4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: The Classic Hike
Cross Dead Woman's Pass, follow original Inca stonework and arrive at the Sun Gate as Machu Picchu reveals itself below you.
The trail is
the destination.
The 4-day Inca Trail is the most iconic way to reach Machu Picchu. From the Sacred Valley, you climb through high mountain passes, cloud forest and remarkable archaeological sites.
With Wayki Trek, you’ll travel with a local team of guides, chefs and porters who know the route intimately and care about the communities they come from.
Choose How You
Want to Hike
Compare 4-Day
Inca Trail Options
4–6 Travelers Max
(Ultra-small shared)
Balanced Pace
Set by group harmony
Senior Lead Guide
(WFR / WAFA certified)
- "Wayki Experience" community immersion.
- Early Wiñaywayna camp reservation.
- Personal porter included (6 kg).
Adult: $1,200
Student: $1,111
100% Private
(Just the 2 of you)
Fully Custom Pace
Walk at your own speed
Exclusive Private Guide
Dedicated 1-on-1 attention
- Private romantic dining setup in tents.
- Tailored surprise celebrations in route.
- Maximum mountain privacy & comfort.
Adult: $2,282
Student: $2,193
100% Private
(Your private group)
Adaptable Squad Pace
Tailored to group energy
Exclusive Private Guide
Focus on group dynamics
- Private camp area for your group.
- Tiered group pricing discounts.
- Custom group briefing & celebration.
Adult: $1,234 (5+ pax)
Student: $1,145
100% Private
(Your family unit)
Kid-Friendly Pace
Frequent breaks & zero rush
Family Specialist Guide
Trained in child engagement
- Child-adapted gourmet mountain menus.
- Enhanced safety protocols for teens/kids.
- Interactive Andean storytelling.
Adult: $1,469
Student/Kid: $1,380
Four unforgettable days
in the Andes.
Pre-Trek Briefing in Cusco
Meet your lead guide and porters for an essential briefing: final kit check, trail conditions, altitude tips, and what to expect. Spend the evening packing light and preparing mentally for one of the world's great walks.
Cusco → Km 82 → Wayllabamba
Early morning transfer to Km 82 — the official trailhead. Trek through subtropical valleys, past the first Inca ruins at Llactapata, and camp in the village of Wayllabamba at 3,000 m.
Wayllabamba → Dead Woman's Pass → Pacaymayo
The hardest and most iconic day. The relentless climb to Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m) is a rite of passage — breathtaking in every sense. Descend steeply to Pacaymayo camp for a well-earned rest.
Pacaymayo → Runkurakay → Sayacmarca → Wiñay Wayna
The most archaeological day. Pass through three Inca sites — Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca — before the cloud forest descent to the spectacular terraces of Wiñay Wayna, your last camp.
Wiñay Wayna → Sun Gate → Machu Picchu
Pre-dawn departure to reach the Sun Gate at sunrise. Your first sight of Machu Picchu from Inti Punku — the moment every step was worth. Descend to explore the citadel with your guide, then transfer to Cusco.
Challenging, but not
technical.
Most of the trek is above 3,000 m, and altitude affects everyone differently.
Days 2 and 3 are the longest, with sustained climbs and descents.
Tall, uneven steps make the descents especially demanding on the knees.
Prepare before you arrive
- Acclimatize for 2–3 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
- Train with hills and stairs for 6–8 weeks.
- Aim to walk 5–6 hours with a light pack comfortably.
Support on the trail
- Trekking poles are included.
- Guides are trained in first aid and high-mountain rescue.
- Satellite phone and oxygen/first-aid kits are carried on the trek.
- The team keeps the pace slow and steady.
Which trail calls
to you?
2-Day Inca Trail
4-Day Inca Trail
5-Day Inca Trail
Everything
you need,
nothing you don't.
Prices include permits, team, food, gear and transport.
Not included: sleeping bag rental, Day 1 breakfast, Day 4 lunch, Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain ($75), tips, travel insurance.
- Official Inca Trail permit + Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Pre-trek briefing in Cusco
- Professional bilingual guide (12+ years' experience, first aid and mountain rescue trained)
- Specialist mountain chef (10+ years' experience)
- Local porters, paid fairly and carrying legal load limits
- Personal porter allowance of 8 kg for your own gear
- 3 breakfasts, 3–4 lunches, 3 dinners, daily snacks and afternoon tea
- Buffet lunches with 3–4 main dishes, cooked for energy at altitude
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other diets at no extra cost
- Safe drinking water from Day 1 lunch
- 4-season mountain tents
- Therm-a-Rest inflatable mattresses
- Trekking poles (1 pair per person)
- Dining tent, kitchen tent and eco-friendly portable toilet
- Satellite phone, radios and full first-aid/emergency kit
- Private transport from Cusco to Km 82
- Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes
- Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transfer back to your Cusco hotel
500 permits.
~200 for
hikers like you.
Sell out
Months ahead for May–October. June–August goes fastest.
Non-transferable
Government rules: no refunds, no transfers, no date changes.
Passport-linked
Bring the same passport you booked with — checked at Km 82.
Our advice
Book 6–10 months ahead for high season, 3–4 months for other times.
Best time to
hike the trail
Peak Dry
May – SepClear skies and sunny days, but very cold nights (can drop below 0°C). Highest crowd levels; permits sell out months in advance.
Shoulder
Apr & OctGreen landscapes and pleasant weather with significantly fewer hikers. Ideal balance of conditions and crowd size.
Rainy
Nov – MarRegular afternoon showers and lush, green cloud forests. Lowest crowd levels and easiest permit availability.
Closed
FebruaryTrail Closed: Annual conservation and trail maintenance month.
What does it
actually cost?
$2,500+
per person with licensed operators
Small group, all inclusions
Private group pricing drops per person as group grows.
- Students with valid university ID
- Groups of 5 or more
- Early bookings 6+ months ahead
Add-ons: Huayna Picchu ($75), train upgrades, extra porter, extra night in Aguas Calientes.
What to Bring.
Local roots.
Thoughtful trekking.
Cusco-based
Our office is at Calle Quera 239, and we answer our own phones.
Porters first
Fair pay, legal loads, proper gear. Meet the team's families on Wayki.
Lower impact
Waste control, biodegradable products and community reforestation support.
Safety first
Satellite phone, radios, first-aid kits and guides trained in mountain rescue.
Mountain cuisine
Andean and international dishes cooked fresh at every camp.
Questions travelers ask most
Ready to walk the classic Inca Trail?
Choose your group type, check permit availability and start planning your journey to Machu Picchu.
