The lost city of the Incas is without a doubt a city symbol of the Inca civilization. The royal path that carried pilgrims and authorized officers of the empire to the sacred city is nowadays the “Inca Trail”.
This Andean Inca Trail tour is an unforgettable experience. The Inca path is paved with blocks of stone and it has stone ladders, tunnels and wooden bridges that cross rivers, temperate valleys, the warm cloud forest and the cold Andean heights. This makes visitors meditate on the intellect and the spiritual greatness of the Andean man whose greatest achievement was the Inca civilization.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is part of a system of more than 30,000 kilometers of roads that integrated the vast network of the Tawantinsuyu from the south of Colombia to the center of Chile passing by Quito, Ecuador; Cajamarca, Huanuco, Jauja, Huamanga and Cusco in Peru; La Paz and Cochabamba in Bolivia to Salta and Tucuman in Argentina. These Inca trails ran mostly along the coast and the mountains, and in some cases, they reached the Amazon rainforest as is the case of this amazing trek.
This is the fastest version of the 4-day Inca Trail. On the 3-Day Inca Trail Intrepid, you will observe the Patallacta inca site and visit Pacaymayu, Runkuracay, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñaywayna Inca sites. Once complete your Inca Trail challenge, return to Cusco on the night of the third day. This Machu Picchu hike consists of three days on the most beautiful scenic trails until arriving at the lost city of the Incas. During the hike, we make stops to take a rest, explore the inca sites, view the mountains, and have lunch before arriving at each of our camps. On the last day wake up early and start to walk to the door of the sun, where you will view sunrise and it is the best moment to take pictures for your memories, continue the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and once arrive on guided tour of Inca city
If you are interested in booking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour, we recommend you make your reservations in advance. There are only 500 spots available for the Inca trail permits (divided into 200 spaces for tourists and 300 professional tour guides, trekking chefs and Chasquis porters).
Sustainable Tourism: At Salkantay Trek Machu, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism and support local communities.
Difficulty Hike: 4 Moderate & Difficult.
Age Requirements: 12+
Crew: A Salkantay Trek Machu representative in Cusco and a professional tour guide, trekking chefs, and Chasquis porters.
Accommodation: 2x Campsite (Llulluchapampa - Phuyupatamarca or Wiñaywayna).
Meals: 2x breakfast, 2x lunch, 2x dinner, 2x afternoon hot beverage
Transportation: Private transportation and train.
Camping Equipment: A double tent, Air sleeping roll mattress, feather sleeping bag (-5 grade), a pair of hiking poles, air pillow camping, and others (More details, You can view our camping equipment included!).
Day 01: Cusco – Km 82 – Ayapata.
Day 02: Ayapata – Warmiwanusca – Chaquicocha.
Day 03: Chaquicocha – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco.
The 3-day Inca Trail starts with the pick-up at your hotel or Airbnb (5:30 am approx.) We will travel for an hour and a half to Ollantaytambo, where we stop for breakfast. After our stop, we will continue our journey by heading to km 82, the place where the respective admission control of the Inca Trail is placed. In this place, you will have to show your tickets with your passport and your identity document (with the same one you did your reservations).
Once you pass all the respective controls on the control point, we will cross a suspension bridge across the Vilcanota River. The first day is relatively easy and is considered the day of warm-up since the terrain is relatively flat. On this day we will have wonderful views of the Incan fortress of Huillca Raccay, the incredible archaeological site of LLactapacta (officially called “Patallacta”), the Mountain range of Urubamba that divides the jungle with the Andes, and the beautiful snowy Mountain od W’akay Willca at 5,860 MAMSL (also known as Veronica). Our first camp will be in Ayapata, located 60 minutes walk from the small village of Wayllabamba, with a height of 3,300 MAMSL.
This is going to be the hardest day and the more rewarding at the same time as the Inca Trail challenge. We will find spectacular Andean landscapes and vegetation in the place. The day will start at 5:00 a.m. and after a good breakfast, we will start the ascent for 4 hours up to the highest point of the road, The Abra of Huarmihuanusca or “Step of the dead woman” with a height of 4,200 MAMSL. During 3 day Inca trail tour, you can appreciate that the vegetation is varied with native plants and trees such as the Polilepys or Q’ueuña, which grow in the cloud forest at an altitude of 3,650 MAMSL. After the 4 hours of ascent, having reached the highest point, we celebrate together.
After a break, we will start the descent for an hour and a half to the second point where we will have lunch (Pacamayo 3,500 MAMSL). After lunch, we will start with the last part of the rise for 2 hours heading to the Abra of Runkurakay at an altitude of 4,000 MAMSL. Once in the passage and after a rest, we will descend to Phuyupatamarca and Winaywayna Inca sites, We walk 4 hours approx and a half until we reach our camp at Winaywayna.
