Inca Trail Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Itinerary

OVERVIEW

Walk a sacred path that is packed with history, flora, and fauna; furthermore, this 26-mile path is the only way to access Machu Picchu more especially and significantly, yet more rewarding on foot through the sun gate as the Incas did back in the day.

You will have include Professional highly trained, educated, and passionate tour guide to lead the groups on the Inca trail 4 days and answer all questions, a team of porters who will help to carry all the needed camping gear and personal belongings; a professional chef who deliver hot restaurant-style meals at each camping site to guarantee delicious food and to ensure you have plenty of energy to appreciate the amazing landscapes that 4 day Inca Trail hike offers.

INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Piskacucho – Km 82 – Wayllabamba.

For the start of the Classic Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu 4 days, we will leave Cusco at 04:30 am. We will drive for about an hour and a half to Ollantaytambo village and stop briefly to buy last-minute gear, personal necessities, and stuff for trekking Inca trail. And also, here you get breakfast (Included); then we keep driving to Piskacuchu (Km 82), the Inca Trail starting point and checkPoint. Once passing the checkpoint and Urubamba river, we will start our easy stroll trekking the 4 day trek to Machu Picchu.

Along the way, we will be passing through Quechua Hamlets and local people, then at Miskay, we drop off the bags and sit for lunch. After all, even siesta if you want, we will walk straight to the first biggest Archaeological site of Patallacta, or Llactapata. After shooting pictures and hearing the explanation about Llactapata, we will keep walking for two more hours to get to Wayllabamba, the first camping spot at 2 900m / 9 5144 feet.

Distance: 12 km/6.835 miles.
Hiking time: 5– 6 hours.
Lowest elevation: 2,695 m / 8,841 ft.
Highest elevation: 3,031 m / 9,944 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Inca ruins, Villages, and Veronica Glacier.
Weather: Warmed and Windy.

Day 2: Wayllabamba – Ayapata – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo.

Today we will start trekking the Inca Trail tour 4 day early in the morning to take advantage of the fresh morning hours and shade of the mountains. That way, it is going to be convenient to walk up to the first Inca Trail pass Warmihuañusca (Dead woman’s pass 4200 m.a.s.l) and consequently the highest point of the 4 day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu.

The Dead woman’s pass seals the Inca trail difficulty, but the prize is we will definitely see the various Inca Trail ecological zones and notice the microclimates that make up the area in front of us. And once we reach the top, we will be able to see snow-capped Mountains, Andean Alpines, and jagged darkened lofty mountains all around. Once the resting time and pictures are over, we will start the march down to Pacaymayo Campground at 3600 m. / 11 800. Then we have lunch followed by a free afternoon for resting until the next day.

Distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles.
Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours.
Lowest elevation: 3,031 m / 9,944 ft.
Highest elevation: 4,217 m / 13,827 ft.
Difficulty: Challenging.
Highlights: Dead Woman Pass (Warmi wañusqa), Salkantay glacier, Pacaymayo Valley, and amazing views of the Mountains.

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Chaquicocha – Inti Pata – Wiñaywayna.

Hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu on the third day can’t be better with the hidden archeological gems only accessible in the Inca trail guided tours. The day begins; with a nutritious enough breakfast for the challenging hike that awaits us forward, then we will let the adventure begin from Pacaymayo campground through the Runcuracay archeological site and continue onto El Paso (pass) Runcuracay at 3,850 m. (Second highest of the Inca trail passes) for about one hour.

Following the stepped stone ancient Inca path on the other side of the mountain, we will get to the Sayacmarca Inca site for a little rest and visit. Thereafter once again, we will continue along the trail, but before we get to the lunch spot at Phuyupatamarca, we will pass through a tunnel and also see the foundations of the path placed ten meters down on a mountainside. After lunch, we will head down a zigzagging path to Intipata inca site then the Wiñaywayna campsite (2 560 m / 8 700 ft ) for the last overnight of our Inca Trail hiking tours. At night after dinner, we will have a farewell ceremony as it is a custom to thank our team crew on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu 4 day hike. (Inca trail porters and cooks).

Distance: 16 km / 9.94 miles.
Hiking time: 8 – 9 hours.
Lowest elevation: 2,649 m / 8,6892 ft.
Highest elevation: 3,952 m / 12,957 ft.
Difficulty: Difficult.
Highlights: Amazing Incan ruins, and unparalleled views.

Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

Machu Picchu will soon be a dream come true and what better decision it is by hiking the Inca trail trek 4 days. After an early breakfast, we will begin the final leg of the Inca Trails in Peru to the lost city of Machu Picchu. First, we will check-in at the control stall and hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the Gate of the Inca Trail, the gate for overlooking the world’s ancient wonder, all inspiring and marvelous that Machu Picchu citadel is.

As the sun travels west up in the sky, so we do hike west down to Machu Picchu park to register and then enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the sanctuary city, then you will be given time for visiting the more less-frequented sections. After the Machu Picchu tour, we will take the bus down to have lunch. Enjoy the resting time exploring the town of Aguas Calientes before returning to Ollantaytambo by train and then back to Cusco by bus as agreed in our Inca trail booking. you will back to Cusco at 07:00 pm.

Distance: 5 km / 3.12 miles.
Hiking time: 2 – 3 hours.
Lowest elevation: 2,401 m / 7,871 ft.
Highest elevation: 2701 m / 8,857 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Highlight: Sun gate, and Machu Picchu.

Note: Campsite locations may change due to the availability and the final camping assignment by Sernanp!

 

WHAT TO BRING FOR THE INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS

Essential

• Headlamp with extra batteries: It is very important.
• Passport: It should be the same when you book your permits.
• Immigration Card ( you were given on the plane as you entered Peru)
• Good daypack A 20 to 30-liter pack would be a good size for hiking the Inca Trail.
• Water reservoirs: like Camelbaks are highly recommended – but enough for at least 1.5-2 liters.
• Trekking shoes and Comfortable shoes for camp. Ensure you break in your hiking boots by using them during practice trekking.
• Clothing and footwear
• 2-3 short sleeve t-shirts and 1-2 long sleeve
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of underwear.
• 4 sets of trekking wool socks
• 1 Fleece pullover.
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 sun hat and 1 wool hat.
• Waterproof gloves.
• Leggings
• Sunglasses.
• 1 rain jacket, rain pants, and a Rain poncho. If it rains heavily, the rain jacket is not going to be enough.
• Toiletries
• Sweat Resistant Sunscreen
• Toothbrush, Toothpaste, and Deodorant.
• Biodegradable Wet Wipes
• Lip Balm
• Toilet Paper
• Bug spray
• Travel Towel
• Hand Sanitizer
• Dry Shampoo.
• Chapstick
• Comb/ brush
• First aid kit
• Blister Pads.
• Medicine for Altitude Sickness
• Anti-diarrhea (Immodium) tablets.
• Aspirin/ Ibuprofen.
• 1 pack of paracetamol.
• 4 pack of rehydration sachet

Other Items

• Sleeping bag: It should be -5oC/ 23F to -15oC/ 5F.
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Sleeping Bag Liner (Optional)
• Inflatable Pillow (Optional)
• Ear Plugs (optional)
• Trekking poles with rubber-tipped.
• Collapsible water bottle to use around the campsite (for meals and brushing your teeth)
• Large plastic bags will help you organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Snacks – Take 1-2 energy bars for each day.

Electronic

• Kindle/Book.
• Power bank: There is no electricity in all 4 day hike to Machu Picchu.
• Camera or Phone with a good camera.
• Binoculars.
• Outlet adapter
• Memory card

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTION

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Yes! During the Inca Trail 4-day trek to Machu Picchu, you can store your luggage at our office. Please bring what you will only need during your Machu Picchu 4-day hike.

IS THERE A WAITING LIST AVAILABLE FOR TREKKING DATES THAT ARE ALREADY FULLY BOOKED?

Unfortunately, there is no waiting list. If someone cancels the Inca trail trips, this permit will not be placed back up online for a new purchase. That is why the Inca Trail permit is not refundable or transferred to another person.

WHAT ABOUT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE?

The Outstanding balance should paíd 2 days before your departure; Also, you can pay us with a Credit card (a 5% service fee applies). Please let us know what you prefer. Cash payment MUST be paid 2 day prior to your trip.

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE PERMITS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Yes it is possible. However we have to buy another inca trail permit for your desire date and we have to pay a penalty to change train ticket. So The extra cost to change the departure date is $100 per person.
Note: If you want to change your departure date, you have to see first availabity for your new departure date. If there is not availability for your new departure date, then it is not possible.

DO I NEED TO BRING MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU?

