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Inca Trail 4-Day Hiking Tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco
hiking

Inca Trail 4-Day Hiking Tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco

by bamba travel

4 days
Cusco
$838.80$932 on ViatorSave 10%/person
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4 days
Starting time
Monday 26 October 2026
Language
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$1,677.60$1,864Save 10%
2 guests × $838.80
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Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$1,864
4 days
$1,677.60$1,864Save 10%
2 guests × $838.80
All taxes and fees included
4 days
$1,677.60$1,864Save 10%
2 guests × $838.80
All taxes and fees included

Overview

The Inca Trail is a historic hiking path in the Andes Mountains that leads to Machu Picchu. This 4-day hiking tour follows the original Inca Trail route, covering about 26 miles (43 kilometers) through changing environments and Andean landscapes. The trek concludes with arrival at the Sun Gate just before sunrise, providing early views of Machu Picchu. This guided hiking tour includes all necessary permits for the Inca Trail, which must be booked well in advance due to limited availability. The package offers two service levels: the COMPLETE option includes a thermal sleeping bag, porter, and duffel bag to carry up to 7 kilograms of personal gear, while the BASIC option excludes these items, requiring trekkers to carry their own sleeping bag and backpack. Meals are provided according to the itinerary, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, with a vegetarian option available upon request. The tour begins with a bus ride from Cusco to Kilometer 82 (Piscacucho), the trailhead. Throughout the hike, porters and cooks handle shared camping equipment, while participants stay in tents shared by two people or alone if traveling as a couple. The tour includes professional bilingual guides for the trek and Machu Picchu visit. After the trek, a tourist bus transfers passengers from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, followed by a 2-hour tourist train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, and then a 1.5-hour bus ride back to Cusco. Additional safety equipment such as a first aid kit, emergency oxygen bottle, and a pre-departure briefing are included. The tour operates daily with groups averaging six people and a maximum of fifteen. Note that departures are not available in February due to weather conditions. The hike involves significant elevation changes, including three mountain passes, making it physically demanding and suitable for those in good condition. Transfers by bus and train between locations are unguided. Participants must provide full passport details at booking to secure permits. The tour includes camping accommodation with basic sleeping pads and two-person tents. Optional equipment rentals and excursions like Huayna Picchu hikes are available at additional cost but must be arranged in advance. Airport transfers and some meals are not included, and tipping is optional.

Highlights

Four-day hiking tour along original Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Includes Inca Trail permits and entrance to Machu Picchu
Meals and snacks provided with vegetarian option available
Camping accommodation with shared tents and sleeping pads
Bus and train transfers between trailhead, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, and Cusco
Professional bilingual guide during trek and Machu Picchu visit

What's included

Inca Trail permits are included along with a briefing before departure.
A first aid kit is provided.
Lunch is included.
The COMPLETE option provides a thermal sleeping bag, porter, and duffel bag allowing each trekker to carry up to 7kgs of personal gear (3kgs for sleeping bag and mattress plus 4kgs for other items).
Dinner is included.
Breakfast is provided.
Small group tours with a maximum of 15 participants and an average of 6.
Porters and a cook carry all shared camping gear.
Tourist bus transport between Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes is included.
A professional bilingual guide leads the trek and Machu Picchu tour.
Bus transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cuzco takes approximately 1.5 hours.
The BASIC option does not include a thermal sleeping bag, porter, or duffel bag for personal gear.
Camping accommodation during the trek includes a two-person tent and a basic sleeping pad.
Accommodation pick-up service is provided on Day 1.
An emergency oxygen bottle is available.
Bus transport from Cuzco to KM 82 Piscacucho, the trek starting point, is included.
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu is covered.
Meals are provided as per the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) along with three snacks; a vegetarian option is available.
Entrance fee to the Inca Trail is included.
Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes approximately 2 hours.

What's not included

Airport pick-up; participants arrange own transport
Sleeping bag rental for BASIC package ($15 USD)
Day 1 breakfast, Day 4 lunch, bottled water
Guides for bus and train transfers (unguided segments)
Optional extras include inflatable sleeping mattress ($15 USD for the trek), professional trekking poles ($15 USD for the trek), Huayna Picchu Trek (200 Soles), and Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (200 Soles). The Huayna Picchu Trek must be reserved at least 2 weeks before the trek.
Accommodation in Cusco
Tips are entirely optional and depend on the service quality; tipping is customary in Latin America but not required. Suggested amount is $40-50 USD per trekker for the full team of porters, cooks, and guides, with tipping being 100% voluntary.
Prices for optional activities subject to change

Itinerary

1

Accommodation pick-up is between 5:45-6:00 am. Please make all of the necessary preparations one day prior to the trek. You will be taken by bus to the town of Ollantaytambo, where you will have an hour to eat breakfast on your own and purchase last-minute snacks, water and walking sticks. Then you will hop back on the bus to Piscacucho (KM 82) where the famous Inca Trail journey will begin. Bring your original passport, student card (if applicable) for the first Inca Trail checkpoint. Your guide will have your tickets for you. Hike along rolling hills in the Vilcanota River Valley passing by several small archaeological sites along the way. Lunch will be prepared half-way and you will have time to relax before reaching Wayllabamba camp (2,980m). Inclusions: Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up, Bus Cuzco – KM 82 (starting point of trek), 1 Night Camping Meals: 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner Trekking: 10 kilometers / 6 hours Difficulty: Moderate trek along a rolling path gradually ascending from Piscacucho KM 82 (2,570m) through the Urubamba river valley for 10 KM to reach Wayllabamba Camp (2,980m).

1080 min

2

After an early breakfast around 6:00 am you will start off on the most challenging day along the trail, with a vertical hike of 6 km (approx. 5 hours) to reach Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m followed by a 3 km hike down stone steps to reach Pacaymayo camp at 3,600m (approx. 2 hours). Take your time and rest as much as you need, as you will ascend more than 1,200 meters over the course of the morning. Just after you cross Dead Woman's Pass you will be rewarded with spectacular views of nearby snow-capped mountain peaks and roaring waterfalls. Stroll slowly down to Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m) to enjoy the scenery. Arrive in time for lunch and a well-deserved nap. Then you will have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the camp before dinner and an early bedtime. Inclusions: 1 Night Camping Meals: 1 Breakfast / 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner Trekking: 10 kilometers / 7 hours Difficulty: Difficult trekking day starting at Wayllabamba Camp (2,980m) with a constant and demanding ascent of 6.4 KM to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m), an elevation gain of 1,200 vertical meters. Descend another 2.4 KM along a stone staircase to reach Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m), a decrease in elevation of 800 vertical meters.

1440 min

3

Start with a one-hour hike uphill to visit the Pacaymayo archaeological site. Continue one hour to Runquracay Pass (3,950m) where you can summit the mountain for incredible views of surrounding peaks. Visit 2 more archaeological sites called Sayacmarca & Phuyupatamarca with your guide and have lunch along the way. By late afternoon you will reach Wiñayhuayna High Jungle camp (2,650m) set above a river valley in a high jungle climate. After dinner, say a big THANK YOU to your porters and guides. Inclusions: 1 Night Camping Meals: 1 Breakfast / 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner Trekking: 15 kilometers / 9 hours Difficulty: Moderate ups and downs along ancient Inca stairways for 15 KM from Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m) crossing over Runquracay Pass (3,950m) ending at Wiñayhuayna High Jungle Camp (2,650m) with breaks at scenic archaeological sites along the way.

1440 min

4

Wake up between 3:30 and 4:30 am and have breakfast. Get on the trail early and head to the Wiñaywayna checkpoint, joining the lineup to wait for the gate to open at 5:30 am. Once the gate opens, hike about an hour to reach the Sun Gate. We'll keep our fingers crossed for a clear day! Catch the first glimpses of light over the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Then continue down the final length of the trail for 40 minutes to reach the Machu Picchu archaeological complex. Visit this magical site on a 2-hour guided tour and learn about the history of this incredible Inca citadel. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. If you're feeling adventurous, take an optional trek to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (must be booked in advance). Return to Aguas Calientes from where you will catch a train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus back to Cuzco, arriving back by 8:30pm. You will be dropped off late in the day at the Plaza San Francisco. Please make your own way back to the accommodation of your choice. Inclusions: 2-Hour Machu Picchu Guided Visit, Bus Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes, Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo, Bus Ollantaytambo - Cuzco Meals: 1 Breakfast Trekking: 7 kilometers / 2 hours Difficulty: Follow an easy, flat and narrow 7 KM path from Wiñayhuayna High Jungle Camp (2,650m) to the Sun Gate (2,720m) and finally descend into the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (2,400m)

720 min

Languages

English (guide)Spanish (guide)

Cancellation policy

  • All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Additional info

1–15 travelers per booking
Mobile ticket
Not advised for anyone with back or spinal problems
A moderate level of fitness is needed
Minimum age to participate is 7 years
Meals include hot breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks with vegetarian options if requested two days prior
Inca Trail permits sell out quickly; booking early is strongly recommended, alternatives or refunds offered if permits unavailable
Single travelers share tents with same-sex participants; couples have private tents
Hike includes three mountain passes with 1.2 miles (1,950 m) uphill and 1.4 miles (2,250 m) downhill sections; good physical condition required
Booking requires full name exactly as on passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and passport expiration date, which must be valid for at least 6 months after travel date; without this information, the local operator cannot complete the booking.
A guide accompanies the trek and Machu Picchu tour, but not bus or train transfers
Daily departures with groups of four or more participants
No tours depart in February due to weather
The COMPLETE service provides a thermal sleeping bag, foam sleeping mat, duffel bag, and porter to carry a total of 7kgs of personal gear per trekker (3kgs for sleeping bag and mat plus 4kgs for personal items). The BASIC (LIGHT) service only includes a basic foam sleeping mat and excludes the thermal sleeping bag, duffel bag, and porter; trekkers carry their own backpack, sleeping bag, mattress, and personal gear. Inflatable sleeping mattress and professional trekking poles are available for rent in Cusco.
Suggested packing includes trekking boots, rain gear, warm clothing, sun protection, flashlight, camera accessories, and cash for snacks and water
Bring passport, visa if needed, insurance card, and personal medications
If passport changed after booking, bring old passport or photocopy on trip
Mandatory pre-departure briefing held at Cusco headquarters one day before departure at 6 PM
Since June 11, 2022, travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, consisting of two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers aged 12 to 17 must show proof of two vaccine doses or present a negative RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin.
No more than 500 people per day, including support staff such as porters, cooks, and guides, may start the Inca Trail trek at km. 82. This limit is strictly enforced; once reached, no further bookings are possible for that day. Permits must be purchased well in advance with complete and accurate passport information; no changes are allowed, and any modification attempts will cause loss of the permit and payment.
Total
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