4 daysClassic Inca Trail 4 Days
The original stone road of the Incas, ending at the Sun Gate at first light.
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Inca Trail
The classic route to the Sun Gate with a private crew, walk in tents, real beds and hot showers.
The Luxury Inca Trail in 4 days follows exactly the same stone road as the classic trek, from Km 82 over Dead Woman's Pass to the Sun Gate. What changes is everything around the walking: a guide and crew for your party only, tents tall enough to stand in, camp beds with warm blankets, hot showers and a massage at the end of each day.
It is still a real mountain trek, with altitude, long stairways and three nights outdoors. The difference is that you arrive at each camp to find it ready, with a drink waiting, a private dining tent and a cook who has been planning your dinner since morning.
The trip at a glance
Day 1. Cusco, Km 82 and Wayllabamba
Private pickup at 5:00 a.m., breakfast in Ollantaytambo, start at Km 82, the ruins of Patallacta and the first luxury camp.
Day 2. Dead Woman's Pass
The climb to 4,215 m and the descent to Pacaymayo, where a hot shower and a massage are waiting.
Day 3. Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca
The most beautiful stretch of the trail, through cloud forest and four Inca sites, to a camp above the clouds.
Day 4. Sun Gate and Machu Picchu
Down through Intipata and Winay Wayna to the Sun Gate, a guided visit of the citadel, lunch beside it and the Vistadome Observatory train.
Highlights
A private trek
Your own guide, cooks and porters. The pace, the breaks and the timetable are yours.
Glamping camps
Walk in tents with queen or twin camp beds, pillows, warm blankets and sleeping bags.
Hot showers and massage
A shower tent with hot water, fresh towels and a massage on each of the three camp nights.
A chef on the trail
Fresh Peruvian cooking at every meal, with drinks at lunch and at sunset.
A personal porter
Up to 10 kg (22 lb) of your gear is carried for you. You walk with a daypack only.
Arrival by the Sun Gate
You enter Machu Picchu on foot through Inti Punku, as only Inca Trail hikers can.
Lunch beside the citadel
A sit down lunch at the restaurant next to the entrance after your visit.
Vistadome Observatory train
Panoramic windows, an open air observation car, snacks and drinks on the way back.
From our guidesThe last camp is at Phuyupatamarca, high on the ridge, and not at Winay Wayna where most groups sleep. You get a quieter night, a wide sunrise over the peaks and the walk down through Intipata and Winay Wayna in daylight.
Day by day itinerary
Day 1Cusco, Km 82 and Wayllabamba
5:00 a.m. private pickup
A private van collects you from your hotel in Cusco. If you are staying in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, the pickup is about two hours later.
Breakfast in Ollantaytambo
We stop at a restaurant looking over the Inca town. There is time for a calm breakfast and any last purchase before the trail.
Km 82, the trailhead
Half an hour further on, you show your passport at the checkpoint and cross the bridge over the Urubamba. The first four hours are a gentle walk along the valley.
Lunch near Patallacta
Your cooks serve the first meal of the trek close to the terraces of Patallacta, with cold drinks on the table.
Camp at Wayllabamba
Two more hours beside the Cusichaca river bring you to camp. Your tent is set up, the shower is hot, the massage tent is open and dinner is served in a private dining tent.
- Walking distance
- 12 km (7.5 mi)
- Walking time
- About 6 hours
- Highest point
- 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, tea time and dinner
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Day 2Wayllabamba, Dead Woman's Pass and Pacaymayo
Coffee or tea at your tent
The crew wakes you with a hot drink, followed by a full breakfast. Today is the hardest day and also the one people remember with most pride.
Warmiwanusca, 4,215 m
A long, steady climb through Andean forest and open grassland leads to Dead Woman's Pass, the highest point of the route. Your guide sets a pace with time to breathe and look around.
Lunch on the way down
After the pass the trail drops on stone steps toward the Pacaymayo valley. Lunch is cooked fresh along the way.
