Day 1: Cusco - Km 82 - Wayllabamba - Ayapata

Begin your Inca Trail adventure with an early pick-up at your hotel in Cusco around 4:30 a.m. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley, such as Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, we will pick you up a little later, after 6:00 a.m. We will travel for approximately 2.5 hours to Km 82 (Village of Piscacucho), the starting point of this epic 4-day trek to Machu Picchu. First, we will make a stop in Ollantaytambo to enjoy a delicious breakfast and buy any last minute items you may need for the trek.
We will arrive at the starting point at Km 82 around 8:00 a.m., where you will meet our amazing team of cooks and porters. After a quick passport check at the checkpoint, we will be ready to begin our experience to the Legendary Lost City of the Incas.
The first section of the hike is an easy 2-hour walk to Patallacta, an ancient site along the Inca Trail route. From this unique location, you will enjoy beautiful views of this site surrounded by mountains and rivers. Then, we will walk for 2 more hours to the village of Wayllabamba, where our team will prepare a delicious lunch with fresh local ingredients.
After a nice lunch, we will continue for another 2 hours to Ayapata, the first campsite on the Inca Trail, arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m. You will find your tent, a snack and a hot drink waiting for you. Before tea time and dinner, there will be plenty of time to relax, prepare your bed and enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery.

• Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi
• Duration: 6 hours
• Campsite Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
• Maximum Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Ayapata - Dead Woman's Pass - Chaquicocha

The most challenging day of the 4-day trek to Machu Picchu! We will start early, bringing you a cup of freshly brewed coffee or coca tea directly to your tent. After breakfast, we will head out for a 4-hour hike to the Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft), the highest point on the Inca Trail. At the top, we will stop to appreciate the serenity of this magical place, enjoying its calm with a coca tea while your guide performs a traditional offering ceremony to thank the mountain spirits, the Apus. After enjoying the breathtaking views, we will descend for 2 hours to the Pacaymayo Alto Valley for a well-deserved lunch and rest, preparing the body for the second part of the day.
After lunch, the second section is an easier two-hour hike to Runkuraqay Pass (4,000 m / 13,123 ft) and another 2 hours of descent to the second camp; on the way, you will explore two Inca sites: Runkuraqay and Sayacmarca. The second camp will be at Chaquicocha (dry lake, 3600 m / 11,811 ft), where you can admire a beautiful sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range before dinner. At nightfall, this place offers a clear view of the sky, perfect for stargazing and marveling at the constellations.

• Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 mi
• Duration: 10 hours
• Campsite Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
• Maximum Altitude: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3: Chaquicocha - Intipata - Wiñaywayna

With the difficult part of the Inca Trail behind you, today you can relax and enjoy the most relaxing and exciting day of the trek. Today's route is extremely varied; it is only a 5-hour hike to the final camp. On the way, you will pass through several different ecosystems, experience the atmospheric cloud forest and observe the magnificent panoramic view of Salkantay Mountain (the second highest peak in Cusco). We will visit 2 Inca sites, Phuyupatamarca (City in the Clouds), with spectacular views of the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu Mountain, and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun).
At Intipata, you will have time to rest and enjoy the magical surroundings. We will arrive at the camp around 1:00 p.m. for lunch, and then you will have free time to relax, rest at the camp, chase llamas or take a refreshing shower. Later in the afternoon, we will visit the Inca site of Wiñaywayna, where your guide will explain the history of this incredible place. Then we will return to the camp for tea time, dinner and a special farewell surprise.

• Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
• Duration: 5 hours
• Campsite Altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
• Maximum Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, teatime, dinner
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Discover Machu Picchu - Cusco

On our last day of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you must get up very early to prepare for the highlight of your experience: Visiting Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas! We will go directly to the checkpoint and wait until it opens at 5:30 a.m. As the sky lights up, we will walk for an hour to the Sun Gate (Intipunku), enjoying the breathtaking views. On a clear day, you will be able to see the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, a truly unforgettable view. Then, we will begin a final 1-hour descent to Machu Picchu, arriving at the last checkpoint at around 8:00 a.m.
Your guide will take you on a full 2 to 3 hour tour of the most important sites of the Inca City. If you are looking for an additional challenge, you can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (tickets should be booked as far in advance as possible). After the tour, you will take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then travel on the panoramic train (Vistadome or 360°). The TreXperience team will meet you at the train station and take you back to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Approximate arrival time in Cusco is around 7:30 p.m.

• Hiking Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi
• Hiking Duration: 2-3 Hours
• Maximum Altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate