INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU 4 DAYS
INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU 4 DAYS
Up to 25 in group
4 Days Package (3 nights)
Retreat Highlights
- Walk the sacred Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on a private spiritual retreat, following an ancient pilgrimage route used by the Incas for ceremonial and spiritual purposes.
- Enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the most meaningful and symbolic entrance to the citadel, traditionally reserved for Inca pilgrims.
- Explore powerful Inca archaeological and ceremonial sites such as Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñay Wayna, guided with in-depth cultural and spiritual interpretation.
- Experience a private Inca Trail hike at a mindful and personalized pace, allowing time for meditation, reflection, and intention-setting along the trail.
- Cross Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m / 13,828 ft), the highest point of the Classic Inca Trail, embraced as a spiritual rite of passage.
- Participate in authentic Andean spiritual practices, including gratitude offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth), energy alignment, and moments of silence in sacred landscapes.
- Enjoy secluded campsites and refined service, creating a peaceful retreat atmosphere supported by a dedicated private guide and support team.
- Journey through diverse Andean ecosystems, from high mountain passes to cloud forests, enhancing connection with nature and ancestral wisdom.
- Travel with experienced local guides and spiritual facilitators, ensuring an authentic, respectful, and transformative Inca Trail experience.
- Complete your spiritual journey at Machu Picchu, arriving with clarity, presence, and a deep connection to one of the world’s most sacred destinations.
About this Retreat
Details of this retreat
A Legendary Trek to Machu Picchu
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage route and highlighted by National Geographic Travel as one of the most beautiful trekking routes in the world, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the ultimate hiking experience in Peru and South America. This legendary trek is ideal for travelers who enjoy long-distance hiking and wish to walk in the footsteps of the ancient Incas.
Covering 44 kilometers (27 miles), the Classic Inca Trail leads through spectacular Andean scenery, including dramatic mountain passes, glaciers, cloud forests, and inter-Andean valleys. Along the way, hikers explore remarkable archaeological sites before arriving at the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Our Inca Trail tour is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for a comfortable pace and a more personalized trekking experience. We operate in small groups, ensuring attentive guiding, minimal environmental impact, and a deeper cultural connection—creating unforgettable memories on the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu.
Wari Tours is an indigenous-Local - Sustainable Company and an official tour operator of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage route and highlighted by National Geographic Travel as one of the most beautiful trekking routes in the world, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the ultimate hiking experience in Peru and South America. This legendary trek is ideal for travelers who enjoy long-distance hiking and wish to walk in the footsteps of the ancient Incas.
Covering 44 kilometers (27 miles), the Classic Inca Trail leads through spectacular Andean scenery, including dramatic mountain passes, glaciers, cloud forests, and inter-Andean valleys. Along the way, hikers explore remarkable archaeological sites before arriving at the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Our Inca Trail tour is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for a comfortable pace and a more personalized trekking experience. We operate in small groups, ensuring attentive guiding, minimal environmental impact, and a deeper cultural connection—creating unforgettable memories on the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu.
Wari Tours is an indigenous-Local - Sustainable Company and an official tour operator of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.
Schedule
Day 1 – Training day: Cusco- Piskacucho - km 82 - Patallaqta - Cusichaka-Wayllabamba (camping)
Beginning the Inca Trail Adventure
To begin this adventure, we will meet at your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley of the Incas, at 5:00 am. First, we will stop at the organic farm in Urubamba to enjoy a healthy breakfast before starting the Inca Trail. Here, we will meet the trekking team that will accompany us throughout our journey (the cooks, driver, and indigenous porters) and we will have a little introduction ceremony to get to know each other better. Then we will head to Piskacucho (2720 masl / 8923 ft) or kilometer 82 in our private transportation, where we will pass the first Inca Trail control checkpoint, crossing a suspension bridge that will lead us to the other side of the Urubamba River and start walking up a gentle hill.
We will then have 3 hours of relatively flat terrain as we advance alongside the river, where our reward will be the magnificent views of La Veronica Mountain (5,750 masl / 18,864 ft). The hike passes through a forest of giant cacti. When we reach Miskay, we will ascend gradually to the Willkaraccay Ruins, which are located well above the mouth of the Cusichaka stream, as well as in front of Llactapata (Terrace Village), an Inca village. After a detailed explanation about the Willkaraccay Ruins, we will have time for lunch and restore our energy.
We will walk for approximately another hour and a half to reach the community of Wayllabamba, where we will spend our first night.
Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles.
Steps: 17,820 approx steps
Hours of hiking: 6-7 hours
Lowest altitude: 2720 masl / 8923 ft
Highest altitude: 3000 masl / 9842 ft
Elevation Gain: 630 m / 2066 ft
Campsite Altitude: 3000 masl
Climate: Warm - Dry (May - Nov) / Temperate (Nov - Mar)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Day 2 - Challenging day: Wayllabamba - Ayapata - Llulluchapampa - Warmiwañusqa pass - Pacaymayo alto - (camping)
A Day of High Peaks and Hidden Valleys
The second day is our biggest challenge, the highest climb of our trek. We will leave after a nutritious breakfast and start our hike to get to Ayapata, which will take us approximately one hour, crossing beautiful high Andean forests on our way.
This Inca Trail trek becomes more strenuous as it gains elevation, but its reward will be the spectacular views of the mountains and the ancient Inca stone staircase, surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks such as Apu Huayanay.
We will continue walking for two or three hours to reach Llulluchapampa, where we will have lunch. During the walk, we may see some species of birds, such as hummingbirds, hawks, and eagles, or, perhaps, we could see the king of the Andean heights, the condor, so greatly respected and revered by the people from the Andes. Soon, we will reach a beautiful cloud forest, or polylepis forest (small Andean forests of queuña and chachacomo trees), and treeless grasslands in the puna ecoregion, which serve as habitat for deer and Pumas.
We will continue our route ascending to the highest point of the Inca Trail - Warmiwañusca (4200 masl / 13,850 feet), where we will stop for a small ceremony of to give thanks to the protective mountains of the indigenous inhabitants of the area, and then descend for an hour or two to camp at Paccaymayo Alto, along a trail paved by the ancient inhabitants, the Incas.
Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Steps: 19,440 approx steps
Hours of hiking: 7-8 hours
Lowest altitude: 3000 masl / 9842 ft
Highest altitude: 4215 masl / 13828 ft (First pass - Warmiwañusca)
Elevation Gain: 1,290 m / 3600 ft
Campsite Altitude: 3600 masl
Climate:Dry with wind (May - Nov) / Temperate (Nov - Mar)
Difficulty: Challenging
Day 3 - Lovely Day: Runkurakay - Sayaqmarka - Chakicocha- Phuyupatamarka - Intipata - Wiñaywayna (camping)
History, Ruins, and Cloud forest.
After breakfast, we will start the third day of trekking; it will take us approximately one hour to get from the Pacaymayo Alto campsite to Runcuracay, which is a ruin or Tambo del Inca where the chaskis used to rest, a guard post, lookout point, or ritual building and you’ll be able to see it from the top of the trail.
We will continue ascending until we reach the second-highest pass, called Runcuracay (3950 masl / 12,959 ft), from where we will have a fantastic panoramic view of the magnificent cloud forest. We will then descend to the Sayaqmarca Ruins, the place of military administration of the Incas; we will continue descending to a small Inca construction called Conchamarqa surrounded by Andean or native forests. From here onward, the route will be truly unforgettable because of the beauty of its landscapes and the authenticity of the path.
We will pass through Chakicocha until we reach Phuyupatamarca, where we will have lunch and see majestic panoramic views. After lunch, we will begin the descent along a steep path until reaching the wonderful Intipata Ruins; agricultural terraces to cultivate Andean products and enjoy the fantastic view of the Urubamba River.
We will then continue to the campsite located in Wiñaywayna. We will visit the Wiñaywayna Ruins, where we will enjoy the sunset, a truly magical moment, as the natural beauty of the scenery will fill us with many emotions. We will have a special dinner with the team on the trek to celebrate the adventure on the route.
Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles.
Steps: 25,920 approx steps
Hours of hiking: 8-10 hrs
Lowest altitude: 2700 masl / 8858 ft
Highest altitude: 3900 masl / 12467 ft (Second Pass - Runkuracay)
Elevation Gain: 545 m / 1,788 ft
Campsite Altitude: 2,650 masl
Climate:Dry - Humid Forest (May - Nov) / Humid Forest - Tropical (Nov - Mar)
Difficulty: Challenging
Circuit to explore in Machu Picchu.
Circuit 1: Enjoy the most iconic panoramic views of the Inca citadel.
Day 04: Wiñaywayna- Intipunku (sungate) - Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu - Cusco.
