4-Day Inca Trail
to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail is a well-preserved section of the large road network of Qhapac Ñan. This ancient network, spanning more than 30,000 km/18,641 miles in South America, connects the major Inca cities or places of Tahuantinsuyo.

Be amazed by its elaborate architecture, which includes a series of impressive stone structures, bridges, and tunnels, harmoniously integrating with the majestic Andean landscape and crossing Inca sites of great historical relevance.

The 4-day Inca Trail promises an enriching experience with scenic walks through Andean landscapes, exploration of Inca archaeological sites, rewarding physical challenges, interaction with local communities, and a sense of accomplishment upon reaching the stunning Machu Picchu. In addition, comfortable services are provided with specialized guides, well-equipped camps, and prepared meals, guaranteeing an unforgettable journey in the middle of nature.

The Inca Trail is located at an altitude ranging from 2,400 m/7,874 ft to 4,215 m/13,828 ft.

The Inca Trail presents different levels of challenge. Along this journey, you will face diverse terrain, variations in altitude, and changing weather conditions, being considered in general as a trekking route that goes from moderate to demanding:

First day: It involves moderate difficulty, mostly flat terrain, and some gentle hills.

Second day: It stands out as the most challenging, characterized by steep terrain and the crossing through the open of Warmiwañusca, at an altitude of 4,215 m/13,828 feet.

Third day: Maintains a moderate difficulty level, with some steep ups and downs.

Fourth day: It is classified as easy level, with a less demanding terrain and a short walking distance, about 2 hours.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins at kilometer 82 of the railway between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes town, specifically in the small town of Piscacucho. This unforgettable journey culminates in the wonder of the world: Machu Picchu.

It is important to note that the classic 4-day Inca Trail with Inkayni Peru Tours starts and ends directly at your hotel within Cusco City.

NOTE: If you are in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, especially in Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will pick you up at either of these two points, subject to coordination with our sales advisors.

The only way to book an Inca Trail permit is through an authorized travel agency operating Inca Trails, like Inkayni Peru Tours. You can check availability by contacting our sales agents, who will provide information on available dates and alternatives.

Inca Trail Availability 

Since 2000 the Inca Trail has been regulated by the authorities of Peru. This has provided many wonderful things, such as clean trails and camping sites. But it has also limited the number of people on the road. Now only 500 people are allowed to walk the trail each morning – including hikers, guides, porters, and cooks. If your date does not work, don’t worry, there are many wonderful excursions to Machu Picchu – as beautiful as the Inca Trail and not so crowded.

If your date can not work, look further to see many wonderful alternative hikes to Machu Picchu – as beautiful as the Inca Trail and not so crowded!

• 02 Days Short Inca Trail
• 03 Days of Huchuy Qosqo Hike
• 04 Days of Hiking in Lares
• 04 Days Adventure in the Inca Jungle
• 05 Days of Salkantay Hike

Securing permits for the Inca Trail is essential and must be done through an authorized travel agency, such as Inkayni Peru Tours.

Contact our sales agents to verify the availability of your ideal date. If the desired date is available, we recommend you book as soon as possible to secure your space.

Remember it’s impossible to get the permits by yourself because the journey on the Inca Trail must be done with a guide, chef, and porters.

We recommend making your booking as soon as possible. The Inca Trail is a popular route with high demand, as it has only 500 spaces daily (200 for tourists and 300 for porters and cooks). For this reason, we suggest making the booking well in advance, ideally 6 to 7 months before your ideal travel date.

Annually, at the beginning of October, the Inca trail system for the Inca Trail next year is opened, and on some dates, spaces are quickly sold out, often in a matter of minutes.

Unfortunately, no changes can be made due to government restrictions on dates after getting the permits and tickets. These are non-transferable and non-refundable. It is therefore crucial to ensure the correct selection of dates when booking. It is important to remember that when we receive your form and deposit, we obtain the permits immediately since the spaces are usually limited.

Once the deposit has been made for the Inca Trail, this amount cannot be refunded or transferred. This deposit is intended to get the permits and tickets to secure your spot on the requested date.

Yes, there is a difference between the two treks.

On a group tour, you join other travelers with the same itinerary and scheduled dates. This option is perfect for socializing and enjoying a comfortable experience.

On the other hand, a private tour offers an exclusive and personalized experience for you and your companions.

At Inkayni Peru Tours, we work with a maximum of 8 travelers, this allows us to maintain a close environment and facilitate interaction between participants.

