Your immersive journey begins with a personalized pickup from your hotel or apartment in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo around 6:00 a.m. By choosing our 5 Day Slow Inca Trail, you are opting for a stress-free start focused on the cultural details that most travelers overlook.

We begin with a scenic 2-hour drive into the historic Sacred Valley, making a strategic stop in Ollantaytambo. This is the perfect opportunity for last-minute supplies or to soak in the local atmosphere before heading into the wilderness. We then continue in our private transport for an additional 45 minutes to Km 82 (Piscacucho), the official gateway to this mystical path. Here, you will meet the backbone of your expedition: our professional chef and the dedicated Ali Perú Treks porter team.

After final preparations and the mandatory checkpoint (ensure you have your original passport ready), we take our first steps on the trail. The initial hour of hiking is gentle, allowing your body to warm up. Our first stop is the archaeological site of Salapuncu, a complex of versatile ancient functions that our expert guide will reveal in detail. We proceed for another hour to Qanabamba, a site that served as a vital ceremonial center during the height of the Inca Empire.

The expedition continues for two more hours until we reach the imposing site of Llactapata. Unlike the traditional 4-day tour, our 5-day itinerary grants you the necessary time to fully explore its perfectly preserved platforms, canals, and stairways. You will experience a true highlight: a gourmet lunch served directly in front of the majesty of Llactapata, offering a privileged perspective that few travelers ever witness.

Following this restorative break, we hike two final hours toward the village of Hatunchaca. This is the last community settlement located within the Inca Trail, providing a unique opportunity to interact with the local environment. We will arrive around 4:30 p.m., giving you ample time to relax with a hot drink as the sun sets. Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m., marking the end of a first day of reconnection and rest under the starry Andean sky.

• 🏔️ Starting Altitude (Km 82): 8,727 ft / 2,660 m
• ⛺ Campsite Altitude (Hatunchaca): 9,612 ft / 2,930 m
• 📏 Total Distance: Approx. 4.3 miles / 7 km
• ⏱️ Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours (At a relaxed, mindful pace)
• 📈 Elevation Gain: +885 ft / +270 m
• 🥾 Difficulty Level: Easy – Moderate (Acclimatization focus)
• ✨ Highlights: Salapuncu Inca site, Qanabamba, in-depth exploration of Llactapata, and premium lunch overlooking the ruins.
• 🍽️ Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

The guide will take the time to wake you up with a cup of hot tea, you will have 30 minutes to pack your belongings, and then enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by the chef of ALIPERUTREKS. After breakfast we will start the hike uphill for four hours on the way we can appreciate all kinds of trees, cloud forest, flora and fauna until we reach the top of the dead woman (warmi huañusca 4215m)

Antes de llegar a la cima de la montaña, en medio del camino, disfrutaremos de un almuerzo preparado por nuestro chef. Almorzaremos en el lugar llamado llulluchapampa located at  (3600m/11,808 feet) After lunch, we will conquer the Dead Woman’s Mountain, located at 4,215 m (13,776 feet). At the summit, we will take a short break to enjoy the extraordinary views, and then we will begin the two-hour descent to our Pacaymayo camp, located at 3,800 m/12,464 feet. There we will have a hot drink, dinner, and after dinner, if the sky is clear, we will be able to enjoy the constellations.

• 🏔️ Starting Altitude (Hatunchaca): 9,612 ft / 2,930 m
• ⛺ Campsite Altitude (Pacaymayo): 11,482 ft / 3,500 m
• 📏 Total Distance: Approx. 5.6 miles / 9 km
• ⏱️ Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
• 📈 Maximum Elevation: 13,828 ft / 4,215 m
• 🥾 Difficulty Level: Challenging but managed
• ✨ Highlights: Conquering Warmiwañusca Pass, strategic lunch at Llulluchapampa, and stargazing at Pacaymayo.
• 🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

After a nutritious breakfast to fuel your day, we begin our ascent along the opposite side of the valley. We will hike for approximately two hours toward the second pass of our journey. Mid-climb, we stop at the Runkuracay archaeological site, a fascinating circular stone structure that served as an ancient Inca checkpoint. Here, your guide will share its secrets before we reach the Runkuracay Pass (3,970m / 13,024ft).

Once we cross the pass, the landscape transforms as the trail descends into an enchanting valley dotted with pristine alpine lakes. We continue downhill for two hours until we reach the impressive fortress of Sayacmarca («Town in a Steep Place»). Strategically perched on a rocky promontory and accessible only via a narrow stone staircase, this site allows you to walk among ancient walls surrounded by lush, high-jungle vegetation.

