Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

Day 01 Cusco – Km 82 – Hatunchaca – Ayapata

Set off to the trailhead of KM 82 and begin your hike witnessing the beautiful site of Llactapata. Continue hiking through the towering mountains and snowy glaciers to the first campsite of Ayapata.

Day 02 Ayapata – Dead Woman’s Pass – Chaquicochaa

Conquer the challenging hike to the trek’s highest point, the Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmi Wañusca Pass). Enjoy the stunning summit views, visit archaeological sites, and marvel at the Andean sky at night.

Day 03 Chaquicocha – Intipata – Wiñaywayna

Witness your surroundings change as you enter the thick jungle and visit the Wiñay Wayna archaeological site. Enjoy an evening with your trekking team to celebrate your time together.

Day 04 Discover Machu Picchu – Cusco

The grand day! Hike to the Sun Gate and get your first glimpse of the Inca citadel. Explore Machu Picchu and learn all its mysteries and secrets.

Day 01 Cusco – Km 82 – Hatunchaca – Ayapata

The Machu Picchu Inca Trail hiking excursion will commence at approximately 4:30 a.m. with a pick-up from your Cusco hotel. The pick-up time for those who are lodging in the Sacred Valley, such as Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, is subsequent to 6:00 a.m. Proceed to Km 82 (Piscacucho village) after approximately 2.5 hours of travel to commence the four-day Inca Trail excursion to Machu Picchu. At Ollantaytambo, we will pause for a sumptuous breakfast accompanied by breathtaking vistas of the Inca site and the surrounding mountains. During this time, you will also have the opportunity to purchase any necessary items for the Machu Picchu trek. You will then proceed to Kilometer 82 and arrive at the trailhead at approximately 8:00 a.m., where you will be introduced to your chef, porters, and tour guides. We shall proceed to the checkpoint where we shall behold your passports in order to initiate our ESPERU at the renowned Lost City of the Incas.

We will commence the Inca Trail Trek following the completion of the checkpoint; the initial two-hour ascent will lead us to Patallacta, the initial archaeological site situated along the Inca Trail pathway. From a rare, concealed location, we shall be treated to breathtaking vistas of this ancient fortress encircled by mountains and rivers. Subsequently, embark on a two-hour ascent to Hatunchaca village, situated at the epicenter of the Inca Trail Trek. A group of cooks and porters will be awaiting your arrival, preparing a delectable lunch that exclusively utilizes locally sourced ingredients.

We will continue for an additional two hours, past a delicious meal, to reach Ayapata, the initial campsite on the Machu Picchu Trek. Approximately at 5:00 p.m., you will be at your destination. A warm beverage, your tent, and a snack will be awaited you. You will have time to unwind, make your bed, and admire the mountain view prior to dinner and tea.

Campsite Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
Highest Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi
Duration: 6 Hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 02 Ayapata – Dead Woman’s Pass – Chaquicocha

Your tent will be stocked with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea in the wee hours of the morning, prepared by our staff. Today will be the most difficult of the four-day Machu Picchu trek; following breakfast, it will be a four-hour ascent to the highest point of the Machu Picchu Inca Trail Trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215m / 13829ft). We will pause atop the summit to sip cocoa tea while savoring the tranquility of the area. Simultaneously, your guide performs an authentic offering ceremony to the Apus, which means “local gods.” We will embark on a two-hour descent to Pacaymayo Alto Valley, where we will savor a well-deserved lunch, following our ascent of the vistas.

The second mountain is an easier two-hour ascent to Runkuraqay Pass (4000m/13123ft) following lunch. Along the way, we will allocate time to investigate two Inca sites, namely Runkuraqayay and Sayacmarca. Chaquicocha (dry lake, 3600m / 11811ft) is the second campsite, where one may pause for dinner and take in the picturesque sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. A stargazer’s paradise, this campsite offers an unobstructed panorama of the constellations.

Campsite Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
Highest Altitude: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 mi
Duration: 10 Hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging

Day 03 Chaquicocha – Intipata – Wiñaywayna

After the most arduous portion of the four-day Inca Trail excursion has been completed, you are free to unwind and savor the most tranquil and thrilling day of the Inca Trail Hike. Today’s route is extremely varied; the final campsite is reached in just five hours on foot. During your journey, you will traverse various ecosystems, encounter an atmospheric cloud forest, and behold the breathtaking panorama of Salkantay Mountain, which ranks as the secondary highest point in Cusco. Phuyupatamarca (City in the Clouds), which offers breathtaking vistas of the Urubamba River and Machu Picchu Mountain, and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun) are the two Inca sites that we will explore.

You will have time to relax and take in the enchanted surroundings at Intipata. We will arrive at the campsite around 1:00 p.m. for lunch, after which you are free to unwind, chase llamas, or take a refreshing shower at the campsite. We will visit the Inca site of Wiaywayna in the late afternoon, where your guide will provide a historical overview of this extraordinary location. Following that, we will return to the campsite for dinner, tea, and an unexpected farewell surprise!.

Campsite Altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
Highest Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
Duration: 5 Hours
Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 04 Discover Machu Picchu – Cusco

On our final day of the Classic Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu, we have to get up very early to prepare for the highlight of your ESPERU! Visiting Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. We will go straight to the checkpoint and wait until it opens at 5:30 a.m. As the sky brightens, we will walk to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) for one hour, enjoying the stunning views. You can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate on a clear day, which is truly an unforgettable sight. Next, we will start a final 1-hour descent towards Machu Picchu, arriving at the last control point around 8:00 a.m.

Your guide will take you on a 2-hour comprehensive tour of the most important sights of the Inca City. If you’re up for an extra challenge, you can hike Huayna Picchu Mountain (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible). After the tour, you will take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then take the Expedition train and bus back to Cusco. ESPERU Team will meet you off the train and safely return to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. The approximate arrival time back to Cusco is around 7:30 p.m.

Highest Altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
Hiking Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi
Hiking Duration: 2-3 Hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate