Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Highlights

Embark on the Ultimate Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Adventure: Where History, Nature, and Social Change ConvergeAre you ready to step back in time and experience one of the world’s most iconic treks? Evolution Treks Peru invites you to join us on an unforgettable journey along the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. As Peru’s only worker-owned tour company, we offer more than just a hike – we provide a transformative experience that combines ancient wonders, breathtaking landscapes, and a commitment to ethical tourism.

Unveil the Secrets of the Inca Empire

• Trek the masterpiece of 15th-century engineering, marveling at precision-fit stonework
• Explore hidden Inca treasures like Patallacta, Runkurakay, and Winay Wayna
• Learn from our expert guides, academically trained to share the latest historical insights

Immerse Yourself in Nature’s Diversity

• Journey through diverse microclimates, from high-altitude puna to lush cloud forests
• Discover unique flora and fauna, including rare orchids and elusive Andean wildlife
• Engage in easy scientific inquiry to understand the delicate ecosystems you’re traversing

Experience Unparalleled Moments

• Witness the awe-inspiring sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate
• Savor gourmet meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients by our expert chefs
• Rest easy in top-quality American-made tents and cozy sleeping bags

Why Choose Evolution Treks Peru for your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu adventure?

• Worker-owned and locally operated, committed to social justice and sustainable travel
• Award-winning service recognized by major media outlets worldwide
• State-of-the-art safety equipment, including satellite communication devices
• Porter support allows you to focus on the journey, not your luggage
• Seamless hotel-to-hotel service in Cusco or the Sacred Valley

Join Us in Making a Difference
By choosing Evolution Treks Peru, you’re not just booking a tour – you’re supporting:

• Ethical and sustainable tourism practices
• Women’s empowerment in the trekking industry
• Fair wages and working conditions for local communities

Limited Spots Available – Book Your Life-Changing Adventure Today!

Remember, Inca Trail permits are limited and must be secured at least six months in advance.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary journey.

Prices starting from $890 per person for our 4-Day Group Inca Trail Trek
ISIC Student cardholders enjoy a $25 USD discount (valid card required at booking).

Ready to make history?

Contact us now to reserve your spot on the Inca Trail trek and experience the magic of Machu Picchu with Evolution Treks Peru – where every step is a step towards a better future.

INCA TRAIL HIKE DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN

Day 1: Cusco – KM82 – Ayapata

• Hiking distance: 14 km (8.7 miles)
• Starting elevation: 2,720 m (8,923 ft)
• Campsite elevation: 3,300 m (10,829 ft)
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
• Weather: Warm during the day, cool at night
• Highlights: Ccanabamba and Llactapata ruins

Your Inca Trail trek begins! After an early pickup in Cusco, you’ll start your hike at KM82. Today’s trek offers beautiful views of the Urubamba River and your first glimpse of snow-capped mountains.

Day 2: Ayapata – Dead Woman’s Pass – Runkuracay Pass – Chaquicocha

• Hiking distance: 16 km (9.9 miles)
• Starting elevation: 3,300 m (10,829 ft)
• Campsite elevation: 3,600 m (11,811 ft)
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Weather: Cold, especially at passes
• Highlights: Runkuracay and Sayacmarca ruins

The most challenging day of the awaits! You’ll conquer two high mountain passes, including the infamous Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m / 13,828 ft). The views are spectacular, but pace yourself and stay hydrated.

Day 3: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca Pass – Wiñaywayna

• Hiking distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Starting elevation: 3,600 m (11,811 ft)
• Campsite elevation: 2,680 m (8,792 ft)
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
• Weather: Cool, becoming warmer as you descend
• Highlights: Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, and Wiñay Wayna ruinsToday offers the most diverse scenery, from cloud forests to stunning Inca sites. The day ends at Wiñay Wayna, your final campsite with hot showers available.

Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchua

• Hiking distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
• Starting elevation: 2,680 m (8,792 ft)
• Campsite elevation: 2,430 m (7,972 ft)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Weather: Warm and often misty

An early start leads you to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Descend into the citadel for a guided tour before returning to Cusco via train and bus. The MAchu picchu

Remember: Weather can vary, so pack layers.

