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 kick off our unforgettable journey along the Classic Inca Trail early in the morning with a 5:00 a.m. pickup from your hotel in Cusco. From there, we head to Ollantaytambo, enjoying a scenic 2-hour drive through the Sacred Valley. We’ll stop for a short break, where you can stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat (breakfast not included), or make any last-minute purchases.

Next, we continue to Km 82 – Piscacucho (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), the official starting point of the legendary 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Once we arrive, you’ll meet our amazing team of porters, the true heroes of this adventure. With warm smiles, they’ll welcome you and take care of carrying our gear and supplies throughout the trek, so you can focus on enjoying the journey.

Before we start, we’ll pass through the first checkpoint, where you’ll need to present your original passport — the same one you used when booking your Inca Trail permit.

⚠️ Important: Don’t forget it — no passport, no entry!

After taking the classic photo next to the famous Inca Trail sign, we’ll cross the Urubamba River and begin walking along a gentle path that follows the river on the left-hand side. For about 1.5 hours, we’ll enjoy rolling terrain until we reach the small village of Miskay.

There, we’ll take a short break before ascending for about 45 minutes to reach the archaeological site of Willca Rakay (2,750 m / 9,022 ft). From this stunning viewpoint, we’ll get our first panoramic view of the ancient city of Llactapata, beautifully set in the Andean landscape.

After soaking in the stunning panoramic views and learning the fascinating history of Llaqtapata from the Willca Rakay viewpoint, our adventure continues toward Tarachayoc.

There, you’ll be rewarded with your first freshly prepared lunch—a delicious meal crafted with care by our talented chef and his amazing team. Surrounded by nature, this open-air dining experience is more than just a meal—it’s the perfect moment to relax, recharge, and savor the flavors of the Andes.

With renewed energy, we’ll continue hiking for about two more hours along the beautiful Cusichaca Valley, following the river upstream as it winds its way toward the mighty Urubamba River. This scenic stretch is full of native flora and peaceful landscapes that invite you to truly connect with the land.

Our day ends at Wayllabamba (3,031 m / 9,944 ft), a small Andean village where we’ll set up camp and spend the night under the stars.

💡 A friendly tip: Since this is a traditional community, you might hear farm animals at night—like roosters or donkeys. If you’re a light sleeper, we recommend bringing earplugs for a more restful sleep.

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/1,148 ft.
• Maximum Altitude: 3,031 m / 9,944 feet
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

We’ll start the day early, waking you up with a warm cup of coca tea or coffee around 5:00 a.m. — the perfect way to energize before the adventure. Starting early also means we can fully enjoy the breathtaking scenery and avoid the intense midday sun.

After getting ready, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel your body for the journey ahead.

This day’s hike is one of the most Challenging of the entire trek. We’ll walk through the enchanting Polylepis forest until we reach Llulluchapampa—a beautiful spot that takes about 3 hours to reach. There, we’ll take a well-earned break, soak in the stunning mountain and valley views, and maybe even spot llamas and alpacas grazing nearby. It’s also the last stop where you can buy snacks or drinks from local families, and use the restrooms before we continue.

We’ll then ascend through the puna ecosystem, a high-altitude grassland located above 3,700 meters (12,139 feet).

From here, we’ll hike for about 90 minutes to reach the highest point of the entire Classic Inca Trail “Warmiwañusca Pass”, also known as the Dead Woman’s Pass, sitting at an impressive 4,215 meters (13,828 feet).

After enjoying the unforgettable views and taking a well-deserved rest, we begin our descent of nearly 550 meters (1,804 feet) into the Pacaymayu Valley. This section takes about 1.5 hours, leading us down a beautifully preserved stretch of the original Inca Trail—where nearly 30% of the original stone steps are still intact.

We’ll arrive at Pacaymayu campsite (3,657 meters / 12,000 feet), which means “Hidden River” in Quechua. Here, a delicious lunch will be waiting for you, and the rest of the day will be yours to relax, stretch out, and take in the peace of the Andes.
At night, you’ll sleep under a sky filled with stars—a magical moment to admire the Andean constellations and feel truly connected to the spirit of this sacred trail.

