Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days

Full Description of Inca Trail Luxury hike 4 days 3 nights

Day 1: Cusco – Kilometer 82 – Wayllabamba

We will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco city around 5:00 am (If you stay in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, the pick up will be 2 hours later) and travel in a private van to Kilometer 82, the beginning of the Inca Trail. In Ollantaytambo, we will stop for breakfast in a local restaurant with beautiful views of the Inca Town. 

After breakfast, you can shop for some last-minute stuff in Ollantaytambo and then continue for 30 minutes to Km 18, the beginning of the Luxury Inca Trail tour. You will pass the first checkpoint and begin hiking the iconic Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu for 4 days. The first part of the hike it’s a relatively easy 4-hour hike to the lunch place near the Inca Site of Llaqtapta. As part of our Luxury Inca Trail service, you’ll have an elite team of chefs preparing gourmet meals using local organic products; you will also have available cold drinks such as beer or sodas.

After lunch, you’ll continue hiking along the Cusichaca river for 2 more hours to the Village of Wayllabamba, located at 3000m/9842ft, where we spend the night in comfortable Walk-in tents. You will have drinks like wine or Pisco Sour, hot showers, massage therapists, and luxury camping equipment.

The Luxury Inca Trail tour pick-up can be from any hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. If possible, we recommend staying in a hotel in the Sacred Valley near Ollantaytambo town the day before the trek.  

• Departure: 6:30 am (can be any hotel located in Cusco)
• Hiking distance: 12 km/7.4 m (6 hours walking approx.)
• Expected arrival at the campsite: 4:30 pm
• Considered: Moderate.
• Meals included: lunch, snacks, tea time, and dinner.
• Included: Shaman Ceremony, hot shower, massage therapists, and drinks

Day 2: Huayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo

Wake up early with a cup of coffee or coca tea in your tent and prepare for the most challenging part of the Luxury Inca Trail Tour. Your chef will prepare breakfast with fresh products and a wide variety; the hike begins with a steep 4-hour climb through the dense cloud forest to Llulluchapampa 3762m/12338ft, where a delicious lunch will be waiting for you to reenergize for the ascent. During this first section, you will pass through different microclimates with enough time to admire the beautiful views of the mountains covered by native plants, including Polylepis or Q’ueuña trees.

After lunch, you will continue climbing to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), the highest point of the Inca trail with 4215 masl/13828.7 ft. After some rest, you’ll continue for another 2-hours down to the second campsite at Pacaymayo Alto, located at 3600m /11482.9 ft. Upon arrival, your luxury tents will be ready; shower, massage, dinner, and sleep early to recover for the next day.

• Wake-up time: 05:30 am
• Expected arrival time: 4:00 pm
• Hiking distance: 10 km/6.2 m (8 hours)
• Considered: Challenging
• Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, and dinner.
• Included: Hot shower, massage therapists, and drinks

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Runkuracay – Phuyupatamarca

On the third day, you will wake up in a beautiful Valley with amazing views of the Andes, the Urubamba Valley, and waterfalls near the campsite. After breakfast, you will start with a 2-hour climb to Runkurakay pass at 3955m/129756ft, the second-highest mountain of the Inca Trail. Along the way, you’ll be able to see the circular ruins of Runkuracay, a small lake, and fantastic views of the mountains. Upon arrival at the pass, you take some time to explore the area and rest. It’s a 2-hour down to Sayacmarca Inca Site, a famous archeological site located in the cloud forest region; lunch is served at a nearby campsite to continue for 2 more hours to the last camp Phuyupatamarca (“City in the clouds”) at 3600m/11811ft.

This last campsite is arguably the most beautiful on the Inca Trail Trek; you’ll see Machu Picchu Mountain from a distance and enjoy the fantastic view of the highest snow-capped peaks, such as the Salkantay Mountain, Pumasillo, and Veronica. After setting up all your stuff in your tent, you climb to the high areas waiting for the most beautiful sunset; the views of the last mountains of the cloud forest are amazing.