A Journey’s Reward-The Final Transformation
On this day, we will wake up very early, at around 3:30 am. Our chef prepares a healthy breakfast before we hit the trail again, after which we will head toward the checkpoint, where we will wait our turn to start walking over to the exclusive sun gate, also called Intipunku. Here, we will witness the first rays of the sun while having breakfast. (Depending on the allocation of the campsite, we will either camp at Phuyupatamarka or Wiñaywayna and this means the time we arrive at the Sun Gate will vary.) Then, we will head towards the iconic Sanctuary or Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. There will be plenty of time to explore the complex, and the explanations provided by the guide will make you feel the profound connection and the harmonious way it was built around nature. It was worth our four days of adventure and effort! Finally, we will take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, to have the last lunch with your guide, then we will take the train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Our private transportation will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel. TUPANANCHISKAMA
Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Steps: 9,720 approx steps
Hours of hiking: 3 hrs
Lowest altitude: 2040 masl / 6693 ft
Highest altitude: 2730 masl / 8956 ft
Elevation Gain: 310 m / 1,017 ft
Climate: Humid Forest - Tropical (May - Nov) / Rainy - Tropical (Nov - Mar)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Circuit to explore in Machu Picchu.
Circuit 3: Explore its main temples, terraces, and most representative sacred sites.
A perfect combination that gives you a nearly complete Machu Picchu experience.
Beginning the Inca Trail Adventure
To begin this adventure, we will meet at your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley of the Incas, at 5:00 am. First, we will stop at the organic farm in Urubamba to enjoy a healthy breakfast before starting the Inca Trail. Here, we will meet the trekking team that will accompany us throughout our journey (the cooks, driver, and indigenous porters) and we will have a little introduction ceremony to get to know each other better. Then we will head to Piskacucho (2720 masl / 8923 ft) or kilometer 82 in our private transportation, where we will pass the first Inca Trail control checkpoint, crossing a suspension bridge that will lead us to the other side of the Urubamba River and start walking up a gentle hill.
We will then have 3 hours of relatively flat terrain as we advance alongside the river, where our reward will be the magnificent views of La Veronica Mountain (5,750 masl / 18,864 ft). The hike passes through a forest of giant cacti. When we reach Miskay, we will ascend gradually to the Willkaraccay Ruins, which are located well above the mouth of the Cusichaka stream, as well as in front of Llactapata (Terrace Village), an Inca village. After a detailed explanation about the Willkaraccay Ruins, we will have time for lunch and restore our energy.
We will walk for approximately another hour and a half to reach the community of Wayllabamba, where we will spend our first night.
Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles.
Steps: 17,820 approx steps
Hours of hiking: 6-7 hours
Lowest altitude: 2720 masl / 8923 ft
Highest altitude: 3000 masl / 9842 ft
Elevation Gain: 630 m / 2066 ft
Campsite Altitude: 3000 masl
Climate: Warm - Dry (May - Nov) / Temperate (Nov - Mar)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Day 2 - Challenging day: Wayllabamba - Ayapata - Llulluchapampa - Warmiwañusqa pass - Pacaymayo alto - (camping)
A Day of High Peaks and Hidden Valleys
The second day is our biggest challenge, the highest climb of our trek. We will leave after a nutritious breakfast and start our hike to get to Ayapata, which will take us approximately one hour, crossing beautiful high Andean forests on our way.
This Inca Trail trek becomes more strenuous as it gains elevation, but its reward will be the spectacular views of the mountains and the ancient Inca stone staircase, surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks such as Apu Huayanay.
We will continue walking for two or three hours to reach Llulluchapampa, where we will have lunch. During the walk, we may see some species of birds, such as hummingbirds, hawks, and eagles, or, perhaps, we could see the king of the Andean heights, the condor, so greatly respected and revered by the people from the Andes. Soon, we will reach a beautiful cloud forest, or polylepis forest (small Andean forests of queuña and chachacomo trees), and treeless grasslands in the puna ecoregion, which serve as habitat for deer and Pumas.
We will continue our route ascending to the highest point of the Inca Trail - Warmiwañusca (4200 masl / 13,850 feet), where we will stop for a small ceremony of to give thanks to the protective mountains of the indigenous inhabitants of the area, and then descend for an hour or two to camp at Paccaymayo Alto, along a trail paved by the ancient inhabitants, the Incas.
Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Steps: 19,440 approx steps
Hours of hiking: 7-8 hours
Lowest altitude: 3000 masl / 9842 ft
Highest altitude: 4215 masl / 13828 ft (First pass - Warmiwañusca)
Elevation Gain: 1,290 m / 3600 ft
Campsite Altitude: 3600 masl
Climate:Dry with wind (May - Nov) / Temperate (Nov - Mar)
Difficulty: Challenging
Day 3 - Lovely Day: Runkurakay - Sayaqmarka - Chakicocha- Phuyupatamarka - Intipata - Wiñaywayna (camping)
History, Ruins, and Cloud forest.
