The classic route 4D / 3N which
generally starts from KM82 (at 2,600 m). Some trekking companies start from
KM88, but this is rare because cars cannot go as far as KM82. If you are
traveling by train from Cusco, it is possible to leave from KM88, but the track
from this starting point joins the KM82 route very quickly, so there is no
significant difference in the experiences of departure. The total distance
traveled between KM82 and Machu Picchu is 45 km and reaches a maximum altitude
of 4,200 m. It is a moderately difficult trek that can be completed by most
people, provided they are in good shape and well acclimatized (more on this
below). Note: the map is not to scale and the route,
Inca trail permit
The permits for the Classic Trail route are strictly
limited and almost all the dates are sold every year months in advance. This
applies to all operators! If you wish to book on the classic pilgrimage route
and find exhausted permits for your preferred dates, we recommend that you
choose a trek from Lares or Salkantay.
Typical route of the Inca Trail
Below is a typical route for the
classic 4D / 3N route. Note: although the classic trek is 4D / 3N, most
agencies organize your hotels before and after the trek, which means that most
tours are actually 7D / 6N (with a day of acclimatization).
Day 1: Cusco - Ollantaytambo - KM82 - Wayllabamba
The first day consists of an
early morning car or bus ride through the sacred valley and a relatively easy
hike of around 12 km. Your tour operator will pick you up from your hotel early
in the morning (usually between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.) and take you from Cusco to
the Sacred Valley (some companies start their tour in Ollantaytambo). The
journey takes approximately 3 hours to reach the starting point, called KM82
(so called, 82 km by train from Cusco). On the way, you will pass by the cities
of Chinchero, Urabamba and Ollantaytambo. You can stop for about an hour at
Urabamba and Ollantaytambo, where you can have breakfast and last-minute
supplies. The KM82 trail first crosses the Rio Vilcanota (often called the
Urabamba River) before climbing the Rio Cusichaca to a small local village.
From there, the Urubamba mountain range (or the Cordillera Urubamba) will be
perfectly visible, with the impressive Mount Veronica (5,860 m) revealing its
frozen summit.
Mont Veronica (5680m / 18635ft).
Veronica is the highest peak of the Cordillera Urubamba. Its Quechua name is
Wakay Willca, which means "sacred tears". This image was taken on the
other side of the sacred valley, near the Abra Malaga pass. On the other side
of the village, you will see an Inca fort called Huillca Raccay, which was
built as a strategic landmark in the Urabamba Valley and was probably used to
control the Cusichaca Valley. You will also see, below you and across the
river, another impressive site called Inca called Patallaqta. Patallaqta was
discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, during his trip with Machu Picchu. It is a
vast Inca ruin which would have been an agricultural colony used to cultivate
and feed the inhabitants of Machu Picchu.
Llactapata, an impressive Inca
ruin discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911
The road continues for 7 to 8 km
on a series of progressive undulations to the small village of Wayllabamba,
which means "grassy plain" in Quechua and sometimes spelled
Wayllapampa (3000 m). You will probably camp here from night, although some
trekking companies continue a little further to campsites near Ayapata (3,300
m). Wayllabamba is the point where hikers on the Salkantay / Inca Trail trek
join the Inca trail. It is also the last place on the trail where pack animals
are allowed.
Day 2: Wayllabamba - Llulluchapampa - Warmiwanusca - Pacamayo
When you get up early, you will
have breakfast and prepare for the toughest trekking day on the trail. Day 2 is
a trekking distance similar to Day 1 - about 12 km - but involves going up and
passing by the Warmiwanusca pass (aka Dead Women's Pass), a crossing of 4,200
m. The start of the trek is simple. After your first hour of trekking, you will
reach a bridge that crosses the Huayruro River. There is a campsite here, which
has toilets so if you feel the call of nature in the morning, it might be best
to wait until you reach this point. It is interesting to note that Huayruro
refers to a small tree with red and black seeds, colors that are commonly seen
on the ponchos of the bearers of Ollantaytambo. For this reason, the carriers
of this region are often called Huayruros. From there, the trail begins to
stiffen, crossing a cloudy forest terrain that finally reaches the small
village of Llulluchapampa (3,680 m) after around 3 hours of hiking. From there,
it will take you another hour and a half to reach the summit of the Warmiwanusca
pass (aka Abra de Huarmihuanusca or “Dead Woman's Pass”), located at 4,200 m.
The journey can be hot and intense if the sun is there (be sure to wear
sunscreen), or cold if it is cloudy / foggy and the wind picks up. Make sure
you have layered clothing so you can layer it as much as necessary. crossing a
piece of cloud forest which finally reaches the small village of Llulluchapampa
(3,680 m) after around 3 hours of hiking. From there, it will take you another
hour and a half to reach the summit of the Warmiwanusca pass (aka Abra de
Huarmihuañusca or “Dead Woman's Pass”), located at 4,200 m. The journey can be
hot and intense if the sun is there (be sure to wear sunscreen), or cold if it
is cloudy / foggy and the wind picks up. Make sure you have layered clothing so
you can layer it as much as necessary. crossing a piece of cloud forest which
finally reaches the small village of Llulluchapampa (3,680 m) after around 3
hours of hiking. From there, it will take you another hour and a half to reach
the summit of the Warmiwanusca pass (aka Abra de Huarmihuañusca or “Dead
Woman's Pass”), located at 4,200 m. The journey can be hot and intense if the
sun is there (be sure to wear sunscreen), or cold if it is cloudy / foggy and
the wind picks up. Make sure you have layered clothing so you can layer it as
much as necessary. The journey can be hot and intense if the sun is there (be sure
to wear sunscreen), or cold if it is cloudy / foggy and the wind picks up. Make
sure you have layered clothing so you can layer it as much as necessary. The
journey can be hot and intense if the sun is there (be sure to wear sunscreen),
or cold if it is cloudy / foggy and the wind picks up. Make sure you have
layered clothing so you can layer it as much as necessary.
The view from the Dead Woman's
Pass, 4,200 m, on the Inca trail.
After celebrating your successful
ascent to the highest point of the Classic Inca trail, you will
descend approximately 2 km on a steep path leading to the campsite for the
night, located in Pacamayo (3600 m). You will be happy to know that there are
toilets at this campsite. Note on Dead Women's Pass: It bears this name, not
because a woman died on the pass, but because the slope of the mountain, seen
from the descending valley, looks like a woman lying down.
Day 3: Pacamayo - Runkurakay - Sayacmarca - Phuyupatamarc - Winay Wayna
The third day is another
difficult day which covers about 15 km and crosses two small passes. The day
begins with an hour-long hike to the ruins of Runkuracay, an Inca site that
would have served as a watchtower over the Pacamayo Valley. After another hour
of walking, you will reach the second pass on the Classic Inca trail called
Runkuracay Pass (aka Abra de Runkuracay), located 4,000 m away. From there, the
trail consists of beautifully paved Inca trails and stairs. The first staircase
downstream from the Runkuracay pass is relatively steep, so watch your foot. An
hour after the second pass, you will arrive at Sayacmarca, an Inca ruin with a
beautiful stone staircase. Sayacmarca is still not intended to be used, but the
name of the site means "City inaccessible", accurately describing the
well-protected position of the site at the foot of three steep cliffs. From
there, the path passes through an original Inca tunnel before climbing to the
third and last pass at 3700 m. On a clear day you will have a fantastic view of
Salkantay (6,217 m) to the south and Veronica (5,860 m) to the north. Just
after the pass, you will arrive at Phuyupatamarca, one of the most impressive
sites of the Incas on the trail (Machu Picchu bar). Phuyupatamarca or
Puyupatamarca is also known as "The city between the Niebla" (The
city above the clouds) because it is located at 3,200 m. Access to the site is
via a steep path which passes through 5 original Inca baths which may have been
used for spiritual or ritual reasons. the trail passes through an original inca
tunnel before climbing to the third and last pass at 3700 m. On a clear day you
will have a fantastic view of Salkantay (6,217 m) to the south and Veronica
(5,860 m) to the north. Just after the pass, you will arrive at Phuyupatamarca,
one of the most impressive sites of the Incas on the trail (Machu Picchu bar).
Phuyupatamarca or Puyupatamarca is also known as "The city between the
Niebla" (The city above the clouds) because it is located at 3,200 m.
