Official Inca Trail Operator in Cusco, Peru

Walk the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with SouthAmericaPlanet, an official operator in Cusco, Peru. Explore the amazing Inca ruins, hike through the Andean mountains, and immerse yourself in authentic Inca culture on this unforgettable adventure.

Inca Trail Permits and Booking Information

Planning your Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu? It’s important to know that only 500 permits are available each day, and this number includes guides, porters, and cooks accompanying trekkers on the 2-day or 4-day Inca Trail routes.

Due to these regulations, it is highly recommended to book your Inca Trail more  than 90  days in advance, especially during high season (May to September)

Checking Availability for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail is limited with support staff included in this count—meaning only about half of the spots are available for trekkers.

Also, note that the Inca Trail is closed every February for maintenance.

Book your 4-day or 2-day Inca Trail trek now to secure your spot on one of the world’s most famous hikes to Machu Picchu, Peru!

Please notice that the Lares and Salkantay trail with Machu Picchu included are always possible as permits are not required. look here

Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Wayllabamba (Approx. 4 hours)

Your Inca Trail adventure begins early in the morning. At 5:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco and transferred to Ollantaytambo, a charming town in the Sacred Valley. Arrival is around 7:30 AM, giving you time to enjoy breakfast. We also recommend purchasing coca leaves or a pair of walking sticks (approx. 10 soles) if needed for the trek.

After breakfast, the bus takes you to Piskacucho (2,650 m.a.s.l.), the official starting point of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. From here, you’ll begin your first hike of approximately 12 km, walking alongside the scenic Urubamba River. Along the way, there will be a short break at the Miskay community (2,800 m.a.s.l.), where you can take in the local culture and enjoy spectacular views of the Inca site of Patallacta.

Around lunchtime, you will arrive at a beautiful natural spot where your support team of cooks and porters will have prepared a delicious lunch.

After lunch, the trek continues uphill for about 2 hours to reach your first campsite at Wayllabamba. During the final stretch, enjoy stunning views of the Vilcanota Ridge and the snow-capped Mount Veronica (5,832 m.a.s.l.) across the Urubamba River—a breathtaking introduction to your 4-day Inca Trail trek.

Day 2: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) – Pacaymayo (Approx. 7 hours)

After an early breakfast at Wayllabamba, you’ll begin the most challenging section of the Inca Trail 4-day trek. The hike starts with a 9 km climb through a narrow, scenic ravine, where you’ll navigate numerous steps. This part can be physically demanding, so we recommend pacing yourself and taking breaks as needed.

After a few hours, you’ll reach Lluluchapampa, where the trail begins its ascent to the highest and most famous mountain pass on the Inca Trail: Abra Warmiwañusca, also known as Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200 m.a.s.l.). The climb to the top takes approximately 2 hours. Remember, it’s important to take it slow and breathe deeply—there’s no rush. The group will wait for everyone at the summit. Once at the top, enjoy a well-deserved break, take in the panoramic Andean views, and capture memorable photos.

After the summit, the trail descends into the Pacaymayo Valley (3,650 m.a.s.l.). Along the way, you’ll enjoy lunch in the open air and may spot unique wildlife, including various Andean birds and even the elusive Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus).

Once you arrive in Pacaymayo, the day ends with dinner and an overnight stay at the campsite, ready to recharge for Day 3.

Tip: Carry chocolates, candies, and coca leaves during the hike. These help maintain energy levels and can alleviate altitude sickness, making your trek more enjoyable.

Day 3: Pacaymayo – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna (Approx. 8–9 hours)

After breakfast at Pacaymayo, you’ll embark on the longest and most remarkable day of the 4-day Inca Trail trek. Today’s hike covers approximately 15 km and is filled with stunning scenery, diverse ecosystems, and several impressive archaeological sites.

The day begins with a steep climb to Runkurakay Pass (3,970 m.a.s.l.). Along the way, you’ll stop to explore the Runkurakay ruins (3,800 m.a.s.l.), an ancient Inca site showcasing unique stone architecture and Inca engineering.

After reaching the pass, the trail descends to Yanacocha and continues to Sayacmarca (3,624 m.a.s.l.), another fascinating archaeological site. From here, you’ll enter the lush Andean rainforest, walking up and down trails as the environment shifts from high-altitude landscapes to tropical vegetation.

The final climb of the day brings you to Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3,650 m.a.s.l.), also known as the “Town Above the Clouds.” From this vantage point, the remainder of the trail is mostly downhill, passing the impressive Phuyupatamarca ruins, where you can marvel at ancient terraces and ceremonial structures.

