From Cusco: 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Small Groups

Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba

Your adventure begins with a 4:00 AM pickup from Cusco, followed by a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley to Pïscacucho or Km 82 (8,923 ft / 2,720 m), the official starting point of the Inca Trail. After crossing the Urubamba River, the hike begins with a gradual ascent through diverse landscapes, passing the Inca site of Llactapata (8,692 ft / 2,650 m), known for its extensive agricultural terraces and strategic location. The trail continues through valleys and forests until reaching Wayllabamba (9,842 ft / 3,000 m), where you set up camp and enjoy a well-deserved meal before resting for the night.
- Campsite in Wayllabamba

Day 2: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo

After an early breakfast, the trail leads through high-altitude forests before opening into the puna grasslands, where the landscape becomes more dramatic as you ascend to the highest point of the trek, Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass, 13,828 ft / 4,215 m). From here, enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding Andean peaks before beginning the descent into the Pacaymayo Valley (11,811 ft / 3,600 m), where your campsite awaits. This is the most physically demanding day, but the rewards are unmatched as you experience the vastness and beauty of the high Andes.
- Campsite in Pacaymayo

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Sayacmarca – Wiñay Wayna

The morning starts with a visit to Runkurakay (12,631 ft / 3,850 m), an Inca site that once served as a rest stop for travelers. A short but steep climb takes you to the second-highest pass (13,123 ft / 4,000 m) before descending toward Sayacmarca (11,811 ft / 3,600 m), an ancient Inca complex perched on a steep ridge with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. The trail continues through lush cloud forests and well-preserved stone pathways, leading past Phuyupatamarca (11,975 ft / 3,650 m) before reaching the final campsite at Wiñay Wayna (8,694 ft / 2,650 m), where you spend your last night on the trail near a spectacular series of agricultural terraces and ceremonial sites.
- Campsite in Wiñay Wayna

Day 4: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Depart before dawn for the final stretch to Inti Punku (Sun Gate, 8,924 ft / 2,720 m), where the first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m) emerges as the morning light illuminates the ruins. After a short descent, enter the citadel for a 2-hour guided tour, exploring its temples, plazas, and terraces while learning about its engineering and spiritual significance. If booked 3 to 6 months in advance, you may also climb Huayna Picchu (8,924 ft / 2,720 m) or Machu Picchu Mountain (10,112 ft / 3,082 m), a longer but less technical climb that allows re-entry. Afterward, take the bus to Aguas Calientes and board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where your transport awaits for the final drive back to Cusco, concluding your journey.