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The classic route · 4 days / 3 nights

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.

44 km / 27 miTotal distance
4,215 mDead Woman's Pass
4 days3 nights camping
ChallengingMountain hike at altitude
The original Machu Picchu trek

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.

Llactapata, Runkurakay & Wiñay Wayna
Expert guides, chefs & porters
Small groups or private treks
Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate

Compare 4-Day
Inca Trail Options

CATEGORY & PROFILE
GROUP SIZE & PRIVACY
PACING & FLEXIBILITY
SPECIALIZED GUIDE
EXCLUSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
INVESTMENT (USD)
ACTION
Shared GroupBest for: Solo travelers & social explorers

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

Couples ExplorersBest for: Honeymooners & ultimate intimacy

100% Private

(Just the 2 of you)

Fully Custom Pace

Walk at your own speed

Exclusive Private Guide

Dedicated 1-on-1 attention

  • Private "Wayki Experience" with a romantic Andean blessing.
  • Tailored surprise celebrations in route.
  • Maximum mountain privacy & comfort.

Adult: $2,282

Student: $2,193

For FriendsBest for: Adventure squads & reunions

100% Private

(Your private group)

Adaptable Squad Pace

Tailored to group energy

Exclusive Private Guide

Focus on group dynamics

  • Interactive "Wayki Experience" with group farming and music.
  • Private camp area for your group.
  • Tiered group pricing discounts.
  • Custom group briefing & celebration.

Adult: $1,234 (5+ pax)

Student: $1,145

For FamiliesBest for: Parents, kids & teens

100% Private

(Your family unit)

Kid-Friendly Pace

Frequent breaks & zero rush

Family Specialist Guide

Trained in child engagement

  • Kid-friendly "Wayki Experience" with alpaca interaction.
  • Child-adapted gourmet mountain menus.
  • Enhanced safety protocols for teens/kids.
  • Interactive Andean storytelling.

Adult: $1,469

Student/Kid: $1,380

Your Journey

Four unforgettable days
in the Andes.

Day 0

Pre-Trek Briefing & Optional Wayki Experience.

Meet your guide and team for an essential briefing and gear check. Afterwards, spend the evening preparing in Cusco or join the optional Wayki Experience for a cultural overnight stay in our porters' village.

Day 1

Cusco → Km 82 → Wayllabamba

~12 km · 5–7 hours
Km 82 → Llactapata → 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.

Moderate
Day 2

Wayllabamba → Dead Woman's Pass → Pacaymayo

~11–12 km · 7–9 hours · 4,215 m
Wayllabamba → Warmiwañuska → 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.

Challenging
Day 3

Pacaymayo → Runkurakay → Sayacmarca → Wiñay Wayna

~16 km · 8–10 hours
Second Pass → Third Pass → 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.

Challenging
Day 4

Wiñay Wayna → Sun Gate → Machu Picchu

~5 km · 2–3 hours
Wiñay Wayna → Inti Punku → 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.

Moderate
How hard is the 4- day inca trail?

Challenging, but not
technical.

4,215 m
Altitude

Most of the trek is above 3,000 m, and altitude affects everyone differently.

7–9 hrs
Long days

Days 2 and 3 are the longest, with sustained climbs and descents.

Stone steps
Original Inca trail

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.
What's included

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
  • Authentic cultural immersion: Hands-on activities with our porters and their native families.
  • Ancestral music & dance: Traditional Andean evening gathering and community storytelling.
  • 1 night accommodation: Homestay experience in a local village home or private tent.
  • Community meals: 1 traditional lunch and 1 authentic dinner using fresh native ingredients
Permits

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.

To secure your permit, send us:
Full name · Passport number & expiry · Date of birth · Nationality · Student ID (if applicable)50% deposit secures permits. Balance due 15 days before your trek.
What to go

Best time to
hike the trail

SeasonMonthsTrail Conditions & Highlights

Peak Dry

May – Sep

Clear skies and sunny days, but very cold nights (can drop below 0°C). Highest crowd levels; permits sell out months in advance.

Shoulder

Apr & Oct

Green landscapes and pleasant weather with significantly fewer hikers. Ideal balance of conditions and crowd size.

Rainy

Nov – Mar

Regular afternoon showers and lush, green cloud forests. Lowest crowd levels and easiest permit availability.

Closed

February

Trail Closed: Annual conservation and trail maintenance month.

Investment

What does it
actually cost?

Industry Range
$800–
$2,500+

per person with licensed operators

Wayki Trek — Shared Group
from $1,200

Small group, all inclusions


Private group pricing drops per person as group grows.

Discounts
  • 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.

Why not the cheapest? Very low prices usually mean overloaded porters, large crowds, worn gear and poor food. Our prices include fair wages and a team large enough to look after you properly.
Pack List

What to Bring.

Waterproof hiking bootsRain coverThermal baseWaterproof shellGlovesDown jacketSwimsuitSleeping bag rated to −10 °CHeadlampSunglasses2 L reusable bottlesSun hatQuick-dry towelSpare batteriesSPF 50+FleecePersonal medicationWarm hatInsect repellent for cloud forestOriginal passport
Why travel with us

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.

