Inca Trail Machu Picchu 4Days

Itinerary

DAY 01: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – WAYLLABAMBA

The adventure begins at 5:30 a.m. with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We will head to the Sacred Valley, following the Urubamba River through picturesque Andean villages. We will stop at Ollantaytambo to admire its imposing Inca fortress and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this historic town.

We will continue to Piscacucho (kilometer 82), where our team of porters awaits us. Here, we officially begin the 4-day Inca Trail trek. The path takes us along the river at a gentle pace, allowing us to soak in unparalleled panoramic views.

During the first hours, we will have the opportunity to spot the snow-capped Wakay Willka or Verónica (5,682 m). We will visit the archaeological site of Llactapata with its extensive agricultural terraces. In the afternoon, we will arrive at Wayllabamba (3,000 m), where we will have dinner and spend the first night at our campsite.

Day 1 Statistics

• Distance: 12 kilometers
• Minimum altitude: 2,750 m.a.s.l.
• Maximum altitude: 3,000 m.a.s.l.
• Route: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Piscacucho – Wayllabamba
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 02: WAYLLABAMBA – WARMI WAÑUSCA – PACAYMAYO

We will wake up early to tackle the most demanding day of the trek. After a hearty breakfast at 7:00 a.m., we will begin the steep ascent. The trail climbs steadily through high-Andean landscapes and lush queñua forests.

Along the way, we will spot local wildlife: hummingbirds, falcons, and occasionally black-chested eagles. The trail will test our endurance as we approach Warmiwañuska Pass (4,200 m), the highest point of the entire Inca Trail.

From the summit, we will enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and valleys. After a well-deserved rest, we will descend to Pacaymayo (3,600 m), where we will have dinner and spend the night surrounded by majestic mountains.

Day 2 Statistics

• Distance: 11 kilometers
• Minimum altitude: 3,000 m.a.s.l.
• Maximum altitude: 4,200 m.a.s.l.
• Route: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañuska – Pacaymayo
• Difficulty: Challenging

DAY 03: PACAYMAYO – PUYUPATAMARKA – WIÑAY HUAYNA

We will start the day at 6:00 a.m., ready for a long but fascinating day. We will ascend to Runkurakay Pass (3,780 m), where we will stop at a circular Inca control post with panoramic views of the Vilcabamba mountain range.

We will continue through terrain abundant with orchids, mosses, and cloud forest vegetation. Trekking poles will help us navigate the stone stairways. We will pass through an Inca tunnel carved directly into the rock before reaching the third mountain pass.

At 3,700 m, we will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Salkantay (6,271 m) and Verónica (5,750 m) snow-capped peaks. We will visit Phuyupatamarca, the “town above the clouds,” and then Intipata, before finally arriving at Wiñayhuayna (2,700 m). This incredible site preserves terraces, temples, and an environment full of orchids.

Day 3 Statistics

• Distance: 16 kilometers
• Minimum altitude: 2,700 m.a.s.l.
• Maximum altitude: 3,780 m.a.s.l.
• Route: Pacaymayo – Runkurakay – Phuyupatamarca – Intipata – Wiñayhuayna
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

DAY 04: WIÑAY HUAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We will depart at 4:00 a.m., after a quick breakfast and bidding farewell to our porter team. We will hike along narrow trails to Intipunku, the Sun Gate. The final stretch consists of about 50 stone steps leading to this legendary spot.

From Intipunku (2,719 m), we will be awed by the first mystical view of Machu Picchu, shrouded among forested hills and morning clouds. We will capture that unique moment with our cameras before descending to begin the two-hour guided tour of the citadel.

We will explore the main temples, ceremonial plazas, and impressive agricultural terraces of the Lost City of the Incas. After the visit, we will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, we will board the train to Ollantaytambo, where a vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Cusco by nightfall.

Day 4 Statistics

• Distance: 5 kilometers
• Minimum altitude: 2,040 m.a.s.l. (Aguas Calientes)
• Maximum altitude: 2,719 m.a.s.l. (Intipunku)
• Route: Wiñayhuayna – Intipunku – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
• Difficulty: Moderate