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

Today is not just another day—it’s an epic journey through time and tradition.
We’ll kick things off with a hearty breakfast to fuel up for an unforgettable adventure.

Our day begins with a climb to the second highest pass on the Inca Trail: Runkurakay Pass, at 3,970 meters (13,024 feet). On the way up, we’ll take a break to explore the Runkurakay archaeological site (3,760 m / 12,624 ft), also known as the “Ovoid Tower”, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacaymayu Valley.

After a short explanation of the site’s significance, we continue our ascent—about 45 minutes more—until we reach the top of the pass. From here, the views are simply jaw-dropping: a stunning panorama of mountain chains, glaciers, and deep Andean valleys that make the Inca Trail one of the most beautiful treks on Earth.

Next, we descend for about 40 minutes into the lush Aobamba Valley, leading us to the impressive ruins of Sayacmarca—the “Dominant City”, perched strategically on a cliff with views that will leave you speechless.

We then head to Chaquicocha, a peaceful spot surrounded by mountains, where we’ll enjoy a well-earned lunch break. After a short rest or siesta, we continue along the trail through a mix of gentle climbs and descents. Along the way, we’ll pass through a well-preserved Inca tunnel and enter a magical stretch of cloud forest, filled with lush greenery and exotic sounds.

Soon, we’ll reach the Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,700 meters / 12,139 feet), meaning “City Above the Clouds” in Quechua. This is yet another spectacular Inca site that we’ll explore together, taking in the mystery and mastery of ancient engineering.

Then begins one of the most exciting parts of the trek: a dramatic 900-meter (3,000 ft) descent, lasting about 2.5 hours down steep stone steps famously nicknamed the “Gringo Killer.” Don’t worry—we’ll take our time and support each other as we make our way to the final campsite: Wiñay Wayna (2,650 meters / 8,694 feet).

Once we arrive at the campsite, you’ll take a short walk to explore the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna, which means “Forever Young.” This stunning and mysterious place, just 10 minutes from camp, offers a magical glimpse of what awaits you at Machu Picchu.

To end this incredible day, we’ll come together after dinner for a heartfelt farewell ceremony with our porters. It’s our chance to thank them for their incredible effort, strength, and commitment throughout the journey. This moment of appreciation is always special filled with emotion, gratitude, and connection, as we won’t have time for proper goodbyes in the early hours of the next morning.

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

Today is the big day—the moment you’ve been dreaming of!
We’ll wake you up with a warm cup of coca tea at 3:30 a.m. to energize your body and spirit. After getting ready, we’ll leave the campsite at 4:00 a.m., and our chef will provide a delicious boxed breakfast to take on the go.

Our journey begins with a 1.5-hour hike to the legendary Sun Gate (Intipunku). From this sacred viewpoint, you’ll witness your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the stunning Urubamba Valley, with towering mountains reaching toward the sky. As the morning sun bathes the ancient citadel in golden light, the view is absolutely magical.

After taking some time to rest and soak in the view, we’ll descend for about 40 minutes to reach the classic viewpoint—the iconic photo spot of Machu Picchu that you’ve seen in postcards.

Next, your expert guide will bring the ruins to life with a heartfelt explanation, helping you feel connected to the past and the incredible legacy of the Inca civilization.

Once we’ve fully explored the site and said our goodbyes to this Wonder of the World, we’ll complete the final steps of the Inca Trail, exiting the citadel with a 15-minute walk to the bus stop. Then it’s a scenic ride down to Aguas Calientes.

There, you’ll have time to explore the town, enjoy authentic Peruvian cuisine at one of our favorite restaurants, and celebrate your achievement with a refreshing Pisco Sour, Peru’s national cocktail.

Note: If you’ve booked Circuit 2,3 or Huayna Picchu you’ll have re-entry to Machu Picchu for a deeper exploration. Your guide will take you on a 1.5-hour walking tour, diving into the mysteries and marvels of this ancient city.

After the tour, we’ll take a 30-minute bus back down to Aguas Calientes to catch the train to Ollantaytambo (1:50 hras). From there, a private transfer will bring you back to Cusco.
Total return travel time: approx. 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