Classic Inca Trail 4 Days
Start: Km. 82 - Ollantaytambo Finish: Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
Duration: 3 Nights
Physical rating: Medium
Special diets catered: Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Kosher, Jain, Halal, Every diet can be catered
Tour Operator: Alpaca Expeditions
Group size: 2 - 12
Age range: 5-70
Tour operated in: English ,Spanish
Prices From: $750 $690
Tour Overview
The Classic Inca Trail. The most sacred and important path during the Inca Empire. This amazing multi-day hike will go through the historical and cultural Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu. This path will display a perfect combination between natural scenery and breathtaking archaeological sites while enjoying a challenging trek and amazing campsites. The Inca Trail is the only path that connects to Machu Picchu directly and gives you the chance to get inside through one side passing through the Intipunku or Sun gate to enjoy a full guided tour on the 4th day. Why choosing us? Alpaca Expeditions is a local founded and operated company. We are the #1 Inca Trail operator and our clients can let you know why. Travelling with us guarantees the best Inca Trail experience and memories that will last for a lifetime!
Highlights
Amazing scenery and archaeological sites- Enjoy a different view of Machu Picchu from the Sungate
- The highest part at the Dead Woman Pass during the second day (4200 meters)
- Complete guided tour of all the archaeological sites
- 3 days of camping with all the meals covered
- Direct access to Machu Picchu without spending the night in Aguas Calientes
- Trek along a path constructed during the Inca Empire
Places You'll See
Countries:
Cities & Attractions:
Itinerary
Day 1
:
Cusco - Piskacucho Km 82 - Llactapata- Ayapata
Location: Inca Trail Camino Inca, Patallacta
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Alpaca Expeditions will pick you up from wherever you are staying in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo. Pick-up from Cusco will be from 4 to 4:30 AM, from Urubamba from 5:30 to 6 AM, and if you stay in Ollantaytambo, you get to sleep in a bit with your pick-up from 6:30 to 7 AM. We will take you to the Porter House which is located in Ollantaytambo after a delicious breakfast prepared by your cook, your guide will introduce you to your team of porters. We will then drive to Km 82, we'll go through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek. Please make sure you have your original passport with you to enter the Inca Trail. The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site. Patallacta is an ancient Inca checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu. From Patallacta it's another 2-hour hike to our lunch stop. After lunch, we will hike for another 2½ hours until we reach the first night's campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters). On this last stretch, we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drink, snacks, or essential items you may have forgotten such as batteries you can do so here. We'll arrive at our campsite by 5:00 PM. After settling in for a bit, you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chefs, and guides. By 7:30 PM, your dinner will be ready, and after you can get some well-deserved rest.
Day 2
:
Dead Woman's Pass - Runcuraccay Pass - Chaquiccocha
Location: Campamento de Ayapata
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your porters will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day. We will have an early start since it will be our longest day. We'll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman's Pass (4215 meters/13829 feet). On reaching the pass, we'll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley - Hidden River). It's another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot, where you will have a chance to refill your water bottles. After lunch, we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It's 2 hours over the pass where we will stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it's another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village). We'll stop here to rest and have a quick tour. Afterward, we will be able to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. It's then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After dinner, if you're not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing, and we'll point out the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent Southern Hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold!
Day 3
:
Chaquiccocha - Wiñaywayna
Location: Winay Wayna
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Completing Day 2 and beginning Day 3 certainly deserves a pat on the back! We will start early again, waking up at 6:30 am to begin. We will hike for 2 hours along what we like to call "Inca flat" (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk, we will have the opportunity to see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flats, we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we'll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley, we get our first view of Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself is still hidden. From Phuyupatamarka it's a 3-hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of its proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent, we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM to have lunch. Then we will relax so that you are ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. At around 4:30 PM your guide will give you a short orientation, and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half there. Your guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek. This way you will be fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day. We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs. It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive at Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn in the hopes that the weather will give us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins at Machu Picchu.