On the last day of our 3-day Inca Trail Intrepid Tour, we will start the day by waking up early to head towards Winay Wayna. From there, we will continue our journey until we reach Inti Punku, known as the "Sun Gate," located at an altitude of 2,730 meters. From this point, you can enjoy the first views of Machu Picchu and, if the conditions allow, witness a stunning sunrise. Finally, we will continue walking the last stretch of the Inca Trail until we reach the place where you can take the classic postcard photo with the Inca city. Afterwards, in Machu Picchu, you will have a 2-hour guided tour of Circuit 3 (Royalty Route). After finishing the guided tour, we will head to the main entrance to board the bus to Aguas Calientes, where we will give you your train ticket for the return trip to Cusco.
Important Note: Our guide will be meeting in your hotel 2 or 1 day before the intrepid trek. It is very important to let us know, where you will be staying in Cusco.
Every group hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is always accompanied by a tour guide, a representative, or a member of our team. Guides provide information about the destinations visited, and also offer recommendations for activities and points of interest. Their extensive knowledge covers historical, cultural, religious and social aspects of each place included in the tour. We also work with local guides, who have specialized knowledge that enriches the experience and allows you to enjoy each destination even more.
Meeting Your Guide
Our guide will meet you at your hotel 1-2 days before the trek starts. Please keep an eye on your email or WhatsApp, as our team will contact you to arrange a meeting with your guide or an Inca Trail Machu representative. The briefing will be held at your hotel, as agreed with our operations manager. These sessions last approximately 30-45 minutes, and during this time you will receive your duffel bags.
Our trekking chefs are trained in proper food handling and the preparation of dishes with natural ingredients. Additionally, they participate in annual meetings where they share their culinary experiences gained during the Inca Trail. They also receive training in first aid and customer service, which allows them to guarantee both your safety and the preparation of the best meals during the tour.
On the other hand, our super porters attend annual training sessions in first aid and customer service. They are always ready to assist you in case of an emergency; so, trust our trekking team to enjoy a safe experience and exceptional service on your Inca Trail adventure.
Many people include Peru in their “Things to do” list, the main reason being to Trek the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, although what most people don’t know is that there are various Inca Trails Trips to Machu Picchu to pick from in the Cusco region. The difference lies in what kind of an experience you want, hiking the Inca trail and how challenging you like your treks.
If you want to say that you’ve hiked the famous hike to Machu Picchu, then the Classic Inca Trail is for you. But usually, you will need to book in advance, in case it is fully booked, we recommend other alternative treks:
If very important your take best cover backpacker, because the weather in Inca Trail is change every date, we can’t predict it raining or no. If you don’t have, we recommended to putting your clothes, sleeping bag and other personal equipment inside the plastic bag.
Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machupicchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.
Machu Picchu is located in the southern part of Peru, specifically in the Cusco region. It's about 112.5 kilometers northeast of the city of Cusco, at an altitude of 2350 meters above sea level.
During the 3 day Inca Trail Intrepid Tour, you'll encounter these altitudes:
The 3 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is considered moderately difficult. It doesn't involve climbing rocks or crossing snowy areas, so you don't need previous experience. However, the difficulty can increase due to the weight of your personal belongings, like clothes, a camera, water, and camping gear.
Permits for the Inca Trail are limited, with only 500 spots available per day, of which 300 are for guides, porters, cooks, and other trekking team members. Therefore, it's recommended to book at least six months in advance. If you plan to travel during the peak season, between May and September, it's advisable to book 8 to 10 months in advance to secure your spot.
The most popular time to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is between May and September, coinciding with vacations in the Western Hemisphere. During these months, the dry and sunny weather creates ideal conditions for trekking; however, it's important to book well in advance.
On the other hand, April, October and November are also good options, as there are fewer tourists. Although it might rain occasionally, it's easier to get permits, as long as you plan ahead. Also, between January and March, the rainy season is at its peak, so if you decide to hike during this time, you should be prepared with the right equipment to withstand the rainfall. Despite the rain, it's safe to hike and permits are more accessible. It's important to mention that the Inca Trail is closed in February, as it's the rainiest month and they take advantage of this time to maintain the trail.
Kids who are used to hiking can definitely do the Inca Trail. We recommend they be at least 12 years old to fully enjoy the experience. While we've seen younger kids do it, it really depends on their fitness level. If you're planning a family adventure, contact us so we can assess your children's abilities and help you plan your trip.
You don't have to be an athlete, but being in good shape is recommended. If you don't exercise regularly, start hiking, especially uphill, a few months before your trip. The altitude is a big challenge, as the highest point, Dead Woman's Pass, is at 4,125 meters above sea level. To acclimatize better and avoid altitude sickness, follow these tips:
The Inca Trail is one of the most amazing experiences in the world and the best thing is to enjoy it at your own pace. Take your time to appreciate the views, take pictures, and rest when you need to. Even those who are slower make it to camp before nightfall. Plus, the guide always stays with the last hiker in the group, while giving directions to the faster ones about meeting points along the way.
