Adventure Inca Trail 4 Days Trek

Preparation is key to making the most of your journey on the Adventure Inca Trail 4-Days Trek, and we are dedicated to providing a seamless and memorable experience for you. To ensure you are fully prepared, your guide or a company representative will meet you at your hotel 1 to 2 days before your departure to address any questions and provide all necessary information regarding the Inca Trail 2025 regulations, the classic Inca Trail tour, and the trek itself.

This important briefing is typically scheduled between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. at your hotel. However, if needed, adjustments can be made with prior coordination, at least a week in advance. The meeting will cover everything you need to know about the Classic Inca Trail 4 days hike, including the Inca Trail map, altitude adjustments, and specific Inca Trail tour regulations. Our goal is to ensure you are confident, informed, and ready for your adventure on this world-famous route leading to Machu Picchu.

We begin our journey along the Classic Inca Trail early in the morning, picking up all our passengers before heading to Ollantaytambo. After a scenic 2-hour drive, you’ll have the opportunity to relax, make any last-minute purchases, or enjoy breakfast if you didn’t have time at your hotel. We then continue on to Km 82, Piscacucho (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), the official starting point of the Classic Inca Trail 4 days.

Upon arrival, we will go through the first checkpoint, where we will register using the passport used for your Inca Trail reservation. This is also when we will meet our dedicated team of porters, who will be with us throughout this unforgettable journey.

Our Inca Trail hike officially begins as we follow the left bank of the Urubamba Valley. After crossing the Urubamba River, we will continue on foot for approximately 2.5 hours until we reach the archaeological site of Llaqtapata (2,650 meters/8,747 feet). Here, our expert guide will provide an in-depth explanation of its historical and cultural significance, adding depth to your experience of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

After exploring Llaqtapata, we’ll continue our journey towards Tarachayoc, where we’ll enjoy our first lunch, freshly prepared by our skilled chef and his team. This culinary experience will surely impress you and is a perfect complement to the stunning surroundings.

Following lunch, we will hike for another 2 hours, now heading in the opposite direction of the Cusichaca River, a tributary of the Urubamba River. We will reach our first campsite at Wayllabamba (3,031 m / 9,944 ft), where we’ll settle in for the night.

Day 1: Classic Inca Trail Map

• Accommodation: Camping
• Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
• Hiking Time: 6 to 7 hours
• Meals: Lunch, coffee break, and dinner
• Inca Trail Elevation Gain: 350 m
• Maximum Altitude: 3,031 m / 9,944 feet
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

We will start early to make the most of the stunning landscapes and avoid the intense midday sun. This day’s trek will take us to the highest point on the Adventure Classic Inca Trail, offering a unique chance to experience the diverse microclimates along the route. We will walk through the enchanting Polylepis forest until we reach Llulluchapampa, then continue into the Puna ecosystem, situated over 3,700 meters above sea level.

From this point, we will embark on a roughly 90-minute hike to reach the highest pass of the journey, the renowned “Abra de Warmiwañusca” or Dead Woman’s Pass, located at 4,215 meters. After taking in the breathtaking views and enjoying a well-deserved break, we will begin our descent of nearly 550 meters. This descent will take us about 1.5 hours as we navigate the remarkable Inca Trail, where about 30% of the original stone steps are still intact. We will arrive at our campsite in Pacaymayu (3,657 meters / 12,000 feet), meaning “hidden river,” where we will enjoy a delicious lunch and rest for the remainder of the day.

Day 2: Classic Inca Trail Map

• Accommodation: Camping
• Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
• Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snack, coffee break and dinner
• Inca Trail Elevation Gain: 1,184 m / 3,884
• Maximum Altitude: 4,215 meters / 13,828 feet
• Difficulty: Challenging

Start your day on the Adventure Inca Trail with a refreshing Inca tea at our camp. Prepare for a day filled with invigorating hikes offering diverse landscapes, stunning vistas, and intriguing Inca ruins. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll begin our ascent to the second pass of the Inca Trail, Runkurakay (3,760 meters / 12,624 feet). We will pause at the Runkurakay archaeological site, also known as the “Ovoid Tower,” where you can take in breathtaking views of the Pacaymayu Valley. The climb to Runkurakay Pass (3,970 meters / 13,010 feet) will take approximately 45 minutes.

Upon reaching the pass, we’ll descend into the Aobamba Valley to explore the Sayacmarca Archaeological Group, renowned as the “Dominant City.” Our journey continues to the third pass, where we’ll stop for lunch, depending on weather conditions. This pass, named Phuyupatamarca (3,700 m. / 12,,139 ft.), which translates to “City Above the Clouds” in Quechua, is also home to another significant Inca archaeological site.

After a well-deserved break, we’ll descend about 900 meters (2 hours and 30 minutes) to reach Wiñaywayna (2,650 m./8,694 ft.). Once we set up camp, you’ll have the chance to visit the stunning Wiñaywayna archaeological site, known as “Forever Young.”

At the end of the day, after dinner, we’ll take a moment to express our appreciation to the Inca Trail staff with kind words and a tip, as we won’t have time for farewells the following day.

Day 3: Classic Inca Trail Map

• Accommodation: Camping
• Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
• Hiking Time: 9 – 10 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, coffee break, and dinner
• Inca Trail Elevation Gain: 320 meters / 1,049 feet
• Maximum Altitude: 3 977 m / 13,127 feet
• Difficulty: Medium

The most anticipated day of our journey has arrived! We start early to fully embrace the grandeur of Machu Picchu. After a pre-dawn breakfast, we head towards the citadel to witness the sunrise in all its glory.

Our hike begins with a 1.5-hour trek to “Intipunku,” also known as the “Sun Gate.” From this vantage point, we’ll get our first panoramic view of the Sacred City of Machu Picchu, marveling at its splendor as the morning sun illuminates its ancient walls. After capturing the perfect photos and enjoying a well-deserved break, we’ll descend to the main entrance of Machu Picchu where restrooms are available.

Next, we will re-enter Machu Picchu through Circuit 3, after passing the ticket checkpoint. Our guide will then lead us on an official 1.5-hour tour, offering an in-depth look into the history and mysteries of this incredible site. Once the tour concludes, we’ll take a 30-minute bus ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we’ll board the train back to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, we’ll transfer by bus to the city of Cusco. The total travel time is approximately 4 hours.

Day 4: Classic Inca Trail Map

• Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
• Hiking Time: 2.5 hours
• Meals: Breakfast
• Inca Trail Elevation Gain: 70 meters / 229 feet
• Maximum Altitude: 2,720 meters / 8,977 feet
• Difficulty: Medium