Peru: Trek the Inca Trail 4 Days

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4 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Challenging

Demands good physical fitness and stamina for more intense or extended activities.

Starts

Cusco, Peru

Ends

Cusco, Peru

Highlights

This trip allows trekkers to visit Machu Picchu – one of the magnificent Seven Wonders of the World, sitting high in the Andes mountains.

Get active with one of the most iconic treks in the world, soaking up gorgeously lush scenery and travelling with a small group of adventurers and local leaders and porters to help you along the way.

Follow in the footsteps of a great lost civilisation up to the Sun Gate overlooking mighty Machu Picchu. If you take the Quarry Trail, pass amazing archaeological sites, valley views and enjoy off-the-beaten-path cultural interactions.

Start and end your journey in Cusco – Extend your stay a few days to really explore the old capital of the Inca Empire and become aclimated to the high altitude. Explore the archaeological remains, Spanish architecture and the Plaza de Armas (the central square in the Old City).

Whether you trek the Inca Trail or Inca Quarry Trail, you'll be travelling responsibly with a company that cares about balancing profit and purpose. Intrepid is the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail and we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all. 

Itinerary

For adventurers seeking an iconic challenge, the "Peru: Trek the Inca Trail 4 Days" trip is the ultimate trekking experience. Starting and ending in Cusco, this small group tour guides you along the legendary Inca Trail (or Quarry Trail) to the breathtaking citadel of Machu Picchu—one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or a newcomer eager for a bold adventure, you’ll join local guides and porters who bring the trail’s history and natural beauty to life. Each day promises ancient ruins, panoramic Andean vistas, and meaningful interactions with local communities. Accommodations, transportation, and meals are included, ensuring a smooth journey even as you tackle the trail’s challenging terrain.

The unique selling point of this tour lies in its authentic approach: trek with experts deeply rooted in the land, experience the camaraderie of a like-minded group, and witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu—a moment that lingers long after your journey ends.

day 1 - Cusco/ Inca Trail

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Peru.

IMPORTANT: It is mandatory to attend a pre-trek briefing the afternoon before the first day of the tour at Casa Intrepid at 5pm. See the joining instructions section of the essential trip information.

Your adventure starts bright and early this morning. Depending on the arrangements you made before the trip, during the next four days you’ll be either hiking the Inca Trail (Route 1) or hiking the Quarry Trail (Route 2).

While away from Cusco, the bulk of your luggage will need to be stored at your hotel or at Casa Intrepid if storing your luggage at Casa Intrepid, it must be taken there by no later than 7pm the night before your trip starts, you will not be able to leave your luggage there the morning your trip starts. At your trek briefing you'll receive a small duffle bag to carry your clothes in for the next four days (5 kg maximum). Your team of porters will carry these bags for you, together with the food and equipment for the trail. You won't have access to these items until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group.

Route 1 Inca Trail

Today, travel by minivan to the 82 km marker and meet your crew of local porters, your cook and your guide. Your first day will include uphill trekking to the campsite, which sits at 3100 m above sea level. On the way, you’ll see the Inca sites of Ollantaytambo, Huillca Raccay and Llactapata, as well as incredible views of snow-capped Veronica Peak. In the evening, unwind at the campsite with a nourishing meal prepared by your cook.

Route 2 Quarry Trail

Make an early start today and drive to Choquequilla, a small ceremonial place where Incas worshipped the moon. From here, you’ll head to the small community near Qory Song’o (Golden Heart) hill, where you’ll climb to the top for the incredible views of the Soqma Perolniyoc, Pachar and Huarocondo valleys. There are also several sacred tombs in the area, protected by the locals, which you can explore with your leader and even see some of the original structures crafted from wood and leather. These remains have never been seen by travellers before, so you can be a part of this exclusive experience. Carry on to the Perolniyoc Cascade lookout, where you can stop for some snacks and photos. Arrive at the campsite, 3700 m above sea level, around lunchtime. After, set off to explore the Q'orimarca archaeological site, which once served as a checkpoint to the Incas.

included:3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support

meals:1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 2 - Inca Trail

Route 1 Inca Trail

This is the most challenging day of the trek, as you ascend a 5-hour long steep path to reach the highest point of the trail. Colloquially known as 'Dead Woman's Pass', Warmiwanusca sits at a height of 4200 m above sea level, providing amazing views of the valley below. The group will then descend to the campsite in the Pacaymayo Valley at 3650 m.

Route 2 Quarry Trail

This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the hike. A 3-hour walk takes you to the top of the first pass of Puccaqasa, about 4370 m high. After enjoying the picturesque views of the valley, it’s a short walk before stopping for lunch. After, make the 2-hour hike to Kuychicassa, the highest pass of the trek at 4450 m. From here, descend to the sacred site that the Incas called Intipunku. This is a sun gate, where the sun will stream through at particular times of the year and there are views of the Nevado Veronica mountain year-round. Head to the campsite, only a stone’s throw away and at 3600 m.

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 3 - Inca Trail

Route 1 Inca Trail

Start the day with a climb through the Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass at 3980 m. Enjoy views of the snow-capped mountain of Cordillera Vilcabamba before descending for around 2 to 3 hours to the ruins of Sayacmarca. Continue over the trail’s third pass to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca at 3850 m, also known as the 'Town Above the Clouds'. Start the 2-hour descent down the Inca steps to the final night's campsite by the Winay Wayna archaeological site.

Route 2 Quarry Trail

Today’s hike will all be downhill. The first stop is the incomplete Kachiqata quarry, where the Incas were intercepted by the Spanish. Explore the cobbled streets of Ollantaytambo when you finish your trek. This is where you’ll meet with the travellers in your group who didn't hike, before taking the short train journey to Aguas Calientes. Spend the night in a hotel before tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu.

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 4 - Inca Trail / Cusco

Route 1 Inca Trail

This is the final and most spectacular leg of the trek to Machu Picchu – one of the famed Wonders of the World. The day starts before dawn, with breakfast at 4 am. Say farewell to the porters as they descend to the train station and begin hiking. Once the final checkpoint opens at 5 am, you’ll begin the final 2.5 hour trek to Intipunku (the Sun Gate). Weather permitting, you’ll enjoy unforgettable views over the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ as you enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.

Route 2 Machu Picchu to Cusco

Take an early bus up to Machu Picchu at 6.00 am. The city was built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for the Incan nobility, but there’s evidence that the land had been a sacred Incan site for much longer. Take a guided tour around the ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters. This is a day to remember!

For all travellers, after taking advantage of the seemingly endless photo opportunities, it's time to catch the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll stop for lunch together. From here, take a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo, then drive back to Cusco, arriving in the evening at approximately 7 pm where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.

included:Machu Picchu - Guided tour

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Route 1 - Inca Trail: Camping with basic facilities (3 nights). Route 2 - Quarry Trail: Camping with basic facilities (2 nights), Hotel (1 night).

Meals

3 Breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle, Bus, Train

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' supportMachu Picchu - Guided tour

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a PremierThis travel specialist is consistently delivering tours which receive customer ratings above 4.6 on average. tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 163 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

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