Luxury Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 4 days - 2025 & 2026


Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Highlights: Llactapata, Wayllabamba, Runkurakay, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñay Wayna, Inti Punku, Sun Gate, Machu Picchu
Type of tour: Adventure
Place: Cusco - Perú
Price per person from $ 2,999.00 USD

The Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most amazing experiences you can undertake. The Famous Inka trail was a royal route to Machu Picchu used by the Inka (or Emperor/King)in the 15th century. There are different sites between Ollantaytambo Inca City and Machu Picchu Inka City where one can note the variety in architectural resources that give rationality, importance and mysticism to the Royal Road. It did not have a commercial use; there were other, more simple, trails to transport products, llamas and people to Machu Picchu. The purpose of the Inka Trail to Machupicchu was religious and ceremonial that included rituals to honor the mountains and peaks of the route, like Veronica mountain or Wakaywilka mountain.

Experience this one-of-a-kind combination of adventure, challenge, natural beauty, history, and glamour.

Highlights:

  • All equipment is included in this 4-day Glamping Experience.
  • Stay in spacious walk-in tents, dining tents, and massage tents
  • Queen and twin-size camping cots and comfortable bedding.
  • Hot showers and massage sessions every afternoon.
  • Personal porter included for 7 kg (15 lb) of your gear.
  • Try the innovative Peruvian gourmet cuisine on the route.
  • Arrive at the Inca sites early morning.
  • Return on the exclusive Vistadome Observatory Train

 

 

ITINERARY

Day 1: Transfer by minivan from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, later transfer to Km 82 Piscacucho

Day 1: Transfer by minivan from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, later transfer to Km 82 Piscacucho
Day 1: Transfer by minivan from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, later transfer to Km 82 Piscacucho

  • Meals: Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner.
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities.
  • Distance: 11kms/6.8 miles (6 hours more or less of hiking)
  • Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.
  • Walking Time: Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch in the route)
  • Walk and Terrain: Walk, canter, on open roads, some steep ascending trails

Today begins your adventure of a lifetime, the Classic Inca Trail and the Gem of Maras Salt Mines.  We will pick you up from your hotel in our private van very early in the morning at 5:30am. Transfer to Maras and a Wonderfull trek to the Sacred Valley along the Salt mines of Maras, a precious gem: The Maras Salt mines.A myriad of salt crusted terraces precariously nestles against the steep mountain sides, while a steady stream of mineral rich water trickles down with a silent gargling that somehow defies time. The ponds, you ought to know, have been in use since the times of the Incas and before. An hour trek to the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, where our van going to wait for a transfer to Piskacucho, which is called kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins.  On the way, we stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo at 6:30-7am to load up on energy for our start of the trail.  (Breakfast is not included).Upon arrival at kilometer 82 at 11:30am, we will have some time to organize ourselves,. At the Inca Trail first control point be ready to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) your student card.

At the start of the trail (2720m/8923ft) we cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy, a warm-up along the Inca flat terrain.  There are great views of the Incan Fortress (‘Huillca Raccay’), the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata, (officially called ‘Patallacta’), and the beautiful snow-capped peak of ‘W’akay Willca’ (5860m/19225ft) known in books as Veronica. Our first campsite Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft) in the temperate green valley of the same name. Temperatures at night are around 5ºC depending on the month.

During the day, we will enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains Veronica, (5,860m/19,337ft), the lush green valley around us and a myriad of flora and fauna.


Map - Day 1: Transfer by minivan from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, later transfer to Km 82 Piscacucho
Map - Day 1: Transfer by minivan from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, later transfer to Km 82 Piscacucho

Day 2: Trekking “Wayllabamba to Pacaymayuc/ Runkuraqay”

Day 2: Trekking  “Wayllabamba to Pacaymayuc/ Runkuraqay”
Day 2: Trekking “Wayllabamba to Pacaymayuc/ Runkuraqay”

  • Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and Dinner.
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities.
  • Distance: 16kms/10mls (9 hours more or less of hiking time)
  • Difficulty: Moderate/challenge

After waking up at 5 to 5:30am and enjoying a hot breakfast, we start a steep ascent towards the highest pass, Pass of Warrmihuañusca or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4200m/13779ft.  On this day, you will feel a real sense of achievement upon reaching the top! After a well-deserved rest, we begin the descent to where we stop for lunch, which is located at Pacaymayu (3550m/11646ft).

On our way up to the pass, we will be able to see an array of hummingbirds and a combination of other species of bird life. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and the ´Polylepis´ or Q’ueuña trees which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft! After lunch, begins the second two-hour steep climb to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4000m/13,123ft). We arrive at our campsite by 5 pm. Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night.


Map - Day 2: Trekking  “Wayllabamba to Pacaymayuc/ Runkuraqay”
Map - Day 2: Trekking “Wayllabamba to Pacaymayuc/ Runkuraqay”

Day 3: Trekking “Pacaymayuc to Wiñayhuayna”

Day 3: Trekking “Pacaymayuc to Wiñayhuayna”
Day 3: Trekking “Pacaymayuc to Wiñayhuayna”

  • Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner.
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities and hot showers.
  • Distance: 10kms/6.2mls (5 hours more or less of hiking)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
     

This is the most impressive day so far; keep this in mind as you ascend on day three! We wake up for breakfast at 6am and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’).  Here we reach the third highest point on the Inca trail (3680m/). The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular!. The Inca site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’, is located a few minutes’ walk from the third pass.  After visiting this site, we continue walking down 3000 stairs through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Incan site of ‘Intipata. After taking some time to visit this site, we continue until we arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna. (2680m/8792ft). Today, we will only walk about 4 to 5 hours.  We arrive at camp by lunchtime!  Temperatures during the night are about 12º C. A short walk from our campsite is the famous Incan site of ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are feeling tired after your day’s trek, it´s a moment you cannot miss, the most impressive site on the Inca trail.


Map - Day 3: Trekking “Pacaymayuc to Wiñayhuayna”
Map - Day 3: Trekking “Pacaymayuc to Wiñayhuayna”

Day 4: Wiñayhuayna - Inti - Punku - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Day 4: Wiñayhuayna - Inti - Punku - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Day 4: Wiñayhuayna - Inti - Punku - Machu Picchu - Cusco

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Distance: 6kms / 3.7mls
  • Difficulty: Easy

At around 4:00am it´s time to wake up, have breakfast and start day 4 on the Inca trail to get to Machu Picchu on time. This is the final part of your journey, arriving by 6:00am to reach Inti Punku or The Sun Gate. At that point, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel is in front of us with its intense beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. The reality of what the Inca people must have encountered on their taxing journey to this expansive temple of Machu Picchu. At this point, we walk downhill towards the Machu Picchu Citadel. (2400m/7872 ft.) After walking 40 minutes, we enter the citadel from the top through the “House of the Guardians”. From there we proceed to the control point where we register and leave our belongings. Your professional guide will direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made from stone. Machu Picchu is considered as the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. Once the guided tour is over, you will have free time to explore the site on your own.


You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price)
•    Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.
•    Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs.


Back to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes by bus (included) and later board the Expedition train by 4:22pm to the Ollantaytambo Train Station where you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco arriving around 8:30pm.
 


Map - Day 4: Wiñayhuayna - Inti - Punku - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Map - Day 4: Wiñayhuayna - Inti - Punku - Machu Picchu - Cusco

End of our Services

RESERVATIONS

For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@salkantaytrek.org or by WhatsApp (+51) 970 506 205 and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.

Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:

"Inka Trail Expeditions Perú is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations, offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget

NOTE: Inka Trail Expeditions Perú, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.

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Availability 2025 & 2026

Inca Trail Permits 2025  & 2026

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Great experience
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We had a great experience at the Lares Trek with our guide Yisus and chef Victoriano! Yisus is a very caring guide & with a lot of knowledge about the surroundings and history. We were gladly suprised about the wunderful meals Victoriano could cook with limited gear. It was the perfect trip for us,...


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Myself and my girlfriend had an unbelievable trip. We had the best tour guide, Eder who was very knowledgeable, helpful and great fun to be around. He made the trip very memorable. The company is very well organised, from the buses to and from Cusco, the accommodation, and the food. Every day we...


Una experiencia para el recuerdo.
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