Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights

Day 1

Cusco – Km 82 – Patallacta – Wayllabamba

• 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. Pickup from your hotel in Cusco.
• About 2 h of travel Transfer to Ollantaytambo and breakfast stop (not included).
• About 30 min of travel To Km 82, Piskacucho (2,700 m). Permit and passport checkpoint, then we cross the Urubamba River.
• About 2 to 3 h of hiking Mostly flat trail to Patallacta or Llaqtapata, with a guided visit.
• Around 1:00 p.m. Lunch.
• About 2 to 3 h of hiking Gentle climb up the Kusichaca Valley.
• Around 5:00 p.m. Tea time, followed by dinner.
• Overnight Wayllabamba campsite (about 3,000 m).
• Day total About 12 km and 6 to 7 h of hiking.

Day 2

Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo

• 5:30 to 6:00 a.m. Breakfast.
• About 3 h of climbing To Llulluchapampa (about 3,850 m), the last spot where water and snacks are sold.
• About 1.5 to 2 h of climbing To Warmiwañusca Pass (4,200 m), the highest point of the route.
• About 1.5 to 2 h of descent Down Inca stone steps to Pacaymayo.
• Around 1:00 or 2:00 p.m. Lunch at camp, then a free afternoon, tea time, and dinner.
• Overnight Pacaymayo campsite (about 3,600 m). This is the coldest night.
• Day total About 11 to 12 km and 7 to 8 h of hiking.

Day 3

Pacaymayo – Runkurakay – Sayacmarca – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna

• 6:00 a.m. Breakfast.
• About 1.5 h of climbing To the Runkurakay ruins and the second pass (about 3,950 m).
• About 1 h of descent To Sayacmarca (about 3,600 m), with a guided visit.
• About 2 h of hiking Through the cloud forest and an Inca tunnel.
• Around midday Lunch.
• Afternoon Phuyupatamarca (about 3,650 m), with a guided visit.
• About 2 to 3 h of descent Down stone steps past the Intipata terraces.
• Late afternoon Visit to Wiñayhuayna, then tea time, dinner, and a farewell to the porters and cooks.
• Overnight Wiñayhuayna campsite (about 2,650 m), or Phuyupatamarca if the Ministry of Culture assigns that campsite.
• Day total About 13.5 to 16 km and 7 to 8 h of hiking.

Day 4

Wiñayhuayna – Inti Punku – Machu Picchu – Cusco

• 3:30 a.m. Wake up and early breakfast.
• 5:30 a.m. The last checkpoint on the trail opens.
• About 1 h to 1 h 20 min of hiking To Inti Punku, arriving around 6:50 or 7:00 a.m. Entry via Circuit 1 (route 1-B).
• About 45 min of hiking Down to the citadel, arriving around 8:00 a.m.
• About 2 h Guided tour along Circuit 3 (route 3-B).
• About 30 min by bus To Aguas Calientes. Lunch on your own.
• Afternoon (about 1 h 30 min) Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• About 1 h 30 min Transfer to Cusco, arriving around 7:00 or 7:30 p.m.
• Day total About 5.5 to 6 km and 2 to 3 h of hiking.

Times are approximate and depend on the permit, the assigned campsites, the train, and the group's pace.

Day 01

Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 82 – Patallacta – Wayllabamba

The day before departure you'll have a mandatory briefing with your Flamenco Travel guide. We'll go over the route, the gear you need, and the details of the four days.

Early in the morning, the Flamenco Travel team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. We'll drive to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you can have breakfast. Then we'll continue to Piskacucho, Km 82 (2,700 m a.s.l.), the official start of the Inca Trail, where our porter team will be waiting. At the checkpoint, your permit and your original passport are checked. It must be the same passport used for the booking. Then we'll cross the Urubamba River and the adventure begins.

The first stretch is almost flat and follows the river to the archaeological complex of Patallacta (Llaqtapata), where your guide will explain its importance. After a lunch prepared by our cook, we'll climb gently up the Kusichaca Valley to our first campsite, Wayllabamba (about 3,000 m a.s.l.). The tents will be set up in time for tea and dinner.