Permits for the Inca Trail are not transferable or refundable under any circumstances. The Inca trail permits can not be transferred to another person once a permit has been issued.

Our sales agents communicate with you to offer you other treks or alternative dates in case the schedule for your trip is sold out.

Among the options available are:

SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU
LARES TREK TOUR TO MACHU PICCHU 04 DAYS
INCA TRAIL SHORT TO MACHU PICCHU IN 2 DAYS
INCA JUNGLE 04 DAYS 3 NIGHTS

It is important to check the availability of the Inca Trail with our sales advisors before making the step. Making the payment without prior inquiry does not guarantee a permit for the Inca Trail.

Unlike other agencies that handle numerous groups, in Inkayni Peru Tours we opt for small groups of only 8 – 10 people. This selection aims to provide you with a more personalized and quiet experience.

Each of these additional hikes offers a unique view of Machu Picchu. In Huayna Pichu, we find Inca constructions, while in Machu Picchu Mountain, located at higher altitudes, we enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

The best season to undertake the Inca Trail of 4 days is during the dry season, which includes April to October. During this period, climatic conditions are more stable, with a lower probability of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. This creates a more favorable environment to enjoy the tour and better appreciate the panoramic views.

There are no specific age restrictions for the Inca Trail. Inkayni Peru Tours, as an authorized and committed travel agency, only accepts bookings for children 12 years and older if parents assume full responsibility for them during the trek.

• Under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
• For passengers aged 60 and over, it is recommended to hire an additional carrier.
• It is essential to comply with medical recommendations, even if it involves canceling plans.
• 60 or older are advised to arrive in Cusco at least 3 days before to acclimate.

To ensure optimal adaptation to altitude and reduce symptoms of altitude sickness (soroche), we recommend you spend at least two days in Cusco City or the Sacred Valley of the Incas before embarking on your adventure on the Inca Trail. This additional time will allow for a gradual acclimatization to the mountain elevation of the majestic Andes Cordillera.

It is possible to experience altitude sickness when arriving in Cusco if you are not used to altitudes above 3,000 m/9,842 feet. This discomfort usually manifests symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, and nausea. While not a matter of great concern, it is essential to be alert to these signs to ensure they do not affect your experience on the Inca Trail.

To avoid the discomfort, we offer some practical tips:

• Maintain adequate hydration.
• Avoid alcohol consumption before and after arriving; wait to adapt.
• Limit red meat consumption in the first few days
• Opt for light fruits and soups in your initial diet.
• Drinking coca mate is beneficial to prevent altitude sickness, but avoid taking it at night.

At Inkayni Peru Tours we care about your food preferences and offer a wide variety of dining options on the Inca Trail. If you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or have other preferences, let us know to ensure a personalized dining experience.

Breakfast is complete with coffee, coca mate, hot chocolate, teas, eggs, fruits, quinoa, juices and more.

Lunch is diverse and includes meat, chicken, fish, salads, soups, vegetables, and desserts.

Dinner also features a variety of options, from salads and Andean pizza to chicken, pasta, pork, soups, and delicious desserts.

If you have luggage that you will not need during your tour of the Inca Trail, you have the option to keep it in your hotel in Cusco (most hotels offer this service at no additional cost).

In case your hotel does not provide this option, we will take care of storing your luggage safely in our facilities.

Yes, it is highly recommended to bring trekking poles for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. These poles offer additional support when walking on varied and steep terrain, helping to reduce tension in the joints and providing better balance.

In case you do not have poles for the Inca Trail, we offer the option to rent them with us for an additional cost of 15.00 USD.

The briefing is important because in this meeting you will have the opportunity to meet your guide, who will provide you with crucial details about the trek to the Inca Trail for 4 days, including the necessary clothing and weather conditions you will face.

During the meeting, you will receive a duffle bag where you can pack everything essential for the 4 days of this adventure, with a weight limit of 5 kilograms.

In addition, if this is the case you have not yet canceled the remaining balance of the trek, you can do so during this meeting.

Throughout the 4 days of excursion on the Inca Trail, you will have a team of highly trained porters, responsible for transporting camping equipment, food, first aid supplies, and other essential elements for this adventure.

They will also carry your personal belongings in a duffle bag, with a maximum weight of 5 kilograms, which is included in the cost of the tour.

It is important to note that you can only access the duffle bag at the beginning and end of each day.