Camp at Pacaymayo
You reach the second camp in the afternoon. A hot shower, a clean towel, a massage and a drink at sunset come before dinner.
- Walking distance
- About 11 km (6.8 mi)
- Highest point
- 4,215 m (13,829 ft)
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, tea time and dinner
- Difficulty
- Challenging, mainly because of the altitude
Day 3Pacaymayo, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca
Runkurakay
The morning starts with a climb to the round lookout of Runkurakay and the second pass of the trek, at close to 4,000 m.
Sayacmarca and Conchamarca
The trail enters cloud forest on original Inca paving. You visit Sayacmarca, built on a rocky spur, and the small site of Conchamarca below it.
Lunch on the ridge
A long lunch with a view, before the most scenic section of the whole route.
Phuyupatamarca, the town above the clouds
Your last camp stands next to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca. Shower, massage, sunset drinks and a farewell dinner with the crew.
- Walking distance
- About 16 km (10 mi)
- Highest point
- About 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, tea time and dinner
- Difficulty
- Moderate to challenging
Day 4Sun Gate, Machu Picchu and Cusco
Intipata and Winay Wayna
After an early breakfast you go down long stone stairways through cloud forest to the terraces of Intipata and Winay Wayna, one of the finest sites on the trail.
Inti Punku, the Sun Gate
The path levels out and then climbs a last flight of steps. From the gate you see Machu Picchu for the first time, far below and framed by mountains.
Guided visit of Machu Picchu
Your guide takes you through the citadel for 2 to 3 hours: upper viewpoints first, then the temples and enclosures of the lower sector.
Lunch beside the citadel
You sit down to lunch at the restaurant next to the entrance, and then take the bus to Aguas Calientes.
Vistadome Observatory and transfer
The train follows the river to Ollantaytambo, where a private vehicle is waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco.
- Walking distance
- About 6 km (3.7 mi)
- Machu Picchu visit
- 2 to 3 hours with your guide
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate, with uneven stone steps
This trek uses the route reserved for Inca Trail hikers: Circuit 1 C from the Sun Gate and Circuit 3 B through the lower sector. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain do not normally fit this timetable. If one of them matters to you, tell us before booking.
Elevation profile
1Cusco3,399 m (11,152 ft)- 2Km 822,700 m (8,858 ft)
3Wayllabamba3,000 m (9,843 ft)End of day 1
4Llulluchapampa3,800 m (12,467 ft)
5Dead Woman's Pass4,215 m (13,829 ft)
6Pacaymayo3,580 m (11,745 ft)End of day 2
7Runkurakay Pass3,970 m (13,025 ft)
8Sayacmarca3,600 m (11,811 ft)
9Phuyupatamarca3,650 m (11,975 ft)End of day 3
10Winay Wayna2,650 m (8,694 ft)
11Sun Gate2,720 m (8,924 ft)
12Machu Picchu2,430 m (7,972 ft)End of day 4
What is included
Before the trek and transport
Briefing. A private briefing at your hotel before departure.
Transport. Private vehicle from your hotel to Km 82 and from Ollantaytambo back to your hotel.
Return train. Vistadome Observatory from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Bus. From Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes.
Permits and guide
Inca Trail permit. Issued in your name with your passport details.
Machu Picchu ticket. Entry by the Inca Trail route.
Private guide. A professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish) for your party only.
Personal porter. Carries up to 10 kg (22 lb) of your belongings in a duffel bag we provide.
Luxury camps
Three camp nights. Wayllabamba, Pacaymayo and Phuyupatamarca.
Walk in tents. Queen or twin camp beds, warm blankets, pillows and sleeping bags.
Showers and toilets. Hot showers, towels and a private toilet tent.
Massage. A massage tent with a massage chair, available every camp night.
Dining tent. Private dining tent with tables and chairs, plus a separate kitchen tent.
Trekking poles. A pair per traveler.
