Before we hit the trail, we meet for a required briefing the day before the trek starts. We’ll run through what to expect day by day, cover the ground rules, check your gear, and leave plenty of room for questions about the route or anything else on your mind. You can come to the office for it, or your guide will come to your hotel instead, whichever suits you better. Just make sure your travel plans put you in Cusco in time, since the briefing has to happen the day before you set off.
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The trek runs four days, with a required briefing in Cusco the day before so everyone starts on the same page. Day 1 is a gentle 14 km (8.7 mi) warm-up to the Ayapata campsite at 3,300 m (10,824 ft). Day 2 is the big one: two passes, 16 km (10 mi), and the climb over Warmiwañusqa. Day 3 eases off with a long descent to Wiñay Wayna, and Day 4 starts in the dark for the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. All meals on the trail, permits, camping gear, and the train back are covered.
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Early start today—we pick you up from your Cusco hotel at 4:30 am, then enjoy a drive through the Sacred Valley as the sun hits the peaks and terraces. We stop in Ollantaytambo, an old Inca stronghold and lively market town, for photos and breakfast from local vendors (not included). At KM 82 we meet our porters, cross the checkpoint and the Urubamba River bridge, and begin. The first 2.5 hours climb gently to the Wilkaraqay viewpoint, looking down on the Llactapata ruins, where your guide unpacks the trail’s history as a pilgrimage route. Another 2.5 hours through cloud forest brings us to Ayapata camp, famous for its stargazing.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Distance: 14 km (8.7 mi)
Walking time: Approximately 7 hours
Elevation: Max 3,300 m (10,824 ft) / Min 2,750 m (9,020 ft)
Accommodation: Camping at Ayapata campsite -
Breakfast first, then a big day ahead of us. Two hours through cloud forest open the day, with orchids, colourful birds, and maybe a white-tailed deer if we’re lucky. We pause at Lluchapampa, the last place to stock up, before the two-hour climb to Warmiwañusca, or Dead Woman’s Pass. The Quechua name comes from the ridgeline ahead, said to look like a woman lying back and gazing at the sky. Lunch waits at Pacaymayu camp, then it’s 45 minutes to the Inca site of Runcuraccay and an hour more to its pass, ringed by snowy peaks. A 90-minute descent brings us to Sayacmarca for sunset over the Aobamba Valley, then Chaquicocha camp.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Walking time: Approximately 8-9 hours
Elevation: Max 4,215 m (13,825 ft) / Min 3,300 m (10,824 ft)
Accommodation: Camping at Chaquicocha campsite -
A two-hour hike gets us up to the Inca ruins of Phuyupatamarca, where the view opens up on Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Mountain, and Huayna Picchu Mountain all at once. Your guide will fill you in on the secrets of the site before we start dropping into the rainforest. The 2.5-hour descent leads to Inti Pata, which plenty of hikers call the prettiest spot on the whole Inca Trail, and another 40 minutes brings us to the Wiñay Wayna campsite. Lunch and a rest come first, then we explore the ruins that give the camp its name. Wiñay Wayna means “forever young” in Quechua, and it’s the largest, most impressive site on the trail.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Walking time: Approximately 6 hours
Elevation: Max 3,600 m (11,808 ft) / Min 2,680 m (8,792 ft)
Accommodation: Camping at Wiñay Wayna campsite -
We’re up around 3:30 to 4 am for the finale. After breakfast at camp, it’s a short walk to the last trail checkpoint, which opens at 5:30 am, then a gentle hour through cloud forest and old stone paths to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. That’s where Machu Picchu appears below you, lit up by the Andean sunrise if the weather plays along. A 45-minute downhill walk takes us to the citadel entrance, with time for photos at the classic viewpoint and a proper break before a 2-hour guided tour along Circuit 3. Afterwards, a bus drops us in Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own, then the afternoon train to Poroy or Ollantaytambo, where private transport runs you back to your Cusco hotel around 8 pm.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 6 km (3.73 mi)
Walking time: Approximately 2 hours
Elevation: Max 2,700 m (8,856 ft) / Min 2,430 m (7,972 ft)
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Included:
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- An experienced, local trekking guide with extensive knowledge of the area, licensed and fluent in English, Spanish, and Quechua
- 4-day Inca Trail trek in Peru (4 days of hiking)
- Accommodation for 3 nights at campsites with sleeping tents and air mattresses (one four-person tent for every two people)
- Dining tent with tables, stools, and all dining utensils, plus a kitchen tent
- A portable eco-friendly toilet at each camp (based on campground capacity) and a private toilet tent
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners, plus ample drinking water and snacks
- A support team of professional cooks and porters carrying all group equipment, keeping each hiker’s load under 6 kg (13 lb)
- A personal porter carrying up to 6 kg (13 lb) of your personal belongings, plus a duffel bag to pack them in
- Comprehensive pre-trek briefing 1 to 2 days before the trek starts
- All group fees, including Inca Trail permits and entrance to Machu Picchu
- 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu along Circuit 3
- Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to either Ollantaytambo or Poroy
- All transfers: private van to the trailhead at KM 82, bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes, and a private van from Ollantaytambo to your Cusco hotel
- Emergency supplies, including a first aid kit, oxygen for high-altitude situations, and emergency radios
Add-ons (available at an additional cost, leave us a note at checkout if interested):
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- Sleeping bag rental
- Hiking pole rental (per pair)
- Private tent
- Huayna Picchu Mountain ticket
- Return Vistadome train upgrade
- Return Hiram Bingham train upgrade
Not included:
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- Transportation to Peru
- Breakfast on Day 1 in Ollantaytambo and lunch in Aguas Calientes on the final day
- Accommodation in Cusco before and after the trek
- Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
- Insurance — mandatory, available at checkout
- Guide gratuities — optional, along with tips for the porters and chef
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In order to join this Classic Inca Trail tour, great fitness is required as well as previous experience with long days of hiking on steep, uneven terrain. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 16 km (10 mi), at altitudes reaching 4,215 m (13,825 ft).