Day 4
:
Sun Gate - Machu Picchu - The Lost City Of The Incas
Location: Machu Picchu
Meals: Breakfast
Wake-up time is at 3:30 AM. We'll eat breakfast at 4:00 AM and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking when they open the gates at 5:30 AM. We'll wave goodbye to our team of porters and chefs and then it's "Forward On" to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory. We will reach the Sun Gate by 6:30 am, and then it's just an hour trek down to reach the Lost City of the Incas. As we hike and get closer to Machu Picchu, the views of the city get better! At about 7:40 AM we'll reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hours private guided tour. After the tour, you'll be given your bus tickets to make your way down to Aguas Calientes, and you'll have plenty of free time to explore the city on your own or climb one of the neighbouring mountains - Huaynapicchu (must be arranged ahead of time). Your guide will offer to meet you down in the village of Aguas Calientes to enjoy your last lunch in a local restaurant. This is optional and not included. At lunch, your guide will hand out train tickets, so if you choose to skip, please arrange to get these before leaving your guide at Machu Picchu. Please make sure you are on the platform at least 30 minutes ahead of time. This will be a 2-hour train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (based on which train you get), where an Alpaca driver will meet you and drive you back to the city on our bus, then drop you off at your hotel.
What's Included
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Drinkable water along the trek
Our trekking chef will have water ready for you. This was boiled, filtered and cooled off
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Eureka tents for every camping night
Each tent will be provided per 2 people max
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Satellite phone (phone signal all over the trek)
Our phones guarantee signal all along the trek
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Accommodation
You will spend 3 nights at campsite inside the Inca Trail
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Train Tickets
The train ride back to Cusco is included
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Local Taxes
The local taxes are included in the price
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All meals along the trek
Only the last lunch is not included
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Personal porter included
Our team of porters will support you along the trek
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Portable chemical toilet
No need to use the public bathrooms. We have a toilet only for our team
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Foam mattress
To avoid contact with the ground we include these
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Drinks with Meals
Our trekking chef will cook these meals at the spot
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Fully Guided
Your professional guide will be with the group along the whole experience
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Entrance Fees
Every permit for the Trail and Machu Picchu needed is included in the price
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Camping tents
Our Eureka tents are big enough for 4 people, but we only use them for 2 people
What's Not Included
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International Travel
We don't include airfare in our prices
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Lunch on the last day
We give you the free option to enjoy your lunch in Aguas Calientes
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Tipping and Gratuities
These are customary but not mandatory. Any tip will be very appreciated
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Country Entry Visas
Peru doesn't have a lot of limitations for visitors. Ask your embassy before travelling
Optional Extras
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Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.
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Air Mattress
Size 180 cm x 60 cm and 2.5 inches thick for extra comfort
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Sleeping bag
Mummy style 850+ sleeping bags. 80'' long x 60'' wide. Temperatures: -15ºC or 2ºF
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Walking sticks
Black Diamond walking sticks. Adjustable size
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Alpaca Expeditions requires a deposit of 200 USD to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 2 days before departure..
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Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.
Got a question? Check out our Q&As
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Path to the Sun Gate 8 day w 3N/4D Classic Inka Trail
Day 2 we had a tour of the Sacred Valley with Ruben from Alpaca.
It was highly educational and fun and we enjoyed a great lunch.
We stayed the following evening in Ollantaytambo and then Lourdes and Henry picked us up for our 4 day classic Inka trail trek.
I can not describe how amazing the experience was.
Our guides took great care of all of us and were highly knowledgeable, not to mention supportive when I needed the extra energy to get up to the highest pass.
Cesar Catalan’s team of porters were nothing less than supermen, going so far as to carry a fellow tourist who was struggling-after carrying their packs to our camp! The food on the trek was fantastic.
Chef Alex pulled out all the stops and we enjoyed 3-course Peruvian meals.
