4-Day Ultimate Guided Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Transfer to Lares via Calca, and hike to Huacawasi (L/D)

1. Lares
   18h
   At approximately 6:00 hrs, you will be picked up from your hotel to set course to the village of Lares where we will start hiking. During this journey, we will make a stop in the village of Calca, where you will be able to visit the local market and buy breakfast or other supplies for your trek.
   
   When arriving at Lares we will visit the hot springs (optional) where you will be able to enjoy the hot water while our cooks prepare a scrumptious lunch.
   
   After lunch, we will start our hike towards the first campsite in Huacawasi (3850m). During 4 hours you will walk gradually uphill so that you get a good training for the next day when we will reach the highest point of the trek. The first night, we will spend the night at the house of our horsemen who are joining us on the trip. Upon arrival your tents will be ready, and you will receive popcorn, sweets and some hot tea before having dinner.
   
   Transport time: 4 hours
   
   Hiking time: 4-5 hours
   
   Day Climate : Warm
   
   Night Climate : Cold.

Day 2: Trek to the pass of Ipsy Qocha, Patacancha, and transfer to Ollantaytambo (B/L/D)

1. Ollantaytambo
   1 day
   After a nutritious breakfast, we will start hiking towards the highest point, the pass of Ipsy Qocha at 4400m/14435 feet. The hike will take about 3 hours and will be very steep uphill. During this trek you will be able to enjoy views of enormous mountains, llamas and alpacas, a patchwork of agricultural lands and breathtaking views (be aware that we will reach great heights and the weather can be very cold). After reaching the highest point, we will descend 30 minutes, and we will get to the beautiful lagoon Ipsy Qocha where we are going to have lunch.
   
   Then, we will walk down for 2 hours, and we will get to Patacancha town. From there we will take our transportation to Ollantaytambo where we are going to enjoy our dinner and spent the night
   
   Hiking time: 6 hours
   
   Transport time: 30 minutes
   
   Day Climate : Warm
   
   Night Climate : Cold

Day 3: Hike to Chachabambas, Wiñayhuayna and Sun Gate (B/L/D)

1. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Our journey starts early in the morning at 6am after breakfast. From here, you will take a tourist train to Km 104 where the Royal Inca Trail begins with a hike to Chachabamba (2270m/7448f). Here we will learn about the previous function of this archeological site.
2. Winay Wayna
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Thereafter, we will reach Wiñayhuayna (2650m/8694f), the most important archeological site besides Machu Picchu.
   
   After that, our trail continues towards the Sun Gate "Inti Punku", a nice viewpoint from which we can enjoy the nightfall on Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f). Since we have to continue our walk to Machu Picchu and from here we'll take the bus to get to our hotel in Aguas Calientes, we will only spend a little time in the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu on the first day.
   
   Transport time: 30 minutes

Day 4: Explore Machu Picchu (B)

1. Machu Picchu
   8h
   We will leave our hotel towards Machu Picchu after breakfast at about 5:30 am by bus. We are leaving that early because at this time the setting is less crowded and the morning is a good time to enjoy the calmness and the ancient spirit of the best-known archaeological site on the continent.
   
   After our arrival at the citadel around 6:00 am, our guide will give us detailed information about Machu Picchu and the history and culture of the Inca. Thereafter, you will have enough free time to enjoy and explore the site on your own, and discover the variety of buildings, or climb Huayna Picchu for an amazing panorama picture.
2. Aguas Calientes
   2h
   A bus takes you down to Aguas Calientes. Here you have the possibility to join the town’s hot springs (20 Soles). To finish the trip, we will depart back to Cuzco in the afternoon.
   
   Day Climate : warm with mosquitoes
   
   Hiking time: 2 hours
   
   Total distance: 4 hours

Pickup details

Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details.
We are is located at:
Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
• As of June 11, 2022, all travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers from 12 to 17 years old must prove they are vaccinated with two doses. If they do not have a complete scheme, they must present the negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin.
• The reduced BASIC (LIGHT) service ONLY INCLUDES a basic foam sleeping mat and EXCLUDES the thermal sleeping bag, duffel bag and porter to carry personal gear. You will carry your own backpack, sleeping bag, mattress and personal gea
• The COMPLETE service INCLUDES a thermal sleeping bag, foam sleeping mat, duffel bag & porter to carry a total of 7kgs of personal gear for each trekker (3kgs sleeping bag & mat + 4kgs personal items).
• Single travelers will share a room with another traveler & couples will have a private room.
• This hike is demanding, it’s important to be in good physical condition. The Inca Trail elevation changes make the hike strenuous as there are three passes during the hike and you will have 1950 meters of uphill and 2250 meters of descent.
• SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail.
• DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.
• Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry the old passport they used to make the booking or a photocopy with them on the trip.
• No departures in February due to unfavorable climatic conditions.