CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
ONE TRAIL. ONE GROUP. UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES.
THE ORIGINAL PATH TO MACHU PICCHU
Walk one of the world’s most iconic trekking routes and follow the ancient Qhapaq Ñan, the Royal Road of the Inca Empire, through a spectacular succession of landscapes, archaeological sites, and mountain passes. Over four days, the Classic Inca Trail takes you approximately 44 km / 27.3 miles from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, crossing high Andean terrain, descending into misty cloud forests, following original Inca stone pathways, and revealing remarkable archaeological sites along the way. The journey culminates at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu first appears below the mountains—a moment you will remember long after the trek is over. With Peru Hikers, you travel alongside experienced local guides, skilled trekking chefs, and our Elite Inca Warriors, working together to take care of the details while you focus on the trail, the landscapes, and the unforgettable experience of walking into Machu Picchu.
Four days. One legendary trail. A journey you will remember for a lifetime.
Travel Dates & Permit Availability
The Classic Inca Trail has limited daily permits, so booking early is essential to secure your preferred travel date and private departure. We recommend booking 6–10 months ahead for May–August, 4–8 months for April and September–October, and 3–6 months for November–January. The trail closes every February for maintenance. Contact Peru Hikers early to coordinate your permits, guide, and trekking arrangements. Your date, your group, your private journey. Walk the original Inca Trail, experience the Andes, and arrive at Machu Picchu on foot with Peru Hikers — Journeys That Change You.
TOUR DETAILS
- Duration- 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Distance -44 km / 27.3 mi
- Highest Point -Warmiwañusqa – 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
- Difficulty- Challenging
- Accommodation- 3 nights camping Trek Style Private Starting Point Km 82
- Starting Altitude- 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
- Finish -Machu Picchu
- Operating Season- March–January
- February -Inca Trail closed annually
- Languages- English & Spanish
- Recommended -Acclimatization 2–3 full days
Walk the ancient Qhapaq Ñan
Follow the ancient Inca roads across stone pathways, mountain passes, and breathtaking Andean landscapes, discovering the remarkable engineering of the Inca Empire.
Discover sacred Inca sites
Explore extraordinary archaeological sites, including Patallacta, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñay Wayna, while learning about their history and cultural significance.
Conquer Warmiwañusqa
Reach Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 m (13,829 ft), the highest point of the trail. Celebrate your achievement while enjoying spectacular mountain views.
Experience the changing Andes
Journey through lush valleys, rugged mountain peaks, highland landscapes, and cloud forests, each revealing a different side of the Andes.
Enjoy fresh mountain cuisine
Recharge with delicious, freshly prepared meals from your trekking chef, keeping you energized throughout your adventure.
Relax in fully supported camps
Let your professional trekking team take care of camp setup, meals, equipment, and logistics while you rest and prepare for the next day’s journey.
Reach Inti Punku — the Sun Gate
Follow the final stretch of the ancient trail to the Sun Gate, where your first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu await, weather permitting.
Arrive at Machu Picchu on foot
Experience the unforgettable reward of reaching Machu Picchu after days of trekking through ancient history and spectacular landscapes. More than a destination, it is an achievement and a memory that will last a lifetime.
WHY HIKE THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL WITH PERU HIKERS?
YOUR TRAIL. YOUR GUIDE. YOUR JOURNEY.
Experience the Classic Inca Trail with a professional Peru Hikers private guide dedicated
exclusively to your group.
Go beyond the trail itself as your local guide shares the fascinating history, archaeology,
culture, traditions, and stories of the Andes—bringing the ancient world of the Incas to
life along the way.
WALK AT YOUR OWN PACE
A private Inca Trail gives you the freedom to enjoy the journey at a pace that feels right for your group.
Take time for photographs, pause to admire the scenery, ask questions, explore archaeological sites, or simply enjoy a quiet moment in the mountains. There is no need to rush—this is your journey.
A TEAM DEDICATED TO YOUR EXPERIENCE
An unforgettable trek takes more than a great guide. It takes a great team.
Your journey is supported by our professional guides, trekking chefs, support staff, and
Elite Inca Warriors, who work together behind the scenes to take care of camps, meals,
equipment, and logistics.
You focus on the trail. We take care of the rest.
LOCAL PEOPLE. AUTHENTIC KNOWLEDGE.
Peru Hikers is a 100% locally owned Cusco tour operator, with genuine roots in the
Andes.
Our team knows these mountains not simply as a destination, but as home. We are proud to
share the landscapes, history, traditions, and culture that make this region so special.
When you hike with us, you experience the Inca Trail through local eyes.
MORE THAN A HIKE
The Classic Inca Trail is not simply a route to Machu Picchu.
It is a journey through ancient history, sacred landscapes, spectacular mountains, and
living Andean culture. With a private guide by your side, you have more opportunities to
understand the places you encounter and appreciate the stories behind them.
TRUSTED BY TRAVELERS
From your first contact with us to your final steps into Machu Picchu, our goal is to provide
personal attention, reliable service, and an experience you will remember for a
lifetime.
Peru Hikers has earned strong ratings and reviews on Tripadvisor and Google, reflecting
the care we put into every journey.
MADE FOR YOUR PEOPLE
ITINERARY
DAY 1 — CUSCO → KM 82 → PATALLACTA → HUAYLLABAMBA
Your adventure starts early with a 4:30 AM pickup from your hotel in Cusco, or from an agreed location in the Sacred Valley, as we travel through the Sacred Valley toward Ollantaytambo and continue to Km 82, the official starting point of the Classic Inca Trail. Here, you’ll meet your trekking team, organize your equipment, enjoy breakfast, and complete the official checkpoint procedures, where your original passport is required. After crossing the Urubamba River, you take your first steps along the ancient Inca road, passing agricultural fields, local communities, and spectacular mountain landscapes while your guide introduces you to the history of the Qhapaq Ñan and the traditions of the Andes. One of the day’s highlights is Patallacta, an impressive Inca settlement built among terraces along the valley. After lunch, the trail gradually climbs toward the Huayllabamba area, where your team welcomes you at camp with a warm drink and time to rest before dinner and a briefing about the challenging day ahead.
DAY 1 DETAILS
- Distance: Approx. 11 km / 6.8 mi
- Walking Time: Approx. 6–7 hours
- Starting Altitude: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
- Camp Altitude: Approx. 3,000–3,300 m / 9,843–10,827 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlight: Patallacta & Sacred Valley landscapes
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea & dinner
PERU HIKERS TIP: Don’t rush your first day. Establish a comfortable walking rhythm,
stay hydrated, and save energy for tomorrow’s climb.
DAY 2 — HUAYLLABAMBA → LLULLUCHAPAMPA → WARMIWAÑUSQA → PACAYMAYO
Waking to the crisp mountain air and a warm drink brought right to your tent, you will set off on the most physically demanding day of the entire Inca Trail, climbing steadily through misty cloud forests and high-altitude Polylepis vegetation toward Llulluchapampa, the final grassy meadow where trekkers gather their strength. From this last resting point, the alpine landscape transforms into a dramatic, windswept terrain of barren rock as the trail steepens significantly, testing your endurance with every agonizing yet rewarding step until you finally conquer the infamous Warmiwañusqa—better known as Dead Woman’s Pass—at a breathtaking 4,215 meters (13,829 feet) above sea level. Standing at the undisputed high point of the journey, you will have plenty of time to catch your breath, celebrate your hard-earned victory, snap unforgettable photos, and marvel at the panoramic views of towering, snow-capped Andean peaks stretching as far as the eye can see. Afterward, the challenging journey continues with a grueling, knees-shaking descent down thousands of ancient, hand-carved Inca stone steps that wind deep into the lush Pacaymayo Valley, where your campsite awaits with a hearty warm meal, traditional afternoon tea, and a well-deserved evening of rest and recovery under the star-lit sky.
DAY 2 DETAILS
- Distance: Approx. 12 km / 7.5 mi
- Walking Time: Approx. 7–9 hours
- Highest Point: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
- Camp: Pacaymayo Valley
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Highlight: Warmiwañusqa – Dead Woman’s Pass
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea & dinner
PERU HIKERS TIP: Use controlled steps on the long descent. Trekking poles with rubber tips can provide valuable support on steep Inca stairways.
DAY 3 — PACAYMAYO → RUNKURAKAY → SAYACMARCA → PHUYUPATAMARCA → WIÑAY WAYNA
THE DAY OF ANCIENT CITIES Today combines some of the most impressive archaeological sites and landscapes on the entire route. After breakfast, we climb toward Runkurakay, a fascinating circular Inca structure overlooking the Pacaymayo Valley, before continuing over another mountain pass and descending along carefully constructed stone pathways to Sayacmarca, dramatically positioned above the cloud forest. As the environment changes, high-altitude vegetation gives way to moss-covered trees, lush forest, mist, and original Inca tunnels. The trail then reaches Phuyupatamarca, often translated as the “Town Above the Clouds,” where terraces, ceremonial fountains, and spectacular mountain views make it one of the route’s most memorable sites. From here, we descend through the cloud forest toward Wiñay Wayna, meaning “Forever Young” in Quechua, an extraordinary archaeological complex featuring curved agricultural terraces, ceremonial structures, and sophisticated water channels. Your final night is spent in the Wiñay Wayna area, subject to the campsite officially assigned to your group.
DAY 3 DETAILS
- Distance: Approx. 16 km / 9.9 mi
- Walking Time: Approx. 8–10 hours
- Highest Point: Approx. 3,950 m / 12,959 ft
- Terrain: Mountain passes, stone stairways, tunnels & cloud forest
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Highlights: Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca & Wiñay Wayna
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea & dinner
Important: The final campsite is subject to the official campsite assignment for your departure.
DAY 4 — WIÑAY WAYNA → INTI PUNKU → MACHU PICCHU → CUSCO
THE MOMENT YOU CAME FOR Your final morning begins before sunrise. After breakfast, we prepare our daypacks and complete the official control procedures before starting the final section of the Inca Trail. The path winds through the cloud forest toward Inti Punku—the Sun Gate, where, after one final staircase, Machu Picchu may appear below you if weather conditions allow. Surrounded by green mountains and drifting clouds, this unforgettable view brings the journey together. After taking time to enjoy the scenery and capture photographs, your guide leads your Machu Picchu visit according to the circuit assigned to your Inca Trail permit, sharing the history, architecture, terraces, temples, engineering, and sacred connection to the surrounding mountains. After the visit, we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have time for lunch on your own before boarding the tourist train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, a Peru Hikers representative will meet you at the station and provide your private transfer back to Cusco.
DAY 4 DETAILS
- Walking Distance: Approx. 5 km / 3.1 mi + Machu Picchu visit
- Start: Before dawn according to official procedures
- Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Terrain: Cloud forest, stone steps & archaeological pathways
- Main Highlight: Entering Machu Picchu through Inti Punku
- Breakfast: Included
- Lunch: Not included
- Return: Tourist train + private transportation to Cusco
What's Included & Not Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
BEFORE YOUR TREK
- Pre-trek briefing with your private professional guide
- Assistance with preparation and packing
- Classic Inca Trail permit
- Machu Picchu entrance associated with your trek
- Hotel pickup from central Cusco or agreed Sacred Valley location
- Private transportation to Km 82
- Complete operational support from Peru Hikers
CAMPING EQUIPMENT
- Quality trekking tents
- Dining tent
- Kitchen tent
- Tables and stools
- Cooking equipment
- Foam sleeping mat
- Portable toilet tent when included in your confirmed service
- Daily warm washing water
SAFETY & SUPPORT
- First-aid kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Emergency communication procedures
- Daily wellbeing monitoring
YOUR PRIVATE TREKKING TEAM
- Dedicated professional English-speaking local guide
- Assistant guide when required by regulations or group size
- Professional trekking chef
- Kitchen support team
- Elite Inca Warriors – professional porter team
- Porter service according to applicable weight regulations
- Staff meals and transportation
- Staff permits and expedition equipment
FOOD & WATER
- Daily trekking breakfasts
- Lunches on Days 1–3
- Afternoon teas
- Dinners on Days 1–3
- Freshly prepared trekking meals
- Vegetarian and vegan options
- Common dietary requirements with advance notice
- Boiled drinking water once camp kitchen operations are established
- Hot drinks and traditional Andean infusions
MACHU PICCHU & RETURN
- Guided Machu Picchu experience with your private guide
- Visit according to the official circuit assigned to your trek
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Tourist train to Ollantaytambo
- Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to your Cusco hotel
NOT INCLUDED
- International or domestic flights
- Accommodation before or after the trek
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes on Day 4
- Sleeping bag
- Inflatable sleeping mattress
- Trekking poles
- Personal daypack
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal medication
- Personal snacks and beverages
- Additional porter allowance beyond your confirmed service
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain entrance unless specifically added
- Expenses caused by circumstances outside Peru Hikers’ control
- Voluntary gratuities
OPTIONAL RENTALS & UPGRADES
- SLEEPING BAG — US$30 A four-season sleeping bag suitable for cool Andean nights.
- TREKKING POLES — US$25 Adjustable trekking poles with protective rubber tips for additional support on ascents, descents, and Inca stone stairways.
- INFLATABLE MATTRESS — US$25 Additional insulation and comfort during your three nights of camping.
