PRIVATE INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS

We will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco at 5:30 am and drive to the village of Ollantaytambo. Here we will enjoy a nutricious breakfast and have the chance to buy some snacks before we finally start with our trekking adventure. We will head on to Piscacucho (KM 82) and start with our first 2-hour hike to Patallacta (2,750m/ 9,020ft), an Inca archaeological site with spectacular scenery, located in the lush and green Urubamba valley. After the visit of this fascinating place, we will continue to hike for 45 minutes to our lunch spot. Our cook will prepare a delicious meal for us and we will have some time to rest. We will then hike for 1.5 hours to our campsite Wayllabamba (3,000m/ 9,800ft), where you will have a well-deserved rest and an afternoon snack, followed by a tasty dinner before heading to bed.

Hiking Distance: 11 km/5 miles

After a large breakfast and a hot cup of coca tea, we will hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, the Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m/ 13,829ft). On reaching the pass, we will stop for a short break to enjoy the fascinating views before setting off again to our 2,5 hours descent to the next valley of Pacaymayo (3,600m/ 11,800ft). We will have some tea and a freshly prepared dinner and spend the night at our campsite.

Hiking Distance: 10 km/7.5 miles

Our team will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea. This day will be the longest and most challenging, which is why we have a nutricious breakfast to get ready for the day. We will continue our hike surrounded by jungle vegetation and a number of incredible archaeological Inca sites ahead. The first archaeological site we visit are the Runcurakay ruins (3,760m/ 12,300ft). Unlike other buildings of Inca origin, the Runkurakay ruins present the peculiarity of having circular enclosures among its structures, something unusual in the design of the Inca cities. After a short break, we hike for 1.5 hours to the archaeological site of Sayacmarka. These ruins are located on a rocky cliff road at 3,600 m altitude and look like a labyrinth of houses, squares with fountains in the middle, and narrow streets. We then reach our lunch point at Chaquicocha, where we have some time to relax. After 2.5 hours of hiking, we reach the next archaeological site of Puyuptamarca (3,600m/ 11,810ft), also known as the “The City Above the Clouds”. There are Inca ruins with five small stone baths, which during the wet season contain constant fresh running water. From there we start our 3-hours descent to our campsite Wiñayhuayna, where we will have tea and dinner. This will be a special meal as it will be the final one together with our team and we will say goodbye to our porters.

Hiking Distance: 15 km/10 miles

Today we will wake up at 3:30 am, have breakfast and descend to the control point. We will wait there for a bit more than one hour until the gates open. Once we have passed through the control point, we will hike 1.5 hours to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the ceremonial gateway into Machu Picchu. We will get our first glimpse of the majestic Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. From there, we will descend for 40 minutes to the citadel of Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas“. This complex is considered a jewel of the Inca architecture. It is a complete town with different quarters, squares, alleys, buildings, astronomical observatories and terraces. The city was rediscovered on July 24, 1911 by the US researcher Hiram Bingham. Our local guide will share his knowledge about this sacred place and show us the whole complex. Later, you have enough free time to explore the archaeological site on your own.

For those who have previously selected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will do so at your designated time.*

In the afternoon, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and have lunch at a local restaurant. We then take the train to Ollantaytambo, enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Sacred Valley during the train ride. Upon arrival at the train station, we will take you to your hotel in Cusco.

*Please ask in advance for availability. $65.00 per person for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain

Hiking Distance: 6 km/3.7 miles

ACCOMMODATION

• Comfortable tents with foam mattress.

MEALS

• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (3x Breakfast, 3x Lunch, 3x Snack, 3x Dinner).
• Professional cook and cooking equipment. Dining tent and kitchen tent for the cook to freshly prepare your meals.
• Our meals can be accommodated for any dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan. Please let us know in advance if you have certain preferences, so we can plan ahead.
• A hot cup of coca tea every morning.
• Boiled water provided for drinking water at the campsites (which you can carry in your own reusable water bottle).

TRANSPORTATION

• Transport from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point at KM82.
• Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo on day 4.
• Transportation from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.

LOCAL GUIDES & TEAM

• English/Spanish speaking professional guide, plus an assistant guide for groups over 12.
• Porters who carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils.
• All our trekking guides have a minimum of 3 years of guiding experience and are certified. They carry a first aid kit with them, as well as an extra oxygen bottle in case of emergencies.

ADDITIONAL

• Briefing: You will have a meeting with your guide in our office to go over all the details regarding your tour. The orientation will be between 5:00-7:30 pm at our office in Cusco the day before departure.
• Sleeping bag included.
• Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and Inca trail included.

MEALS

• Breakfast on the first day (you can either bring your own sandwhich, or have breakfast for 15.00 Soles in Ollantaytambo).
• Lunch and dinner on the last day.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. You can choose to add one of them to your trekking itinerary for $60.00 per person. Please let us know in advance, so we can check the availability.
• Shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (optional available for $12.00 per person)

OTHER

• Trekking poles not included (additional $20.00 per person).
• Tips for your guide, cook and porters.
• National or international flights.
• Travel Insurance.
• Other activities not mentioned in this itinerary.

• Optional visit of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: $60.00 per person. Let us know at the time of booking as it requires a separate permit.
• Trekking poles: $20.00 per person

If you are a student, you may be eligible for a $20 USD discount. However, you must meet the Peruvian government requirements, as the discount is applied to the cost of your Machu Picchu ticket and is not something that we are able to negotiate.

