The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most iconic trekking routes. This legendary trail leads you through stunning mountain passes, ancient Inca sites, traditional Andean communities, and diverse landscapes—from high-altitude terrain to mystical cloud forests and lush green valleys.

Over four unforgettable days, you’ll enjoy three nights of camping in beautiful remote locations. We provide high-quality camping equipment, experienced porters, and delicious Andean cuisine prepared by our trekking chefs—so you can focus on the journey while we take care of your comfort.

All logistics are handled for you, including transportation, permits, and entry tickets, ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish. Along the way, our expert guides share deep historical insight and extensive trekking knowledge, and all are certified in wilderness first aid to keep you safe and well-informed every step of the way.

With steep ascents to elevations over 13,800 ft (4,200 m), the Classic Inca Trail is rated Challenging—perfect for active travelers with good fitness and some prior trekking experience who are ready to take on a truly epic adventure.

Highlights

• Hike with expert local guides who know the trail better than anyone—over 300 Inca Trail hikes and 500+ Machu Picchu tours delivered with passion and precision.

• Sleep comfortably with our top-of-the-line camping equipment, designed for maximum warmth, safety, and rest at high altitude.

• Enjoy gourmet Peruvian meals prepared fresh on the trail—an experience that consistently surprises and delights our guests.

• Follow the authentic Inca Trail, discovering every major archaeological site and hidden gem along this legendary route.

• Experience the unforgettable moment of entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, just as ancient pilgrims once did.

• Relax with our fully inclusive service—we handle every detail, from permits and tickets to transportation and equipment.

• Explore all key Inca ruins with expert interpretation that brings history to life.

• Type of tour: Historical, guided trip, train ride, trekking, camping
• Distance covered: 45 km (28 miles)
• Duration: 4 days / 3 nights camping
• Lowest elevation: 2400m (7,880 feet)
• Highest elevation: 4200m (13,776 feet)
• Level of difficulty 1 to 10: 7-8 (10 being impossible)

Group Size

We keep our groups intentionally small so your experience stays personal, immersive, and truly memorable. With an average of just 2 to 8 hikers, you enjoy more one-on-one attention from your guide, greater flexibility on the trail, and deeper connection with the landscapes you’ve come to explore.

Picture trying to soak in a quiet mountain sunrise or watch a shy animal emerge from the forest while 15 or 20 people shuffle around you. Or setting foot in remote wilderness alongside a crowd. That’s not the kind of adventure we believe in.

Real nature experiences happen in small, intimate groups—where you can walk in silence, ask questions freely, adjust the pace when needed, and savor authentic, unhurried moments in the wild.

Accommodation

Unwind each night in the heart of the Andes beneath a sky full of stars. This trek includes three nights of camping in high-quality four season tents —spacious, sturdy, and designed for comfort after a full day on the trail. Each tent is set up for two people, giving you plenty of room to relax and store your gear.

Traveling solo? Just let us know. We can pair you with another like-minded traveler or provide a private tent at no extra cost upon request, so you can enjoy the experience exactly the way you prefer.

Our Guides

We are proud to work with a team of highly trained, professional guides—all with formal degrees in tourism. More than just guides, they are storytellers and cultural ambassadors, passionate about Andean traditions, Inca history, and sharing the rich heritage of Peru with every traveler who joins them on the trail.

Location

Your journey begins in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, depending on your preference. To reach us, you will first fly into Lima, the capital of Peru, and then take a domestic flight to Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport.

Departures

This trek is operated 100% by PERU BY LOCALS—we never outsource or rearrange tours. When you book with us, you travel directly with our team. We offer departures every day, year-round, maintaining small groups of 2 to 8 hikers to ensure personalized service.

Book Anytime

We accept bookings throughout the year. When you’re ready, reach out with any questions—our team is available 24/7 at:
📞 +51 989 585 967
📧 info@perubylocals.com

DAY 0: PRE – TRIP BRIEFING

At PBL, we want you to start your Classic Inca Trail adventure feeling fully prepared and excited. The evening before your trek begins, at 5:30 pm, your guide will meet you at your hotel in Cusco for a detailed pre-trek briefing.

