened with limited permits, there are only 500 spots available for the trail involving kers, professional guides, trekking chefs, and porters. We recommend that you book in advance.
Sustainable Tourism: At Salkantay Trek Machu, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism and support local communities.
Difficulty Hike: 3 Demanding.
Age Requirements: 12+
Group Available: Min: 2 - Max: 8
Crew: A Salkantay Trek Machu representative in Cusco and a professional tour guide, trekking chefs, and Chasquis porters.
Accommodation: 3x Campsite (Llulluchapampa - Chaquicocha - Wiñaywayna).
Meals: 3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner, 3x afternoon hot beverage
Transportation: Private transportation and train.
Camping Equipment: A double tent, Air sleeping roll mattress, feather sleeping bag (-5 grade), a pair of hiking poles, air pillow camping, and others (More details, You can view our camping equipment included!).
Book Now! Click on our videos of the Inca Trail reviews
Day 01: Cusco - Km 82 - Llullucha Pampa
Day 02: Llullucha Pampa - Chaquicocha
Day 03: Chaquicocha - Wiñaywayna
Day 04: Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
There are several trails to Machu Picchu and tour operators. Salkantay Trek Machu offers the best trek Machu Picchu 2023 with the best price, check below and booking Inca Trail.
The 4 day Inca Trail service involves all inclusive equipment, permits and meals and If you want the best price, we recommend the Cheap Inca Trail tours. This service involves the basic equipment, double tent, mattress, food, Inca Trail permits and other services.
If you would to booking Inca Trail and it is fully booked, we can recommend the 2 day hike to Inca Trail, there are spaces available every day.
If you would like more details about the trail, click here and explore the Inca route
Please check availability for the date you want before booking your Inca Trail 2023.
May you have some question about the Inca Trail.
Huayna Picchu mountains not included in our service, it is the extra.
Visit our Inca Trail Booking Policies
To complete your booking, we will require your personal details, full name, passport, nationality and day of birthday. Once sent, our booking department will require the 50% pre-payment for your book your entrance fee and train ticket. Inca Trail Book and Payment you will find the next step to book and payment.
Specialist operators for international tour companies.
Highly experienced english speaking guide.
Inclusion all equipment for your Classic Inca Trail (sleeping bag, thermarest mattress, etc)
Salkantay Trek Machu DOES NOT permit this exploitation!! We guarantee that our porters carry only an amount given by the Peruvian law!! There is still a long way to go when it comes to a reserve of adequate meals, backpacks and warm dry sleeping accommodation.
To start our 4 Day Inca Trail Hike, we will wake up very early to them travel to Piscacucho or commonly known as the "Km 82", thus starting our tour "Inca Trail to Machu Picchu", then go to "Patallacta". Once there, we will continue walking to the place where we will have lunch and then walk to "Ayapata", place where we will spend our first night.
Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours
Trekking distance: 17 km
Max. elevation: 3,850m (12,630 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,600 m (8,530 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Early after breakfast, you continue your hike ascending towards the highest point of the trail - Abra Warmiwañusqa ( Dead Woman´s Pass) at 4,200 metres passing through the cloud forests of Yunkachimpa and Corral Punku offering excellent views of surrounding snowcapped peaks. From Warmiwañusqa, you descend to the Pacaymayo Valley (3,300 m), where you have a lunch break. Then you continue hiking through the valley to the Inca´s ruins of Runkuracay where a guided tour follows. Afterwards, you climb up and get over the second pass - Abra Runkurakay (3,860m) walking on this "Royal Inca´s Highway" down to the next Inka site - Sayacmarca. On the way, you pass the Yanacocha Lake. In the end, we get to our second campsite - Chaquicocha (3,670 m).
Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours
Trekking distance: 12 km
Max. elevation: 4,200 m (12,630 ft)
Min. elevation: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
Difficulty: Challenging
Today, we start hiking passing through lovely subtropical vegetation and many important archaeological sites. Before we reach the first site, we get over Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,670 m) and just behind it, we can see the Phuyupatamarca Inka complex (3,600 m), one of the best preserved and most completed sites of this 4 day Inca Trail hike. The complex is located on the top of a mountain and it corresponds with its Quechuan name that means the "Town above the Clouds". After a guided tour, we have lunch there. Then, we start a steep descent via a cloud forest offering an opportunity to see beautiful orchids and different bird species on the way to our last campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m). There, we have a guided tour of the same-named impressive archaeological complex consisting of a religious sector, urban sector and an agricultural centre with lots of stepped terraces. Afterwards, we are served dinner and then we go to sleep to get ready for the exciting Machu Picchu hike!!
Estimated trekking time: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 10 km
Max. elevation: 3,670 m (12,040 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate
This is the last day of the 4 day hike to Inca Trail so we get ready early in the morning and after breakfast, we start climbing antique steps to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) to see the sunrise above the long-expected citadel of Machu Picchu!! Then, you enjoy a 2 and half an hour guided visit of the so called "Lost City of the Incas"!! Afterwards, you have an opportunity to climb either the peak of Huayna Picchu (45 minutes up and the same time back) or Machu Picchu Mountain (1 hour, 30 minutes up and down) on your own to take some panoramic pictures of Machu Picchu!! This 4 day trek to Machu Picchu finishes by afternoon's descend to the town of Aguas Calientes where we take a train back to Ollantaytambo, there you will take the tourist bus to Cusco. Arrival in the evening.
Estimated trekking time: 3 hours
Trekking distance: 4 km
Max. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,400 m (7,875 ft)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this trek, you receive your own single tent for all nights.
Local flights: No local flights are included in the trek´s price!
Day 1 - 3: We pick you up from your hotel at 05:30 am and transfer to Km 82 (2hrs 40min), where start hiking the Inca Trail with a professional guide, cook and porters. Guided tour on the route of the Inca Trail and Wiñaywayna.
Day 4: Wake up early (4 am) and hike to Machu Picchu, guided tour on the lost city of the Incas and in the afternoon train return to Cusco.
The Inca Trail is only one part of a route that crosses six countries and has more than 60 thousand kilometers that bears the name of Qhapaq Ñan.
The Andean road of Qhapac Ñan is neglected or without facilities for tourists in its thousands of kilometers, only the Inca Trail has everything you need to be enjoyed.
The Inca Trail, Qhapac Ñan, was declared in 2014 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, recognition of one of the best historical trekking routes in the world.
Every February of each year the Inca Trail is closed for the maintenance and care of the route.
By 2022 it will be necessary to make a reservation for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu at least three months in advance.
Today the capacity for Machu Picchu has been considerably reduced, in the case of the Inca Trail the capacity is 500 people, but it is only about 200 spaces for adventurers because the professional staff that accompany it reaches a number of 300.
During the Inca Trail tour, we spend three nights full-service camping, meaning that our camp staff will erect and dismantle the double tents, cook, and do all camp chores for you: you need only carry your day pack. There will also be dining and toilet tents and bowls of warm water are provided both morning and evening for washing.
Solo Traveler: If you are traveling on your own, and would prefer to share a tent, we'll pair you with another trekker of the same gender and there will not be an extra cost. If you prefer to have a tent to yourself a surcharge of USD 50 will have to be paid. If you want an upgrade any service to the train or accommodation or do you want to stay an extra night in Machu Picchu, contact us directly at info@salkantaytrekmachu.com for this to be done and confirmed to you.
The camping equipment to Inca Trail will be returned to Cusco on day 4th, you need to give to chef the sleeping bag, mattress.
Camping (double tent) provided in 1st, 2nd, 3rd nights
The hike to Inca Trail is included the extra porter. Our porters will carry your clothes, sleeping (5 kg per person). You will need to carry only your a daypack: Camera, water bottle, snacks, cold weather and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season May to October)- but as a precaution.
It’s very important to take EXTRA MONEY. You need to take at least 200-300 soles emergency money:
Climate in Cusco: The highland region of Cusco has well defined winter and summer seasons. Winter days (June - August) are very sunny and warm, but the temperature drops to near freezing at night. Rainy season is from January to March. December and January are two of the nicest months for trekking with only the occasional shower and blooming flowers.
The Inca Trail is considered a difficult expedition not only because of the distance but also because of the high altitude at some point along the way. The highest point on the road is at ‘Abra Warmihuañusca’, at 4,224 meters (13,860 feet).
If very important your take best cover backpacker, because the weather in Inca Trail is change every date, we can’t predict it raining or no. If you don’t have, we recommended to putting your clothes, sleeping bag and other personal equipment inside the plastic bag.
Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu picchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring your Inca Trail” list.
Due to the high demand for tickets, you must get entrance tickets to the Inca Trail well in advance (6 months). The purchase is made only online through the website of an authorized tourism agency.
In total 500 people enter the trails of the Inca Trail every day. Of them, only 200 are tourists. The rest are support staff such as cooks, porters, guides. The ticket to enter the Inca Trail includes the support staff.
There are 500 permits available for the Inca Trail each day. However, that number is a bit far from the truth since only 200 tourists will be able to enter each day. The rest of the people make up the support team on the route (porters, guides and cooks).
To obtain a permit to enter the Inca Trail you will need to enter the website of an authorized tourism agency and follow the following steps:
The famous 4-day trek can only be done in the company of an ‘authorized’ tourism agency. Tours must be purchased approximately 6 months in advance.
When availability is released (every October 5), permits begin to run out. This happens especially for the months of May to August (high tourist season).
The Inca Trail is one of the best treks on the planet. That is why there is a great demand for tickets. This is why you will need to reserve the proceeds well in advance.
Take the following into account before reserving the ticket to the Inca Trail:
The entrance to the legendary Inca highway is strictly controlled. This is how it seeks to protect the Inca Trail that is more than 500 years old and the wonderful natural environment that surrounds it.
The prices of the Inca Trail vary according to each tourism agency. It is estimated that on average, the 4-day tour has a cost of 600 US dollars per person.
Most tourism agencies offer a discount of $ 20 or $ 30 for university students with an ISIC card.
Children under 18 years of age also have an approximate discount by presenting the passport that certifies their age.
