Inca Trail 4-Day with Panoramic Train

As dawn breaks, your adventure begins at Km 82, where the cool morning air fills your lungs and energizes your step. Crossing the rushing Vilcanota River, you enter a world of historical intrigue and natural beauty. Your path takes you past scattered communities and the ancient Llactapata ruins, where the whispers of the past meet the murmurs of the river. As the trail ascends gently, you're surrounded by the wild flora of the Andes, setting the stage for the days to come. By evening, the small village of Wayllabamba offers rest under a canopy of stars, nestled within the comforting embrace of the mountains.

• Distance: Approximately 12 km (7.5 miles)
• Estimated Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Starting Altitude: 2,600 m (8,530 ft) at Km 82
• Ending Altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft) at Wayllabamba
• Difficulty: Moderate, with an initial flat terrain gradually turning into an ascending trail.
• Highlights: Cross the Vilcanota River and view the Inca ruins of Llactapata. Observe diverse flora and fauna, and acclimatize to the increasing altitude.

Today challenges your spirit and rewards your senses as you conquer Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point of the trail. With each step, the path steepens, and the air thins, testing your endurance. Reaching the summit reveals a panoramic feast for the eyes — stark, rugged slopes softened by vast, rolling clouds. The descent into Pacaymayo brings relief and a serene campsite beside a tranquil stream, inviting a night of rest under the watchful gaze of the towering peaks.

• Distance: Approximately 11 km (6.8 miles)
• Estimated Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
• Starting Altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
• Highest Point: 4,215 m (13,829 ft) at Dead Woman’s Pass
• Ending Altitude: 3,600 m (11,810 ft) at Pacaymayo
• Difficulty: Challenging, with a steep ascent to the highest point of the trail.
• Highlights: Conquer Dead Woman's Pass, the highest and most challenging part of the trek. Enjoy breathtaking views from the summit before descending to the campsite.

From Pacaymayo, the trail rises again, bringing you to ruins that crown the cloud forest's edge, like Runkurakay and Sayacmarca, accessible only by ancient stairs and paths that have felt the tread of countless Incan feet. Today, you walk through a living museum, adorned with orchids and hummingbirds, leading to the beautiful Wiñay Wayna. The campsite tonight is perched above a steep valley, where the Urubamba River sounds a distant roar, and the setting sun paints the sky in hues of fire and gold.

• Distance: Approximately 16 km (10 miles)
• Estimated Hiking Time: 8 hours
• Starting Altitude: 3,600 m (11,810 ft)
• Passes: Second Pass at 3,950 m (12,959 ft), Third Pass at 3,700 m (12,139 ft)
• Ending Altitude: 2,650 m (8,692 ft) at Wiñay Wayna
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, with two additional passes and numerous Inca sites.
• Highlights: Visit the ancient sites of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca. Traverse cloud forests and a subtropical jungle, experiencing a noticeable change in the ecosystem.

The final day starts before dawn, as you make your way to Intipunku, the Sun Gate, arriving just as the first golden rays illuminate Machu Picchu. The sight is a crescendo of all you've envisioned — a mystical city lost in time, revealed in the morning light, majestic and silent. Descending into the heart of Machu Picchu, you explore its corners and crevices, each stone and stair telling stories of its past. As the day closes, you board the Panoramic Train, allowing you to relive the journey’s magic in comfort, the mountains gliding by as the train snakes back to Cusco.

• Distance: Approximately 4 km (2.5 miles)
• Estimated Hiking Time: 2 hours
• Starting Altitude: 2,650 m (8,692 ft)
• Ending Altitude: 2,430 m (7,972 ft) at Machu Picchu
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with an early morning hike to reach the Sun Gate for sunrise.
• Highlights: Arrive at the Sun Gate to witness the first light over Machu Picchu. Explore the iconic ruins with fewer crowds early in the morning. Conclude the trek with a relaxing ride back to Cusco on the Panoramic Train, featuring expansive windows and comfortable seating.