The day concludes at Wiñaywayna, your campsite for the night. Here, you can enjoy hot showers, cold drinks, and perhaps a little celebration with fellow trekkers. This evening, you will also say goodbye to the cooks and porters, who will take an early train back to Cusco the following morning.

Day 4: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

On the final day of your 4-day Inca Trail trek, we start early. Wake up at 4:00 AM and enjoy a quick breakfast before setting off at 4:30 AM for the hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the iconic entrance to Machu Picchu. The hike takes about 1 hour along a scenic rainforest trail, offering your first breathtaking view of the Lost City of the Incas.

Once at Machu Picchu, your guide will lead a 2–2.5 hour tour of this awe-inspiring Inca citadel. Explore the main temples, terraces, and ceremonial areas, and learn the history of this remarkable site. Constructed around the mid-15th century and “rediscovered” by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu remains one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.

After the guided tour, you will have  some free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own. You can enjoy the atmosphere of this mystical Inca city.

Note: Since November 2021, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture has implemented fixed circuits at Machu Picchu. 

After your visit, you will go to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco, completing your unforgettable Inca Trail to Machu Picchu adventure. Incatrail 4 days have circuit 3 

Circuit 3  Ruta realeza diseñada

Additional Information: Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco

Your Inca Trail 4-day trek includes a standard Machu Picchu ticket, which does not include access to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. After exploring the citadel, you can either walk down or take the included bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included).

In the afternoon, you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, where a transfer to Cusco awaits. You will arrive in the late evening, completing an unforgettable 4-day journey along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

This is the perfect combination of Andean adventure, cultural immersion, and ancient history, offering memories that will last a lifetime.

Included:

• Train ticket Machu Picchu/Aquas Calientes – Cusco or Ollantaytambo
•  Bus to Km 82 (start of the trail).
• Entrance fee to the ruins and the Inca Trail.
• Porters to carry tents and food.
• Cook service.
• Transfers to and from your hotel.
• All applicable taxes.
• Bilingual guide.
• Camping equipment including tents and air mattresses, (you have to carry the mattress  and sleeping bagg yourself).
• Kitchen tent and eating tent.
• Medical Assistance.
• Bus ticket down to Aqua Calientes.
• All Meals as indicated in the itinerary. 3 breakfast / 3 lunch / 3 diner, Vegetarian food available on request.

Not included:

• Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day (take some snacks with you because the food at Machu Picchu is very expensive
• Extra nights which are possible at the end location of Aguas Calientes. All you need to do is tell us you would like to stay extra nights so we can organize your transport back to Cusco for a different day
• Extra Kg to carry by porters/  you have to carry all your personal belongings yourself included mattress and sleeping bag. There is a possibility to hire 6 or 12  kg to be carry by porters for a cost of $100USD for 6 kg or 200 Usd for 12 kg,  for the 4 day trek. If you are interested in hiring extra kg to carry,  you will need to tell us when you make your booking as the porters will also need a permit for the Inca Trail. Each porter can carry up to 20 Kg
• Sleeping bag. We rent out good sleeping bags which will keep you warm to minus 10 degrees.  The cost is $20 USD for the 4 days.
• Walking sticks. You can also rent these from us for a price of $20 USD for the 4 days.
• Private tent. For an extra charge of $50 you can have a private tent for yourself.
• Tips for porters / guide/ Cook.
• Personal insurgency.

What do we need when you make a reservation?

• Full name as it is written in your passport.* Scanned copy of your passport.
• Copy/fax or scan from both sides of your Internat University student card (if you have one and are less than 28 years old the price of the Trek is $40 USD less).
• Departing date for the trail.
• We ask for a 40% deposit, sending to us  via  Wetravel 1% ( charge ) The balance you will pay at our office in Cusco before the start of the trek. We accept cash USD or credit card (+5,5%)

Note: If after making the reservation you have to change your passport, or if it is stolen, please bring the old one with you or at least a copy. The INC are very strict!
If the passport and the number on the permit do not match they will not let you start the Inca Trail. Please inform us in advance if you don’t have a copy of the old passport. The INC and Southamerica planet charge 25 USD in administration fees to change this. It is not possible to Climb Wayna Picchu for Inca Trail clients (rules of INC)!

What you should bring:

• Your official international passport and student card, if you forget, you can’t enter the trail!!!
• Personal sleeping bag, we can rent this to you if you don’t have one!
• Backpack.
• Trekking shoes.
• Water bottle.
• Flash light.
• Sun hat.
• Personal clothing for the trek and waterproofs for the rain.
• Insect repellent.
• Snacks.
• Emergency money and money for tips to the guide, cooks and porters.