Regarding personal luggage, the weight assigned to be carried by our porter during the hike is 5 kilograms, and this service is included in the tour price. This limit is set to ensure that hikers can load the essentials without overloading the porters responsible for camp equipment and supplies.

NOTE: If your baggage exceeds this limit and you prefer not to load it, you have the option to hire an additional porter. This service costs 80.00 USD and allows the porter to carry up to 5 kilograms of additional weight.

It is recommended to carry a medium backpack to transport essential objects that will be used several times a day during the walk.

Along the Inca Trail, there are toilet services «squatting» with cold running water, which can be unhygienic and difficult to access, with long queues due to the high influx of people. We recommend carrying hand sanitizer for use in these public toilets.

At Inkayni Peru Tours, we are proud to offer eco-friendly portable toilets as part of our commitment to a sustainable and comfortable experience on the Inca Trail. Our toilets are comfortable, hygienic, and environmentally friendly.

Although there are no daily showers on the Inca Trail for 4 days, in the third camp cold showers are available to take a shower. It is suggested to bring wet wipes to stay cool for the rest of the tour.

During the journey on the Inca Trail 4 days to Machu Picchu, you are likely to experience a limited or no internet and telephone signal connection due to the mountainous and wooded geography. It is essential to remember the purpose of the trek on the Inca Trail is to enjoy the natural environment, get away from the noise of the city, and return with renewed energy.

When obtaining the walking permits, the government assigns the camps to different groups. In the case of Inkayni Peru Tours, we will strive to secure your place in the Wiñay Wayna camp, although this will depend on the date you reserve your permit for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for 4 days.

In the unlikely event that we cannot guarantee the camp in Wiñay Wayna, we will select Phuyupatamarca as a second choice for camping.

If you want to improve your train travel experience when returning from the Inca Trail, you have the option to choose the Vistadome train from Peru Rail, with an additional cost of 45.00 USD. For detailed information about this option, we recommend you contact our sales agents.

Note: The main distinction between the Vistadome train and the Expedition lies in service and comfort. The Vistadome offers a more complete service, including comfort, complimentary snacks, a live dance show, and a fashion show with alpaca baby clothes.

Of course! No additional costs! When making your booking, please inform us of any dietary needs or requirements, including allergies.

We can also attend lactose-intolerant or gluten-intolerant diets. We cannot accept people with severe or life-threatening allergic reactions.

How will the meals be during the trek?

Most of our main meals are buffet style, leaving the option to avoid anything undesirable for you.

Please inform your allergic condition in detail when booking. As well as the severity of your reaction and any medication you take in an emergency.

If your allergy is severe, we ask you to be accompanied by a friend or person conscious and fully responsible for your situation and ready with any medication.

We cannot accept customers with life-threatening allergies.

A) GOOD WAGES:
As a responsible tourism agency, we pay our porters a salary of 210 Soles for the Inca trail for 4 days and 3 nights. And their transportation costs (almost 20% above the legal minimum wage, making Inkayni Peru Tours one of the best trekking agencies in Cusco).

Ideally, all agencies in Cusco must pay this amount. But, unfortunately to this day, many agencies do not even pay the legal minimum wage.

B) APPROPRIATE WEIGHT LIMIT:
Within the basic policies of Inkayni Peru Tours is the respect of all the staff working, which means not exceeding the weight limits.

Also, this factor is important when choosing a hiking travel agency.

Unfortunately, there are many irresponsible companies (even big-name companies who have grown due to the exploitation of their staff, who carry over 25 kilograms to more).

C) INSURANCE INSURANCE:
Inkayni Peru Tours is one of the few companies that offer insurance for our carriers of the classic Inca trail.

D) HIKING UNIFORMS:
Inkayni Peru Tours offers suitable costumes for all our staff who carry out their work during the Inca trail for 4 days.

Inkayni Peru Tours will provide boiled water (warm water) after each meal, starting with lunch on the second day (02).

Can I buy bottled water during the classic Inca trail?

Before this, you could buy bottled water from small local stores that offered in addition to water, Gatorade, or soda. It is recommended that each person drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water each day.

Please consider the environment when you decide to travel and hike. Every day technology is improving to make our lives easier and avoid garbage. Bring a purification system or a purifying bottle to avoid buying bottled water.

If you travel alone to the classic Inca trail and are willing to share a tent. Perhaps with someone of the same gender, there will be no additional cost. Please note that if you want to have a private tent, there is an additional cost of US 40.