Yes! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it should be the same passport you sent us to reserve your Inca Trail 4 days permit. Your passport will be checked at 3 Inca trail checkpoints, Machu Picchu, and when you board the train.

UPDATING PASSPORT NUMBERS

If you are renewing your passport, go ahead and email us a copy of your old passport to book your Inca trail 4-day permits. If you no longer have your old passport, any government-issued ID will be accepted, as long as the name is the same. Once you receive your new passport. Please email us a copy of your new passport ASAP to change the information on your permit.

HOW DOES IT WORK IF I BOOK HUAYNA PICCHU?

For our customers who hike the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we book the Huayna Picchu ticket for 10 – 11 a.m. slot. So our customers get from Inca Trail to Machu Picchu at 8 a.m.in the last day. So you will have a guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel from 09 until 10:30 am. Then you will enter Huayna Picchu at 10:30 a.m. This hike takes around 2 hours and a half. Therefore You will finish this hike at 13:00 roughly. Then you will take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes which takes around 30 minutes. So you will be in Aguas Calientes at 1:30 pm. You will have time to eat your lunch until 02:50 p.m.

When you hike Huayna Picchu, we always book the 15:20 train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Therefore you will get back to Cusco around 19:30.

Note: The 10 a.m. Huayna Picchu ticket runs out quickly, so it is better to book the Huayna Picchu together with your Inca trail permits in Advance. If the 10 a.m. slot is sold out, we can still book 09 a.m. However, you will miss the guided tour of Machu Picchu.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH OUR DUFFLE BAG ON DAY 04?

On day 4, All the porters will leave the campsite at 04 am to catch the train at 5:30 am back to Ollantaytambo. However, some of our porters will hike to Aguas Calientes bringing the duffle bags so he will leave them in storage. After visiting Machu Picchu you will head down to Aguas Calientes and pick up your duffle then go to the train station to take the train to Ollantaytambo.

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE OF MY TRAIN TICKET?

We usually book return train tickets at 14:55 pm or 15:20 for our Inca Trail guided tour on day 4, so you arrive in Cusco at 07:30 pm and you have enough time to sleep and do any tour the next day, like Rainbow Mountain.

CAN I STAY IN THE SACRED VALLEY FOR MY INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS?

Yes, you can stay in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo for your Machu Picchu 4 days 3 nights hike. By staying in the Sacred Valley, your pickup will be 1 hour and a half after the Cusco pick up so you will sleep more.

IF I CANCEL MY INCA TRAIL 4 DAY TREK. ¿DO I GET ANY REFUND?

In case our country closes its borders, we refund you all the deposit. But if you don’t make our country for whatever reason, if you miss your flight or there is a strike or natural disaster. You will lose USD $350 automatically. Once the Inca Trail permit is bought it becomes non-refundable or transferable, The entity in charge of issuing the Inca Trail permits is the Ministry of Culture of Peru and Peru Rail which is charged with train tickets. They don’t provide any refund.

We understand that nothing is for granted and things may change in a minute, therefore we will do our best to be reasonable and charge you only for things that we have already spent.

WHAT TIME WILL WE ARRIVE TO MACHU PICCHU ON DAY 04?

Our groups reach the Sun Gate at 7.00 a.m. and from Sun Gate to Machu Picchu takes 45 minutes so you will get to Machu Picchu at 8 am in the morning.

WILL WATER BE PROVIDED?

You will need to buy 2 liters of water only for the first day. Since the second we will provide you with boiled water 3 times a day, after breakfast, at lunch, and at dinner.

WHAT KINDS OF REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES SHOULD WE BRING TO THE INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS?

Starting in March 2022, single-use plastic water bottles and other plastic waste are prohibited in Inca Trail 4 days / 3 nights. You must bring your own personal reusable water bottles to fill out the wáter that we provide you. You can buy a bladder hard shell bottle, or pouch whichever is convenient for you.

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT FOR THE INCA TRAIL HIKE?

There is not any age limit for the Inca Trail 4-day hike. We recommend that the minimum age should be 8 because there are some steep sections that would be difficult for Little Legs.

HOW MANY KILOS IS IT ALLOWED TO CARRY ON THE INCA TRAIL TREKS?

There is no weight limit for you, you can carry heavy or light weights. However, the porters should carry no more than 20 kilograms.

