4 Days Sacred Trek Inca Trail to Machu Picchu from Cusco
We will meet Shaman, local community & campfire super food. Find your true self through the sacred trek. The healing can happen when you hike to the Andes with a professional tour guide, thanks to Apu the god of mountains at 4000+ meters above sea level, and enjoy the yummy super food with campfire recipes cooked by locals.
Come join us on the most famous trek in Peru. You’ll visit mysterious archaeological sites, learn about healthy, sustainable Peruvian food and cuisine, and immerse yourself in Andean mountain ecosystems rich in flora and fauna.
The trek begins with an Andean Blessing and offering to Pachamama (the Earth Mother) performed by an Andean Shaman.
Following four days of mountain discovery and education, you’ll stand tall in the Sun Gate and witness sunrise break over Machu Picchu before descending to the ruins to explore them for yourself.
- 3000 varieties of birds.
- Our guide will treat you as a friend and family.
- Observe an endless variety of flora and fauna.
- Experience the different microclimates
- Visit all the archaeological centers.
- Know the famous Inca Trail of Peru
- Scheduling: Shared Tour
- Languages offered on the Activity / Tour: German, Spanish
- Duration: 4 days
- Printed Voucher Accepted
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Live GuideEnglish, Spanish
- Pick-up servicePick up from your hotel in Cusco
- Easy CancellationThere is no cancellation fee once Customers Cancel at least 7 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
There is 50% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 3 and 6 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
There is 100% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 2 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo / Poroy
- Boiled water to fill your water bottle every morning, night, and, if required, at lunch.
- Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes.
- Meals and daily tea service, except on the last day. Vegetarian menu and special diets can be catered for.
- Porters to carry tents, food, cooking equipment, and up to 7kg (15.5lb) of personal gear
- English-speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people).
- Toilet tent if assigned campsites do not have toilets.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs.
- One inflatable mattress per person.
- Tents (3-person tents for 2 people). Our tents are 4-season and well maintained to ensure excellent performance in the field.
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fees.
- Healing Activity: Offering to Pachamama or an Andean blessing ceremony.
- Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to the trailhead at Km 82.
- Massage therapy at the end of the trek in Cusco.
- Tourist transportation from the train station to your Cusco hotel.
- Chef and cooking equipment.
- Tips for staff (optional)
- Sleeping bag
- Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is Peruvian Soles s/10.00 per person. Towels can be hired in Aguas Calien
- Breakfast of the first day and lunch on the last day.
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and we will travel with our experienced guides and shamans to Piscacucho, the trailhead for the trek.
Once there, you’ll participate in a traditional Andean Blessing ceremony to guarantee safe passage before starting on your journey.
We’ll cross the bridge over the Urubamba River and walk along the south bank, shortly arriving at Miskay and ascending to the highest part of the look-out, the impressive Inca city of Llactapata. We’ll continue through the valley created by the Cusichaca River and climb gradually until we reach Wayllabamba, our first campsite.
We’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota Ridgeline on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive 5832m Veronica Peak reigns supreme, while also observing the diversity of flora and fauna that can be found throughout the valley.
After a traditional Andean breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek.
As we climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a high, dry grassland with little other vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (“Dead Woman’s Pass”), we’ll see domesticated llamas and alpacas and cross an area of cloud forest, the habitat for many different kinds of birds, such as hummingbirds and sparrows.
Immediately after the pass, we’ll descend into the Pacaymayo Valley and enjoy a large traditional Peruvian dinner and culinary explanation from the lead chef.
Prepare yourself for the longest and most impressive day of your trek.
The climb from Pacaymayo takes us to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay, and a stop at the Runkurakay archaeological complex consisting of a small oval watchtower.
After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to arrive at Sayacmarca, a beautiful complex made up of semicircular constructions, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals.
Continuing up a gentle ascent, we’ll arrive at the third pass, Abra Phuyupatamarca, meaning “Town over the clouds.” Our guides will take you on a short tour of the site, fully immersing you in the ethereal mists and energy of the site. Lose yourself in the moment here.
We’ll next descend the long stone stairways that lead you to Winay Wayna, an impressive Inca complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, plus religious and urban sectors.
After exploring the site, we’ll enjoy our farewell dinner at our nearby camp.
On this fourth and last day, we’ll leave Wiñay Wayna before dawn to climb up to Inti Punku (“The Sun Gate”).
From this holy gateway, we’ll witness the first rays of sun beaming over the mountains and shining down onto the citadel of Machu Picchu.
We descend from Inti Punku to Machu Picchu and enter the citadel through the “House of the Guardians.”
Next begins a guided spiritual tour of this sacred Inca citadel, including a climb up to Huayna Picchu and visit to the Temple of the Moon.
Following this day full of winding stairways, trails and exploration of one of the world’s greatest wonders, we’ll meet in the town of Aguas Calientes.
From here we board the train back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel after nightfall.
* The Departure and arrival times are approximate. ** Campsites are subject to change according to the designation of the governmental institution that regulates the use of the Inca Trail as well as to our guide’s criteria and the group progress.
- A backpack with extra clothes
- Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Footwear, ideally supportive hiking boots, but low-cut hiking shoes will also work.
- Camera, memory cards and batteries.
- Flashlight and batteries
- Hat or cap to protect you from sun, rain and cold
- Sunscreen moisturizer for face and bodyInsect repellent-minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, fruit, etc…2 litres of water
- Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
- Cash in soles and / or dollars
- Original International Student card. (In case you have applied for a student discount)
- Optional: walking sticks.