- VISTADOME TRAIN UPGRADE — US$65 Upgrade your return journey with panoramic windows and spectacular Sacred Valley views, subject to train schedule and availability.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Your private guide normally meets you around 6:30 PM the evening before your trek, either at our office or your hotel.
PRE-TREK BRIEFING
Your private guide normally meets you around 6:30 PM the evening before your trek,
either at our office or your hotel.
During the briefing, your guide reviews:
- Trekking itinerary
- Packing requirements
- Equipment
- Transportation
- Trail logistics
- Meals
- Campsites
- Your questions
You will also receive your trekking duffel.
DUFFEL BAG
Peru Hikers provides a trekking duffel for your personal belongings.
Our Elite Inca Warriors transport the permitted weight between camps so you can hike with a lighter daypack.
Personal duffel allowance: up to 7 kg / 15 lb, including sleeping bag and inflatable mattress when applicable.
WEATHER
Andean weather can change rapidly.
You should be prepared for:
- Sunshine
- Rain
- Wind
- Cold temperatures
- Strong mountain conditions
- Rapid changes throughout the day
Layers and waterproof protection are essential.
DUFFEL BAG
Peru Hikers provides a trekking duffel for your personal belongings.
Our Elite Inca Warriors transport the permitted weight between camps so you can hike with a lighter daypack.
Personal duffel allowance: up to 7 kg / 15 lb, including sleeping bag and inflatable mattress when applicable.
ACCLIMATIZATION
The highest point of the trek reaches 4,215 m / 13,829 ft.
We strongly recommend spending at least 2–3 full days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before beginning the Inca Trail.
WHAT TO PACK
ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS
- Original passport
- Travel insurance information
- Emergency contacts
- Some Peruvian soles
DUFFEL
- Hiking shirts
- Hiking trousers
- Optional shorts
- Thermal layers
- Fleece
- Insulated jacket
- Underwear
- Hiking socks
- Sleeping clothes
- Camp shoes
- Clean clothing for Machu Picchu
FOOTWEAR
Bring comfortable, well-broken-in hiking boots with good traction.
Never start the Classic Inca Trail wearing brand-new hiking boots.
DAYPACK
We recommend a 20–25 L backpack with:
- Rain cover
- 2–3 L water capacity
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Waterproof trousers
- Fleece or insulated jacket
- Sun hat
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Personal medication
- Blister treatment
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues
- Toilet paper
- Headlamp
- Camera/phone
- Power bank
- Personal snacks
WEATHER
Andean weather can change rapidly.
You should be prepared for:
- Sunshine
- Rain
- Wind
- Cold temperatures
- Strong mountain conditions
- Rapid changes throughout the day
Layers and waterproof protection are essential.
CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO TRAVEL
Travel with a premium small group for a social and rewarding experience, or choose a private departure for greater flexibility and personalized attention.
SMALL-GROUP TREK
Adults: From US$810 per person
Children & Students: From US$780 per person
PRIVATE SERVICE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS THIS TREK COMPLETELY PRIVATE?
Yes. Your Classic Inca Trail departure is organized exclusively for the travelers included in
your private booking. You will have your own dedicated guide and trekking support
team, rather than joining unrelated travelers.
CAN WE WALK AT OUR OWN PACE?
Yes. A private departure provides greater flexibility with your trekking pace. Your guide
can adapt the rhythm, rest stops, and daily timing to your group while respecting official
checkpoints, campsite assignments, operating hours, safety requirements, and Inca Trail
regulations.
DO WE STILL NEED INCA TRAIL PERMITS?
Yes. Private service does not bypass official regulations. Every traveler must have an
official, date-specific Inca Trail permit, and permits are limited each day.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL?
The Classic Inca Trail is considered challenging. The trek covers approximately 44 km /
27 miles over four days, including steep climbs, long descents, high-altitude sections, and
thousands of ancient stone steps. Good physical preparation and proper acclimatization are
strongly recommended.
HOW MANY HOURS DO WE HIKE EACH DAY?
Hiking times vary depending on the day’s route, group pace, weather, and trail conditions.
Generally, expect approximately 5–8 hours of trekking per day, including rest stops,
meals, and time to explore archaeological sites.
DO WE CARRY ALL OUR LUGGAGE?
No. You will hike with a daypack containing the items you need during the day. Our
permitted trekking support team carries your personal duffel between camps, allowing you
to enjoy the trail with less weight.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK IN MY DAYPACK?
We recommend carrying water, snacks, sunscreen, a rain jacket, warm layers, personal
medications, your camera or phone, and other essentials you may need during the day.
Your larger belongings can remain in your duffel.
