What is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days? It’s an experience you won’t want to miss. It should inspire some excitement and spark a little wonder in your soul. It is in the top 5 of the most popular excursions in South America and one of the most famous hikes in the world. The hike takes you along ancient roads to Peruvian villages through the highlands of the Andes. It’s a 4-day, 3-night multi-day hike to the largest endpoint in the iconic Machu Picchu, check availability online here!
Our experience for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days begins very early. At 4 am we will pick you up from your hotels to go to Ollantaytambo, we will have breakfast here. Then we continue our trip to the Inca Trail checkpoint; Piskacucho (KM 82). At this point, the ranger will check the passport, permits and all relevant tickets. The adventure begins! Now we will embark on the third most popular hike in the world (according to Lonely Planet). We will also introduce you to our work team “Inca Trail Porters and Cook”, people very dedicated to their activity. After getting fully ready, our hike will begin.
The first part of our path includes flat terrain. Enjoy stunning views of the Andes mountain range. On the first day, nature delights us with its spectacular landscapes, a wonderful natural environment. We stop along the way for our first buffet lunch, dishes prepared by our talented chef, an unexpected dining experience in the middle of nature. As we continue we will see the Inca Fortress of Huillca Raccay, we will take a break here while the guide gives you a brief history of our ancestors.
From here the views of the vast Inca site of Llactapata and the snow-capped peak of W’akay Willca are scenic. We will continue towards Wayllabamba (3,000 m/9,842 ft) and then head uphill for another 2 hours until we reach our first camp in Ayapata. Upon our arrival, our porters will have everything ready including our tents. Afternoon tea will be accompanied by a delicious snack. In the evening, your chef will prepare a hearty and nutritious dinner made with local and healthy ingredients. Finally, we will go to rest and recharge our batteries for a second day of walking considered “challenging.”
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Accommodation: Tents
Distance: 12 KM / 7.5 MILES (approx. 6-7 hours of walking)
Difficulty: easy to moderate
This is a perfect morning, your guide will wake you up with a hot cup of tea at 5:00 am. He can enjoy it inside his store. Afterwards, you will be provided with a bowl of warm water to wash yourself, and shortly the chef and his team will have your breakfast prepared and hot. The variety of foods at breakfast throughout the trip is a specialty of our team. You can expect things like pancakes, omelettes, fruits, oatmeal, buttered toast, jam and hot drinks like hot chocolate, a variety of hot infusions/teas and coffee. Our generous breakfast is certainly the right amount of nourishment needed to get you through the most challenging day on the Inca Trail. Like every day, we will provide you with safe boiled water, there is no limit. Now a day that promises to be the most challenging, but at the same time satisfying to overcome.
Our day begins with an uphill walk through the cloud forest towards Llulluchapampa (3,800 m/12,460 feet), we will ascend almost 800 m/2,625 feet in altitude. Along the way we will see llamas and alpacas grazing peacefully, drinking from the natural sources of fresh water found throughout the mountainside. Afterwards, we will resume our journey towards the long-awaited highest pass of the day, Dead Women’s Peak (4200 m/13779 ft). This is the highest and most challenging point on the trail. Upon our arrival, the feeling you will feel is indescribable, because we achieved our first objective. The views from the summit are absolutely indescribable, almost as if you were on top of the world.
After spending a moment resting, we will resume our hike towards our lunch spot at Pacaymayu (3,580 m/ 11,700 ft). During the descent we will appreciate waterfalls that come from the top of the mountain peaks and we will also cross well-structured Inca bridges. Upon arrival, our hard-working staff will have everything ready and welcome us with a thirst-quenching drink, before surprising us with another gourmet lunch in our dining room. After lunch we will begin our ascent to the second pass of the day, Runkuraqay (4,000 m/ 13,123 ft). This hilltop has a particular basket shape and is generally covered in fog, we will feel like we are among the clouds.
Next, we will descend to the archaeological center of Sayacmarka (3,650 m/ 11,975 ft), translated as “the inaccessible city” in. Finally, we go down to the camp in Chaquicocha (3,600 m/ 11,800 feet) and upon arrival we will enjoy tea time, and then our delicious dinner will be ready. Enjoy the great views while relaxing after a physically difficult day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snack, snack, dinner
Accommodation: Tents
Distance: 16 KM / 10 MILES (approx. 9 hours of walking)
Difficulty: Difficult – Challenging
Your third morning on the Inca Trail is almost a myth, a dream day that recreates a type of life that only existed more than 600 years ago. Our guide will wake us up and offer a cup of hot tea that he can enjoy inside his tent before heading out to have our breakfast at 06:00 a.m. After our energetic breakfast, we head along a beautiful trail towards Phuyupatamarca (3,670 m/ 12,040 feet) which means “Town in the Clouds.” This area is bordered by the jungle and you feel that the fog surrounds us which creates a unique landscape. This archaeological site has 15 buildings, of which 6 were designed for sacred water ceremonies and rituals. From the top we will have a wide view of the valley, the canyons in the lower part and the spectacular landscape that surrounds you.
We will continue our hike through the cloud forest to the recently discovered agricultural site of Intipata (2,897 m/ 9,505 ft). The path takes us through tunnels created by our Inca ancestors, located on the mountainside, with its unique stone steps. The rest of the trail for this day is a particular descent, let’s walk calmly, the rocks can be slippery. Good trekking shoes and walking sticks are useful on these journeys. Intipata was discovered in 1992 and is part of a large area of agricultural terraces. It was an important agricultural source for the royalty who lived in Machu Picchu. Today you can find fully functioning water sources that were used for irrigation purposes.