• Wake-up time: 05:00 am
• Expected arrival: 3:00 pm
• Hiking distance: 13 kms/8 m(7 hours)
• Considered: Moderate.
• Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, and dinner.
• Included: Hot shower, massage therapists, and drinks

Day 4: Phuyupatamarca – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Wake up early with a fantastic view of the mountains and the cloud forest region, and wait for the sunrise while you enjoy a coffee. After enjoying the last breakfast with your trekking team, you’ll say goodbye to the incredible team of chefs, porters, and the masseuse, and you will start going down more than 3000 stairs built 500 years ago. Today’s hike is mostly downhill, visiting the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, Wiñaywayna, and Sungate at exclusive times with almost no people.

You will arrive at the Sungate around 10:00 am; here, you will have the first glimpse of the legendary city of the Incas. From Sungate, you will continue for one more hour into Machu Picchu citadel, have lunch at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, and explore the citadel of Machu Picchu with fewer visitors in the afternoon.

Exploring Machu Picchu after lunch will allow seeing this fantastic place with fewer people and incredible views. After finishing the tour, you will go down to the city of Aguas Calientes, take some time to explore, and later board the Exclusive Vistadome trains back to Ollantaytambo and private bus back to Cusco. The arrival back to your hotel in Cusco will be around 8.30 pm.

• Wake-up time: 04:00 am
• Expected arrival time to Machu Picchu citadel: 11:00 am
• Hiking distance: 11 km/6.8 m (6 hours)
• Considered: Moderate.
• Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, and lunch at the Machu Picchu hotel.

Packing List for the Luxury Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu

During the Luxury Inca Trail Trek, you will have a private porter to carry all your belongings for the 4-days trek; there is a weight limit of 20 kilograms (44 pounds). TreXperience will provide you with a duffel bag to put all your equipment for the Luxury Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu.

In addition to the duffel bag provided by TreXperience, you must bring a small backpack with you during the day; you are responsible for carrying this backpack.

What to carry on your daypack?

Your backpack must always be with you and must be comfortable and light. According to regulations, your bag should not be larger than 25 liters to be allowed in Machu Picchu. This is not about the capacity of your backpack; it is more about how big your backpack will look on the last day of Machu Picchu. My backpack is 40 liters and is comfortable for hiking with straps; just for Machu Picchu, I will make it look small.  

You need to consider a few things when purchasing a backpack for hiking:

• The most important factor is the size; you must ensure the backpack is big enough to fit all your gear but not too big that it's cumbersome to carry.
• The next thing you need to consider is the type of material. Buy a waterproof material.
• Finally, it would be best if you thought about the straps. Make sure they're comfortable and adjustable so you can customize the fit.

Original Passport:

Original passports are required to enter the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. The passport number must match the number you booked your tour; if you have changed or renewed the passport, you must send us a photo of both passports or travel with the 2 passports.

Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months from the date of entry into the national territory. All travelers must ensure this as Peru is inside the 6-months rule for passports.

Hat and sunglasses:

The sun can be very intense at high altitudes, and you'll want to protect your skin from UV rays. A wide-brimmed hat will help keep the sun out of your eyes, and sunglasses will prevent squinting.

Head Bandana or hut:

Polyester, breathable, and quick-drying sun hat are better—adjustable chin strap with an extended neck cover that can effectively protect the neck from sunburn.

Rain Gear, Rain Ponchos:

You should bring a waterproof and windproof jacket and pants. Weather in the Andes and especially the cloud forest region where the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are located, have unpredictable weather. TreXperience will provide you with a plastic poncho.

Warm clothes:

You need to bring warm clothes for the cold nights; a fleece jacket, windbreakers, beanie, gloves, and base layers.

Sunscreen and bug spray:

You need to bring water-resistant sunscreen and mosquito repellent for the Inca Trail, especially when hiking close to Machu Picchu, where the weather is wet, warm, and humid.

Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and wet wipes:

Have hand sanitizer and toilet paper always with you. Also, face moisturizer, band-aids, moleskin, and personal medication.

Toothbrush and paste:

Have it in a Ziploc bag, and remember that it must be light and small since you will be carrying it.

Camera, extra batteries:

We don't have outlets or access to electricity; you must have power banks or extra batteries for your camera.

Flashlight or Headlamp:

We recommend good headlamps to have hands-free to walk around in the dark.

Camel bags or water container for at least 2 liters:

It would be best to have a bladder or water container for 2 liters; bigger than this might be too heavy.

Additional snacks, power bars, and chocolate:

We provide snacks every day during the Luxury Machu Picchu tour. However, we recommend taking some snacks in your daypack every day.

