Machu Picchu: Inca Trail 4-Day Trek with Porters & Chef

Summary

Four days on the Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu with porters, chef-cooked meals, and sunrise at the Sun Gate

You’ll set off from Cusco before sunrise with your group and local guide, hiking ancient Inca paths past mountain passes and hidden ruins. Hot meals cooked by your own camp chef keep you going each day until you finally reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at dawn—an entrance that feels both earned and unreal.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is stumbling out of my hotel in Cusco while it was still dark — someone from the team waved from a van, and that’s how it started. I barely tasted breakfast in Ollantaytambo (too much adrenaline), but by the time we reached km 82 and met our guide Wilber and the porters, I felt awake for real. The trail opened up right away: dusty earth underfoot, cold air on my face, and that odd mix of eucalyptus and woodsmoke you get in the Andes. Wilber kept pointing out things I’d never have noticed — tiny orchids tucked into stone walls, or a condor circling way overhead. Lunch at Hatunchaca was so much better than I expected (hot soup, fresh bread), but honestly I was just grateful for tea at camp after the last climb. My legs were already complaining.

Day two was rough — Dead Woman’s Pass really does live up to its name. Four hours up switchbacks in thin air; I’m not sure if it was sweat or mist on my face half the time. One of the porters handed me coca tea before we started and grinned when I tried to thank him in Spanish (I probably messed it up). At the top, Wilber did a little offering to Pachamama — he let us join if we wanted — and there was this hush except for wind snapping at our jackets. That view over Pacaymayu Valley… yeah, it sticks with you. Going down hurt my knees more than going up somehow.

The third day felt like a reward. We had an easier pace along what Wilber called “Peruvian flat” (which isn’t really flat, by the way). There were clouds drifting low over Salkantay glacier — everything looked washed-out and silver for a while. We stopped at Phuyupatamarka ruins where moss grew thick on every stone; Wilber told us stories about messengers running these same paths centuries ago. After lunch at camp (I think I ate three helpings), there was time to shower and nap before wandering over to Wiñaywayna ruins as golden light hit everything sideways. We said goodbye to the porters that night — they laughed when we tried some Quechua words; pretty sure we butchered those too.

We woke up before dawn for Machu Picchu itself — everyone fumbling around in headlamps, trying not to trip over tent lines. The last stretch is quiet except for boots crunching gravel and birds starting up somewhere below. When we reached the Sun Gate, Machu Picchu appeared out of nowhere through morning mist; it didn’t feel real at first. Our guide led us through quiet corners of the citadel before most crowds arrived. By lunch in Aguas Calientes, my legs were jelly but honestly? I still replay walking through that gate sometimes when things are noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Start trek from Cusco to Ayapata

• Pick up from Cusco hotel at 4:30 a.m.
• Breakfast in Ollantaytambo
• Drive to km 82 (Piscakucho) checkpoint
• Hike 3 hours to Llactapata ruins
• Drive 1 hour to Hatunchaca camp
• Lunch at Hatunchaca camp
• Hike 4 hours to Ayapata campsite
• Set up tents and serve hot tea

Day 2 — Hike to Dead Woman’s Pass and Chaquicocha

• Wake up with hot or coca tea
• Hike 4 hours to Dead Woman’s Pass
• Guide performs offerings to local Gods
• Descend 2 hours to Pacaymayu Valley
• Lunch prepared by chef
• Hike 1.5 hours to Runqurakay pass and ruins
• Descend to Sayacmarca ruins
• Reach Chaquicocha campsite
• Enjoy sunset and Milky Way

Day 3 — Explore ruins and relax at Wiñaywayna

• Hike 2 hours on flat terrain
• Descend to campsite with glacier views
• Visit Phuyupatamarka and Intipata ruins
• Arrive at Wiñaywayna campsite by 12:30 p.m.
• Lunch and siesta
• Short hike to Wiñaywayna ruins
• Free time for photography
• Farewell to porters and dinner

Day 4 — Final hike and Machu Picchu tour

• Early start and pass checkpoint at 5:30 a.m.
• Hike 1 hour 20 minutes to Sun Gate
• View sunrise over Machu Picchu
• Descend 45 minutes to Mapi checkpoint
• 2-hour guided Machu Picchu tour
• Bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch
• Train departure at 14:55 or 15:20 p.m.
• Return to Cusco or Sacred Valley hotel

Top questions

How long is the Inca Trail trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

The trek covers about 26 miles (42 km) over four days from km 82 near Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu.

Is hotel pickup included for this Inca Trail tour?

Yes, hotel pickup in Cusco is included at around 4:30 a.m. on day one.

Are meals provided during the trek?

Yes, all meals are prepared by a professional camp chef during the trek—including hot breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and wake-up tea.

What is Dead Woman’s Pass?

Dead Woman’s Pass is the highest point on the Inca Trail (4215m / 13,829ft), reached on day two of the trek.

Do porters carry your gear on this tour?

Yes, porters carry camping equipment and up to 7 kg (14 lbs) of your personal belongings per person.

Is there a guided tour inside Machu Picchu?

Yes, after arriving via the Sun Gate you get a two-hour guided exploration of Machu Picchu with your local guide.

Are tents & camping equipment provided?

Tents (double occupancy), foam mattresses, dining tent with chairs/tables, portable toilets—all are provided by the company.

How do you return to Cusco after visiting Machu Picchu?

You take a tourist bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch then board an afternoon train back toward Ollantaytambo; private transport returns you to your hotel in Cusco.

What’s included

Your journey includes early morning pickup from your hotel in Cusco, all necessary permits for both Machu Picchu entry and hiking the Inca Trail itself, daily hot meals prepared by a professional chef (plus wake-up tea brought right to your tent), porter service for luggage up to 7 kg per person, comfortable tents with mattresses set up each night by staff, access to portable toilets along the route, clean water refills after day one—and private transportation back from Aguas Calientes to your hotel after exploring Machu Picchu with your guide.