Day 02

Day 2: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo

This is the most demanding day of the trek. After breakfast we'll start a steady climb through Andean forest to Llulluchapampa (about 3,850 m a.s.l.), the last chance to buy water or snacks.

From there we'll climb stone stairs to Warmiwañusca Pass, or Dead Woman's Pass (4,200 m a.s.l.), the highest point of the route. The landscape changes from green forest to open high grassland, and the views of the Andes are stunning. Hike at your own pace: the group regroups at the top.

Then we'll descend steep Inca steps to the Pacaymayo Valley (about 3,600 m a.s.l.), our second campsite, where we'll have lunch and rest. It's one of the coldest nights of the route, so keep your thermal clothing handy.

Day 03

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Runkurakay – Sayacmarca – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna

For many hikers this is the most beautiful day of the Inca Trail. We'll climb to the circular ruins of Runkurakay and the second pass (about 3,950 m a.s.l.), where the edge of the high jungle comes into view. Then we'll descend to Sayacmarca, an Inca site built on a rocky spur.

The trail enters the cloud forest, full of orchids and high-jungle vegetation, and passes through an Inca tunnel carved into the rock before reaching Phuyupatamarca (about 3,650 m a.s.l.), the "town above the clouds." On clear days you can see snow-capped peaks such as Salkantay and the Vilcabamba range.

From there a long stone staircase leads down past the Intipata terraces to Wiñayhuayna (about 2,650 m a.s.l.), whose name means "Forever Young." It's one of the most beautiful archaeological sites on the route. In the evening we'll hold a farewell ceremony with our porters and cooks.

Campsite note: the Ministry of Culture assigns campsites with each permit; the agency doesn't choose them. If Wiñayhuayna is full on your date, the system assigns Phuyupatamarca, and Day 4 starts from there with more hours of hiking. Booking early gives you the best chance of camping at Wiñayhuayna.

Day 04

Day 4: Wiñayhuayna – Inti Punku – Machu Picchu – Cusco

We'll wake up around 3:30 a.m. and, after an early breakfast, wait at the last checkpoint, which opens at 5:30 a.m. After a little over an hour of hiking along the mountainside, including the steep section known as the "Gringo Killer" steps, we'll reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate (2,720 m a.s.l.). From here you'll see Machu Picchu at your feet for the first time.

We'll enter through Circuit 1 (route 1-B) to take panoramic photos from the upper area. Then we'll exit through the entry checkpoint and re-enter for a guided tour of about 2 hours along Circuit 3 (route 3-B). We'll visit the Temple of the Sun, the fountains, the Sacred Rock, and the Temple of the Condor, among other sectors.

Afterward we'll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (included). There you'll have lunch on your own and time to explore the town. In the afternoon we'll board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where Flamenco Travel's transport will take you to your hotel in Cusco. You'll arrive in the evening.

Included

• Pre-trek briefing with your Flamenco Travel guide the day before departure. Time and place to be coordinated with the reservations team once your booking is confirmed.
• Pickup from your hotel in Cusco and transport to Km 82 (Piskacucho).
• Inca Trail permit with two Machu Picchu entries: Circuit 1 (route 1-B) on arrival through Inti Punku and Circuit 3 (route 3-B) for the guided tour.
• Professional bilingual Flamenco Travel guide (Spanish and English).
• Cook and porters for the tents, food, and shared camping equipment.
• Porter for your personal belongings, up to 5 kg per person.
• 2-person tents, dining tent with tables and chairs, and kitchen tent.
• Sleeping mat or thermal pad.
• Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, daily tea time, and snacks. Vegetarian or special diets are available if requested at booking.
• Boiled and filtered water to refill your bottle during the trek.
• First aid kit and oxygen tank.
• Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (Day 4).
• Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Train class to be coordinated with the reservations team once your booking is confirmed.
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.
• Guided tour of about 2 hours in Machu Picchu.

Not included

• Breakfast on Day 1 (available to buy in Ollantaytambo).
• Lunch and dinner on Day 4.
• Sleeping bag (available to rent; price to be coordinated with the reservations team once your booking is confirmed).
• Trekking poles with rubber tips (available to rent; price to be coordinated with the reservations team once your booking is confirmed).
• Extra porter for your belongings beyond the 5 kg included (price to be coordinated with the reservations team once your booking is confirmed).
• Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (separate ticket, subject to availability; to be coordinated with the reservations team once your booking is confirmed).
• Other Machu Picchu tickets (for example, Circuit 2).
• Train class upgrade (Vistadome or Observatory), to be coordinated with the reservations team once your booking is confirmed.
• Showers at the campsites and public restrooms along the trail (bring coins).
• Aguas Calientes hot springs.
• Hotel in Cusco.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips for porters, cook, and guide (optional).
• Drinks, personal expenses, and any other services not mentioned.

Porters: they carry the tents, food, and shared equipment. You carry your daypack with water, snacks, rain gear, and your documents.

Personal belongings: the porter carries up to 5 kg per person (for example, your sleeping bag and some clothes) in a bag provided by Flamenco Travel. If you want to carry less, you can hire an extra porter.

Sleeping bag: bring one rated for below-freezing temperatures (-5 °C to -10 °C) or rent one from Flamenco Travel.

Train: the carry-on luggage limit is about 5 kg per person.

Large luggage: leave it at your hotel in Cusco, or arrange storage with the reservations team once your booking is confirmed.

Only small backpacks are allowed in Machu Picchu. Large bags must be left in the lockers at the entrance.

Safety: the guide carries a first aid kit and an oxygen tank.

Safety: the guide sets the pace, organizes breaks, and keeps an eye on the group's health on the high-altitude sections.

Safety: if someone can't continue, they're accompanied back so they can get medical care.

Safety: communication details and the number of guides per group are coordinated with the reservations team once your booking is confirmed.

Important recommendations

• Acclimatize for at least 2 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the trek.
• This is a demanding route: some days last up to 8 hours, Day 2 includes a climb of about 1,200 m, and Day 3 has long descents on stone steps. You need to be in good physical shape.
• If you have a medical condition (heart, respiratory, back, or knee) or are over 60, check with your doctor before booking and let us know.
• Let us know at booking if you're vegetarian or have any allergies or intolerances.
• Nights are cold, especially at Pacaymayo, and in the dry season temperatures can drop below 0 °C.
• Bring rain gear in any season: the weather changes quickly between microclimates.
• There's no electricity at the campsites. Bring a power bank.
• Disposable plastic bottles are banned on the Inca Trail.
• Wear broken-in hiking boots and trim your toenails before the trek.
• The route is not wheelchair accessible.

What to bring

• Original passport, the same one used to book the permit (mandatory).
• Valid university student ID, if you booked at the student rate.
• 25 to 30 L daypack with a rain cover.
• Sleeping bag rated for below-freezing temperatures (your own or rented).
• Layered clothing: breathable T-shirts, fleece, warm jacket, thermal base layer for sleeping, wool hat, and gloves.
• Waterproof jacket and pants, and a rain poncho.
• Broken-in hiking boots with good grip, and light sandals for camp.
• Headlamp with spare batteries.
• Sun hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Insect repellent.
• Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder of at least 2 L, plus water for the first morning.
• Energy snacks: dried fruit, granola bars, or chocolate.
• Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, biodegradable wet wipes, and a small towel.
• Personal medication: for altitude, for diarrhea, rehydration salts, and blister plasters.
• Power bank and camera.
• Plastic bags to separate your clothes and a bag for your trash.
• Swimsuit, if you plan to visit the Aguas Calientes hot springs.
• Cash in soles (tips, restrooms, and extras).
• Trekking poles with rubber tips (optional but recommended).