5 Days
8 Destinations
12 GUESTS (MAX)
Want to travel this journey privately?
Learn morePeru’s most well known trek visited by thousands of tourists each year, the Classic Inca Trail 5-day 43km trek combines the visit of mysterious and religious Inca cities, astonishing mountain landscapes and lush cloud forests rich in Andean flora and fauna, culminating in the Sacred Inca City of Machu Picchu. The 5-day program is an excellent alternative to avoid most of the crowds found on the classic 4-day route and to reach the quieter, more distant and beautiful campsites. It is also recommended for families with children and mature adults as it allows for better acclimatization to the altitude and the daily walking distance is shorter than on the 4-day version.
Check Inca Trail availability online and make sure your return date is preferred and the backup date is available.
Live our experience and take a look at our equipment, luggage checklist and our food that has been highlighted by our customers.
Comfortable camping with private chef and portable toilet. Modern vehicles with private driver.
Some steep inclines at high altitudes, that can be regarded as strenuous. With sufficient pre-trail training, its easily achievable.
Hiking, trekking, and camping.
Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 5..
Hiking, trekking, and camping.
Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 5..
We start this great day of adventure on our way to the Classic Inca Trail. We will pick you up from your hotel in our private transportation at 4:30 am. From there, we travel to Piskacucho, also known as kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins. Here we will stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo from 6:30 am – 7:00 am approximately to recharge our batteries for our start of the Inca Trail (breakfast is not included).
Arriving at kilometer 82 (8:30 am) we will make a stop to get ready and prepare to start our adventure, we can also use the bathrooms, we will apply sunscreen, insect repellent, etc.. Once at the Inca Trail checkpoint, we will be asked to present our entrance tickets and passports.
At the beginning of the trail (2,720m / 8,923 ft) we will cross the Urubamba River and follow its course to the right. The first day is relatively easy, where we will observe excellent views of the Inca Fortress (Huillca Raccay), the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata (officially called Patallacta), the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle, the Andes Cordillera and the beautiful snowy peak of W’akay Willca (5,860m / 19, 225 ft) also known as Veronica where you can also see the lush green valley and a lot of flora and fauna, we will walk for about 3 hours between ascents and descents until we reach our meeting place in the village of Hatunchaca where our chef will be waiting for us ready with our delicious lunch.
After our lunch we will have a few minutes to rest and contemplate the beauty of the area and then continue our hike to our first camp called Wallabamba, an hour and a half away from our lunch which is located at (3,000m / 9,842 ft) located in the green temperate valley of the same name. The night temperatures are around 5ºC depending on the month so we must be prepared in advance, when we arrive at our camp we will have a delicious dinner prepared by our team there our guide will give you the guidelines for the next day and at night you can see the beautiful starry sky that offers the Inca Trail.
This second day will be challenging, as we will have a steep climb up to the highest peak, Abra de Warmi wañuska or Paso de la Mujer Muerta (4,200 m / 13,779 ft). So we will get up very early 5:00 am – 5:30 am. For this it will be important to be prepared and full of energy. On this day, you will feel a real sense of accomplishment when you reach the summit! After a well-deserved rest, we will begin our descent to our lunch spot, which is located at Pacaymayu (3,550 m / 11,646 ft).
On our way to the pass, we will be able to see a great variety of hummingbirds and a combination of other bird species. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and Polylepis or Q’ueuña trees, which grow in the amazing cloud forest (3,650 m / 11,972 ft).
After finishing our lunch we will have free time to appreciate the beauty of the area, rest or interact with our porters until tea time where we will have chocolate, tea, coffee among others, and in the evening we will have our well-deserved dinner where our chef prepares delicious food and then we will receive the guidelines from our guide for the next day.
After breakfast, we will continue our hike on the opposite side of the valley, as we head towards the second pass on the trek. On the way, we will have fantastic views of waterfalls as well as flora and fauna.
Halfway through the trek, we will stop and visit the Inca site of Runcu Raccay (an Inca watchtower), and rest for a moment to catch our breath before continuing our ascent to Runcu Raccay pass (4,000 m / 13,123 FT).
From the Runcu Raccay pass, we will begin our descent back into the cloud forest. After approximately one hour we will arrive at the ruins of Sayacmarca, one of the most beautiful archaeological centers of the Inca Trail, where we will have a one-hour guided tour.
From Sayacmarca, we will continue to our lunch spot at Chaquicocha (dry lake). Here we will see the fantastic flora and fauna that the Inca Trail has to offer. From Chaquicocha onwards, we will walk along the Inca plain (gradual slopes), as we head towards our final camp, Phuyupatamarca (3,680 m/12,073ft).
This area of the Inca Trail has breathtaking views of the Vilcabamba mountain range, as well as abundant flora and fauna. After another two hours of hiking, we will arrive at our campsite, where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu mountain and the Urubamba River, we will settle into our campsite and have the opportunity to explore the Inca site and as the sun rises, we can enjoy the beautiful sunset over the snow-capped peaks and at night we will delight in watching the starry sky.
On day 4, we will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises on the Inca Trail, weather permitting. After breakfast, you will have a guided tour through Phuyupatamarca.