Extra Money in small denominations (Soles)

The Luxury Inca Trail is all-inclusive except for the first breakfast, the last dinner when you come back to Cusco, or tips to the trekking staff.

What to put in the duffle bag?

TreXperience provides a personal porter for your staff; this way, you can go with a light backpack to enjoy the Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (20kg. maximum); you can access the duffle bags only during meals and campsites.

Sleeping bag, liners, pillows:

TreXperience provides blankets, sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, linens, pillows, and hot water bags for the coldest nights. This is part of the 20 kilos; you can bring your sleeping bags if preferred. 

Walking shoes, sandals, or snickers:

Trekking boots are essential for the Luxury trek; they need to be rubber sole, waterproof, and ankle covering, and use them before the tour; new boots can get you blisters.

Regular shoes or sandals are perfect after the trek while you are at the campsite.

5-6 T-shirts:

We recommend 4 x short-sleeved shirts and 2 or 3 x long-sleeved shirts. They must be breathable, lightweight, and quick-drying.

2-3 pants for hiking:

Bring 2 or 3 of hiking pants; you can also bring hiking shorts or convertible pants.

5 sets of undergarments.

Bring 4 or 5 sets of sports underwear; consider that some days might be raining, and you might use more than one set in a day if it gets wet.

5 sets of hiking socks:

Bring 4 or 5 sets of thick wool hiking socks to use with your trekking boots and some light socks to wear at the campsites.

Quick-dry towel:

TreXperience will provide you with a bathing robe and small towel for the campsites, and to enjoy showers; please bring a quick-dry small towel if you want.

Soap:

Soap is provided during our tours; you can bring your preferred ones if needed.

Battery Charger:

For 4 days without electricity, you need to bring a good power bank to recharge your phone or cameras.

Plastic bag:

Put any clothes in the duffle bag inside a plastic bag or something waterproof. Also, have a small plastic bag every day to collect trash.

Books or magazines:

Bring your preferred book or magazine for your free time at the campsite. Tablets and laptops are not recommended. 

Luxury Inca Trail FAQs

What is the difference between the Luxury Inca Trail and Classic Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail is only one route; the Classic Inca Trail and the Luxury Inca Trail follow the same trail, but the Campsite locations differ.

The Luxury Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu will allow you to stay in an exclusive campsite along the Inca Trail with comfortable equipment and gourmet food. Also, during the Luxury Machu Picchu hike, all services are upgraded to the luxury version.

What is the equipment provided in the Luxury Inca Trail Trek?

During the Luxury Inca Trail Trek, you will have the following equipment:

• Walk-in tents (for 1, or 2 travelers, we also have large grupal tents)
• Queen-size, twin-size luxury camping cots
• Extra blankets, Sleeping bags, pillows, sheets
• Portable showers with hot water
• Portable Private Toilets 
• Luxury dining tents, tables, chairs

We carry everything during the 4-day tour during the Inca Trail, including tents, airbeds, sleeping bags, portable showers, and portable toilets. It is possible to find toilets and cold water showers at specific campsites. However, we do not recommend them for the number of people using them daily.

What services are provided in the Luxury Inca Trail?

During the Luxury Inca Trail Trek, the following services are included:

• All transportation included
• Peruvian food prepared by our talented chefs
• Inca massage sessions every night of camping
• Coca leaf reading and Pachamama ceremony led by Andean Shaman
• Soft drinks like beer, sodas, energetic drinks
• Wine, Pisco, Champagne 
• 1 lunch at Machu Picchu hotel
• Panoramic Observatory train to return
• Optional, you can upgrade the trains. 

How challenging is the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail is one of the most epic hikes in the world. Also, it is one of the most challenging hikes to Machu Picchu. Hikers must be in moderate physical condition.

The Inca Trail is doable; all hikers must prepare before they come to hike at a high altitude.

What is the highest point on the Inca Trail?

The highest point of the Inca Trail is Dead Women’s Pass, also known as Warmiwañusca Pass, at 4215m / 13829ft. The second highest point is Runqurakay Pass, with 4000m (13123ft).

How many miles is the Luxury 4-day Inca Trail?

The Luxury Inca Trail, 4 Days / 3 nights, starts in Km 82 – Piscacucho and ends in Machu Picchu. The total hiking distance is 46 km – 28 miles.

Overview of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu