4-Day Inca Trail
Join a classic 4-day hike to Machu Picchu on Peru’s most famous trail. You will walk through stunning Andean mountains, visit ancient ruins like Wiñay Wayna, and see a magical sunrise at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. This adventure combines nature, history, and a moderate challenge, perfect for true explorers. Our all-inclusive package covers everything: permits, Machu Picchu tickets, meals, and gear. Our professional team makes sure your journey is safe, organized, and free of hidden fees.
Permits and Tickets Included
The price of the 4-day tour covers all necessary permits and entrance tickets for Machu Picchu. As soon as you book, we secure your permits to save your spot. Your ticket lets you see the entire Machu Picchu site, including a classic viewpoint for amazing photos. On the fourth day, you will pause to listen to your guide, take pictures, store your backpack, and use facilities before re-entering Machu Picchu. A two-hour guided tour will follow, where you learn about the history and culture of the Incas, making your visit unforgettable.
Trip Details
Availability for the 4-Day Inca Trail
We offer daily departures, but space is limited by the Peruvian government. Only 500 people are allowed each day, and about 200 spots are for visitors. This makes the 4-day trail very popular. The limits help protect the trail and preserve this UNESCO heritage site.
Checking Availability
Visit our website to see a real-time calendar that shows available spots. The calendar is linked to the government system, so the information is accurate. If you see open dates, click “BOOK ONLINE” to reserve your spot immediately. If your dates aren’t available, no other tour operator can book them either. Because space is limited, plan and book early.
On the first morning, you leave Cusco early between 5:30 and 6:00 am. A car will pick you up and drive for about two hours to Piscacucho, the start of the trail. Here, you cross the Urubamba River and enter the Sacred Valley. After a brief checkpoint, you begin your hike along the river. The scenery features snow-capped mountains, green vegetation, and small ruins like Llactapata that hint at the history ahead. By evening, you reach Wayllabamba, where you camp for the night. This day gently introduces you to hiking and the beautiful surroundings.
Day two is the hardest. You climb steeply to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters. The trail is demanding, but the views from the top are worth it. After reaching the pass, you descend into the Pacaymayo valley. Along the way, you see ruins like Runkurakay and Sayacmarca and pass through cloud forests. By late afternoon, you arrive in Pacaymayo and set up camp. This day challenges you physically but rewards you with amazing sights.
On the third day, the trail eases up with more downhill sections. You leave Pacaymayo and head towards Wiñay Wayna. The path passes interesting ruins like Phuyupatamarca, known as the “Town in the Clouds,” and beautiful waterfalls. You also visit sites such as Runkuracay and Sayacmarca. The day features steep climbs and descents before arriving at Wiñay Wayna in the afternoon to camp. The mix of trail types and the lush cloud forest make this a memorable day.
The final day is the most exciting. You wake up early to reach the Sun Gate and watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. From there, you descend into the ancient city for a guided tour. The sight of Machu Picchu and its architecture is breathtaking. After the tour, you have free time to explore on your own. Later, you take a bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and catch a train back to Cusco. You return to Cusco around 6:30 pm, ending your amazing journey.
Our package covers everything to make your trek smooth:
Optional Rentals
Tipping Tipping is a friendly way to thank the team. While not required, it’s common to tip porters, guides, and cooks. It shows appreciation and encourages good service. Even though our team is paid fairly, tipping is a tradition and appreciated.
What to Pack for the 4-Day Inca Trail
Prepare for your trek with these items:
Porter Assistance
Your porter will carry a 7 kg duffle bag with your belongings so you can hike light with just a small daypack.
Special Notes
“Machu Picchu Team” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “Machu Picchu Team,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “Machu Picchu Team,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “Machu Picchu Team” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “Machu Picchu Team” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“Machu Picchu Team” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.