Machu Picchu Inca Trail Trek: 4-Day Group Hike & Camping

Summary

Follow the Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu with local guides, camp under stars, and taste fresh mountain food along the way

You’ll follow ancient paths on this Machu Picchu Inca Trail trek from Cusco: sharing laughs with porters at sunrise, climbing Dead Woman’s Pass with your guide encouraging you onward, eating hot meals under cold stars, and finally seeing Machu Picchu appear through morning mist at Intipunku. Expect tired legs—and memories that linger longer than you’d think.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment—right after the van drops you at Km 82 and everyone’s shuffling backpacks—that you hear a porter laugh in Quechua, sharp and bright against the early light. That’s when it hit me: this wasn’t just a hike to Machu Picchu, it was a whole world moving together. Our guide, Juan Carlos, handed out coca leaves (I still can’t get used to that bitter taste) and told us about his grandmother walking these same stones as a child. The air smelled like eucalyptus and dust. I fumbled with my trekking poles for a bit—never used them before—and then we were off along the Inca Trail.

The climb up Dead Woman’s Pass is no joke. Four hours of switchbacks, knees burning, lungs arguing with altitude. But there was this old woman from Lima in our group who just kept going, humming something I didn’t recognize. At the top—4215 meters—everyone went quiet except for the wind. I remember Juan Carlos pointing out Pacaymayu River below and saying something about how the Incas saw mountains as living spirits. It made sense in that silence. Lunches were always hot—rice, trout, even some kind of purple corn drink that stained my lips (I asked for seconds). Nights were colder than I thought; I woke up once to see Orion right above my tent flap.

By day three, my legs felt like someone else’s but somehow lighter too. We passed through clouds at Phuyupatamarka (“town in the clouds,” Juan Carlos grinned), terraces stacked like green stairs down toward the Urubamba River. The trail got quieter here—just birds and our boots on stone steps slick from morning mist. Wiñay Wayna looked almost unreal through the fog; mossy walls and orchids everywhere. There was a happy hour with popcorn (yes, popcorn!) before dinner that night—everyone crowded around swapping stories about blisters or home or whatever came up.

The last morning started in darkness—headlamps bobbing as we walked toward Intipunku, the Sun Gate. When Machu Picchu finally appeared through that gap…well, I just stood there for a minute letting it sink in while everyone else took photos. Our guide gave us space but later walked us through every corner of the citadel with stories about stonework and lost cities—I barely kept up taking notes on my phone. Train back to Cusco felt like floating after all those days on foot. Sometimes now when I smell wet earth after rain, it takes me right back there—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cusco to Ayapata campsite

• Pick up from Cusco hotel at 4:20 am
• Drive to Porters' House in Ollantaytambo
• Have breakfast prepared by trekking chef
• Drive 1 hour to trailhead at Km 82
• Organize and prepare for hike
• Hike to Llactapata Inca site
• Hike 2 hours to lunch spot
• Enjoy hot lunch at campsite
• Refill camel bags with safe water
• Hike 2 hours to Ayapata campsite
• Have dinner and rest under open sky

Day 2 — Dead Woman's Pass and Chaquicocha

• Eat breakfast at campsite
• Ascend 4 hours to Dead Woman’s Pass
• Admire views and descend to Pacaymayu River
• Rest and have lunch
• Ascend to Runccuracay Pass and visit site
• Enjoy views of two waterfalls
• Hike down to Chaquicocha campsite
• Enjoy happy hour and dinner

Day 3 — Phuyupatamarka and Wiñayhuayna

• Have breakfast at campsite
• Ascend to Phuyupatamarka
• View Urubamba River and Machu Picchu
• Walk 3 hours down to last campsite
• Visit Phuyupatamarka and Intipata sites
• Have lunch at campsite
• Hike to Wiñayhuayna site

Day 4 — Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

• Eat early breakfast
• Hike 2 hours to Sungate (Intipunku)
• Take photos of Machu Picchu views
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu Citadel
• Optional Huayna Picchu hike (if booked)
• Meet guide at Aguas Calientes
• Have lunch
• Take train to Ollantaytambo
• Drive back to Cusco hotel

Top questions

How long is the Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu?

The trek lasts 4 days and 3 nights from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

Is hotel pickup included for this Inca Trail tour?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Cusco is included at 4:20 am on day one.

Are meals provided during the trek?

All meals are cooked fresh by trekking chefs and included throughout the hike.

What is the highest point on the trek?

The highest point is Dead Woman's Pass at 4215 meters (13,829 feet).

Do I need to carry all my gear myself?

No, a personal porter carries up to 7 kg per person for you.

Is entry to Machu Picchu included?

Yes, entrance fees for Machu Picchu are included in your booking.

Can I refill water bottles along the way?

Safe drinkable water is available throughout the trek for refilling bottles or camel bags.

Are tents shared or private?

Tents are four-person size but only used by two people each for comfort.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Cusco before dawn, all necessary entry fees (including Machu Picchu), camping gear set up by porters each night, safe drinking water along every stage of the Inca Trail trek, freshly prepared meals by trekking chefs (even popcorn!), a personal porter carrying up to 7 kg of your gear, guided tours at every major site including Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu itself, plus train return from Aguas Calientes back toward Cusco where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel late that evening.