CAN DIETARY REQUIREMENTS BE ACCOMMODATED?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and many common dietary requirements can be
accommodated when requested in advance. Please inform our team of any dietary
restrictions when booking.
CAN CHILDREN JOIN A PRIVATE INCA TRAIL?
Some active children can successfully complete the trek, but the Classic Inca Trail is
physically demanding. Age, fitness, previous hiking experience, altitude
acclimatization, and motivation should all be considered before booking.
ARE TOILETS AVAILABLE ALONG THE TRAIL?
Basic toilet facilities are available at designated locations and campsites, although
conditions vary. Depending on your confirmed service, a portable toilet tent may also be
available.
CAN I SHOWER ALONG THE INCA TRAIL?
Shower facilities are very limited and conditions vary between campsites. We recommend
preparing for a trek where access to hot showers is not guaranteed.
CAN I CHARGE MY PHONE OR CAMERA?
There are no reliable charging facilities along most of the trail. We recommend bringing a
fully charged power bank and spare batteries if necessary.
IS THERE PHONE OR WI-FI SIGNAL?
Connectivity is limited and unreliable along much of the Inca Trail. Some areas may have
occasional mobile signal, but you should not depend on having internet access during the
trek.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER CHANGES?
Weather in the Andes can change quickly. Rain, cold temperatures, strong sun, fog, or other
conditions may affect the experience and daily operations. Your guide and trekking team
will make decisions based on safety, trail conditions, and official regulations.
CAN THE ITINERARY CHANGE?
Yes. Operational changes may occasionally be necessary because of weather, trail
conditions, official campsite assignments, railway operations, emergencies,
government instructions, or other circumstances beyond our control. Safety and
official regulations always come first.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for the Classic Inca Trail. Your policy should
ideally cover trekking at high altitude, medical emergencies, evacuation, trip interruption,
and other unexpected situations.
DO I NEED TO ACCLIMATIZE BEFORE THE TREK?
Yes. Proper acclimatization is important because the Classic Inca Trail reaches high
elevations. We recommend spending at least 2–3 full days in the Cusco region before
beginning the trek and avoiding strenuous activity immediately after arriving at altitude.
CAN WE ADD HUAYNA PICCHU OR MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN?
Additional mountain entrances require separate tickets and depend on availability,
scheduling, and compatibility with your assigned Machu Picchu circuit. If you would like
to add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, we recommend requesting it as early
as possible.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE REACH MACHU PICCHU?
After your guided visit to Machu Picchu, you will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes,
where you will have time for lunch and relaxation before boarding your train. Upon arrival
at Ollantaytambo, your private Peru Hikers transportation will be waiting to take you back
to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
CAN WE REQUEST A PRIVATE DEPARTURE FOR JUST TWO PEOPLE?
Yes. Private departures can be arranged for couples, families, friends, honeymooners,
and small groups, subject to permit availability and the applicable service arrangements.
WHEN SHOULD WE BOOK OUR PRIVATE INCA TRAIL?
We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for May through August, when
demand is highest. Because permits are limited and tied to specific travelers and dates,
early booking gives you the greatest choice of departure dates.
WHAT MAKES A PRIVATE INCA TRAIL DIFFERENT?
A private trek gives your group a more personalized and flexible experience, with your
own guide and dedicated trekking team. You can share the journey exclusively with the
people you choose while enjoying greater flexibility with pacing, communication, and the
overall trekking experience
READY TO WALK THE INCA TRAIL YOUR WAY?
Choose your date. Bring your people. Walk the ancient Qhapaq Ñan. Arrive at
Machu Picchu on foot.
Peru Hikers — Journeys That Change You.
THE PERU HIKERS DIFFERENCE
LOCAL ROOTS. PRIVATE SERVICE. REAL CONNECTION.
Peru Hikers was born in Cusco, and our connection to these mountains is personal. Our founder, Daniel Mayta, grew up in the Sacred Valley, speaks Quechua, and began his journey in tourism as an Inca Trail porter before becoming a professional guide and local tour operator.
That experience continues to shape the way we operate today. Our Elite Inca Warriors are at the heart of every expedition. They carry equipment, establish camps, support the trekking operation, and help make your journey possible behind the scenes.
They are more than porters.
They are the backbone of our expeditions and an important part of the Peru Hikers family. When you choose a private Inca Trail with Peru Hikers, you receive more than exclusivity. You receive the opportunity to walk these ancient paths with a local team, experience the trail at a more personal rhythm, ask questions, connect with the Andes, and discover the Inca Trail beyond the usual viewpoint.
