Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu! This itinerary is the perfect combination of history and beauty: visiting amazing Inca ruins along the way while you take in the lush green cloud forest, Andean mountain passes and vast landscape.
Hiking this trail with Alpaca Expeditions means completing it with no stress. We will take care of everything including securing all the best campsites, serving delicious and nutritious meals, providing top notch equipment and surrounding you with the most dedicated team from your guide who will become a teacher and a friend to our porters who do it all flawlessly.
Our motto is “the journey is the destination” and we can promise this will be your best journey yet.
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Alpaca Expeditions will pick you up from wherever you are staying in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo. Pick-up from Cusco will be from 4 to 4:30 AM, from Urubamba from 5:30 to 6 AM, and if you stay in Ollantaytambo, you get to sleep in a bit with your pick-up from 6:30 to 7 AM. These times will be confirmed at your briefing, as they might fluctuate based on where you are staying. We will take you to the Porter House which is located in Ollantaytambo after a delicious breakfast prepared by your cook, your guide will introduce you to your team of porters.
We will then drive to Km 82, we’ll go through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek. Please make sure you have your original passport with you to enter the Inca Trail. The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site. Patallacta is an ancient Inca checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu.
From Patallacta it’s another 2-hour hike to our lunch stop. After lunch, we will hike for another 2½ hours until we reach the first night’s campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters). On this last stretch, we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drink, snacks, or essential items you may have forgotten such as batteries you can do so here. We’ll arrive at our campsite by 5:00 PM. After settling in for a bit, you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chefs, and guides. By 7:30 PM, your dinner will be ready, and after you can get some well-deserved rest.
8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours)
3300 meters (high) above sea level
Moderate day (getting used to the Inca Trail)
Warm and windy
Your porters will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day. We will have an early start since it will be our longest day. We’ll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 meters/13829 feet). On reaching the pass, we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot, where you will have a chance to refill your water bottles. After lunch, we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It’s 2 hours over the pass where we will stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village).
We’ll stop here to rest and have a quick tour. Afterward, we will be able to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After dinner, if you’re not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing, and we’ll point out the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent Southern Hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold!
9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
3600 meters (high) above sea level (chilly weather)
Top day (you will have survived the two highest passes)
Andes and Cloud Forest
Cold and rainy
Completing Day 2 and beginning Day 3 certainly deserves a pat on the back! We will start early again, waking up at 6:30 am to begin what is commonly felt to be the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. We hike for 2 hours along what we like to call “Inca flat” (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk, we will have the opportunity to see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flats, we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley, we get our first view of Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself is still hidden. From Phuyupatamarka it´s a 3-hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of its proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent, we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM to have lunch.
Then we will relax so that you are ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. At around 4:30 PM your guide will give you a short orientation, and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half there. Your guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek. This way you will be fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day. We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs. It’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again. This is to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them then you can do so at this time). It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn in the hopes that the weather will give us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins at Machu Picchu.
6.2 miles/10km (5 hours)
2.600 meters (high) above sea level (chilly weather)
Easy day - all downhill!
High Cloud Forest
Warm and very humid
Today marks the most important day of your journey: the long-awaited visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
We will wake up very early at 3:00 a.m. at the Wiñaywayna campsite. Breakfast will be served at 3:30 a.m., and at 4:00 a.m., we will begin a short walk to the park ranger checkpoint, where we will wait in line until the gate opens at 5:30 a.m.
Why so early? Our porters must walk approximately 1 hour from Wiñaywayna to the railway at Kilometer 107 to catch the only daily train that passes at 5:30 a.m. If they miss it, they would have to walk all the way to Km 82 or wait until the next day. Out of respect for their effort, all groups wake up early so the porters can make it on time. Your duffle bags will be transported by the porters to Aguas Calientes and left at a restaurant where you’ll later have lunch.
The checkpoint at Wiñaywayna opens at 5:30 a.m. because this section of the Inca Trail leading to the Sun Gate is narrow and, for safety reasons, park rangers do not allow tourists to hike it in the dark.
The hike from the checkpoint to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) takes about 1 hour, during which you’ll enjoy lush flora such as orchids and cloud forests. Just before arriving, you’ll encounter the steep “Gringo Killer” stairs, a section of about 20 Inca steps.
Upon reaching Intipunku, you’ll enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu in all its glory. This gate served as the main entrance to the citadel during Incan times and also as a solar observation point during the spring solstice, when sunlight passed through the gate and illuminated the Sun Temple window.
We will spend 15 to 30 minutes at the Sun Gate, depending on the weather, and then continue for another hour of gentle downhill hiking to reach Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll see spectacular views of the citadel, Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba River, and the surrounding valleys.
At approximately 7:30–8:00 a.m., we will arrive at the main lookout point of Machu Picchu, the iconic location where the famous postcard photos are taken. You will arrive exactly at Circuit 1, the panoramic viewpoint area of the citadel, where the most complete and classic photos of Machu Picchu are captured.
From this viewpoint, you can admire the impressive Machu Picchu Citadel and the surrounding valleys. This is the exact spot where the well-known postcard images are taken. The terraces you see here are Inca agricultural terraces, which were used for farming during Inca times and are now enjoyed by visitors for their breathtaking views of the citadel and the surrounding landscape. This area is also known as the Watchtower, as there is a small Inca structure believed to have been used to monitor and control access to the citadel.
You will have approximately 30 minutes to enjoy the views and take photos, with assistance from your guide. For many hikers, this is the moment when the dream of completing the Inca Trail truly comes true.
After taking photos, we will briefly exit the citadel to use the restrooms (S/ 2). Travelers with large backpacks may leave them in the storage area (US$5).
We will then re-enter Machu Picchu to begin a guided tour along Circuit 3, which includes the most important areas of the citadel, such as temples, palaces, religious buildings, water fountains, and astronomical observatories. Your guide will explain each site in detail, and you will also have time to take photos.
After approximately 2.5 hours of guided touring, you will have an additional 15–20 minutes in the lower part of the citadel to take your final photos as you walk toward the exit area. At this point, it will be time to say goodbye to Machu Picchu and walk to the bus station, located right at the entrance of the site. Buses depart every 30 minutes and take you down to Aguas Calientes, where you will meet your group for your final lunch.
Please plan to be at the train station 30 minutes before departure. Train departure times are usually 2:55 p.m., 3:20 p.m., or 4:48 p.m., depending on availability. The train ride to Ollantaytambo takes approximately 2 hours, followed by a 2-hour drive back to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel in Cusco at approximately 8:00 p.m.
By hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you will visit two circuits—Circuit 1 and Circuit 3, allowing you to enjoy one of the most comprehensive tours of the citadel.
How to Climb Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the large mountain you see behind Machu Picchu and is located at approximately 2,700 meters (8,860 ft) above sea level. Most visitors choose to climb Huayna Picchu after the guided Machu Picchu tour on the same day.
Tickets are limited and must be booked in advance at the time of Inca Trail reservation. This hike is optional, and not everyone chooses to do it. However, if you feel you still have the energy after four days of hiking, we are happy to arrange it for you.
Cost: US$75 per person
Hiking time:
• 45 minutes uphill to the summit
• 30 minutes at the top
• 45 minutes to descend back to the citadel
Please note that this hike is not recommended for people with a fear of heights. Tickets are non-refundable, as the payment goes directly to the government.
After returning from Huayna Picchu, you will exit Machu Picchu and take the bus down to town, where you will meet your guide and group for lunch before boarding the train.
The most exciting and magical day (early wake up 3.30 AM)
High Cloud and Subtropical Forest
Hot and very humid (bring lots of water)
The Inca Trail is the most famous trek in South America, and permits are strictly limited by the Peruvian government. To secure your spot for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, we recommend booking at least 6 to 7 months in advance, especially for the peak season from May to August. Below you can check the real-time availability for our upcoming departures.
Alpaca Expeditions is a 100% peruvian, indigenous owned company. Started by Raul Ccolque, a former porter and tour guide, Alpaca Expeditions separates ourselves by our dedication to both our customer and our team. We work very hard to make sure that all our clients needs are taken care of throughout the tour with us. At the same time, we never forget about our brothers and sisters working tirelessly for us to make all of this possible. Responsible and sustainable tourism that gives as much to our community as to our clients.
Everyone on the Alpaca Team is from Cusco region, living the traditions and history they share with you while on one of our tours. Our guides are all graduates of university studying tourism, history and english. Our chefs are trained every February by a professional cooking team learning new meals, adding varieties of entrees for all types of eating. And all our porters are from HUARQUI, HUACAHUASI, PATACANCHA, QUISWARANI, CANCHACANCHA, QUEYUPAY, UMACHURCO and CCACCACCOLLO villages, very often working this job on top of maining their farms back at home. Most of our team has been with us for years, as we have the most loyal, hard working, happy employees in Cusco. We know how lucky we are to have the best team trekking and you will immediately fall in love with all the men and women who call Alpaca Expeditions their home.
Our goal at Alpaca Expeditions is to create the best experience for all of our clients. We create journeys that are to be remembered for a lifetime. Journeys you can be proud of and can share with everybody around you.
In the pursuit to stand out from the rest, Alpaca Expeditions has obtained four ISOs plus our carbon footprint certificate to date. These achievements result from our efforts to implement the internationally-recognized integrated management system. They also represent our commitment to all of our clients and staff of operating sustainability and responsibility in every way possible.
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