Name: 4D Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Location: Cusco, Peru

Andean Path Travel

9 reviews

Duration: 4 days

Group size: 1 - 10

4D Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Cusco, Peru

Duration: 4 days

Group size: 1 - 10

This unique wonder Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is now considered one of the top 10 hikes in the world. Due to the unmatched beauty of the Peruvian Andes and its historical significance, it is recognised as the iconic Trail of South America. Perfect for mountain lovers, on this picturesque hike you will walk the original Inca path that has been built by our ancestors and take in stunning views of the snow capped Urubamba and Vilcabamba Mountain ranges along with exploring one of the Wonders of the world, Machu Picchu.

Day 1
Day 1
CUSCO – KM 82 – HUAYLLABAMBA
Your Guide will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 5:30am and then drive by private bus for two hours to Ollantaytambo where we will stop for a quick breakfast. Then we continue driving for another hour until we reach the start point of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Once everyone has had the chance to prepare their belongings we will pass through a control point to enter the National Park. Then the real adventure begins, we follow a gently undulating path for one and a half hours, before we ascend gradually for another half an hour until we reach the Incan site of Llactapata. From here we will enjoy the amazing snow capped views of the Veronica mountain peak and begin our short descent to our lunch spot. After lunch we will continue hiking for another two and a half hours until we reach our camping site at Huayllabamba. After enjoying our afternoon tea we will have the opportunity to meet the incredible porters who will be helping us along our journey.

WALKING DISTANCE: 5 to 6 hours
STARTING ELEVATION: 2800 m /8765 ft
HIGHEST ELEVATION: 3000 m / 9840 ft
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
OVERNIGHT: Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (including a snack and afternoon tea).
ACCOMODATION: Camping
Read more
Day 2
Day 2
HUAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMALLO
The wake up will be approximately 5:30am and then following a lovely breakfast we start the hike up to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215m, the highest point of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Along the way we will explore the amazing forest with its native trees and hanging mosses and we will enjoy the other beautiful natural scenery. After reaching the pass, we will take some time to enjoy the stunning snowy mountains surrounding us. We then begin our descent to the camping site at Pacaymallo where we will have lunch and enjoy a relaxing free afternoon.

WALKING DISTANCE: 7 to 8 hrs
STARTING ELEVATION: 3000 m / 9840 ft
HIGHEST ELEVATION: 4215 m / / 13,828 ft
OVERNIGHT: Camping
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (including a snack and afternoon tea)
ACCOMODATION: Camping
Read more
Day 3
Day 3
PACAYMALLO – WIÑAYWAYNA
Like every day, we wake up early again and following a hearty breakfast we hike for two hours up towards the second mountain pass of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. From there we can take in stunning views of the snow-capped Pumacillo peak. We then drop down from the second pass to visit and explore the beautiful Incan site of Sayacmarka after which we hike gently back up to the third mountain pass, which we cross before we take a break for lunch.

This is the most beautiful day of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu as we will enjoy views of the Veronica mountain peak, Vilcabamba mountain ranges and the magical Cloud forest. Along the way we will also stop to visit and explore the Incan sites of Phuyupatamarka and Intipata. We will hike for another three hours before we complete our descent to the campsite at Winayhuayna.

WALKING DISTANCE: 9 to 10 hrs
STARTING ELEVATION: 3600 m / 11,896 ft
HIGHEST ELEVATION: 3600 m / 12,465 ft
OVERNIGHT: Camping
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (including snack and afternoon tea)
ACCOMODATION: Camping

Read more
Day 4
Day 4
WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This is the earliest start of the trek as we wake up at 3:30am in order to catch a spectacular view of the sunrise at Machu Picchu ruins. We will enter the Incan site of Machu Picchu as the ancient Incas did, through the Sun gate entrance. Once we have taken in the unique panoramic views we will descend into the main part of the site of this archaeological wonder. We will enjoy a two hour guided tour with the best local guide after which you will have to time to explore the beauty of this vast site yourself. Following this we will get down to Aguas Calientes Town and then catch the train back to Ollantaytambo and return to Cusco by private bus.

