Today, you’re off on the trek of a lifetime, and you’ll need to be up early so your guide and driver can pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 am. If you’re in Urubamba, you’ll be collected between 5:30 and 6:00 am, and if you’re in Ollantaytambo, it’ll be between 6:30 and 7:00 am.

You will drive for about an hour and a half to Ollantaytambo, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Afterwards, you will continue driving to Piscacucho (Km 82), the official starting point for the Inca Trail, here you will meet our team of porters. Once we pass the checkpoint and cross the Urubamba River, the Inca Trail adventure to Machu Picchu begins.

The first section of the trail is mostly flat until we reach Mesqay, a rest area. After Mesqay, there is a short but steep section, which lasts about five minutes and serves as a preview of the second day’s challenge. After completing the steep part, you will visit the second Inca site, Willkarakay. The guide will explain its significance, and from there, we will have a view of the first major archaeological site, Llactapata (also known as Patallacta).
Then we will hike to Hatunchaca where you will enjoy lunch.

After we finish our tasty lunch, we will hike for 45 minutes to get to Wayllabamba, which is last village of Inca Trail at a height of 5,144 feet (2,900 meters). If you need to buy any energy drinks, snacks, or important things you may have forgotten, like batteries, you can do that here. Then, we will hike for another hour and 30 minutes, all uphill, until we reach our campsite at Ayapata.

Our porters will set up the camp, after which we will have dinner and rest to prepare for our second challenging day.

• Activity level: 3 – Moderate
• Walking distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi
• Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
• Minimum elevation: 2,620 masl / 8,596 ft
• Maximum elevation: 3,300 masl / 1,827 ft
• Basecamp elevation: 3,300 masl / 1,827 ft

Enjoy a fresh cup of coca tea, a delicious breakfast, and start the hike early to benefit from the cooler temperatures and shade from the trees and mountains. As we begin the hike, the trail becomes steeper on the way to the Llullupampa rest stop, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

After resting in Llulluchapampa, you will continue hiking for another 2 hours towards Dead Woman’s Pass, which reaches an impressive altitude of 4,200 meters (13,779 feet). As you climb higher, the landscape will change from lush and green to open highlands.

Hiking to Dead Woman’s Pass is the most challenging part of the Inca Trail, also the most rewarding. You will pass through different ecological zones of the Inca Trail and see the variety of microclimates in the area. When we reach the top, we will have stunning views of snow-capped mountains.
Then, you will hike downhill for about two hours to the Pacaymayo, which is at 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) where lunch is served.

After lunch, continue hiking all uphill to the Runku Rakay pass, the second highest point of the trail with some time to explore. After crossing the pass, descend to the archeological site of to Sayacmarca. Then, it’s just a 20-minute walk to our second campsite at Chaquicocha , our campsite for the night.

After dinner enjoy some stargazing and explore Inca constellations under the pristine Southern Hemisphere sky.

• Activity level: 4 – Demanding
• Walking distance: 10 km / 6.21 mi
• Hiking time: 8 to 9 hours
• Minimum elevation: 2,900 masl / 9,514 ft
• Maximum elevation: 4,195 masl / 13,763 ft
• Basecamp elevation: 3,5500 masl / 11,646 ft

The third day of the hike really is a highlight, you will see hidden archaeological gems only accessible by the Inca Trail hikers.
Start the day with a healthy breakfast and the journey begins hiking from Chakicocha to Phuyupatamarca with both uphill and downhill sections. Continue the hike for about two hours through beautiful nature, where we can see colorful orchids and maybe some wildlife. Catch a glympse of the Salkantay Glacier, the second highest mountain in the region.

Upon arrival to Phuyupatamarca, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Urubamba River and the Machu Picchu mountain. From there, the trail goes downhill for about three hours until we reach Intipata. This part of the hike takes us through the rainforest.

The day ends as we reach Wiñay Wayna archaeological site and our last campsite of this journey. After lunch, you’ll have some free time to rest or explore. Later onvisit Wiñay Wayna, considered one of the most beautiful spots on the entire Inca Trail.