Food and drink
Meals. 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners prepared by trekking chefs.
Lunch at Machu Picchu. At the restaurant beside the entrance on Day 4.
Snacks and water. Daily snacks and boiled water to refill your bottle.
Drinks. Hot drinks, cold drinks at lunch and a selection of drinks at camp in the evening.
Safety
Emergency kit. First aid kit, oxygen and a satellite phone carried by the crew.
Not included
Dinner on Day 4. You are back in Cusco in the evening.
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Separate tickets, on request and subject to availability.
Travel insurance. Strongly recommended for a remote mountain route.
Extra drinks and personal spending. Anything not named in the program.
Tips. Optional, at your discretion.
Luxury Inca Trail 4 Days prices 2026
This trek runs as a private departure only. The price per person depends on the size of your party.
| 1 traveler | $4,450 |
|---|---|
| 2 travelers | $2,820 |
| 3 travelers | $2,290 |
| 4 travelers | $2,190 |
| 5 travelers | $2,170 |
| 6 travelers | $2,120 |
| 7 travelers | $2,070 |
| 8 travelers | $1,980 |
Good to know before booking
- For 9 travelers or more, write to us for a quote.
- Travelers under 17 and university students under 25 with a valid card get $30 off. ISIC cards are not accepted.
- Single tents are available on request.
- Permits are issued with your passport details and cannot be transferred or moved to another date.
What to pack
Documents and essentials
Original passport
Small daypack
Water bottle
Cash in soles
Power bank
Headlamp
Sun, rain and personal care
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Rain poncho
Insect repellent
Toiletries
Personal medication
Clothing and footwear
Hiking boots
Trekking socks
Thermal base layers
Fleece jacket
Down jacket
Waterproof jacket
Trekking pants
Long sleeve shirt
Sandals
Warm beanie
Gloves
Nice to have
Camera or phone
Spare batteries
Energy snacks
Neck buff
Good to know
What makes this the luxury version
The route is the classic one. Nothing about the trail is shortened or made easier. The upgrade is in the service: a private crew, tents you can stand up in, camp beds in place of mats on the ground, hot water, a massage and a private toilet tent.
If you would rather walk in a small group and sleep in standard tents, the same route is available as our Classic Inca Trail 4 Days.
Permits and when to book
The government issues a fixed number of Inca Trail permits per day, and that number includes guides, cooks and porters. A private luxury crew is larger than a standard one, so early booking matters even more here. For May to September, plan on six months ahead.
The trail closes every February for maintenance. The dry season, April to October, has the clearest skies. November to March is greener and wetter, with fewer hikers.
Altitude and fitness
The difficulty is not technical. It comes from the altitude, the stone steps and the hours on foot, above all on Day 2. Arrive in Cusco at least two days before the trek and take those days gently.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free meals are prepared with notice. Tell us about any allergy when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is this trek private?
Yes. The guide, the cooks, the porters and the camps are for your party only. You do not share the group with other travelers.
How hard is the Luxury Inca Trail?
Moderate to demanding. Day 2 is the hardest, because you cross Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 m. The comfort of the camps helps you recover, but you still need to be in reasonable shape and acclimatized.
Are showers and massages really included?
Yes, on the three camp nights. The crew carries a shower tent with hot water, towels and a massage tent with a massage chair.
How much do I carry?
Only a daypack with water, a rain jacket, sun protection, your camera and your passport. A personal porter carries up to 10 kg (22 lb) of your gear in a duffel bag we give you the day before.
Which drinks are included?
Hot drinks at every meal, cold drinks at lunch and a selection of drinks at camp in the evening. Anything beyond that is paid separately.
Can I add Huayna Picchu?
It does not normally fit the timetable of the last day. Ask us before booking and we will check whether a different entry time or return train makes it possible on your date.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is not compulsory, but we strongly recommend it. The trail is remote and insurance helps with health problems, delays and cancellations.
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