There was rarely a tray returned with any crumbs.
The entire Alpaca team has made our Peru experience unforgettable.
In addition to the trek and Sacred Valley experience, they helped arrange our transportation to Mil restaurant in Moray after our trek.
Everything ran smoothly without any worry for us that our Alpaca family would to be at each transition on time.
I would highly recommend Alpaca Expeditions to anyone visiting the Cusco region for their Machu Picchu trek and beyond!; ....less
28-Jan-2020
Classic Inca trail
Hopefully we will do it again!;
08-Jan-2020
Great hike to Machu Picchu
Alpaca Expeditions did a first class job of managing our hike.
The tents, food and porters were great.
The guide gave us great insights to the Inka culture and many sites along the way.
The second day was quite strenuous and high elevation but the scenery was fantastic.
We added on an extra afternoon hike on Huayna Picchu for a stunning view of Machu Picchu.
We also found the hiking poles and air mattresses great add-ons.
We were glad we did a couple of days of elevation acclimation in Cusco.
;
Posted on TripAdvisor
....less22-Jan-2021
An amazing Inca Trail with Alpaca Expeditions
Well we had a good idea the trip would be well thought out and supported, we had no idea the extent to which Alpaca Expeditions thought about every tiny detail to make our hike as comfortable as possible.
We had two awesome guides- Henry and Lu who gave us valuable information throughout the journey, and by the end had learned a great deal about Incan and pre Incan history and culture, as well as modern Andean and Quechwa culture through some great conversations with Lu.
Our chef Alex cooked consistently delicious and hearty meals that helped propel us forward each day, and our team of porters led by veteran soldier and super hero Cesar were some of the strongest people I’ve ever seen in my life.
It was also great to hear and literally see that Alpaca does treat their porters well as it’s an extremely difficult job carrying 60 lbs of stuff for us gringos day in and day out, with constantly changing conditions it’s important to have good gear, and that they did whereas not every company thinks to get their porters new and solid shoes for example.
Lu was also extremely patient helping one person in our group who was not physically or mentally prepared for the journey, and he reached Machu Picchu thanks to her encouragement and help from the porters as well, though in my opinion he should have been turned around on the second day.
Just to say that Alpaca will do whatever they can to help you complete your journey, but don’t be an idiot and do some freaking research as to how difficult this hike can be with elevation and make sure you’re in decent shape before hand and have all the gear you need.
All in all, Alpaca is not the cheapest company, but you get what you pay for both in terms of service and how a company treats their employees, and I would go with Alpaca again in a heartbeat for any other treks in Peru.
; ....less
21-Jan-2020
The journey is the destination
It was truly the highlight of my trip to Peru.
At every point of the experience the staff went above and beyond to meet our needs and to help us conquer every campsite.
Our guide, Teddy, was the best we could've ever asked for.
He knew all the facts about every site we got to visit along the days and always had a joke to cheer our spirits up.
There was not a question he didn't manage to answer and always with a smile on his face.
All of the hikers were taken care of and we felt safe all along the trail.
Food was an actual delight every day.
Cecilio our trekking chef always placed on display the best meals and with the best flavour we got even at restaurants in Cusco.
The cake on the last day was such an amazing surprise and the best way to say goodbye to them.
All of these were only possible due to the help of the Green Machine, the team of porters are the most hardworking people I have ever met.
They managed to set the campsites, leave after us and have the campsite ready again for us to take some rest.
We were very pleased to know how Alpaca Expeditions takes care of them.
We went to their porter's house before the trek and met the doctor they hired to check on them.
The porter house had enough space and bedrooms for them to take some rest before and after each trek.
Besides the amazing experience.
Knowing that Alpaca takes care of their staff and their community was the cherry on top of the cake.
I can't say enough about them and feel very sorry for not remembering everybody's names.
Thanks AE! Thanks Green Machine!; ....less
15-Oct-2020