We will then begin our trek up the long descending stone steps to Wiñay Wayna, at 2,650 m / 8,692 FT, where we will have lunch. As we approach the foot of the stairs, we will visit the site of Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). This site has beautiful views of the Sacred Valley and was an important agricultural site for Machu Picchu.
After Intipata, we will continue to Wiñay Wayna, the largest archaeological site on the Inca Trail besides Machu Picchu. It consists of an impressive complex formed by an agricultural center, with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. At this site we will find spectacular views over the narrow valley of the Urubamba River.
Then we will have our last lunch with our porters. Afterwards, this day on the Inca Trail we will have a traditional ceremony of thanksgiving for all the hard work that the porters and our chef have done. If you wish, you can leave a tip for them at this time.
where we will get our first views of Machu Picchu. It takes about an hour of hiking along a flat stone trail in the high jungle to reach the Sun Gate. From there, it is approximately another hour to the site itself.Upon arrival, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset and see the sights of Machu Picchu without crowds, before taking the bus to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Finally the wonderful day has arrived where we will visit the fabulous lost city of the Incas. We will get up early and board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, to enjoy the sunrise at the citadel (weather permitting). These buses are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 5:30 am.
You will have a two-hour tour of the Inca citadel and then free time to explore. If you have purchased permits for Huayna Picchu (optional), your guide will show you where this hike begins and it will take you 45 minutes to get to the top and another 45 minutes to get back down. This is for a price of $75 per person that you must reserve in advance.
After the tour of the citadel, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and meet for our last lunch in town. However, please note that lunch with your group is optional and is not included in the cost of the tour. You will then take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
IMPORTANT:
You can rent or make changes with us, please request it in the briefing or at the time of making your reservation.
Inside your backpack
As a Direct Tour Operator, we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and we WILL include an additional porter, who will carry up to 7 kgs / 14 lbs, including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mat and extra clothing.
We highly recommend having a small 30-40L trekking backpack for the day. in which you can carry the following things
Water: Please bring your own water on the first day until the first camp for lunch, then we will provide cold boiled water at each meal. Please bring your water bottle.
Please read the information provided carefully as it will help answer all your questions about our services.
If you wish, we can pick you up from the airport to give you a warm welcome to the city of Cusco and transfer you to your hotel, so you must inform us of your flight details at least 14 days before your trip. On the day of your arrival, please look for our representative who will be holding a sign with the META Peru logo at the airport (coordinate when making your reservation).
The information talk will take place the night before the trek at 6:00 pm at our office or at your hotel.
FIRST, to book your INCA TRAIL tour to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our reservation form by clicking BOOK NOW on our home page as well as to the right side of the tour of your choice or click here on the INQUIRE NOW link to contact us so we can give you the best options during your stay in PERU.
Please note that we cannot purchase your Machu Picchu tickets without the following information:
Remember: that during the period of 2025 the tickets to the Inca citadel (MACHUPICCHU) are in high demand so we recommend you make the reservation in advance to guarantee an unforgettable quality experience.
***Copies of the passport of each participant are required in order to reserve the tickets for the visit to the Inca citadel (MACHUPÍCCHU)!
SECOND, we require a deposit of $250.00 USD per person, in order to purchase the entrance tickets to the archaeological park of MACHUPICCHU. You can make your deposit by clicking on the symbols VISA, PAYPAL or the payment method that is enabled when you click on BOOK NOW that is located on the right side of the chosen tour or you can also send us a message to our email to contact you, this link will be found in INQUIRE NOW.
We would appreciate it if you pay in cash at our office (we accept US dollars or Peruvian soles) during your briefing 2 or 4 days before your trip. We have many ATMs in downtown Cusco. You can also pay with VISA or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance via PAYPAL, you must log in to your PAYPAL account using our email address of metaperutravel@gmail.com.
We recommend you pay in cash at our offices to avoid this charge.
At META PERU your care and experience is the most important thing.
¡Yes! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it has the same passport number that you sent us to book your permit for the Machu Picchu Tour or package. Your passport will be checked when you enter Machu Picchu and when you board the train. In case you are renewing your passport, please send us a copy of your old passport to secure your permission and be able to change it when you get your new passport. If so, please send us a copy of your new passport as soon as possible.
DISCOUNTS
In the event that you are unable to finish the trek due to health reasons, our team will take you to the nearest town for assistance with transportation. We always carry oxygen on our treks for any respiratory issues. In extreme cases, we can arrange for a helicopter at your expense. (Travel insurance required, recommended). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally, those who need help getting off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by the trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.
Unfortunately, the answer is No. Once the permits have been purchased, the Peruvian government does not allow any changes, so we cannot change any dates after the permit has been purchased. The permits are also non-transferable and non-refundable. If you cancel your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days, the deposit is not refundable at all.
Of course! Round-trip transfer to your hotel is included in all our packages! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will drop you off there and vice versa.
If you are satisfied with the services provided, a tip is appreciated by our staff, although it is not mandatory. While it may not be a custom, it is of great importance to the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an ingrained feature of the tourism industry in many META Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you like, depending on your perception of the quality and length of your trip. Remember, tipping is not mandatory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable and responsible tour operator that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protecting the environment and benefiting local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know, respect and understand local places and people in relation to the environment.
You can rent from us, please request it in the briefing or at the time of making your reservation.
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