Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu
The Classic Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu is a legendary 4-day, 3-night guided hike covering approximately 42 to 44 kilometers (26 to 27.3 miles) through the Peruvian Andes. It follows original stone paths built by the Incas as part of the massive Qhapaq Ñan road network, leading hikers past ancient ruins, cloud forests, and high mountain passes before entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
At Ali Peru Treks, we are a 100% locally owned and licensed travel agency specializing in the Inca Trail, located in Cusco. Our local guides, as well as our porters and cooks, are highly experienced and will take care of everything during the trek. We offer small-group tours, comfortable camping gear, and all-inclusive service so that all you have to worry about is enjoying the experience.
Inca Trail permits are limited and often sell out months in advance. Check availability first to confirm your preferred date before making your reservation. The earlier you plan, the better your chances of securing your ideal departure date.
At Ali Perú Treks, we believe that an extraordinary adventure requires impeccable logistics. That is why we have designed a comprehensive, hotel-to-hotel transportation system that stays with you from the first light of day one until you are safely back at your destination. We guarantee safety, punctuality, and maximum comfort every mile of the way.
The Beginning: Direct Hotel Pickup
Your adventure starts stress-free. Regardless of where you are staying, our professional team will pick you up directly from your hotel doorstep.
- Rigorous Punctuality: We respect your time to ensure the start of your trek is smooth and unhurried.
- Luggage Assistance: Our staff handles all loading logistics from the very first moment, allowing you to focus on the excitement of the journey ahead.
On the Road: Safety and Comfort in Transit
The drive to the Inca Trail trailheads is conducted in modern, fully equipped vehicles driven by experts in high-altitude Andean routes.
- Modern Fleet: Our vehicles are maintained to the highest safety standards for your peace of mind.
- Professional Drivers: Our staff knows every curve of the road, always prioritizing your safety and well-being.
The Return: Total Flexibility and Guaranteed Rest
We know that after the physical intensity and emotion of Machu Picchu, the return journey should be the most relaxing part of your trip. Our return logistics are fully personalized and adapt to your post-tour plans:
- Direct Drop-off Service: Upon concluding your expedition, our private transport will be waiting to take you directly to your destination, with no unnecessary waits or transfers.
- Destinations of Your Choice: You decide where your journey with us ends. Whether it’s a restful return to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, a direct transfer to the airport for your next flight, or your accommodation in the city, we will get you there efficiently.
- Stress-Free Transition: While you relax in our comfortable seating and process the wonders you’ve just experienced, we handle the traffic and navigation, ensuring your final impression of the trip is one of total care and hospitality.
At Ali Perú Treks, we don’t just sell treks; we guarantee a complete mobility experience. We take pride in being the common thread of your adventure, looking after every detail of your transportation from hotel to hotel, so you can focus solely on living the legend.
At Ali Perú Treks, our mission is for your attention to be focused exclusively on the breathtaking landscapes and the mystical history of the Andes, not on the weight on your shoulders. To guarantee you a pleasant expedition and agile mobility, we include a personal porter service in your reservation at zero cost, allowing you to enjoy the route with the lightness and distinction that every explorer deserves.
Preparatory Logistics: Duffel Bag Delivery
The excellence of our service begins before you even set foot on the trail. During your pre-trek briefing, our team will provide you with an exclusive Ali Perú Treks Duffel Bag. This bag is specifically designed to organize your belongings efficiently and securely, allowing our porter team to transport them with total care while you hike free from heavy loads.
Intelligent Gear Distribution (7 kg / 15.4 lbs)
We understand that restorative sleep and proper clothing are the pillars of a successful journey. Therefore, we have strategically organized the weight our team will transport for you at no additional charge:
- 4 kg for Personal Apparel & Gear: Perfect for your trekking layers, change of clothes, camp shoes, and toiletries.
- 2 kg for Your Sleeping Bag: We ensure your thermal gear is transported safely, ready to keep you warm during the crisp Andean nights.
- 1 kg for Your Inflatable Air Mattress: We prioritize your comfort by dedicating weight specifically for an ergonomic air mattress, guaranteeing restorative sleep after every day on the trail.
Ethical and Legal Commitment: Respecting Our Staff
At Ali Perú Treks, the safety and dignity of our porters are just as important as the satisfaction of our guests. We strictly adhere to the Porter’s Law and Peruvian Government Regulations, which mandate a maximum weight limit of 25 kg (55 lbs) per porter.
