4 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Group

This is an amazing experience for you to embark on an Inca Trail 4 day hike and your efforts in doing this it will be rewarded.  The total distance to be covered on today 12 km (5 to 6 hours approx.)

The meeting point will be at Regocijo Plaza in city centre between 4:00 and 4:30 am unless stated otherwise in the briefing, we will be there to leave on time Cusco city.

We will be heading to ‘Piskacucho’ but before that our first stop will be at Ollantaytambo on the way to the Sacred Valley and get there our breakfast.  Finished our first stop, we will continue until we get to ‘Piskacucho’ and get our check in. We will need to show our passport, student ID, tickets, etc to a control point.  Remember there is a limited access to the Inca Trail.

Before embarking into our Inca Trail 4 day hike will do some check up and getting organized (use of the restrooms, applying sunscreen, insect repellent, etc) . We have ahead a marvellous Inca Valley,  and the Inca itself and its royal crown, used this Inca Trail 4 day trail as pilgrimage route to get to Machu Picchu.  Now, you are so lucky in tracing the Inca steps all the way of what it was for them a meaningful sacred journey.  

The Inca Trail 4 day hike begins at 2,720m / 8,923 ft and we will be heading across the Vilcanota River on the right side and meanwhile walking, listening the crumble of its waters.  Like a dramatic opening of a concert, the music will decide the right moment to star our 'overture' as the wind, and nature will be there to delight us to the most. But the path soon begins to climb steeply through cloud forest, on the flat stones of the original Inca track

In time will spot the great views of an Inca Fortress called 'Huillca Raccay', as well as the vast and incredible Incan site of 'Patallacta'.  Also we will see the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle, the Andes and the beautiful snow-capped peak of 'W'akay Willca' at 5, 860m /19,225 ft, known as Veronica.

There was so much beauty to admire on this first day out of the Inca Trail 4 day hike,  an incredible encounter with the Andean nature.  Now we will set up our first campsite near the small village of Wayllabamba 3, 000m / 9, 842ft in the temperate green valley of the same name. Temperatures at night are around 5ºC (depending on the month).

Breakfast: is not included on this day.

What next? Of course you have read some information before starting your trek and you know more less what it will departure on the second day of your Inca 4 day hike.  The point here is not what you have read or even heard, it is all about what you are experience because you are using all your sense to do so.  You now know is a huge difference between living this experience than anything else. This is a time for you in all senses.

Total distance to be covered on day 2: 16 km (8 to 9 hours more or less)

After you have finished your breakfast which it was nicely cooked for you we will get ready for the day ahead of us.  It is 5:30 am but we will need most of the daylight and strength for what it come next on our Inca Trail.

We will climb a steep ascent which it will take us some hours to achieve like you are trying to get to heaven.  For the Inca and its royal crown this was part of pilgrimage route a sacred one to mix within the Apus (mountain) or the gods protecting the Andes.

Our physical effort, will take us to the highest pass at Abra de Warrmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass' at 4,200 m / 13,779 ft.  This was not an easy task, and you should be proud of yourself because is not easy to get to this point. We will need to rest, and meanwhile enjoying the view from the top, you should be aware you are doing one of the most famous treks worldwide and still there is some days left to finish the Inca Trail 4 day.

After a rest, we begin the descent to our lunch stop which is located at Pacaymayu at 3, 550m /11,646 ft. As we are passing, we will be able to see lots of hummingbirds as well as other birds species. Also we will appreciate an incredible variety of native plants, trees such as the ´Polylepis´ which grow in the cloud forest located at 3,650m /11,972ft.

After lunch, we will encounter another begins two hour steep climb to Runkurakay pass at almost 4,000m and set up our campsite by 5 pm.

Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night.

What marvellous days, camping surrounded by incredible landscapes and seeing a unique Andean flora, fauna.  Today is going to be another time to remember of your Inca 4 day hike. Total distance to be covered on day 3: 10km (5 hours more or less).

Once you have uploaded all the energy you need by finishing your daily breakfast, we will get ready and follow our trail.   A gentle climb will lead us to our first stop at the archaeological site of 'Phuyupatamarca' meaning 'Town in the Clouds' and reach the third highest point on the trail 3, 680 m.

The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular!

As we are walking to our third pass The Inca site of 'Phuyupatamarca' will show up to please our curiosity and after visiting this site, we continue walking 3,000 steps through the cloud forest at the impressive agricultural Inca site of 'Intipata'.  Later on during our trail we will arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna at 2, 680m/8, 792 ft.

We have walked so far between 4 to 5 hours and will arrive to camp by lunch time.  A short distance from our campsite is located the Inca site of the same name 'Wiñay Wayna' or 'Forever Young' which is a must to visit now we are close to the ruins and no far to complete  Inca Trail 4 day hike.

Temperatures during the night are about 12º.

The Inca was the son of 'Inti' (The Sun) and only him was allow to do this trail as it was its path to the glory among the Apus and enjoyment of his royal house, Machu Picchu.  You are now become a Royal too or feel like it as you have mixed with the Apus on this spiritual journey. Thus, after completing the Inca Trail 4 day things are not going to be same any longer.

Total distance to be covered on day 4: 5km (2 hours more or less)

It is time to wake up, have an early breakfast and get on the route.  Is 5:30 am all ready and we have to leave the campsite. On this early start, to get done the  Inca Trail 4 day hike,  we have to get to 'Intipunku' ('Sun gate') (2,730 m / 8,792 ft) before sunrise. You will get your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu (2,400m / 7,873 ft with the sun rising over it.   We will spend some time here to take in the impressive views of the ancient city.  After some time there, we will walk down the last part of the trail to a spot where you can take the classic picture postcard shot of this ancient city. Finally, we visit the royal house of the Inca, Machu Picchu.

Our guide will provide you with a 2 hours tour and introduce you the most important parts of this Royal Inca citadele.  Afterwards, you will have some time to explore this mystic city by yourselves.

Once you finished discovering Machu Picchu, our guide will meet us in Aguas Calientes, either this town can be reached by bus or on foot.  We will have a lunch in Aguas Calientes and be given your train tickets back to Cusco. Train included in all tours are until Ollantaytambo and then by bus to Cusco.

You can stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes because this option allows an extra time to explore Machu Picchu. You can also take advantage of the thermal springs in the town and treat yourself after finishing the Inca Trail 4 day.

Please note: allocations or Itineraries are subject to change depending on time of bookings and campsites provided by INC (National Culture Institute that runs the Inca Trail)

The  Inca Trail 4 day hike was an unique adventure, it will worthy also to explore a 3 day Manu short tour.