Access to the site is via a steep path which passes through 5 original Inca
baths which may have been used for spiritual or ritual reasons. the trail
passes through an original inca tunnel before climbing to the third and last
pass at 3700 m. On a clear day you will have a fantastic view of Salkantay
(6,217 m) to the south and Veronica (5,860 m) to the north. Just after the
pass, you will arrive at Phuyupatamarca, one of the most impressive sites of
the Incas on the trail (Machu Picchu bar). Phuyupatamarca or Puyupatamarca is
also known as "The city between the Niebla" (The city above the
clouds) because it is located at 3,200 m. Access to the site is via a steep
path which passes through 5 original Inca baths which may have been used for
spiritual or ritual reasons. you will have a fantastic view of Salkantay (6,217
m) to the south and Veronica (5,860 m) to the north. Just after the pass, you
will arrive at Phuyupatamarca, one of the most impressive sites of the Incas on
the trail (Machu Picchu bar). Phuyupatamarca or Puyupatamarca is also known as
"The city between the Niebla" (The city above the clouds) because it
is located at 3,200 m. Access to the site is via a steep path which passes
through 5 original Inca baths which may have been used for spiritual or ritual
reasons. you will have a fantastic view of Salkantay (6,217 m) to the south and
Veronica (5,860 m) to the north. Just after the pass, you will arrive at
Phuyupatamarca, one of the most impressive sites of the Incas on the trail (Machu
Picchu bar). Phuyupatamarca or Puyupatamarca is also known as "The city
between the Niebla" (The city above the clouds) because it is located at
3,200 m. Access to the site is via a steep path which passes through 5 original
Inca baths which may have been used for spiritual or ritual reasons.
Phuyupatamarca or Puyupatamarca
is also known as “The city between the Niebla” (“The city above the clouds”)
Leaving Phuyupatamarca, you will
be presented with an original Inca staircase of 1,000 steps. Prepare your knees
for a difficult descent. Go slowly and make sure of your foot. After 2-3 hours
of trekking through the cloud forest, you will arrive at the Winay Wayna
campsite (Quechua name for "Forever Young"). Just south of the
campsite are the ruins of Winay Wayna, an area that probably served as a final
resting place before reaching Machu Picchu. Before arriving at Machu Picchu,
the site contains a number of Inca baths which were probably used as ritual
cleansing areas.
Winay Wayna, an Inca site located
near the last campsite of the same name, on the Inca Trail
Day 4: Winay Wayna - Inti Punku - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
From Winay Wayna, you wake up
early (around 04:30 am) to have breakfast and start an hour and a half walk to
reach Inti Punku (the door of the sun). For the first part of this trek, you
may need to use a headlamp (see the packing list for the Inca trail below),
although most operators do not engage it until around 5:30 a.m. when dawn
breaks. . The aim of the early departure is to try to capture the sunrise over
Machu Picchu, which takes place between 06:30 and 07:00. The trail from Winay
Wayna follows a contour curve in the cloud forest before reaching a steep stone
staircase, 50 in total, leading to Inti Punku. At the top of the stairs, an
unforgettable view will be presented to you when the famous Inca site of Machu
Picchu is revealed to you.
The view of Machu Picchu from
Inti Punku (the door of the sun)
You can enjoy the first views of
Machu Picchu from Inti Punku for around 30 to 40 minutes before descending a
gradual path through the citadel. From there, you register with the authorities
and store your backpack. Most tour operators organize a full tour of the city
for two to three hours before giving you free time to explore the ruins. If you
still have energy and are not afraid of heights, we recommend that you reserve
your place, before arriving at Machu Picchu, for the ascent of Huayna Picchu
(the emblematic mountain behind Machu Picchu ). There are only 400 climbing
permits per day and two departure times - 07:00 and 10:00 - so, as with the
Inca trail, it is important to book early. You will findhere detailed
information on climbing Huayna Picchu or Mount Machu Picchu.
The view of Machu Picchu from
Huayna Picchu (aka Wayna Picchu or Wayna Pikchu).
After exploring Machu Picchu for
a few hours, you will either need to take a bus or get off at the town of Machu
Picchu (also known as Aguas Calientes) in the valley below. The bus journey is
generally included in the price of your excursion on the Inca path, but the
descent, which takes approx. 2 hours is worth taking into account as it offers
a fantastic view of the terraces of Machu Picchu. Most tour operators will have
booked a mid-afternoon train trip to go to Ollantaytambo, where they will also
have arranged a bus / private car to take you back to Cusco. If you leave Aguas
Calientes at 3:00 p.m., you will return to Cusco around 8:00 p.m. Note: You can
also do a 5D / 4N Inca Trail itinerary which includes one night in a hotel in
Aguas Calientes and an additional day in Machu Picchu. This is ideal for those
who wish to spend more time in Machu Picchu (perhaps climb Mount Machu Picchu
or Putucusi) and offers the possibility of visiting the hot springs of Aguas
Calientes. If you are looking for a shorter trekking experience, the 'Short Inca Trail', presented, by
Andean Path Travel.
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