Acclimatize in Cusco before the trek to help with altitude. This journey is challenging but incredibly rewarding – you’ve got this!

WHATS THE BEST MONTHS OF THE YEAR FOR AN INCA TRAIL HIKE?

The best months to hike the Inca Trail are generally considered to be:

• April to October: This is the dry season, which is generally considered the best time to hike the Inca Trail.
• May to September: These are the peak dry season months, offering the most stable weather conditions.
• April and May: These shoulder season months are highlighted as particularly good, offering a balance of decent weather and fewer crowds.
• September and October: Also considered good shoulder season months.

Some key points about the best time to hike:

• The dry season (May-September) offers clearer skies, less rain, and better visibility, but it’s also the busiest time on the trail.
• July and August are the peak tourist months, so while the weather is good, the trail will be very crowded.
• April, May, September, and October are often recommended as they offer a good balance of weather and smaller crowds.
• The rainy season (November-March) is generally not recommended, with December-February being the wettest months.
• February is when the Inca Trail is closed for annual maintenance.

It’s important to note that weather can be unpredictable, and you should be prepared for various conditions regardless of when you hike. Also, permits for the Inca Trail can sell out months in advance, especially for the peak season, so early booking is recommended.

INCA TRAIL ITINERARY

Day 1: CUSCO – KM 82 – HUAYLLABAMBA

Cusco to Inca Trail We will depart from Cusco early in the morning (between 4:30 am and 5:00 am) and travel by bus for two hours to KM 82 (Piskacucho), where we begin our Inca Trail trek. Along the way, we’ll see the stunning Urubamba mountain range and the snow-capped Wakay Willca (Veronica) peak, which stands at 5860m/1922ft.

Our hike on the first day covers a distance of 6.8 miles/11 km and takes approximately 5-6 hours. This moderate/easy trek will help you acclimate to the altitude as we climb from 2720m/8923ft to 3000m/8984ft. We’ll stop to enjoy lunch on the way and have dinner at our campsite in the small village of Wayllabamba, where we’ll be camping in tents.

Day 2: HUAYLLABAMBA – DEAD WOMAN’S PASS – PACAYMAYU ALTO

Inca Trail – Hiking On the second day, we’ll wake up early (6:00 am) and hike 7.4 miles/12 km, which takes approximately 6-7 hours. This difficult trek starts with a steep ascent from our campsite at 3000m/10700ft to the highest pass (Abra de Huarmihuañusca/’Dead Woman’s Pass’) at 4200m/13779ft.

After a well-deserved rest, we’ll descend for 2 hours to our campsite at Pacaymayu, located at 3550m/11646ft. Along the way, we’ll see an incredible variety of flora and fauna, including many species of birds and trees such as the ‘Polilepys’ or Q’ueuña tree, which grow in the stunning cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft.

Day 3: PACAYMAYU ALTO – PHUYUPATAMARKA – WINAYWAYNA

Inca Trail – Hiking On day three, we’ll start our hike at 6:00 am and cover a 9.9 miles/16km distance in approximately 9 hours. This is the most fantastic trek day, as we visit several archaeological sites and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

We’ll climb from 3550m/11646ft to 4000m/13123ft to the second highest point on the trail and then have a steep descent to the archaeological site of Sayacmarca. From there, we’ll ascend further to 3680m/12073ft and visit the Inca site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning town in the clouds), before walking through the impressive agricultural Inca site of ‘Intipata’. We’ll be camping in tents at a Wiñay Wayna campsite at 2680m/8792ft.

Day 4: WINAYWAYNA – INTIPUNKU (SUNGATE) – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Inca Trail – Machu Picchu Park – Cusco On the last day, we’ll wake up early (3:30 am) to allow our porters enough time to pack up our campsite and head down to their train stop to catch their train to Cusco. After a quick early breakfast, we’ll head to the last checkpoint of the Inca trail, where we’ll wait for about an hour until the gate opens at 5:30 am. We’ll then hike a moderate one-hour ascent to Inti Punku

INCLUDED

Expert Guides: Our bilingual guides have extensive regional knowledge and will provide informative commentary throughout your trek.