We ensure that every member of our team carries only the legal and fair amount of weight while providing them with dignified wages, high-quality nutrition, and professional mountain gear. By choosing us, you ensure your adventure follows the highest standards of responsible and humane tourism.
At Ali Perú Treks, we believe that the true essence of the Andes is discovered when we put away our devices and allow nature to speak to us. Hiking through remote trails is an invaluable opportunity to unplug from the daily grind, work, and screens, reclaiming that human and spiritual connection often lost in city life.
However, we understand that to fully enjoy that freedom, you need to feel secure. The depths of our mountains offer spectacular landscapes, but they also take us far from basic services. That is why safety is not an option for our expeditions; it is our structural priority.
Our Satellite Link Technology
To guarantee an immediate response to any situation, especially regarding health or logistics in high-mountain areas, each of our lead guides carries a state-of-the-art satellite phone.
Unlike short-range radios, which we also use for internal team logistics, our satellite systems allow for real-time global communication from the most isolated points on the trail, where conventional networks simply do not exist.
Guest Usage: While our focus is on disconnecting, we understand that personal needs may arise. Our equipment is available for our clients to make private calls.
At Ali Perú Treks, we handle the technology and safety so that you only have to worry about having the most profound and authentic experience of your life. With us, you are never alone; you are protected by experts.
At Ali Perú Treks, we understand that personal comfort is essential to fully enjoying your expedition. We know that one of the most important concerns for our travelers is access to clean, private restroom facilities, especially on remote routes like the Inca Trail or Salkantay.
A Superior Standard of Hygiene
To enhance your trekking experience, we include private portable toilets at all our campsites and lunch spots. Unlike the public restrooms along the trail, which can often be crowded or poorly maintained, our portable stations provide you with:
- Total Privacy: A dedicated restroom tent reserved exclusively for our group.
- Controlled Hygiene: Constant cleaning and maintenance performed by our professional support staff.
- Strategic Availability: Set up and ready for use the moment you arrive at your meal site or camp.
Eco-Friendly Commitment
As a responsible operator committed to protecting Andean ecosystems and supporting local communities, we strictly follow a “Leave No Trace” policy. Preserving the environment is our top priority:
- Waste Management: All waste materials, such as toilet paper or wet wipes, must be placed in the specialized disposal bags we provide.
- Responsible Logistics: Our dedicated team of porters is responsible for carrying all waste out of protected areas to ensure proper disposal in compliance with government regulations.
Environmental Respect: By providing these facilities, we prevent the impact on natural areas, ensuring the trails remain pristine for future generations.
Overview
Inca Trail 4 Days Overview
The Classic Inca Trail is the best-known trek in Peru and the only one that follows the Inca road all the way to the Sun Gate. In four days, it climbs from the warm Urubamba valley to the high grasslands of Dead Woman’s Pass, then descends through cloud forest on original stairways and through a stone tunnel to Machu Picchu.
The route is protected and regulated. You need a permit issued in your name, a licensed guide and an authorized operator, and the trail closes every February for maintenance. Porters carry the camping equipment and up to 7 kg (15 lb) of your gear, so you hike with a light daypack. You camp at Ayapata, Chaquicocha and Wiñay Wayna, subject to the campsites assigned with your permits.
Tour Highlights
- Dead Woman’s Pass. Climb to 4,215 m (13,828 ft), the highest point of the Inca Trail, with views over the valleys you’ve just walked.
- Inca sites on foot. Visit Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipata and Wiñay Wayna, none of them reachable by road.
- Cloud forest and original stonework. Walk Inca stairways and a stone tunnel on the descent from Phuyupatamarca.
- The Sun Gate. See Machu Picchu from Inti Punku in the early morning, then walk down to the classic viewpoint.
- Comfortable camping. Two people per four-season tent, inflatable mattresses and a private toilet tent at every camp.
- Personal porter allowance. Porters carry 7 kg (15 lb) of your gear, including your sleeping bag.