WALKING DISTANCE: 3 hrs / 6 km
STARTING ELEVATION: 2600 m / 7956 ft
HIGHEST ELEVATION: 2700 m / 8233 ft
OVERNIGHT: Camping
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast
ACCOMODATION: N/A
Read more

Day 1

CUSCO – KM 82 – HUAYLLABAMBA

Your Guide will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 5:30am and then drive by private bus for two hours to Ollantaytambo where we will stop for a quick breakfast. Then we continue driving for another hour until we reach the start point of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Once everyone has had the chance to prepare their belongings we will pass through a control point to enter the National Park. Then the real adventure begins, we follow a gently undulating path for one and a half hours, before we ascend gradually for another half an hour until we reach the Incan site of Llactapata. From here we will enjoy the amazing snow capped views of the Veronica mountain peak and begin our short descent to our lunch spot. After lunch we will continue hiking for another two and a half hours until we reach our camping site at Huayllabamba. After enjoying our afternoon tea we will have the opportunity to meet the incredible porters who will be helping us along our journey.

WALKING DISTANCE: 5 to 6 hours
STARTING ELEVATION: 2800 m /8765 ft
HIGHEST ELEVATION: 3000 m / 9840 ft
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
OVERNIGHT: Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (including a snack and afternoon tea).
ACCOMODATION: Camping

Andean Path Travel

9 reviews

Andean Path Travel is a Peruvian Travel Company that caters to world´s travelers that want to step off the beaten truck, embrace the unexpected and immerse in the authentic and extraordinary of alive culture of peru, history and nature. Our staff people have the ideal balance of passion, attitude, intuition and high-guality expertise to make and deliver truly unique and unforgettable experience for you, under a fulfilling selection of innovative and off the beaten truck trekking adventures, non-conventional tourism and most authentic

Excellent trip, highly recommended for the entire family. The guide was great, full of interesting local facts. The camping experience, including waking upright in the middle of these impressive mountains, was very interesting. The entire experience is very recommended and the price tag seemed very competitive. Thanks to all the staff that care of us during this amazing experience.

By Jorge S for Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail with Camping on Apr 07, 2024

David was an artful guide in sharing his love for his country and its rich history. He was able to share a wealth of knowledge with the adults as well as engage our inquisitive and challenging teens. He had an infectious positive energy and made the trip immensely better! We will never forget our amazing by experience and would be happy to host him if he ever visits the Hill Country in Texas!

By Ashley E for 4D Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Experience on Mar 19, 2024

The trip to Machu Picchu was one of the VERY BEST travel/hiking expeditions that I have ever experienced. Period! From START to FINISH, we were treated with expert gentle guidance by our leader (David) that had spent FIVE YEARS in "college" studying the environment; so, yes, expert knowledge and gentle delivery were superb! Every accommodation was spot-on brilliant and a perfect fit for excited travelers to R&R AND just get out and visit. The hike to Machu Picchu proper was nicely challenging. It was a bit challenging in that some of the upsides (hills) are a bit steep, and all are entertainingly narrow with a great view down sans guardrails. In summary, an adventure brilliantly unique hosted by a team in a great location that certainly adds to the brilliance!!

By Jo ann P for Machu Picchu 2 day Hike + Huayna Picchu Mountain on Sep 20, 2023

It has been a tremendous experience: the hike during lush countryside up to the sun gate and down to Machu Picchu is both enjoyable and dramatic. Andean Path's tour arrangement was impeccable with train and bus times such that we were able to enjoy Machu Picchu when the huge crowds were either already gone or not there yet. The pick of accommodation in both Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes were good choices. Central to our experience being so positive was our tour guide Ronald. His incredible wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the tour made a huge difference. We enjoyed three glorious days.

By Joachim B for 3 Day Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on May 08, 2023

Let me start by explaining how David went above and beyond to get permits for our trip in the last minute. We called Andean path travel via WhatsApp, one day before of our trip to check if he can accommodate us. He did some magic and got permits for next day. It’s just unbelievable. We did the 2 day short Inca Trail and David was beyond exceptional. His English was excellent, his local knowledge from being from a near by town meant we got a very personal history tour, not only about the Incas, but the local fauna and Flora. His passion was admirable. David made the experience perfect for someone who wants to hike and learn about the history! It was definitely a trip of a lifetime. I highly recommend!