After breakfast, we will start the third day of trekking; it will take us approximately one hour to get from the Pacaymayo Alto campsite to Runcuracay, which is a ruin or Tambo del Inca where the chaskis used to rest, a guard post, lookout point, or ritual building and you’ll be able to see it from the top of the trail.
We will continue ascending until we reach the second-highest pass, called Runcuracay (3950 masl / 12,959 ft), from where we will have a fantastic panoramic view of the magnificent cloud forest. We will then descend to the Sayaqmarca Ruins, the place of military administration of the Incas; we will continue descending to a small Inca construction called Conchamarqa surrounded by Andean or native forests. From here onward, the route will be truly unforgettable because of the beauty of its landscapes and the authenticity of the path.
We will pass through Chakicocha until we reach Phuyupatamarca, where we will have lunch and see majestic panoramic views. After lunch, we will begin the descent along a steep path until reaching the wonderful Intipata Ruins; agricultural terraces to cultivate Andean products and enjoy the fantastic view of the Urubamba River.
We will then continue to the campsite located in Wiñaywayna. We will visit the Wiñaywayna Ruins, where we will enjoy the sunset, a truly magical moment, as the natural beauty of the scenery will fill us with many emotions. We will have a special dinner with the team on the trek to celebrate the adventure on the route.
Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles.
Steps: 25,920 approx steps
Hours of hiking: 8-10 hrs
Lowest altitude: 2700 masl / 8858 ft
Highest altitude: 3900 masl / 12467 ft (Second Pass - Runkuracay)
Elevation Gain: 545 m / 1,788 ft
Campsite Altitude: 2,650 masl
Climate:Dry - Humid Forest (May - Nov) / Humid Forest - Tropical (Nov - Mar)
Difficulty: Challenging
Circuit to explore in Machu Picchu.
Circuit 1: Enjoy the most iconic panoramic views of the Inca citadel.
Day 04: Wiñaywayna- Intipunku (sungate) - Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu - Cusco.
A Journey’s Reward-The Final Transformation
On this day, we will wake up very early, at around 3:30 am. Our chef prepares a healthy breakfast before we hit the trail again, after which we will head toward the checkpoint, where we will wait our turn to start walking over to the exclusive sun gate, also called Intipunku. Here, we will witness the first rays of the sun while having breakfast. (Depending on the allocation of the campsite, we will either camp at Phuyupatamarka or Wiñaywayna and this means the time we arrive at the Sun Gate will vary.) Then, we will head towards the iconic Sanctuary or Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. There will be plenty of time to explore the complex, and the explanations provided by the guide will make you feel the profound connection and the harmonious way it was built around nature. It was worth our four days of adventure and effort! Finally, we will take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, to have the last lunch with your guide, then we will take the train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Our private transportation will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel. TUPANANCHISKAMA
Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Steps: 9,720 approx steps
Hours of hiking: 3 hrs
Lowest altitude: 2040 masl / 6693 ft
Highest altitude: 2730 masl / 8956 ft
Elevation Gain: 310 m / 1,017 ft
Climate: Humid Forest - Tropical (May - Nov) / Rainy - Tropical (Nov - Mar)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Circuit to explore in Machu Picchu.
Circuit 3: Explore its main temples, terraces, and most representative sacred sites.
A perfect combination that gives you a nearly complete Machu Picchu experience.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Directions
Peru
Accommodation
Program Price
What's Included
- Briefing Session
- Permits and tickets Inca Trail Trek
- Ticket to Machu Picchu
- Experienced Tour Guide
- Local Porters
- Specialized Mountain Chef
- Breakfasts (3): Fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bread, jams, hot drinks.
- Daily Snacks (4): Fruit, cookies, nuts, and chocolate.
- Buffet Lunches (4): Soups, 3–4 hot main courses, salads, desserts, and hot drinks.
- Afternoon Tea (3): Popcorn, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, Andean herbal teas.
- Comfort Dinners (3): Soups, chicken, pasta, vegetables, and more.
- Safe drinking water: Boiled and filtered water available starting from lunch on Day 1.
- Private tourist van for transportation to the beginning of the Classic Inca Trail: Km 82.
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Expedition train leaving Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.
- Pick up from the train station and transfer to the Hotel in Cusco or Urubamba.
- Safety & Emergency Gear
- Accommodation on the Inca trail
- Campsites for 3 nights
What's Not Included
- Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (Optional)
- Hotels in Cusco or Aguas Calientes
- Meals after arrival at Machu Picchu
- Tips
- Travel insurance
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