You’ll go over the full itinerary, trail conditions, daily challenges, what to pack, and what to expect each day—so by the time you lace up your boots in the morning, you’ll be ready to enjoy every step of this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

DAY 1: WARM-UP DAY – CUSCO TO WAYLLABAMBA

Your Inca Trail adventure begins at dawn with a hotel pickup in Cusco. As we leave the city behind, the road winds through traditional Andean villages and sweeping valleys—your first taste of the landscapes you’ll soon be walking through. We arrive at Piskacucho (Km 82), the legendary gateway to the Classic Inca Trail, where you’ll meet our powerhouse team of porters and feel the excitement of the journey ahead.

The trail starts gently, opening into a panorama of cacti, dry forest, and wide-open views toward Waqaywillka Mountain—a towering 5,800 m (19,030 ft) peak that dominates the Sacred Valley skyline. After a couple of hours of hiking, we stop for a chef-prepared lunch in the heart of the Andes.

As we continue, the scenery begins to shift. The arid highlands gradually give way to lush, semi-tropical vegetation, and the trail comes alive with birdsong and the rustle of the wind. Keep your eyes open—you may be lucky enough to spot the giant Andean hummingbird (Patagona gigas), the largest hummingbird on Earth.

We reach our first campsite around 4:00 pm, where your tent is already set up and waiting. You’ll be welcomed with warm water for washing, peaceful

• Distance covered: 12km (7.4 miles)
• Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
• Lowest elevation: 2700m (8, 858 feet)
• Highest elevation: 3000m (10,168 feet)
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 2: THE CHALLENGE OF DEAD WOMAN’S PASS – HUAYLLABAMBA TO PAQAYMAYU

Your day begins with a gentle wake-up call as one of our porters brings fresh hot coffee right to your tent—your first taste of Andean hospitality. After warm water for washing and a hearty breakfast, we hit the trail around 7:00 am for what many consider the most demanding—and most rewarding—day of the entire trek.

We immediately enter the high-altitude forest, climbing steadily through dense vegetation and towering peaks. The ascent is challenging, but every step offers spectacular views and a powerful sense of achievement. After about four hours of continuous uphill hiking, we reach the legendary Warmiwañusqa (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,215 m / 13,776 ft, the highest point on the Classic Inca Trail.

Standing at the top is an unforgettable moment—crisp mountain air, sweeping views of the Andes, and the feeling of being truly on top of the world.

From the pass, we begin our descent toward the valley of Paqaymayo (3,650 m / 11,975 ft), our campsite for the night. Here, nature feels untouched and serene. Temperatures at this altitude can drop to 0°C / 32°F during the winter months (May–August), so a warm sleeping bag and a star-filled sky complete the experience.

• Distance covered: 11km (7 miles)
• Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours
• Lowest elevation: 3000m (10,168 feet)
• Highest elevation: 4215m (13,776 feet)
• Difficulty: Demanding

DAY 3: INTO THE JUNGLE REALM – PAQAYMAYU TO WIÑAYHUAYNA

Day 3 unfolds like a journey through time itself—the longest stretch of the Classic Inca Trail, and for many, the most unforgettable. Every step reveals something new: sweeping Andean vistas, ancient stonework hidden in the greenery, the soft flutter of cloud forest birds, and orchids clinging to the rocks as if guarding the trail.

We begin with a steady ascent toward the second pass, Runkuraqay (3,950 m / 12,959 ft). The world grows quieter as we climb, the air thinner, the mountains grander. At the top, the Andes spread out beneath you—peaks rising like waves frozen in time. It’s a place that invites silence, reflection, and awe.

From the pass, the trail drops gently into the mist, leading us to the enigmatic ruins of Sayacmarca, a solitary fortress suspended between sky and valley. Its terraces and passageways whisper stories of travelers who walked this path centuries before us.

We continue into the heart of the cloud forest, where ancient stone steps wind through mossy walls, ferns unfurl in the shadows, and sunlight filters through the canopy in golden streaks. After a peaceful lunch surrounded by the sounds of the jungle, we set out on a stunning stretch of trail—rolling hills, hidden viewpoints, and glimpses of snowcapped summits far in the distance.

A final three-hour descent delivers us to Wiñayhuayna, a magical campsite perched above the valley. Here, the air feels charged with anticipation. The ruins of Wiñayhuayna cling to the mountainside nearby, offering one of the most poetic scenes on the entire trek.

As night falls and the forest quiets, the dream of reaching Machu Picchu at sunrise draws closer, filling the camp with a sense of wonder and expectation.