Experienced Crew: Our team of experienced chefs and porters – both women and men – will be with you every step to ensure your comfort and safety.

Entrance Fees: All necessary entrance fees and Inca Trail permits are included in the price of your tour.

Transportation: We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and provide round-trip transportation to Kilometer 82, the trail’s starting point. On day four, you’ll take the Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then a bus to Cusco.

Food and Drink: We provide three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day. Please note that breakfast on day one and lunch on day four in Aguas Calientes are not included. While water is not included for the first 4 hours of the trek, we will provide you with boiled water for drinking for the remainder of the tour.

Equipment: We provide a dining tent with tables and chairs, a cook and assistant cook, a 2-person tent, a basic foam sleeping pads, and a one-way bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. We also provide an oxygen bottle, first aid kit, and safety briefing the day before the tour at 6:00 pm. Video briefing is available. All of our guests receive complimentary luggage storage.

Accommodations: During your trek, you will stay in our state-of-the-art Kelty Dirt Motel, 3-people tents for every two travelers. We also offer a single tent supplement for an additional cost (65USD)

Organic Meals: All meals are prepared with organic, locally-grown ingredients during the trek.

Entrance Tickets: Your tour includes entrance tickets to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu and a bus down to Aguas Calientes from Machu Picchu.

Train Ride: You’ll enjoy a tourist Expedition train ride to return to your starting point.

Emergency Equipment: Our staff is Wilderness first aid trained, and we have a first-aid kit and oxygen tanks for emergencies.

Optional Services for Rent:

• Sleeping Bag (Kelty Synthetic, Comfort Level 20°F / -7°C) – $60

• Walking Sticks (Kelty) – $25 per pair
• Inflatable Trekking Sleeping Pad (Therm-a-Rest Pro Lite Plus) – $50
• Camping Pillow (Therm-a-Rest) – $25

Trekking Comfort Package:

Rent our Trekking Comfort Package (all of the above items) for only $120 USD.

Porter Services:

• Full Porter (up to 14kg or 30 pounds, can be shared between 2 people) – $220

• Half Porter (up to 7kg or 15 pounds) – $120

If you require an extra porter or a half porter, please let us know when filling out the booking form.

Additional Options:

• Single Tent Supplement – $65

• Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets $90USD (subject to availability)

Please Note: Our porters carry cooking and camping equipment only. We recommend hiring an extra porter if you prefer not to carry your belongings on the trail. If you rent sleeping bags and pads, the total weight is approximately 3kg. If you rent camping gear from us, that does not mean we will carry those items. 

At the end of your journey, we will drop you off at your hotel. Book your Inca Trail and Machu Picchu tour with us today for an unforgettable adventure.

4-DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU DETAILS

The 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour will take you to the most beautiful scenaries in the Sanctuary of MachPicchu. Rivers, ancient ruins, mountains and different animal species are some of the thing you will see when hiking with us. The path is rugged and  steep but neither of those will be an issue as this hike is meant for real adventurous people. The final reward is once you get to Machu Picchu through the Sungate (Inti Punku)

TOUR DETAILS

• Duration: 4 Days and 3 Nights
• Start/ Finish location: Cusco city
• Service Level: Standard / Group
• Difficulty: Moderate/ Demanding
• Travel Style: Active
• Group Size: 16 max; 8 average

INSIGHTS:

• Hike Distance: 42 kilometers or 26 miles
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Duration: 4 days & 3 nights
• Highest Elevation Point: 4,215 meters or 13,829 feet
• Weather: The weather can vary during the hike, with hot and sunny days and colder nights. It’s best to pack layers to prepare for all kinds of weather.
• Seasons: The hike is open from March 1 until January 31 (February is closed for maintenance).
• Cusco Drive Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes or more, depending on traffic and road conditions.
• Town Nearest Hike: Ollantaytambo
• Age requirement: Suitable for all ages.
• Trip Type: Adventure, Cultural, and Educational 

PRICES

$890 Per person for all our group tours