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THE ALTITUDE AND AVOID ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

In order to avoid altitude sickness, we highly recommend you arrive in Cusco at least 2 days in advance. On the first day, walk around Cusco city visiting some museums, and local markets or you take a City tour to visit some Inca sites located outside of Cusco. On the second day, you can hike to Cristo Blanco. It is 3 km from Cusco and it is uphill, there you will see how fit you are or you can take the Sacred Valley tour to visit some Inca sites.

Also the first day, try to eat soft food, not heavy food. If you eat a lot, instead of the oxygen going to your brain, it will go to the stomach, and then you might get altitude sickness.

IS THERE ANY LOCATION WHERE I CAN PLUG AND CHARGE MY ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON THE INCA TRAIL HIKE TOURS?

There is no electricity facility at any campsite, so we recommend taking extra portable battery packs/power banks.

WHAT IS THE TEMPERATURE RATING OF OURS SLEEPING BAGS?

We rent mummy-style sleeping bags that are usable at -15° C / 5° F. The brand is Mountain Hard Wear.

WHICH CAMPSITES DO YOU USUALLY BOOK FOR YOUR GROUPS?

At the time of booking, we have 4 options to choose from. We always book option 01 or 02, Therefore your last campsite will be Wiñaywayna. It is located 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Machu Pichu. So you will get to Machu Picchu early and flesh.

Option 03 and 04 are not recommended because your last campsite will be in Phuyupamarca. this campsite is located 6 hours from Machu Picchu.

AFTER FINISHING THE INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS, CAN I VISIT MACHU PICCHU FOLLOWING CIRCUIT 2?

All the people who hike the Inca trail treks have to follow Circuit 3. None of the companies break these rules. However, we can buy another Machu Picchu for an extra $50 so you can visit Machu Picchu following Circuit 2 yourself.

You will have the guided tour in Machu Picchu from 9 am to 10:30 am with our guide then you will exit Machu Pichu and use the toilet then reenter at 11 am to follow the extra circuit that you bought. Of course, our guide will explain to you how to do Circuit 2 by yourself. To visit again the site, takes another 1 hour and 30 minutes so you will finish touring the site by yourself at 12:30 then you take a bus to Aguas Calientes. So you will be in Aguas Calientes at 1 pm roughly.

Is it worth to buy another extra Machu Picchu ticket? The 50% of our customers who bought the extra ticket said, it was not worth it because after the 4-day hike, they were tired and they didn’t enjoy visiting Mapi 2 times. And the other 50% said that they enjoy visiting Machu Picchu 2 times. In our opinion, it is not worth it because, along the Inca Trail, you already see many beautiful Inca sites so you will be already tired of them.

WHY ON DAY 04 EVERYBODY WAKE UP AT 3:30 A.M.?

All people who hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu 4 day hike have to wake up very early (3:30 am) because There is only one train available for the porters in the entire day. This train stops at 5:45 a.m. on km 107. So the porters have to catch this train. If they miss it, they have to wait until the next day so it is not convenient for them. That’s why all people have to wake up very early and then hike for about 5 minutes to the Checkpoint. You will wait for 2 hours until the gate is open at 5:30 a.m. If you don’t want to wake up early, we recommend the Inca Trail 5 days.

CAN I SEE THE SUNRISE IN MACHU PICCHU HIKING INCA TRAIL 4 DAY TREK?

The gate is open at 5:30 a.m. From the Wiñaywayna gate until the Sun gate is around 1 hour and 20 minutes so you will get to the Sun gate at 6:50 am. The sunrise in Machu Picchu is usually from 6 a.m. to 6:40 a.m. Therefore you won’t see the sunrise in Machu Picchu.

DO I NEED WALKING STICKS EVEN THOUGH I’M YOUNG AND I’M IN GOOD SHAPE AND USED TO HIKE A LOT?

It is highly recommended walking sticks for people who have knee problems because they protect your knees from the impact of walking, especially when hiking downhill. Also, we recommend them for people who don’t have much experience hiking because they help with the stability of uneven trails. However, if you have experience hiking without them, then you don’t need them.

WHEN THE PERMIT FOR MY DESIRED DATE IS SOLD OUT, IF SOMEONE CANCELS, CAN I TAKE THAT SPACE?

If someone cancels the Inca Trail permit, this permit will not be backed up online for new purchases. So it is not possible to take that space. That’s why the permits are not refundable.

IF I GET SICK ONE DAY BEFORE MY DEPARTURE AND CANCEL MY TRIP. CAN I USE MY 4-DAY PERMIT TO HIKE THE INCA TRAIL 2 DAYS AND CATCH UP WITH MY GROUP?

Unfortunately it is not possible. If you want to hike the Inca Trail 2 days after canceling the Inca Trail 4 days, we need to buy the 2-day Inca trail permits then you can hike the Inca trail 2 days. So you need to Pay again for the Inca trail 2-day Price. Also hiking the Inca trail 2 days, you can’t catch the group because you will get to Machu Picchu in the afternoon and people who hike the 4-day option get to Machu Picchu in the morning.

IF I GET SICK ONE DAY BEFORE MY DEPARTURE AND CANCEL MY TRIP. CAN I USE MY 4-DAY PERMIT TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU AND CATCH UP WITH MY GROUP?

Yes, it is possible. In case you cancel your trip one day before your departure or you return from the trail on day 1. We will help you to organize your Machu Picchu Tour. You can do a 1-day trip or a 2-day tour to Machu Picchu. If you are doing a day trip, you will need to buy a train ticket from Ollanta to Aguas Calientes ($70 per person), transportation from Cusco to Ollanta ($30 in total), Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu ($12 per person. In case you do in 2 days, you need to add a hotel in Aguas Calientes which costs $90 (Tara Machu Picchu is a hotel of 3 stars)

You will still use things that it was already in your Inca trail 4-day packages, your Machu Picchu ticket, bus ticket from Mapi to Aguas Calientes, train ticket from Aguas Calientes and transportation from Cusco to Ollanta.

CAN WE RENT SLEEPING BAGS AND WALKING STICKS LAST MINUTE OR DOES EVERYTHING NEED TO BE RENTED UP FRONT WHEN BOOKING?

You dont need to book the walking sticks and sleeping bag in advance. We have plenty of them so you can rent them one day before your trip in our office after the the briefing session.

HOW MUCH WILL THE PRICE BE FOR YOUR INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS IN 2025?

Our Price will be $800 per person for our Inca Trail 4-day trek.

IMPORTANT:

The Peruvian Ministry of Culture and SERNANP are in charge of all regulations of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, including permits and campsites. To access the Classic Inca Trail trek, you have to have a permit that matches your FULL NAME, PASSPORT NUMBER, NATIONALITY, and AGE issued by the Ministry of Culture.

A maximum of 500 people per day are allowed to access the Classic Inca Trail 4 days at km. 82; This number includes all support staff such as authorized porters, cooks, and tour guides and is most tightly controlled; when the Inca trail reaches its limit of 500 visitors, the Trail is closed off for the day and no further reservations could be made; Booking are not held on the Trail and all permits must be bought a year in advance, if possible.

THINGS TO KNOW

• For peak season, May, June, and July to August, you should book your permits 8 months in advance.
• Bottled water is available for purchase at some places along the trail on the first and second day, and then not until Machu Picchu.
• This 4-day trek to Machu Picchu is not recommended for travelers with back problems
• Daily departures with a group of 2 or more.
• No departures in February due to trail maintenance.
• There is no access to a wheelchair.

DON’T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS:

Original passport, insurance card, and personal medications.

PRO TIPS

• Make sure your trekking shoes are broken in before your Machu Picchu hiking tours 4 days.
• Spend at least 2 days in Cusco before your Inca Trail 4-day hike to get used to the altitude.
• You must remember to trim your toenails super short before your Inca Trail Peru Tours! Toenails that are too long may rub against your hiking boots on the descent section and could be painful or even result in your nails popping off.
• Place your clothing within your sleeping bag while sleeping. This way, if the morning is chilly, you can put on warm clothes. This practice significantly simplifies your morning routine by ensuring your clothes remain at a comfortable temperature.
• Make sure you are consistently prepared for rain even though you are trekking in the dry season the 4 day guided hikes to Machu Picchu. It can result in an unpleasant journey when your belongings become thoroughly wet without any means of drying them.
• Bring Sandals or leisure shoe, something comfortable to put on after a long day of hiking up and down in your trekking boots.

DUFFLE BAG

• We will give you duffel bags one day before your Machu Picchu 4 day tour at our office at the end of your briefing. Your porters will carry them and you will have access to them only at the campsites. Put your clothes and other personal items that you won’t need hiking. Things like water, snacks, a first aid kit, and rain gear should be in your day pack.
• The duffel should weigh 7kg. Remember only 4kg will be for your personal belongings. The remaining 3kg is going to be for your pad, and sleeping bag.