• Distance covered: 16km (9.9 miles)
• Hiking time: 8 to 10 hours
• Lowest elevation: 2650m (8,694 feet)
• Highest elevation: 3950m (12,959 feet)
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU – THE SUN GATE REVEALS THE LOST CITY

Before dawn even hints at the horizon, your final day begins. At 3:30 am, the quiet rustle of camp stirs you awake—today is the day you meet Machu Picchu. You pack your gear under a blanket of stars and enjoy your last trail breakfast as anticipation builds in the cool mountain air. Just a short walk away lies the final checkpoint, where hikers gather in hushed excitement, waiting for the gate to open at 5:30 am.

Our early start ensures our porters can catch the only morning train from the valley below—allowing them to return to Cusco with all the gear. Your patience here becomes part of the rhythm of the journey, part of what makes the Inca Trail a shared expedition between travelers and the amazing team supporting them.

When the gate finally opens, you set off in darkness, guided by headlamps and the promise of something extraordinary ahead. The trail winds along cliffs and cloud forest, and as the sky grows pale, you make the final ascent toward the legendary Sun Gate.

And then—there it is.

As the first rays of sunlight spill over the Andes, Machu Picchu appears in the distance, suspended between mountains and sky. It is a moment every trekker remembers forever: the Lost City revealed, just as the Inca once intended.

From the Sun Gate, a 45-minute descent leads you directly into the heart of this wonder. Your guide then brings the citadel to life during a two-and-a-half-hour tour, weaving stories of astronomy, engineering, agriculture, and empire into the stones beneath your feet.

When your exploration is complete, a bus carries you down to Aguas Calientes, where a well-earned lunch—and perhaps a celebratory Pisco Sour—awaits. Laughter, stories, and the shared triumph of the trail mark the final moments with your group before you board the train back to Cusco.

As the mountains fade into the distance, you carry with you the memory of an ancient path, a sunrise revelation, and a journey that will stay with you long after the trail ends.

• Distance covered: 6 km (3.7 miles)
• Hiking time: 2 hour hike and 2.5 hour walking tour in Machu Picchu
• Lowest elevation: 2400m (7,874 feet)
• Highest elevation: 2700m (8,858 feet)
• Difficulty: Moderate

OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS

Why Peru by Locals?

At Peru by Locals, we craft tailor-made treks and tours that revolve around you. Every experience is designed with your interests, travel style, and sense of adventure in mind. Our commitment is simple: world-class service, genuine local expertise, and unforgettable journeys across Peru.

A Truly Local, Highly Experienced Team

We are a locally owned travel company based in Cusco, Peru, built by guides and travel specialists with decades of first-hand experience in the Peruvian tourism sector.
Our entire team—management, guides, porters, and support staff—speak English, Spanish, and Quechua, the language of the Incas. This cultural knowledge enriches every moment of your adventure.

Expert Guides You Can Trust

Our guides are not only passionate storytellers but also highly trained professionals. They are certified in:

• Wilderness First Aid & First Responder

• Andean history, Inca archaeology & Peruvian culture

• Trekking leadership & tourism management

• Flora, fauna, and environmental stewardship

Your safety, comfort, and enrichment are our top priorities.

Ethical, Responsible & Community-Focused

We believe that responsible tourism changes lives. At Peru by Locals:

• We honor and protect the environment and the ancient lands you explore.

• We create sustainable jobs and empower local communities through fair labor practices.

• We support porter families with initiatives such as tree planting, school supplies donations, and community development projects.

• A portion of every tour funds our Porter Education Fund, which helps cover school costs for local children.

Travel with us and your adventure directly supports the people who make it possible.

Small Groups, Big Experiences

We specialize in small group adventures, typically between 2 and 8 travelers. Why?
Because small groups mean:

• More personalized service

• No waiting in long lines behind big groups

• More flexibility to explore hidden gems off the beaten path

• A richer connection with your guide, the culture, and the land

Whether you travel solo, with friends, as a couple, or with family, we welcome travelers of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities. With Peru by Locals, there are no limits—only possibilities.

Uniquely Crafted Journeys

We design diverse itineraries from 1 to 15 days, including treks, cultural tours, photography journeys, food-focused experiences, and more. Every itinerary is handcrafted to ensure a seamless, worry-free trip from start to finish.

With Peru by Locals, you don’t just visit Peru—you experience it deeply, authentically, and meaningfully. We guarantee the adventure of a lifetime.