As we walk, the weather becomes significantly warmer, all of this is due to our constant descent, and even more so because we will be getting closer to the Amazon rainforest. As we look closer and closer to Wiñay Wayna (2,680 m/ 8,793 feet), the flora will entertain us more with its vibrant colors, the mountains covered in a lush green color. Upon arriving at the Wiñay Wayna camp, our lunch will be ready, then we settle into this our last camp of the walk. We can rest easy knowing that Machu Picchu is just one day away from us.
After lunch we will take a very short walk to the second most popular and beautiful Inca site on the road after Machu Picchu. This impressive archaeological site is called the best preserved archaeological site in the world. It is named after an orange orchid, which grows abundantly throughout the year in this area. Your guide will share the fascinating history of this special place, plus we will enjoy incredible views of beautiful snow-capped mountains, a small waterfall at the bottom, and the Urubamba River running through the valley. We will return to the camp for our tea time, and later our farewell dinner, prepared by our talented chef. The night in this camp is much warmer. And on a clear night, it can be the opportunity to witness nighttime spectacles like a sky full of stars.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snack, snack, dinner
Accommodation: Tents.
Distance: 10KM / 6.2MILES (approx. 5 hours of walking)
Difficulty: Moderate
The most anticipated day has finally arrived!! Today we will start earlier than usual. Breakfast is served at 4:00 am. We will say goodbye to our porters, chef and his team who did a superhuman job, as they rush to catch the only staff train available to them. The advantage of our last camp is that you can enjoy a (cold) shower before preparing for photos at the great Citadel of Machu Picchu.
We begin our walk to the famous Puerta del Sol, passing through narrow steps. Puerta del Sol (2,720 m/ 8,924 ft), also known as “IntiPunku”, we will witness the citadel of Machu Picchu (2,400 m/7,872 ft) for the first time. See the amazing citadel just as the sun rises behind it, the first rays of sunlight spreading over this sacred Citadel. Finally, we walk downhill to enter the Machu Picchu Citadel, but first we will stop at “The Guardian’s House” where all the famous postcard photos of Machu Picchu are taken.
Next, we head towards the checkpoint, where we register, we can leave our large backpacks or walking sticks in the cloakrooms. The rangers do not allow anyone to bring small bags to Machu Picchu, such as camera bags. Walking poles are not permitted. Our visit will be with our guide, he will inform you about the incredible history and more details of the ruins for about two hours, prepare your questions. He will see many of the important parts of Machu Picchu.
After our tour, people who have booked the additional hike to Huayna Picchu in advance will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you are finally ready and revitalized after these exceptional Machu Picchu experiences, you will take the bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on the departure time of our train, you may also have time to do some shopping or walk around the small town.
The “Expedition” train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55 pm. or 3:20 pm, the train ride with amazing views on one side of the spectacular Urubamba River. Near Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of fast-flowing water. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up the canyon! Once we arrive in Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit of the train station to return you to your hotel in Cusco. Our arrival back in Cusco will be around 7:30 pm.
Meals included: Breakfast ONLY
Distance: 6km/3.7ml
Difficulty: Easy
***IMPORTANT:
On the 4-day Inca Trail, we will do Circuit #3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you purchase an additional ticket to Machu Picchu (US$57).
You can upgrade train service to the Vistadome for the same times, 2:55 or 3:20, 4:22 or 4:43 p.m. m. The cost is $67 USD.
Train times can be arranged upon request and must be made prior to the booking time.
The hike to Huayna Picchu mountain depends on availability and please let us know at the time of booking.
For your trip to Peru, we recommend bringing one or two large pieces of luggage depending on the length of your vacation. Bring only what you need for the 4-day Inca Trail, this means that you will have to store the rest of your belongings at the hotel in Cusco or in our luggage storage.
For the Inca Trail, keep the things you will carry to a minimum. We recommend 5 kilos in your backpack and 7 kilos in your duffel bag. Remember that you are responsible for carrying your backpack at all times, and you will need to have all the necessary equipment for the day. Our porters will carry the duffel bag, and you will only have access to them at each campsite.
A continuación te damos una lista de artículos que te recomendamos llevar en tu mochila en todo momento. Recuerda, lo llevarás contigo todos los días de la caminata, por lo que debes usar una mochila ligera, cómoda y de buena calidad.
Es importante tener en cuenta que, debido a la normativa local, tu mochila no debe superar los 25 litros. Las bolsas más grandes no se pueden llevar a Machu Picchu y deben almacenarse en los guardaequipajes. Los 25 litros no se trata de la capacidad de tu mochila; se trata del tamaño; si tienes bolsas más grandes, puede traerlas y asegurarse de que su mochila se vea pequeña para Machu Picchu.
TreXperience te proporcionará una bolsa de lona para empacar artículos que no necesites guardar durante el día. Nuestros Porteadores llevarán esta bolsa por tí durante toda la caminata. Ten en cuenta que esta bolsa debe pesar un máximo de 7 kg, incluido tu saco de dormir y colchón de aire (si trae o alquila uno). Estos pesan alrededor de 3 kg (saco de dormir de 2 kg y almohadilla de aire de 1 kg).
Las bolsas de lona estarán disponibles en nuestra oficina el día anterior a la caminata.
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