To be able to receive the discount, please sent us after your booking a photo of both sides of your student card, and another photo of your passport. We can help you check if all the requirements are fulfilled. It must be an original student ID, given from the university in PVC material and include university information, personal student information, student picture, expiration date valid only for one year, and must coincide with the year that student visits Machu Picchu. 

You also need to bring your original student card with you the day you visit Machu Picchu. You will also need to bring the card with you and verify it at the Machu Picchu checkpoint.

Please check if your student card includes the following requirements:

• One personal daypack (a 30 to 50 L backpack is sufficient). 
• Reusable water bottle
• Small coins in Peruvian Soles (Bathrooms are free at the campsites but cost 1 Sol along the route. Keep small change on hand too for water bottles, snacks, and toilet paper.)
• Rain jacket or rain poncho
• Strong footwear (Waterproof trekking boots recommended.)
• Sleeping bag (also available for rent)
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Enough clothes for the whole period of the trek (long-sleeve trekking shirts, short-sleeve shirts, leggings or trekking pants, shorts, underwear, hiking socks, a rain poncho or rain jacket, gloves, beanie, a hat with a brim, hiking boots, and sandals to rest your feet at the campsites.
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Additional snacks (remember that we supply you with plenty of food already.)
• Original passport (mandatory for entrance to Machu Picchu.)

The best way to prepare yourself for this trekking experiencee is easy: spend at least 2 to 3 days at a high-altitude place like Cusco, so your body gets used to the high altitude. If you have already been to a high altitude destination before arriving to Cusco, we still recommend you spend at least one full day in Cusco to rest, recuperate from your trip, and enjoy the beautiful views of the city before your trek.

Additionally, taking good care of your body helps deal with the extra pressures that altitude creates. We recommend you to eat healthy food, drink lots of water and stay away from alcohol. Chewing coca leaves, drinking coca tea helps to alleviate any discomfort associated with the altitude.

The entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain are additional add-ons that you can choose to purchase besides the Machu Picchu visit that is already included in this trek. You can visit one of these mountains after your Machu Picchu visit to see the Inca Citadel from the top.

Please send us an email asking about availability. Then, if available, you can select which mountain you would like to climb when you make your reservation online. Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are an additional 60 USD.

What is Huayna Picchu Mountain?

Huayna Picchu Mountain is home to the Temple of the Moon and is the famous mountain peak seen behind the ruins in all the classic photos of Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu is an approximately 45 minute climb with more ruins at the top and offers an incredible view of the Machu Picchu ruins. The visit to Huayna Picchu takes approximately 2 hours. Huayna Picchu Mountain is an additional 60 USD.

What is Machu Picchu Mountain?

Machu Picchu Mountain is an additional hike within Machu Picchu that offers a much higher view of the ruins and overlooks the entire valley. Machu Picchu Mountain is an additional 60 USD.

The Inca Trail is more crowded than the Salkantay Trek because it is an original trail of the Incas and one of the most famous hikes in the world, attracting thousands of trekkers every year. It is the only trek that leads directly to Machu Picchu, but is therefore a lot more expensive than the Salkantay Trek.

On the Salkantay Trek you will spend the last night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu the next day. During the Inca Trail you will discover ancient Inca ruins, whereas the Salkantay offers more wildlife and high mountain sceneries. Many trekkers consider the Salkantay Trek to be a bit more strenuous than the Inca Trail because the general altitude is higher.

The Salkantay Trek offers the best alternative to the Inca Trail for everybody who doesn’t like crowded paths and enjoys different landscapes during the trek.

Congratulations, adventure awaits you! We sent you a confirmation e-mail with more details about your trekking adventure. The day before your departuer at 6:00 pm, please stop by our office at

392 Triunfo St. Office 218, Cusco

to receive a briefing. Our professional guide will tell you everything about your trek and clarify last questions you may have.

In general, the Andes Mountains are known for their unpredictable weather, so please come prepared for both warm and cold temperatures, and rainy and dry conditions. We have two main seasons in the Andes Moutnains, the rainy season (November-March) and the dry season (April-October).

During the rainy, warmer season temperatures average around 15°C / 60°F during the day and 5°C / 40°F at night. However, these temperatures may feel a lot colder to you.

During the dry season the weather is sunny and clear, and on average 20° C / 70 °F during the day but much colder at night, around -3 °C / 26 °F.

We serve a variety of local superfoods and traditional Peruvian dishes with rice, chicken, beef, salad, potatoes, vegetables, delicious soups and fruits. Everything will be freshly prepared by our local chef.

We have a lot of vegetarian travellers and our cooks have some great options for them to enjoy their meals. We can cater for or all other types of dietary requests with adequate preparation and clear communication.

Prior hiking experience is recommended but not required. Our guides are trained to assist hikers of all fitness levels and all trekking experience levels so you will never be left behind. Most important of all is to acclimate yourself to the altitude before your trek.

Yes, you can leave extra luggage in our office free of charge.

The minimum group size is 4 people and the maximum group size is 15 people. There will be an assistant guide for groups over 12.

Please feel free to read our Terms & Conditions and let us know in case you have any questions regarding our cancellation policy.