In the evening, return to camp for dinner and take a moment to thank our porters and cook, who helped us throughout the journey.

• Activity level: 4 – Demanding
• Hiking distance: 9 km / 5.6 mi
• Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
• Minimum elevation: 2,650 masl / 8,694 ft
• Maximum elevation: 3,650 masl / 11,975 ft
• Accommodation elevation: 2,650 masl / 8,694 ft

Today, your dream of visiting Machu Picchu is about to come true! After an early breakfast, we will embark on the final stretch of the Inca Trail trek 4 days towards the lost city of Machu Picchu. Our journey begins with an early morning check-in at the control center, followed by a hike leading us to Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate—the gateway to the Inca Trail. From this vantage point, we will gaze upon the awe-inspiring and magnificent wonder of Machu Picchu in all its glory.

After enjoying the view of the Citadel from the Sun Gate, we will begin our hike westward toward Machu Picchu, which will take approximately 45 minutes. Upon reaching the site, we will enter Machu Picchu from the upper section. We will follow Circuit 1, where you will have the opportunity to see Machu Picchu from the viewpoint and take panoramic photographs with the Citadel in the background. Afterward, we will hike down to the Machu Picchu checkpoint to register our entrance and use the restroom before reentering the site.

After passing the checkpoint, we will enjoy a private, two-hour guided tour of the sacred city, following Circuit 3. During this tour, we will visit key landmarks, including the Temple of the Sun, the Water Fountains, the Sacred Rock, Callancas, the Temple of the Condor, and the Inca storage facilities. After our private tour of Machu Picchu, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Here, you can relax and explore the town before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, a member of our AB Expeditions team will meet you and escort you back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m. This is the end of our Inca Trail hiking tours.

• Activity level: 3 – Moderate
• Hiking distance to Machu Picchu: 5 km / 3.1 mi
• Walking time in Macchu Picchu: 2 to 3 hours
• Starting elevation: 2,650 masl / 8,694 ft
• Highest elevation (Sun Gate): 2,720 masl / 8,924 ft
• Machu Picchu elevation: 2,430 masl / 7,972 ft
• Aguas Calientes elevation: 2,040 masl / 6,693 ft

Today, your dream of visiting Machu Picchu is about to come true! After an early breakfast, we will embark on the final stretch of the Inca Trail trek 4 days towards the lost city of Machu Picchu. Our journey begins with an early morning check-in at the control center, followed by a hike leading us to Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate—the gateway to the Inca Trail. From this vantage point, we will gaze upon the awe-inspiring and magnificent wonder of Machu Picchu in all its glory.

After enjoying the view of the Citadel from the Sun Gate, we will begin our hike westward toward Machu Picchu, which will take approximately 45 minutes. Upon reaching the site, we will enter Machu Picchu from the upper section. We will follow Circuit 1, where you will have the opportunity to see Machu Picchu from the viewpoint and take panoramic photographs with the Citadel in the background. Afterward, we will hike down to the Machu Picchu checkpoint to register our entrance and use the restroom before reentering the site.

After passing the checkpoint, we will enjoy a private, two-hour guided tour of the sacred city, following Circuit 3. During this tour, we will visit key landmarks, including the Temple of the Sun, the Water Fountains, the Sacred Rock, Callancas, the Temple of the Condor, and the Inca storage facilities. After our private tour of Machu Picchu, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Here, you can relax and explore the town before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, a member of our AB Expeditions team will meet you and escort you back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m. This is the end of our Inca Trail hiking tours.

• Activity level: 3 – Moderate
• Hiking distance to Machu Picchu: 5 km / 3.1 mi
• Walking time in Macchu Picchu: 2 to 3 hours
• Starting elevation: 2,650 masl / 8,694 ft
• Highest elevation (Sun Gate): 2,720 masl / 8,924 ft
• Machu Picchu elevation: 2,430 masl / 7,972 ft
• Aguas Calientes elevation: 2,040 masl / 6,693 ft