Day 1 is moderate across Andean mountain terrain, day 2 is the hardest with two high passes including Dead Woman’s Pass, and the final day is easier, mostly flat trail and descents. Walking days run roughly 6 to 9 hours. A personal porter carries up to 6 kg (13 lbs) of your belongings, so you only hike with a daypack. Altitude is the real challenge here, so spend a few days acclimatizing in Cusco before the trek and take the ascents slowly.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover our collection of Machu Picchu tours!
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Temperatures swing a lot out here, from around 5°C (41°F) at night to 25°C (77°F) during the day, so pack layers of moisture-wicking, quick-dry synthetics rather than cotton. Your porter carries up to 6 kg (13 lb) in the duffel bag provided; everything you need during the day goes in your daypack.
Documents and essentials:
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- Original passport, valid for 6+ months, required at checkpoints and at the Machu Picchu entrance (no photocopies accepted); keep it in a waterproof ziplock
- Cash in Peruvian soles in small denominations for tips, souvenirs, and extras, as ATMs are scarce on the trail
- Proof of travel insurance, digital or printed, covering high-altitude hiking
Bags and storage:
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- Daypack (20-35L), lightweight with a rain cover, waist strap, and side pockets
- Duffel bag for the porter (provided by your guides)
- Several ziplock or plastic bags for keeping things dry, organizing dirty clothes, and packing out waste
Clothing:
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- 1-2 thermal base layer tops and bottoms (merino wool or synthetic) for cold mornings and nights
- 2-3 short-sleeved moisture-wicking t-shirts and 2-3 long-sleeved shirts for sun and insect protection
- 1-2 pairs of quick-dry hiking pants (zip-off convertible is ideal), plus a pair of shorts or leggings
- Lightweight fleece or down jacket for evenings
- Waterproof, windproof jacket with a hood
- 4-6 pairs of sports underwear or bras
- 3-4 pairs of thick wool hiking socks and 2-3 lightweight liners to prevent blisters
- Sun hat or cap with a neck flap, fleece beanie, lightweight gloves, and sunglasses with UV protection
Footwear:
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- Waterproof hiking boots with mid-ankle support and good grip, broken in 2-4 weeks before the trek
- Lightweight sandals or flip-flops for camp and showers
Camping and hiking gear:
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- Mummy-style sleeping bag rated to -10°C (14°F); rental can be arranged
- Sleeping bag liner (optional, for extra comfort)
- Adjustable trekking poles with rubber tips; rental can be arranged
- Headlamp or torch with spare batteries for the early starts and camp
Accessories and hydration:
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- 2L hydration bladder or water bottles, refilled with boiled or filtered water; a filter such as a LifeStraw is a useful backup
- SPF 30+ water-resistant sunscreen and lip balm, plus high-DEET insect repellent
- Powerbank, as there are no outlets on the trail, and a camera or phone in a waterproof case
- Quick-dry microfiber towel and earplugs for shared tents
Toiletries:
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- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and a small bar of soap, packed in a small waterproof bag
- Biodegradable wet wipes and tissues, hand sanitizer, and 1-2 rolls of toilet paper (bag and pack out your waste)
- Face moisturizer, dry shampoo, and feminine products if needed
- Micellar water and reusable pads for quick cleans (optional)
First aid and medications:
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- Personal medications, including Diamox for altitude sickness (consult your doctor first), ibuprofen or acetaminophen, Imodium or Pepto-Bismol, antihistamines, and Ciprofloxacin if prescribed
- Blister plasters, antiseptic cream, band aids, and rehydration salts or electrolytes
- Check vaccinations, such as yellow fever and hepatitis, against CDC guidelines before you travel
Snacks:
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- 1-2 protein bars per day, trail mix, chocolate, beef jerky, and electrolyte packets
- Candies or gummies for a quick sugar hit, and your own tea bags if you have a favorite
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Not much. Your guides provide a personal porter who carries up to 6 kg (13 lb) of your gear, so you’ll only need a daypack (20–35 L) for water, snacks, layers, a rain jacket, and anything you want close at hand. Porters also carry all the tents, cooking equipment, and food, which leaves you free to focus on the trail.
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The Inca Trail is one of the most protected hiking routes in the world. To preserve the trail and its history, the Peruvian government strictly limits access, and a licensed guide must be present on every Inca Trail trek. Not even horses or pack animals are allowed on the trail, which is why porters carry the camp. For you, a guide means you’ll learn the history behind every site you pass, and you’ll have someone who knows exactly what to do if the weather turns.
Only around 200 permits are available for hikers each day. Permits go fast, especially for the dry season from May to October, so it’s best to book well ahead to get the dates you want. Some important things to keep in mind:
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- Permits are sold only through the Peruvian government, and there’s no waiting list.
- Permits are issued in your name and can’t be transferred to anyone else. Dates can’t be changed once a permit has been purchased.
- Permits are non-refundable. This is a regulation of the Peruvian government, not the guides.
- You must carry your original passport on the trek. Photocopies aren’t accepted at the checkpoints or at Machu Picchu.
- The trail closes every February for maintenance.
Machu Picchu has its own rules too. Visitors enter in set time slots, can stay for up to four hours, follow one of several fixed routes, and must be accompanied by a guide at all times. Your permit and entrance ticket cover all of this. Your guide takes care of the timing, so you just need to enjoy the visit.
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For three nights on our Classic Inca Trail tour, we camp at established campsites along the trail. Porters set up camp before we arrive, and the cook prepares breakfast, a three-course lunch, and dinner each day. Here’s what else to expect:
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- Toilets — a toilet tent comes with the group, and most campsites also have portable toilets
- Water — boiled drinking water is provided at meals, so bring a reusable bottle to refill
- Dietary needs — vegetarian, vegan, and other diets can usually be accommodated with advance notice
- Cash — there are no ATMs on the trail, and the last one is in Ollantaytambo, so bring soles for snacks, tips, and lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Connectivity — there’s no internet on the trail, and the last signal is in Ollantaytambo
- Extra luggage — you can store it for free at your Cusco hotel or at the local office
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The Inca Trail is open 11 months of the year, from March through January, and closes every February for maintenance. The dry season, from May to September, is the most popular time to hike, with clearer skies and better views of Machu Picchu. The wet season, from October to April, can bring heavy rain, but the trail is quieter and the cloud forest is at its greenest. Rain is possible year-round, so pack a rain jacket whatever month you go.
Days on the trail are usually mild, around 15–25°C (59–77°F), but nights can drop to around 10°C (50°F), so bring warm layers.
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Cusco sits at over 3,300 m (10,800 ft), and the trail tops out at 4,215 m (13,829 ft) on Dead Woman’s Pass, so the altitude is the biggest challenge on this trek. Your guides recommend arriving in Cusco at least two days before the trek to let your body adjust. In the first days, it’s common to feel tired, dizzy, or a bit short of breath. Locals call this altitude sickness “soroche.”
A few tips to help you acclimatize:
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- Avoid heavy meals the day before you fly to Cusco.
- Drink plenty of water, around 6–8 glasses a day, before and during your stay in Cusco.
- Rest for a while once you get to your hotel, before heading out to explore.
- Take it slow around the city, especially on stairs and hills.
- Short, easy walks in and around Cusco are a great way to get used to the altitude before the trek.
On our Classic Inca Trail tour, your guide sets a steady pace and carries emergency oxygen and a first aid kit, just in case.
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Group sizes and pricing:
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- This Classic Inca Trail tour runs with one professional, English-speaking guide, and for groups larger than 8 people an additional guide joins so everyone gets personal attention. The maximum group size is set at 16 participants.
- It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. Solo travelers are welcome too: your guides will try to place you with other hikers so your trip can go ahead.
- You can book a group departure, where other travelers may join to fill the group, or a private trek, where it’s just your crew. You’ll be able to select your preferred departure at checkout.
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Classic Inca Trail tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
- If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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The price for this Classic Inca Trail trek is based on two people sharing a tent, but a private tent can be arranged at an additional fee. Leave us a note at checkout if interested.
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The starting point of your Classic Inca Trail tour is Cusco. To get there, most people fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Cusco.
You’ll first meet your guide at the required pre-trek briefing, held 1 to 2 days before the trek, either at the guides’ office in Cusco or at your hotel. The briefing must happen the day before the trek starts, so plan your travel with that in mind. On day 1, your guide picks you up from your Cusco hotel at 4:30 am for the drive to the trailhead at KM 82. After the trek, private transport brings you from Ollantaytambo back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 8 pm.
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Having insurance is mandatory for this adventure. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
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