




Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu
Trekking along the iconic Inca Trail 4-days tour to Machu Picchu
🚨 Machu Picchu tickets have limited availability ≫ Book in advance 🚨
Briefing
A UNESCO world heritage site and one of South America’s most iconic routes, Howlanders presents the 4-Day Inca Trail Tour. In four days, you’ll walk the trail and stay in mobile camps dotted along the way. Got a lot of baggage? No worries, you’ll be accompanied by some heavy lifters, called porters. At the trail's end, you'll be greeted by Sun Gate, the highest entrance point to Machu Picchu.
This tour includes everything you need (guide, team of porters, food, entrance fees...). Along the route, your guide will fill you in on the different archaeological sites throughout the walk: Llactapata, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, etc. This singular experience will be an authentic immersion into the Inca culture. The Inca Trail is a demanding route with high altitudes and you’ll be walking at more than 13,000 ft (4,000 m) above sea level and of course the winter months will be cold but we promise, it'll be worth it 💪.
Dare to live a life of adventure?
Tour details
Included
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Spanish/English professional guide
- Chef and quality food
- Porter service for your luggage (6kg per person)
- Porter service for tour logistics (camping, food, etc...)
- Transportation from Cuzco to the beginning of the trail by bus and train
- Panoramic train back to Cuzco
- Large tents
- Mat
- First aid kit
Not included
- Tips
- First day's breakfast
- Lunch and dinner on the fourth day
- Sleeping bag (available as an extra)
Important information
🎒 The tour includes porter service for your luggage, so you will hike just with a small daypack for your coat, water, snacks...
🚶 The Inca Trail 4 days hike is a demanding, we recommend to be in good shape to do it and bring good equipment for a changeable weather.
🗻 It is very important to acclimatize to the altitude to do it, so we recommend staying in Cuzco 3-4 days before the start of the tour and if possible do some physical activity or a tour at higher altitude.
Cancellation policy
If you cancel more than 7 days in advance we will refund 75% of the amount paid. If you cancel more than 48 hours in advance we will refund 50% of the amount paid. If you cancel after this time, arrive late, or do not show, no refund will be provided.
Tour itinerary
Briefing: tour preparation meeting
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!

DAY 1
Distance: 8.6 mi (14 km)
Duration: 6-7 hours
Difficulty: medium
📍 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!

DAY 2
Distance: 10 mi (16 km)
Duration: 7-8 hours
Difficulty: high
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).

DAY 3
Distance: 6.2 mi (10 km)
Duration: 6-7 hours
Difficulty: medium
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.

DAY 4
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.

What to bring to Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu tour
When preparing your backpack, remember that some points of the route reach an altitude of over 13,000 ft (4,000 m). The nights are cold particularly during the winter while the days are warm and sunny with occasional rain therefore we recommend packing an efficient 3-layer system that allows you to adapt to the changing weather. Below is a list of the most important items, but only you know what you need most when hiking in the mountains.
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Sunglasses
- Warm clothing
- Comfortable hiking shoes (waterproof if possible)
- Reusable water bottle
- Waterproof jacket (crucial for the rainy season from November to March)
- Passport
- Small backpack (to carry what is necessary for each hike)
- Bathing suit and towel (for the hot springs of Aguas Calientes)
- Medication to avoid altitude sickness (if necessary)
- Trekking poles
Where does the tour Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu start
The starting point of the tour is Cuzco, where a shuttle bus will pick you up from your accommodations (if located in the historic center). If your accommodations are not in the city center and not accessible via shuttle bus then the coordinator will accompany you from your accommodations to the pick-up location or a meeting point on the shuttle bus’s route will be provided. Keep in mind that the pickup location will be as close to your accommodations as possible.
Questions & Answers
What is the briefing before the trip?
It's a meeting with the group and your guide. They will give you all the necessary information, resolve any last-minute doubts, and coordinate the transfer. You'll also have the chance to rent a sleeping bag, an inflatable mattress, or trekking poles.
Do I have to bring all my luggage on the tour?
No, you will have to leave excess luggage at your accommodation (for your comfort we recommend leaving it at the accommodation you'll be at when you return). If this is not possible, an alternative is to store it in the office.
Do I have to carry my luggage during the hikes?
No, during the briefing you'll be given a bag to protect your large backpack and will be carried by the porters. Remember, the maximum weight is 13 lbs (6 kg). Every morning you'll hand over your pack to the porters where it'll be waiting for you when you arrive at the next camp. So you only have to carry a small backpack with you during the hikes (to carry food, some clothes water, etc.).
Do the porters accept tips?
Tipping the porters is a traditional practice widespread among travelers who walk the Inca Trail. During the trek, you'll see that it's hard work and they never stop smiling or lose their cheerful attitude. Without them carrying the camping equipment, kitchen, first aid, etc. this adventure would not be possible. They receive a fair wage for their work however Howlanders encourages you to contribute a little more. The standard tip is 10% of the amount paid per traveler.
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