Trip Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu |
| Duration | 4 days, 3 nights (camping) |
| Distance | About 43 km (27 mi), from KM 82 to Machu Picchu |
| Highest point | Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca), 4,215 m (13,828 ft) |
| Camps | Ayapata, Chaquicocha and Wiñay Wayna (subject to permit allocation) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging |
| Start and finish | Hotel pickup in Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo; drop-off at your Cusco hotel |
| Group size | 2 to 12 hikers |
| Meals | 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, plus afternoon tea |
| Permit | Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu ticket included |
| Machu Picchu | Arrival through the Sun Gate; photos on Circuit 1 and a guided tour on Circuit 3 |
| Season | March to January (closed in February); driest April to October |
| Price | From US$775 per person (shared group departure) |
Who This Trek Is For
The Inca Trail suits reasonably fit travelers who want the classic walk into Machu Picchu. You don’t need technical skills, but you’ll hike up to nine or ten hours on Day 2, climb thousands of stone steps and sleep three nights in tents. If you’re short on time, the Short Inca Trail 2 Days covers the last section of the route.
How the Inca Trail Options Compare
| Short Inca Trail 2 Days | Inca Trail 4 Days | Inca Trail 5 Days | |
| Start | KM 104 | KM 82 | KM 82 |
| Distance | About 12 km | About 43 km | Same route, shorter stages |
| Nights | 1 hotel | 3 camping | Camping plus a hotel night |
| Highest point | Sun Gate, about 2,720 m | Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215 m | Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215 m |
| Price from | US$500 | US$775 | US$850 |
Prefer a slower pace? See the Inca Trail 5 Days. Want your own departure with only your group? See the Private Inca Trail 4 Days. Traveling in February? Consider the Salkantay Trek or the Lares Trek.
Why Hike the Inca Trail with Ali Peru Treks
- Locally owned and licensed. We are a Cusco-based Inca Trail operator founded in 2023, with our own guides, cooks and porters. See our official certifications and permits.
- Departures from two hikers. Once your booking is confirmed, we run the trek even with two people, and we never pass your booking to another company.
- Hotel to hotel. Your guide is with you from the pickup in Cusco to the train back from Aguas Calientes, and our driver takes you to your hotel.
- Good food on the trail. Our cooks prepare fresh, hot meals, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy menus at no extra cost.
- Fair treatment for our team. We pay our crew when the trek ends, provide uniforms and insurance for our porters, and keep loads within the legal limits.
- An afternoon train back. We book a return train from Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, so you’re back in Cusco around 7:00 PM.
Itinerary
Inca Trail 4 Days Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1: Cusco to KM 82, Llactapata and Ayapata
We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo at around 5:00 AM and drive to Ollantaytambo for breakfast. We continue to KM 82 (Piscacucho), the start of the Inca Trail, where you meet the porters and cook and pass the official checkpoint. Bring the original passport you booked with.
The first day is a gentle warm-up along the Urubamba valley. We pass the Inca site of Kanabamba and stop at Llactapata, a large Inca farming settlement at about 2,840 m (9,320 ft). After lunch at Hatunchaca, at about 2,930 m (9,610 ft), we walk through Wayllabamba, the last village on the trail and your last chance to buy snacks and drinks. In the afternoon, we climb to our camp at Ayapata, at about 3,300 m (10,830 ft), where your tent is ready on arrival. Afternoon tea and dinner are served at camp.
| Day 1 | Details |
| Start | KM 82 (Piscacucho), about 2,720 m (8,923 ft) |
| Hiking distance | About 14 km (8.7 mi) |
| Hiking time | About 6 hours |
| Elevation change | About 600 m (1,970 ft) of climbing |
| Camp | Ayapata, about 3,300 m (10,830 ft) |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner |
| Difficulty | Moderate (a gradual warm-up) |

Day 2: Dead Woman’s Pass, Runkurakay and Sayacmarca to Chaquicocha
We wake you with coca tea at your tent. This is the hardest day of the trek. After breakfast, we climb steadily past Llulluchapampa to Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca), at 4,215 m (13,828 ft), about 900 m (2,950 ft) above camp. After a rest and photos at the top, we descend steeply on stone steps to the Pacaymayo valley, at about 3,590 m (11,780 ft), for lunch.
In the afternoon, we climb to the second pass, at about 4,000 m (13,120 ft), stopping at the round ruins of Runkurakay on the way up. On the other side, we visit Sayacmarca, an Inca site on a cliff edge, and reach our camp at Chaquicocha, at about 3,600 m (11,810 ft). After dinner, your guide talks about Inca astronomy under the night sky.
| Day 2 | Details |
| Hiking distance | About 16 km (9.9 mi) |
| Hiking time | 9 to 10 hours |
| Elevation change | About 900 m (2,950 ft) of climbing to Dead Woman’s Pass, then a second climb of about 400 m (1,310 ft) |
| Highest point | Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215 m (13,828 ft) |
| Camp | Chaquicocha, about 3,600 m (11,810 ft) |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner |
| Difficulty | Challenging (the hardest day) |

Day 3: Phuyupatamarca, Intipata and Wiñay Wayna
Today is shorter and mostly downhill, through cloud forest on some of the best-preserved stretches of the Inca Trail, including a stone tunnel. Our first stop is Phuyupatamarca, at about 3,670 m (12,040 ft), with its ritual fountains and, on clear days, views of Salkantay and the Urubamba valley. From there, original Inca stairways lead down to the terraces of Intipata.
We reach our last camp at Wiñay Wayna, at about 2,650 m (8,690 ft), in the early afternoon, with time for a shower and a rest. Later, your guide takes you through the terraces of the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna. In the evening, we share a farewell dinner and thank the porters and cook.
| Day 3 | Details |
| Hiking distance | About 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Hiking time | 5 to 6 hours |
| Elevation change | About 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of descent on stone steps |
| Camp | Wiñay Wayna, about 2,650 m (8,690 ft) |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner |
| Difficulty | Moderate (hard on the knees) |

Day 4: Sun Gate, Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco
We wake before dawn to be in line when the final checkpoint opens at 5:30 AM. From there, it’s about an 80-minute walk to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), at about 2,720 m (8,920 ft), where you usually arrive around 6:30 AM for your first view of Machu Picchu. Sunrise depends on the season and the weather, so it isn’t guaranteed.
We walk down for about an hour to the upper terraces (Circuit 1) for the classic photos of the citadel. After a short break at the restrooms outside the site, we re-enter on Circuit 3 for a guided tour of about two hours. If you booked a Huayna Picchu ticket, you climb it after the tour (about an hour up and an hour down).
Afterward, we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you have lunch on your own. Your guide walks you to the station for the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, where our driver meets you for the drive back to your hotel in Cusco. You usually arrive around 7:00 PM.
| Day 4 | Details |
| Hiking distance | About 5 km (3.1 mi) to Machu Picchu |
| Highest point | Sun Gate, about 2,720 m (8,920 ft) |
| Machu Picchu altitude | About 2,430 m (7,970 ft) |
| Return | Bus to Aguas Calientes, train to Ollantaytambo, private van to your hotel in Cusco |
| Meals | Breakfast (lunch is not included) |

Included
What’s Included in the Inca Trail 4 Days
Included
- Pre-trek briefing at your hotel in Cusco at 6:00 PM the evening before the trek, when your guide gives you your duffel bag and reviews the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking guide for the trek and the Machu Picchu tour
- Cook and assistant cooks, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy menus at no extra cost
- Porters to carry all group equipment
- Personal porter allowance: a duffel bag for up to 7 kg (15 lb) of your gear, including your sleeping bag
- Camping:
- Four-season tents, two people per tent
- Inflatable mattresses for all three nights
- Travel pillow
- Dining tent with table and chairs
- Kitchen equipment
- Private toilet tent at every lunch stop and campsite
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, plus afternoon tea
- Drinking water, boiled and filtered, from the first lunch to the last breakfast
- Rain poncho and backpack rain cover
- Permits and tickets: Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance (Circuits 1 and 3)
- Transport:
- Private transport from your hotel to Ollantaytambo and KM 82
- Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (PeruRail Expedition or Inca Rail Voyager)
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
- Safety equipment: emergency oxygen and a first aid kit
- Free luggage storage at our Cusco office
Not Included
- Sleeping bag (required; bring your own or rent ours)
- Trekking poles (available to rent)
- Drinking water on the morning of Day 1
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes on Day 4
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
- Flights and hotels in Cusco
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide, cooks and porters
Optional Extras
- Sleeping bag rental (rated to about –15°C / 5°F): US$25
- Trekking poles with rubber tips: US$20 per pair
- Huayna Picchu ticket: US$80 per person, subject to availability. About an hour up and an hour down.
- Machu Picchu Mountain ticket: US$80 per person, subject to availability
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain have limited daily spaces, so book them with your trek, several months ahead.
Packing List
Inca Trail 4 Days Packing List
Pack for cold nights at Chaquicocha, strong sun and wind on Dead Woman’s Pass, and warm, humid cloud forest on the last two days. Your daypack stays with you every day; you won’t see your duffel bag until camp each evening. Your duffel bag (7 kg / 15 lb, provided at the briefing) is carried by our porters. Your sleeping bag (about 2 kg) and mattress (about 1 kg) go inside it, which leaves about 4 kg (9 lb) for clothes and personal items. For more detail, see our trekking gear list.