Quick Answers

Questions travelers ask most

The classic 4-day Inca Trail is about 44 km (27 miles). It starts at Km 82 near Ollantaytambo and ends at Machu Picchu. Most hikers walk 5–9 hours on each of the first three days and 2–3 hours on the last morning.
Book 6–10 months ahead for May–October and at least 3–4 months ahead for other months. Only about 200–250 hikers get permits each day, and permits can't be changed after they are issued.
No. Peruvian law requires every Inca Trail hiker to go with a licensed operator and a certified guide. Permits can only be bought through licensed operators.
In tents at official campsites. With Wayki Trek these are near Wayllabamba, Pacaymayo and Wiñay Wayna. We supply 4-season tents and inflatable mattresses, and our porters set up camp before you get there.
Our guides are trained in first aid and high-mountain rescue. They carry a first-aid kit and a satellite phone and check on every hiker throughout the day. Acclimatizing in Cusco before the trek is the best way to prevent problems.
Official campsites have basic toilet blocks. Wayki Trek also brings a private eco-friendly portable toilet tent for our groups.
Yes. Active children and teenagers complete it every season. See our 4-Day Inca Trail for Families: a private trek with a flexible pace and a family-specialist guide. Not sure about four days? The 2-Day Inca Trail is a shorter, lower option.
Your adventure starts here

Ready to walk the classic Inca Trail?

Choose your group type, check permit availability and start planning your journey to Machu Picchu.