Income for the Inca Trail is released approximately on October 5 of every year. However, the date may vary for a few days or weeks depending on the organization drawn up by the Ministry of Culture of Peru.
There are 500 permits available for the Inca Trail each day. However, that number is a bit far from the truth since only 200 tourists will be able to enter each day. The rest of the people make up the support team on the route (porters, guides and cooks).
The famous 4-day trek can only be done in the company of an ‘authorized’ tourism agency. Tours must be purchased approximately 6 months in advance.
When availability is released (every October 5), permits begin to run out. This happens especially for the months of May to August (high tourist season).
For those people who did not manage to reserve one of the permits for the Inca Trail, know that there are several alternative routes that lead to Machu Picchu.
This hike lasts 5 days, 4 nights and runs through high mountains such as the ‘Abra del Nevado Salkantay’, 4,650 meters from the sea (15,255 ft). This adventure is more difficult than the Inca Trail since it covers almost 70 kilometers. Go through the town of Aguas Calientes to get to Machu Picchu. It is famous for its beautiful landscapes of snow-capped mountains and lagoons.
This hike lasts 4 days, 3 nights and crosses Andean mountains along with traditional towns such as Lares. The highest point on the route is the Ipsaycocha pass, 4,350 meters from the sea (14,271 ft). There are many variants of this walk. The most popular route through ‘Patacancha’ covers approximately 37 kilometers. It includes a section by train to Aguas Calientes, from where you go up to Machu Picchu. It is famous for its traditional villages.
The archaeological site of Choquequirao is considered the ‘Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu’ due to its similarity to the Inca City. The route that leads there lasts 4 days, 3 nights and is considered one of the most difficult because it runs through the hot Apurímac canyon. Additionally, there is an 8-day hike that continues that route to Machu Picchu. This extreme hike covers 115 kilometers.
Inca Jungle Route - The Inca Jungle is the commercial name of an adventure tour to Machu Picchu that includes the practice of sports such as: cycling, walking, canoeing, zipline and more experiences. It lasts 4 days, 3 nights and includes a visit to Machu Picchu by the Hydroelectric route.
Visitors who wish to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain after the Inca Trail must book the Ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu in Group 2 (entrance from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.). This is because, after an arduous walk, tourists will arrive at the Inca site at around 08:00 a.m., tired and with insufficient time to enter Waynapicchu in Group 1.
To do both the Inca Trail and the ascent to the Huayna Picchu mountain, a lot of planning is needed. The first thing is to make both reservations months in advance, especially if you plan to do the adventure in high tourist season (from April to October). If the visit is planned in the low tourist season (from October to March), it should be taken into account that the Inca Trail remains closed for maintenance throughout the month of February.
Visitors who enter the Huayna Picchu mountain through Group 2, can stay until 02:00 pm. in the Inca site. This provides the opportunity to have time to visit the stone constructions of the Inca Citadel, such as the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Sun or the Intihuatana. If you no longer have enough strength to continue walking through the Wonder of the World, another option is to simply enjoy the incredible view that Machu Picchu offers.
Many people include Peru in their “Things to do” list before they depart the planet, the main reason being to Trek the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, although what most people don’t know is that there are various Inca Trails Trips to Machu Picchu to pick from in the Cusco region. The difference lies in what kind of an experience you want, hiking the Inca trail and how challenging you like your treks.
If you want to say that you’ve hiked the famous hike to Machu Picchu, then the Classic Inca Trail is for you. but usually you will need to book in advance, in case it is fully booked, we recommend the Inca Trail alternatives:
The Inca Trail is not dangerous. The security measures in place include first aid equipment. The tour guides are trained to act effectively in any type of emergency.
The trails of the Inca Trail are wide and well signposted. For no reason the tourist should risk his life looking for roads on his own.
The maximum height is in the ‘Abra Warmiwañusca’ (4,200 m.s.n.m.). This altitude can cause physical difficulties.
Older adults can feel physical exhaustion more intensely during the Inca Trail. They should check with their doctor before hiking.
The Inca Trail is allowed to people of any age. Children or adolescents can do the walk accompanied by their parents. It is preferable that minors like long walks and camping.
It is not advisable to do the Inca Trail with children under 8 years of age, unless they have already successfully completed similar walks.
Of course, it is not recommended to do the Inca Trail with babies.
If you have already decided to do the Inca Trail with children, it is advisable to prepare them psychologically for the journey.
Cusco and the entire southern region of Peru are marked by two different climatic seasons: the rainy season (from November to March) and the dry season (from April to October). The best time to do the Inca Trail is the dry season. The climate in those months is warm and with little frequency of rains.
If you plan to visit the Inca Trail during the dry season, it is advisable to bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, sunglasses, light clothing during the day and warm clothes at night.
If you plan to visit the Inca Trail during the rainy season, it is recommended to bring a rain poncho, a windbreaker jacket, non-slip shoes and a walking stick.
The Inca Trail is closed in February. During that month, the rains are heavier and can make the journey through the trails of the Inca Trail very difficult. The guards take advantage of these days to maintain the road and the Inca structures. The rest of the year, this hiking trail is open to the public.
