An experience that needs no introduction. One of the world's great hikes.
Duration
PriceOne of the world’s most famous treks, the Inca Trail trek in Peru to Machu Picchu deserves its fame. The beauty of the scenery on this hike, and the satisfaction of seeing ruins that you can only get to by walking, is incomparable.
The Inca Trail crosses the watershed of the Andes, the terrain changing from arid, cactus-clad hillsides to the lush green of the Amazon basin, before your very eyes.
Walking the track is only permitted with an accredited guide, so any hiker coming to Peru will want to book an Inca Trail guided tour. So why not join our 4 day Machu Picchu trekking holiday and let Aspiring Adventures handle the hassle for you.
Inca trail permits can run out months in advance – so if you know you want to hike the Inca Trail, you should book it as soon as you can to confirm your space.
Itinerary for 4 day Machu Picchu trekking holiday
Day 1 Start hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
We’ll pick you up at 6am and head to Kilometre 82, the start of the Inca Trail. The hike begins in the Sacred Valley as we follow the Urubamba River, climbing ever higher and eventually heading off up the Cusicacha Valley, through semi-arid forest and farming villages, to Wayllabamba, where we’ll camp for the night.
Accommodation: Camping on the Inca Trail trek in Peru
Meals: Lunch and dinner included
Walking: 12km (7.5 miles)
Min. Altitude: 2,700m (8,860ft)
Max. Altitude: 3,100m (10,170ft)
Altitude of camp: 3,100m (10,170ft)
Day 2 Hike over Warmiwayñusca Pass
Most of our walking time today is taken up by a stiff 1,200m (3,940ft) ascent to Warmiwayñusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), the highest point of the Inca Trail. From here, if it’s clear, we’ll enjoy incredible views back the way we came, and onwards towards the distant, snow-capped Vilcabamba Range. Then we descend steeply into Pacaymayo, our campsite for the night with one of the best views in the Andes.
Accommodation: Camping on the Inca Trail trek in Peru
Meals: All meals included
Walking: 11km (6.8 miles)
Min. Altitude: 3,100m (10,170ft)
Max. Altitude: 4,200m (13,780ft)
Altitude of camp: 3,600m (11,810ft)
Day 3 Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Wiñaywayna
Today’s hike takes us through some of the most stunning scenery in Peru, with cloud forest, orchids, hummingbirds and mountains on all sides, and to three gorgeous little ruins – Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Wiñaywayna, next to the evening’s campsite. Along the way, we cross the watershed of the Andes. This is one of the finest days trekking in the world.
Accommodation: Camping on the Inca Trail
Meals: All meals included
Walking: 12km (7.5 miles)
Min. Altitude: 2,670m (8,760ft)
Max. Altitude: 3,900m (12,800ft)
Altitude of camp: 2,670m (8,760ft)
Day 4 Machu Picchu!
A spectacular stone city surrounded by incredibly steep, incredibly green mountains, Machu Picchu needs no introduction and is deservedly one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
We’ll be up super-early to hike (1.5 hours approx.) to the Sun Gate in time for sunrise. Then your guide will show you around Machu Picchu’s main citadel, as well as our favourite hidden nooks and crannies, before the day’s train crowds arrive. Later there’s more time for your own exploration of the massive and still-mysterious site. The 4 day Machu Picchu trekking holiday ends after we catch the train back to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
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