STRIKES

• Strikes and roadblocks are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our Inca trail to Machu Picchu hike and rail service to and from Machu Picchu. We will do our best that your hike to Machu Picchu continues as planned with some changes.
• If the strike happens on the first day of your Machu Picchu 4 day tour, we will take you to the trailhead the night before your start date.
• If the strike happens the day that you finish your Inca Trail 4 day hike. We will send our vans to Hidrolectrica. So you will need to hike an extra 2 hours from Aguas Calientes to Hydroelectric. Then we will drive in a van to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel.

RETURNING FROM MACHU PICHU TO CUSCO.

• Returning from Machu Picchu to Cusco needs a lot of logistics. But it is already organized by us.
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. You will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes for about 30 minutes.
• Buses run every 15 minutes. Then Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station. Our guide will give you your train tickets. Make sure to get to the train station 30 minutes earlier.
• The estimated time on the train is 1 hour and a half from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• The estimated time on the train is 3 hours and a half from Aguas Calientes to Poroy.
• Once at the train station, our transfer will wait for you. He/She will then transfer you back to Cusco and then to your hotel.
• The estimated time from Ollantaytambo to Cusco is 1 hour and a half.
• The estimated time from Poroy to Cusco is 40 minutes.

INCA TRAIL WEATHER

The weather is unpredictable in the Andes. The dry season in the Inca Trail is from April to October so you will have a 90% of chance having a blue sky. The rainy season is from November through March, but this does not stop rain from falling in the dry season or the sun from coming out in the rainy season so just be prepared. No matter what season you are hiking the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, make sure that you get rain gear such as a rain jacket, rain pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu hike involves various microclimates. You might experience 4 seasons in only one day too. So you must be prepared. Layers are the key since they are easy to adapt to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a down jacket since the early morning and evening will be cold.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you get travel insurance because if you cancel your 4 day Inca Trail tours at the last minute it can reimburse you for your pre-paid, non-refundable Inca Trail permit. Also when you get sick or hurt while you are far away from home, it can reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This 4 day Machu Picchu hike is difficult, it’s highly recommended to be in good physical condition; The classic Inca Trail elevation changes make the hike tough as there are three passes during your 4 day trek Machu Picchu.

PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING

There is a pre-departure briefing at our Cusco Office at 06:00 p.m. one day before your trekking Inca trail, Briefings last 30 -45 minutes roughly. At the briefing, you will meet your guide and He/she will give you detailed information about your Inca Trail 4 days: for example, a list of what to bring, rental equipment, or questions in general.

TIPPING

Tipping is common on Inca Trail tours 4 day. On the third day in the afternoon, we will say goodbye to our amazing porters and professional chefs. This is the time that you will give a tip to all of them, please. Anything extra is always really appreciated. Please know that tipping is not Mandatory and that you should never feel forced into this.

Usually, our customers pool their tipping money together for the chef and porters. For your tour guide, you tip after your guided tour at Machu Picchu. You decide the amount of money based on your experience with them. Soles is better for Our Porters and Chefs. Guides can receive U.S. dollars or Soles without any problem.

Tips could be for our porters: 50 – 90 soles per porter.
Tips could be for our Cooks: 120 – 150 soles per cook.
Tips for the tour guide would be more than the cook.

GROUP SERVICE

Our Inca Trail 4 days/3 nights Group is made up of all different types of people, with many trekking skills and ages. Once you book a group service, you agree that some people may be slower or faster than you. Each of you will go at your own pace for the trek, and our tour guide will work with the group to spend time with everybody.

TYPICAL MEALS ON THE TREK

We train our cooks every year during the low season to provide you with the best-tasting meals in our Inca Trail Camping, with specialty menus and the freshest local ingredients available on all of our Treks to Machu Picchu. Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek.

*Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more Options are Available Upon Request (please let us know at the time of booking).

Breakfasts:
Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas, Thick oatmeal with large fresh chunks of sweet apples. and boiled water for hot teas, coca tea, coffee, chocolate, and milk.
Lunch & dinner:
First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado, or potatoes.
Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chili pepper chicken), escabeche de Pollo (marinated chicken), or ajiaco de ulluco (spicy ulluco stew).
Desserts:
Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake, peach.
Snacks:
candies, cookies, juice, crackers, and a variety of Peruvian fruits such as Banana, Chirimoya, Granadilla, Apples, oranges, Mandarine,