Check Inca Trail Availability

VOICES OF OUR EXPLORERS

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Rind1 profile picture
Rind1
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An Unforgettable 4 Day Trek to Machu Picchu We can’t thank Carlos and his team enough for such an amazing experience. If you’re planning to do the Inca Trail, we’d definitely recommend Wayki Trek. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and even when we hit some really bad weather, we always felt safe and well looked after. It was really important to us that the porters were treated well, and it was clear that the company genuinely cares about them. Everything was so well organised from start to finish, and we’ll always remember our four days trekking to Machu Picchu. Couldn’t recommend them enough!
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Khalil E profile picture
Khalil E
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Matchu Picchu trek (2d/1n) Very nice trek to Machu Picchu! The hike was well organized, and our guide was excellent. He shared lots of interesting information throughout the trek and made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommended!
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Brice C profile picture
Brice C
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Trip of a lifetime on the Inca trail, supported by the absolute best Trek company ! Thank you to the Wayki Trek team for an amazing Inca Trail experience from beginning to end. The booking process was extremely efficient and reactive, with excellent preparation advice and friendly service. The trek experience itself was extremely professional and perfectly led by our guide Jose from beginning to end, and the possibility to hike with a small group made it much easier and enjoyable. Our guide's knowledge of Inca culture and history, as well as the ecosystems we crossed along the path, was truly incredible and his knowledge of the Inca trail itself was second to none (I particularly appreciated how we were advised to take breaks before the most challenging moments). The logistics team, from the porters to the chef, was friendly and very helpful. Everyone was extremely attentive and the food we were served on the trail was delicious and nothing short of a miracle considering the limited resources and facilities offered by some of the camp sites. It was the trip of a lifetime for us. Thank you again for an experience that surpassed all our expectations !
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torialen profile picture
torialen
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experience of a lifetime! Our group of 9 hiked the Lares + Inca trail 4d/3n with Wayki Trek in early June. We started planning our trip 9-months prior to our travel date and reserved our trail spots 7-months in advance. Working with Wayki Trek was easy - they were extremely responsive with all of our questions. We are so thankful to Americo for the time he spent helping us plan and prepare. Once on the trail, we were very fortunate to have José as our main guide. With more than 20 years of experience, José is truly the best: he is knowledgeable, encouraging, and patient. On Lares, we hiked for miles as the only ones on the trail surrounded by incredible Andes views. We are so thankful to the Huacahuasi and Patacancha communities for being so welcoming and sharing their culture with us. Once on the Inca Trail, it was much busier, but we were up early and out ahead of most other groups - José ensured that we got the best experience, photos, and information. Wayki Trek offers a private and personable experience. The “Explorer Friends” option meant we could limit our group to our travelers only. All of our meals along the trail were incredibly fresh and delicious. Thank you so much to the amazing chefs and porters that worked so hard to care for our group. As a special bonus, a Wayki Trek photographer hiked the Lares section with us, capturing professional photos of our group that were shared after our return home. We will never forget our quiet and calm hours on the Lares trail nor the moment we came upon Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail Sun Gate. We are so grateful to Wayki Trek for this incredible experience.
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Dan D profile picture
Dan D
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Amazing Experience We hiked 4D/3N starting on May 13th. It was an amazing experience, Josce was patient, kind and so passionate. He was so patient while we walked at our pace, we weren't rushed at all, which we had heard was a challenge with some other companies. He was kind and attentive with every member of our group of four, checking on everyone even when we went on separately a little bit as we went at our own pace. The passion he showed in the history of the trail, of the people and the country was very contagious. It made me want to learn more. The best thing I can say is my wife and I felt safe and taken care of on the trail, which allowed us to enjoyed it all so much. Josce's team was fantastic to deal with the porters were amazing with how quickly they moved on the trail. They would break down the camp after we left, pass us on the trail, meet us at a fully set up camp with food waiting for us. Yet they cheered when we made it to camp like we did something great while they did all the work. They aren't appreciated enough no matter how much we appreciate them. The chef's were great, the food was always good and there was always so much of it. We watched a few hikers being escorted off the trail for medical reasons which made the risks a little more real to us. It made us so happy we went with a smaller group and were lucky enough to have Josce and his team lead us. Thank you for making a great experience even better!
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shirleya1976 profile picture
shirleya1976
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Our trek to Machu Picchu was an incredible experience Our trek to Machu Picchu was an incredible experience, and a huge part of that was thanks to our guide, Jose. He was extremely attentive throughout the entire trek, always checking in on how everyone was doing. My husband was having issues with his knee, and Jose frequently made sure he was okay and able to continue comfortably. Jose was also incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the history of the Incan sites. His enthusiasm made the experience even more meaningful and engaging. Beyond that, he was very friendly, joked around with the group, and helped ease some of the “torment” of the trek with his sense of humor and encouragement. The porters were absolutely amazing. They worked so hard to ensure everything arrived at camp on time and that camp was fully set up and ready for us each day. Their effort and dedication were truly impressive. The food throughout the trek was excellent — always tasty, well prepared, and there was plenty to choose from. I especially want to give a huge shoutout to the chefs. I have Celiac disease, and they took such great care with my meals that I made it through the entire trek without becoming ill from gluten exposure or cross-contamination. That level of care meant so much to me and allowed me to fully enjoy the experience without worry. Overall, this was an unforgettable adventure, made even better by the incredible team that supported us every step of the way.
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Laura G
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Salkantay 5 day — Amazing!! Amazing company. Small groups. Fantastic service. Great tents. Great food! Great guide and cooks!
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Sara Z profile picture
Sara Z
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Amazing Salkantay trek We had the most amazing trek on the Salkantay trek with Wayki! The guide, Josce, was wonderful, shared so much valuable information, and made sure each of us were successful in the hike. The three meals provided each day were above and beyond excellent and it was so nice to walk into camp with our tents set up for us. I can’t express how thankful I was for the entire Wayki team!
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Kaylee D profile picture
Kaylee D
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Best Adventure Guiding Company Ever!!!! We booked both the Rainbow Mountain full day and the Machu Picchu/Huayna Picchu full day tours/hikes. Wayki trek has been incredible from the beginning. Quick to answer emails regarding any questions my group had, very upfront about the pricing and the details of the days we had planned. We had Domingo as our guide for Rainbow Mountain and Miguel as our guide for Machu Picchu — could not recommend either one of them more!! They were both phenomenal and so informational about the cultures and sights. The guides always had our tickets and everything prepared and ready to go. Traveling to the sites was seamless, and the communication the days before the trip was very helpful to help know what to pack for the treks. Will absolutely be back to book another tour with this company the next time we are back in Peru!
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David I profile picture
David I
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Unforgettable 4-Day Inca Trail Experience with Wayki Trek Planning the Inca Trail can be challenging, especially when choosing an operator due to mixed online reviews about porter conditions and overall quality. I can confidently say that choosing Wayki Trek was one of the best decisions we made. From the very beginning, communication with the office was quick, clear, and professional. On the trail, everything was exceptionally well organized, from the quality of the camping equipment to the meals and daily logistics. One aspect we truly appreciated was being part of a small group. It made the experience far more personal, relaxed, and immersive, and allowed the days to be paced perfectly without feeling rushed or crowded. Our guide, Josce, was outstanding. He shared his deep passion and knowledge of Inca history, took the time to explain sites in detail, and perfectly paced each day so that it felt like we had the whole trail to ourselves. His attention to detail and care for the group truly elevated the experience. The entire crew deserves enormous respect. The porters were incredibly strong, kind, and clearly well looked after, something that really mattered to us when choosing an operator. Special mention to Andres, the chef: the food was exceptional and among the best we had in all of Peru, with generous portions and even insights into traditional cooking methods. We did the 4-day small group Inca Trail in January, during the rainy season, which meant the trail was quieter and the experience felt more personal, something we absolutely appreciated. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience made unforgettable by a passionate, professional, and caring team. Wayki Trek looked after us incredibly well, and we feel very lucky to have experienced the Inca Trail with them. Highly recommended.

Inca trail 4 days

CONTACT US

Don't be told, live it! Wayki Trek is a Tour Company in Cusco, Peru specializing in Inca Trails to Machu Picchu, Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu and tours around Cusco region, with environmental and social responsibility always as a priority

Get in Touch:

Reservations & Inquiries: +51 969-775-002 (WhatsApp)
Trip Coordination: +51 987-378-388
24/7 Emergency Line: +51 984-693-474

Visit Our Office: Calle Quera 239, Cusco, Peru

Business Hours (GMT-5):
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

WE ARE COMMITTED TO GIVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE

WhatsApp: +51 969-775-002

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