Your Daypack
Use a 25 to 30 L pack.
- Original passport. It must be the same passport you booked with; you show it at every checkpoint. If you booked a student discount, also bring your valid university ID card.
- Water: 2 to 3 liters in reusable bottles or a hydration bladder. Bring your own water for the first morning; we refill from lunch on Day 1.
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Warm layer for when you stop on the pass
- Sun protection: high-SPF sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses and lip balm
- Snacks such as energy bars, chocolate or dried fruit
- Headlamp for camp and the pre-dawn start on Day 4
- Camera and power bank. There is no electricity at the campsites.
- Cash in Peruvian soles in small bills for snacks, tips and souvenirs
- Small trash bag. We follow Leave No Trace principles.
Your Duffel Bag (Carried by Our Porters)
- Clothing: 2 quick-dry T-shirts, 2 pairs of hiking pants, 4 sets of underwear and 3 pairs of hiking socks
- Warm layers: a fleece, thermal base layers and a down jacket. Nights at Chaquicocha can drop to about 3°C (37°F).
- Waterproof gloves and a warm hat for cold mornings
- Camp shoes: sneakers or sandals
- Sleeping bag rated to at least –15°C (5°F), if you aren’t renting ours
- Toiletries: quick-dry towel, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste, moisturizer
- Insect repellent for the cloud forest and Machu Picchu
- Personal medication and a small blister kit
Footwear and Equipment
- Hiking boots, broken in, with good grip and ankle support
- Trekking poles, recommended for the thousands of stone steps (available to rent)
For Your Machu Picchu Day
Inside Machu Picchu, bags may be no larger than 40 × 35 × 20 cm (about 16 × 14 × 8 in), and walking sticks, umbrellas and food are not allowed. Your guide will tell you where to leave larger items on Day 4. our Peru trekking gear list.
Travel Info
Travel Information for the Inca Trail 4 Days
Pre-Trek Briefing
The briefing is mandatory. At 6:00 PM the evening before your trek, your guide visits your hotel in Cusco, gives you your duffel bag, reviews the itinerary and safety details, and answers your last questions.
Inca Trail Permits
You can only hike the Inca Trail with a permit, a licensed guide and an authorized operator. The Ministry of Culture limits the long Inca Trail routes to 500 trail users a day, so permits for May to August often sell out months ahead. Permits are issued in your name and passport number for a specific date and can’t be transferred, refunded or changed.
If you need a different date, a new permit has to be bought, subject to availability, at an extra cost of US$100. We buy your permit as soon as you pay your deposit. Check our Inca Trail permit availability page.
How Difficult Is the Inca Trail
We rate it as moderate to challenging. The main difficulties are the altitude, the thousands of uneven stone steps and the long climb to Dead Woman’s Pass on Day 2. Start training six to eight weeks before your trip with cardio, long hikes and stairs. For more on the hardest climb, read our Dead Woman’s Pass guide.
Altitude and Acclimatization
Spend at least two days in Cusco, at about 3,400 m (11,150 ft), before the trek. Drink plenty of water and avoid heavy meals and alcohol in your first days. See our guides to acclimatizing in Cusco and altitude sickness.
Weather and Best Time to Go
The trail is open from March to January and closes every February for maintenance. The driest months are April to October, and May to August sell out first. From November to March, expect heavy but usually short showers, greener landscapes and fewer hikers.
The trail can also close for a few days after severe rain, as happened in August 2026; in that case, affected hikers can ask for a new date through the official channels. Read more in our Inca Trail by month and Inca Trail weather guides.
Booking and Payment
- Book early: six to seven months ahead for May to August, and as early as possible for other months.
- How to book: click “Book Now”, enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport (full name, passport number, nationality and date of birth) and pay a deposit of US$200 per person.
- Confirmation: we buy your permit right away and send you a confirmation pack once it’s issued.
- Terms: see our booking information page.
Porters and Responsible Travel
Our porters carry within the legal limits for porters in Peru, 20 kg (44 lb) for men and 15 kg (33 lb) for women. We provide uniforms, proper footwear, insurance and fair wages, paid when the trek ends. Many of our porters come from highland communities such as Huayllaccocha.
Luggage
You only carry your daypack. Leave your suitcase at your hotel in Cusco or at our office, free of charge.
For more general advice, see our Peru travel information page.
Map
Inca Trail 4 Days Map and Elevation Profile
The trek starts at KM 82 (Piscacucho) on the Urubamba River and follows the river past Llactapata before turning up the Cusichaca valley to Wayllabamba and Ayapata. Day 2 climbs over Dead Woman’s Pass and the Runkurakay pass to Chaquicocha. Day 3 descends past Phuyupatamarca and Intipata to Wiñay Wayna, above the Urubamba. Day 4 follows the final section to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu.


Price
Inca Trail 4 Days Price
We guarantee that we will obtain your legal permits for the classic 4-day hike along the Inca Trail 2027 from the relevant authorities immediately after you make your reservation. With us, your spot is guaranteed from the very beginning.
Group Service Price
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Service type | Shared group departure |
| Group size | 2–12 hikers |
| Price per person | $775 USD |
Private Inca Trail 4 Days Prices
| Private group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 hikers | $900 USD |
| 4–5 hikers | $850 USD |
| 6–7 hikers | $800 USD |
| 8 or more hikers | $775 USD |
- Your own private group
- Rate depends on party size
See our Private Inca Trail Tour for more details.
Student and Youth Discount
Eligible students and travelers aged 17 or younger receive a $30 USD discount per person, subject to eligibility requirements.
| Eligible traveler | Discount per person | Required documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible university students | $30 USD off | Current physical university ID card |
| Travelers aged 17 or younger | $30 USD off | Passport or valid age-verification document |
Email a copy of your university ID or passport to info@aliperutreks.com when booking. Bring the original document on the trek, as it may be checked.
Optional Extras and Additional Costs
| Optional extra | Additional cost |
|---|---|
| Sleeping bag rental | $20 USD per person |
| Trekking poles rental (pair) | $15 USD |
| Huayna Picchu entrance ticket | $80 USD per person |
| Machu Picchu Mountain entrance ticket | $80 USD per person |
| Lunch in Aguas Calientes | Not included |
| Tips | Not included |
| Travel insurance | Not included |
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability.
Booking and Permit Conditions
A $200 USD deposit is required to proceed with your booking. Inca Trail permits are non-transferable and non-refundable once issued. Review the applicable booking and permit-change conditions before confirming your departure.
Ready to plan your trek? Check Inca Trail availability or contact our team in Cusco.
Faq
Inca Trail 4 Days FAQs
About 43 km (27 mi) from KM 82 to Machu Picchu. Day 2 is the longest, at about 16 km, and Day 4 the shortest, at about 5 km.
From US$760 per person on a shared group departure. For a departure with only your group, see the Private Inca Trail 4 Days. Tips, lunch on Day 4 and optional rentals are extra.
Six to seven months ahead for May to August. The 500-person daily limit applies all year, so book as early as you can for other months too.
Yes. You can only hike the Inca Trail with a licensed guide and an authorized operator.
Moderate to challenging. Day 2, with the climb to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 m (13,828 ft), is the hardest. Training and two days of acclimatization in Cusco make a big difference.
Possibly, but it isn’t guaranteed. The final checkpoint opens at 5:30 AM, and the walk to the Sun Gate takes about an hour, so you usually arrive around 6:30 AM. Depending on the season and the clouds, you’ll see the first light on the trail or at the gate.
You usually reach the Sun Gate around 6:30 AM and the citadel around 8:00 AM, before most visitors arriving by train.
Circuit 1 for the classic photos from the upper terraces, and Circuit 3 (Machupicchu Realeza) for your guided tour.
No. Permits are issued in your name and passport number and can’t be changed. If you need a different date, a new permit has to be bought, subject to availability, at an extra cost of US$100.
Tell us right away and bring both passports, the old and the new one, on the trek.
Up to 7 kg (15 lb) in the duffel bag we give you, including your sleeping bag and mattress. That leaves about 4 kg (9 lb) for your clothes.
We set up a private toilet tent at every lunch stop and campsite, so you don’t depend on the public facilities. The Wiñay Wayna campsite has showers.
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy menus are available at no extra cost if you tell us when you book.
Around 7:00 PM. The afternoon train leaves Aguas Calientes between about 2:55 and 3:55 PM, and our driver meets you in Ollantaytambo.
Yes. We store your main luggage free of charge while you’re on the trail.
The Inca Trail is closed every February. The Salkantay Trek and the Lares Trek run that month.
Check Inca Trail 4 Days Availability 2027
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