Classic Inca Trail 4 Days 3 Nights

Classic Inca Trail 4 Days 3 Nights

The 4 day 3 night INCA TRAIL Trek is the most popular trek to Machu Picchu. It traverses the original Inca steps ending at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the entrance to Machu Picchu city.
The 4D/3N Inca Trail trek has 7 archaeological sites along the way, has a variety of flora and fauna, and the area is rich in history. The 4 day trek is 42 km/26 mi and goes up to 4,215 m/13,828 ft and is classified as a moderate trek. If you love the idea of trekking the classic way to Machu Picchu and don’t mind crowded trails and campgrounds, then the Inca Trail Trek is the one for you!

This trail requires a permit and a limited number of people are allowed to trek per day. These spots fill quickly so booking well in advance (at least 7 months recommended) is essential. Minimum passengers necessary for trek departure: 2 people (solo possible with extra fee). Maximum per group: 10 (unless private group)

Prices USD: 7-10 trekkers: 750, 5-6 trekkers: 790, 3-4 trekkers: 875, 2 trekkers: 990 (per person)

Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO – PISCACUCHO KM 82 – WAYLLABAMBA

Pass By: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Peru
Very early in the morning your private transport will pick you up at your hotel for the 3 hour drive to the beginning of the Inca Trail (known as km 82). On the way we stop for breakfast Ollantaytambo, which is a small town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here you can buy different things for your trek if needed, such as coca leaves, sun screen, plastic rain ponchos, etc. When we get to KM 82 we show our permits and original passports (make sure you have the same passport number as the one when you made your reservation) at the Control Checkpoint. Then we walk 3 1/2 hours to lunch and another 2 1/2 hours to reach our first campsite Wayllabamba (3,000 m/9,843 ft). On the way we have the opportunity to see the third highest snow capped mountain in the Cusco region, named Wacaywillca or Veronica (5,800 m/19,028 ft).

Walking distance approximately 10km/6.2 miles (6 hour hike)

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Hot, buffet lunch with hot drinks and boiled/purified water

• Dinner: Hot, buffet dinner with hot drinks and boiled/purified water

Accommodation included: Overnight in a 3 person, 4 season Mountain Hardwear Tent (2 people per tent but can upgrade to a private tent with fee)


Day 2: WAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYU

Pass By: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Peru
An early wake up call to continue hiking the Sacred Trail. Today we climb Dead Woman`s Pass, the highest pass of the trek, at 4,215 m/13,828 ft. It will take approximately 5 hours to reach the top of the pass. The views from the Dead Woman’s Pass are spectacular and you can see glaciers, valleys, and never ending mountains. After the pass we continue downhill for 2 hours to our second campsite called Pacaymayu 3,600 m/11,810 ft. At the campsite we will have lunch and you will have the rest of the afternoon free until happy hour and dinner.

Walking distance approximately 14 km/8.6 miles (7 hour hike)

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Hot, buffet breakfast with hot drinks and boiled/purified water

• Lunch: Hot, buffet lunch with hot drinks and boiled/purified water

• Dinner: Hot, buffet dinner with hot drinks and boiled/purified water

Accommodation included: Overnight in a 3 person, 4 season Mountain Hardwear Tent (2 people per tent but can upgrade to a private tent with fee)


Day 3: PACAYMAYU – WIÑAYWAYNA

Pass By: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Peru
Early wake up call again to climb two passes today (Runkurakay and Phuyupatamarca). We will walk up a semi-steep path for 1.5 hours to reach the first pass Runkurakay 3,950 m/12,959 ft. On the way we will visit the archeological site called Runkurakay. After the first pass we will continue downhill for 1.5 hours to our lunch spot Chakicocha (3,500 m/11,482 ft) visiting another archeological site, Sayacmarca, along the way. After lunch we walk 1.5 hours up to Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,650 m/11,975 ft) . This trail is particularly beautiful and from the pass we will see Machu Picchu mountain, the Vilcabamba range, and the Urubamba river. After the second pass we will continue downhill for 2 more hours to our third campsite Wiñaywayna (2,700 m/8,858 ft).

Walking distance approximately 16 km/9.9 miles (7 hour hike)

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Hot, buffet breakfast with hot drinks and boiled/purified water

• Lunch: Hot, buffet lunch with hot drinks and boiled/purified water

• Dinner: Hot, buffet dinner with hot drinks and boiled/purified water

Accommodation included: Overnight in a 3 person, 4 season Mountain Hardwear Tent (2 people per tent but can upgrade to a private tent with fee)


Day 4: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Stop At: Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Peru
Wake up call is very early, at 4:00 a.m, in order to reach the entrance to Machu Picchu at daybreak. After breakfast we go to the Control Checkpoint to show our permits and tickets again. We then walk 1.5 hours to the Sun Gate, the entrance to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail and then another half hour to reach the southern agricultural zone of Machu Picchu city (where the most famous photos of the site are taken from). Your guide will provide you with your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. Please have your passport because without this you will not be able to enter the park. If you are a student you must bring your ISIC card to the entrance or you will not be permitted entrance. You will show your entry ticket and passport/ISIC card, and continue back into Machu Picchu to begin the tour, where your guide will unfold the mysteries of this magical site. After the tour you will have free time to explore the city yourself. After you are done exploring the ruin site you will take the bus (25 minutes) down to Aguas Calientes. There are many restaurants to choose and your guide can also help find a nice place for lunch. After lunch you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where your private transport will pick you up and take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

NOTE: there are no bathrooms in the ruin site. There are bathrooms right outside the entrance, cost 1 sol per entrance, and they provide a little toilet paper.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Hot, buffet breakfast with hot drinks and boiled/purified water

No accommodation included on this day.