Just a 25-minute walk away, we arrive at Chaquicocha (3,600m/ 11,811ft), where our chef will be waiting with a restorative gourmet lunch. After a brief rest, we head toward our exclusive campsite at Phuyupatamarca (3,680\m / 12,073\ft). Sleeping at the «Town Above the Clouds» is the greatest privilege of this 5-day itinerary. From this vantage point, you will enjoy a premier view of Machu Picchu mountain and the towering Vilcabamba range. Prepare yourself for a cinematic sunset and a magical night where the Andean constellations appear with spectacular clarity, creating an unforgettable spiritual experience.

• 🏔️ Starting Altitude (Pacaymayo): 11,482 ft / 3,500 m
• ⛺ Campsite Altitude (Phuyupatamarca): 12,073 ft / 3,680 m
• 📏 Total Distance: Approx. 4.3 miles / 7 km
• ⏱️ Hiking Time: 5 – 6 hours (Mindful pace)
• 📈 Maximum Elevation: 13,024 ft / 3,970 ft
• 🥾 Difficulty Level: Moderate
• ✨ Highlights: Runkuracay & Sayacmarca ruins, panoramic views of Machu Picchu mountain, and premium stargazing.
• 🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Wake up to a breathtaking sunrise over the Andean peaks; for many travelers, this is the most stunning day of the entire trek. After an unforgettable breakfast at the heights of Phuyupatamarca, we begin our descent into the lush cloud forest.

In the afternoon, we will visit another iconic Inca site called Wiñay Wayna ($2,650\text{ m} / 8,694\text{ ft}$), often referred to as «Little Machu Picchu» due to its impressive agricultural terraces and intricate urban design. Your expert guide will share the history of this mystical site before we embark on the final stretch of our hike.

After a one-hour trek, we will finally reach Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate. From this legendary vantage point, you will see Machu Picchu reveal itself in all its majesty and grandeur. Arriving in the late afternoon on our 5-day itinerary allows you to enjoy the «golden hour»—providing perfect lighting for photography and a much more peaceful atmosphere compared to the morning rush.

From the Sun Gate, we will walk downhill for approximately 40 minutes to the main platform of the citadel. There, you will have ample time to take spectacular photos and soak in the panoramic views of the world wonder. To conclude this epic day, we will take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town), where you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and spend a restful night in a comfortable 3-star hotel.

• 🏔️ Starting Altitude (Phuyupatamarca): 12,073 ft / 3,680 m
• 🏨 Accommodation (Aguas Calientes): 6,692 ft / 2,040 m
• 📏 Total Distance: Approx. 6.2 miles / 10 km
• ⏱️ Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours (Gradual descent)
• 🥾 Difficulty Level: Moderate (Numerous stone steps)
• ✨ Highlights: Andean sunrise, Wiñay Wayna ruins, Sun Gate entrance, and the first panoramic sunset view of Machu Picchu.
• 🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (at a local restaurant).

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will prepare for the long-awaited climax of your journey. You will only need to carry a small daypack with your essentials; the hotel staff will securely store your main luggage while you explore the sanctuary. The scenic bus ride from Aguas Calientes to the main gate of Machu Picchu takes approximately 25 minutes.

Once inside the world wonder, your expert guide will lead you on a comprehensive two-hour guided tour. During this experience, you will delve deep into the history, architectural mysteries, and vibrant culture of the Inca Empire as you walk through the most significant sectors of the citadel. You will also have ample time to soak in the spiritual energy of the site and capture those final, iconic photographs.

We recommend returning to Aguas Calientes at least two hours before your train’s scheduled departure. The return rail journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes approximately two hours, offering beautiful riverside views. Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo station, our professional staff will be waiting to greet you and provide a comfortable, private transfer back to Cusco, dropping you off directly at the door of your hotel.

• 🏛️ Main Activity: Private guided tour of the Machu Picchu Citadel.
• 🏔️ Machu Picchu Elevation: 7,873 ft / 2,400 m.
• ⏱️ Tour Duration: 2-hour guided session (plus extra time for photos).
• 🚆 Return Logistics: Bus to Aguas Calientes, Train to Ollantaytambo, and private van to Cusco.
• 🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast (at the hotel). Lunch is not included.
• ✨ Highlights: In-depth exploration of Inca temples, royal quarters, and terraces; seamless door-to-door return service.