Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu

The day before the tour starts, you'll meet your guide and your fellow adventurers for a briefing. The briefing is an important aspect of the trip to ensure you can enjoy the experience to the fullest. It includes a description of the phases of the tour and your questions or doubts will also be addressed. In addition, you'll be given a bag that holds your luggage for the porters, who’ll carry it each day of the trek (maximum 13 lbs or 6 kg). Now, let's begin!

📍 Pick up in Cuzco - Ollantaytambo - Km 82

The 4-Day Inca Trail Tour starts with a transfer from your accommodation in Cuzco around 4:00 am. Your guide and porter leader will take you and your group via shuttle bus to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll eat breakfast and meet the porters (the true heroes of this adventure). You’ll continue in the shuttle bus a few more miles until you reach the beginning of the Inca Trail: Piscacucho (also known as: Km 82). At this point and at an altitude of 8.858 ft (2,700 m), the adventure really begins.

Llactapata - Ayapata camp ⛺

Day one is the least demanding of the route because of the altitude and the distance covered, which won’t exceed 8.6 mi (14 km). You’ll start by walking a flat stretch along the Vilcanota River Valley then pass through the last village on the route; where the road begins. Gradually you’ll climb, gaining altitude and in two hours, you'll reach the viewpoint of the Inca site Llactapata (Patallacta). Stop and appreciate the views while your guide explains its origin, use, etc. A deep immersion in the Inca culture!

Following two more hours of walking, you’ll stop for lunch and a much-needed power-up before facing the climb to Ayapata Camp (the camp is at 10,827 ft altitude or 3,300 m), where you’ll arrive at 5:00 pm. As always when getting to the camp, your porters will be waiting with tents ready, a hot drink, and snacks. There’ll be time to rest then, around 7:00 pm dinner is served-you’ll be surprised how well the team cooks!

Ayapata Camp - Abra Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass)

Days on the Inca Trail begin early but with a little treat; a porter will greet you with a hot drink at your tent's door. Next is breakfast before you start the longest and most demanding day on the Inca Trail. In the first four hours, you’ll cover no less than 2.5 mi (4 km) spanning a series of stairs to help you climb almost 1,000 meters of elevation to Dead Woman's Pass, the trail's peak. Take advantage of this time to rest, have a snack, and above all, enjoy the all-encompassing views.

Runkurakay Pass - Chaquicocha Camp ⛺.

After a more than 500 m descent to the Pacaymayu Valley, you’ll have lunch and ready yourselves for the second climb of the day: a two-hour ascent to Runkurakay Pass. On the way up, you’ll stop at the Runkurakay Inca area and Sayacmarca Village where you can mill about while your guide explains everything you see. Finally, you’ll reach Chaquicocha Camp, where you’ll sleep at an altitude of about 12,000 ft (3,600 m). 

Chaquicocha - Phuyupatamarca

A new day begins that will be less demanding than the previous one. Despite the first portion of the route having a very gentle ascent to the Phuyupatamarca Peak (12,000 ft or 3,600 meters altitude), the rest of the hike is downhill. Step by step you’ll move closer to the cloud forest, and begin to notice the change in temperature and increasingly lush landscape. 

The city above the clouds ☁️ - Wiñay Wayna⛺ Camp.

As you continue along the trail, you’ll pass through an Inca tunnel leading to an archaeological zone nestled at the mountain's peak: Phuyupatamarca, which means "the city above the clouds". Next are the long descending stone steps leading to Wiñay Wayna, an impressive Inca complex dedicated to agriculture. Eat lunch and rest among the Incan ruins before preparing for the big day: your arrival to Machu Picchu. Tonight will be your last dinner with the group and the cook always has a pleasant surprise ;). Relax but don't forget to chat with your porters and thank them for their hard work! At this point, you'll know why we say they're "the heroes" of the Inca Trail.

Sun Gate - Machu Picchu

The last leg of the trail! In the early morning darkness around 4:00 am, you’ll be part of the first group walking to the checkpoint, where you’ll wait for about an hour (it opens at 5:30 am). This checkpoint is used to access the trail that will take you to Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

At 5:30 you’ll pass the checkpoint and in just over an hour you’ll have reached the entrance to the city. The clouds will open up to reveal the sun, and you’ll witness a unique moment in Machu Picchu, the sacred citadel of the Incas.

💬 Howlanders Tip:

We know that waiting for an hour in the morning can be difficult but here’s why: early birds will be the first group to get through the checkpoint and you won’t be stuck waiting to pass through Inti Punku (Sun Gate). The time will fly by!

Guided tour of Machu Picchu

After passing through the gate, your guide will take you on a two-hour tour through the city with the citadel as the first stop. Although an expert in Inca culture, your guide may surprise you with their extensive knowledge of Machu Picchu alone. It’s the icing on the cake of such an exciting trip!

When the group has seen their fill of Machu Picchu, you’ll take a bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll dine at a local restaurant for lunch. This is the last time your group gets to share a meal and celebrate the adventure.

Return to Cuzco 🚂

The last event: a panoramic train ride back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival to town, the shuttle bus will be waiting to take you to the center of Cuzco, to end this 4-Day Inca Trail adventure.