In the popular 4 day Classic Inca Trail trek you journey from the Andean forest to high jungle, through cloud forest to the alpine tundra. Throughout, you learn about the history and culture of the Incas exploring settlements, tunnels, sacred sites, and numerous Incan Ruins. On this trek there is a strong focus on the spiritual and historical significance of each sacred site/ ruin, providing a framework in integrating your experience in such powerful places.
Adventure Peru Path’s unique 4 day trek through the stunning Andean Mountains along the river valley is approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) leading us to the Sun Gate in the Holy City, Machu Picchu.
Our professional tour guide will provide a pre-trek briefing from your Classic 4 day Classic Inca Trail Trek before starting the hike to review the day-by-day itinerary and discuss any questions that you may have about hiking the Inca Trail. We highly recommend spending at least two full days or more in Cusco before starting the Inca Trail. This will help you to adjust to the altitude of the Area and be prepared for the physical demands of the Inca Trail hike.
At 4:30 a.m., conveniently you will be picked up at your hotel in Cusco where our adventure begins. We drive down through the beautiful Sacred Valley until we make our way to Ollantaytambo. Here in a Ollantaytambo where you are engulfed in mountains with ruins we will enjoy a short stop to gather any last supplies or just soak in the beauty of this magnificent town.
After Ollantaytambo we will continue for another 45 minutes to Piscacucho (kilometer 82) which is where we will stop for a deliciously prepared breakfast and meet our guides before starting our four day journey. Following our breakfast we will pass through an official checkpoint where we show our identifications (passports and trail permits). Then we continue on a flat terrain for 2 hours along the Wilkamayu (Urubamba) river. Our first short break is at Miskay a quaint village in the mountains to take a quick rest just before we ascend to our first view point to see Llactapata.
Llactapata is the biggest and one of the most beautiful ruins before Machu Picchu. Here we will explore and learn about Llactapata as well as share time to learn about the history of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
After taking in the history, we walk for 2 hours along the river to arrive at our peaceful lunch spot at the Hatunchaca village.
Then we have half an hour more to the Wayllabamba Community, from here we will start an 1 ½ hour uphill journey to our first camp, Ayapata (3300 m/ 10,824 ft.). Here we are able to soak in the power of the Andean Mountains and view gorgeous Mount Huayanay and the Quesqa valley in tranquility as Ayapata is not a camp not used by many along the Inca trail. Our night ends by sharing a beautiful dinner together and star gazing.
We wake just before 5 a.m. with a hot coca tea and begin packing your things. We enjoy a nourishing breakfast to prepare us for a great and long day. Today we are hiking uphill mostly but not to worry, it is broken up to 4 sections. Around 9 in the morning we arrive at our highest point, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 m/ 13,825 ft.) At the most epic peak of the entire trail we have breathtaking views and not to mention an incredible sense of accomplishment!
After, it is downhill to our lunch spot! We will be enjoying a lovely lunch in the Pacaymayu Valley. Then we will climb 45 minutes uphill to Runcuracay inca ruin where we will have an informative tour. Following our tour at the ruin, we will continue to climb uphill for 1 more hour to Runcuracay pass (3,950 m/ 12,959 ft.) from here we will enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Veronica and Pumasillo.
From Runcuracay pass we descend for approximately 90 minutes through the high jungle and pass a beautiful lake to find a miraculous view of the sunsetting in the Aobamba Valley. This is also where the Inca site Sayacmarca is located, so we will be learning here as well! Our last segment of the hike is 35 minutes downhill from Sayacmarca to our beautiful camp at Chaquicocha where we will spend our second night on the trek.
We greet the day again with a warm coca tea and fantastic breakfast. Along our two hour up and downhill from hike we hit Puyupatamarca (3700m/12139ft.) where we will take a break, as it is a great photo opportunity. Here we will first see spectacular views of Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, and Huayna Picchu mountains, as well as enjoy a guided tour. Then we descend two hours passing through the impressive terraces of Intipata to our lunch place and then home for the night at Winay Wayna (2,680 m/8,792 ft.)
Winay Wayna, means “forever young’ in Quechua, and this is a rare opportunity as we are one of the only tour places to camp here and provide a tour.
Of course, this tour is an option and you are welcome to enjoy a tea and relax before our last dinner prior to Machu Picchu! Here we say our goodbyes and part way with some of guide crew.
Early to rise! We enjoy a light breakfast before we make our way to Machu Picchu and the final steps on the Inca Trail. It is a fairly easy one hour hike that leads us to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) the entrance to Machu Picchu. Here, at the sacred sun gate we see the sunrise and the first view of the spectacular Machu Picchu city.
We then descend 45 minutes to the citadel of Machu Picchu and we take a moment for a famous photo opportunity. Then we will have our 2 hour guided tour which is greatly informative on the history, culture, and spirit of the Incas. You will have remaining time to explore as well or if you have chosen to climb Huayna Picchu this will be your opportunity!
After exploring, we make our way back down the mountain, winding through the beautiful roads back to Aguas Calientes. Here we will enjoy lunch before the exciting and scenic train ride back to Poroy train station. From Poroy, you will enjoy a private van ride back to your hotel in Cusco arriving around 8 in the evening.
