Overview Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Duration 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Tour type Private trek
- Difficulty Moderate to challenging
- Max altitude 4215 m.a.s.l
- Accommodation Luxury camping
- Group size Minimum 2 people
Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: 4 days / 3 nights
The Luxury Inca Trail is the classic 42 km (26 mi) route from Km 82 to Machu Picchu, run as a private service with far more comfort on every night of the trek. You sleep in spacious walk-in tents on queen or twin camping cots with duvets and sheets, take a hot shower and a massage at camp, and eat gourmet Peruvian food cooked with fresh local products. A personal porter carries up to 10 kg (22 lb) of your gear, you reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, and you return on a panoramic train.
Highlights
- Private Inca Trail service: the program can run with a single traveler.
- Luxury camping with walk-in sleeping tents, a dining tent and private toilet and shower tents.
- Queen or twin camping cots with pillows, duvets and sheets.
- Hot showers and massage sessions on the three camping nights.
- Gourmet Peruvian cuisine from an exclusive team of chefs.
- Inca sites along the trail and arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
- Return by Vistadome/Observatory or 360° panoramic train.
Tour information
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights · Start/end: Cusco
- Distance: 42 km / 26 mi · Highest point: Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
- Difficulty: moderate to challenging · Languages: English / Spanish
- Accommodation: luxury camping · Service: private
Gourmet Peruvian food on the trail
Every day our chefs prepare Peruvian dishes and ingredients such as quinoa, ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, alpaca, caldo de gallina, empanadas, chicha morada and coca tea, with international options and menus for dietary restrictions. Tea time with coca leaf is served every afternoon.
Permits and availability
The Luxury Inca Trail uses the same official permits as the Classic route, with a limited number of spaces each day. Check the Inca Trail permits and availability before you choose your date. Campsites are assigned by Peru’s Ministry of Culture according to availability; the itinerary below shows the usual camps. If you prefer a group departure, see the Classic Inca Trail 4 days.
Itinerary Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights
-
Hotel pickup in Cusco at about 5:00 a.m. and private transport to Km 82, the start of the Inca Trail. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo or Urubamba), pickup is about two hours later. There is a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo.
From Km 82, a relatively easy hike of about four hours leads to the lunch area near the Inca site of Llactapata, where our chefs serve a gourmet lunch with local products. After lunch, about two more hours along the Cusichaca River bring you to Wayllabamba, where the luxury camp is ready with walk-in tents, hot showers, massage service and drinks.
- Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi · Hiking time: about 6 hours
- Camp altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft · Difficulty: moderate
- Meals: lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner
-
The most challenging day. After a hot drink and breakfast, a steep climb through the cloud forest leads to Llulluchapampa (about 3,762 m / 12,338 ft), crossing several microclimates with mountain views and native plants.
You continue to Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,215 m / 13,829 ft, the highest point of the trek. After the views, a descent of about two hours leads to Pacaymayo Alto, where the luxury tents, a hot shower, massage service and dinner are waiting.
- Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi · Hiking time: about 8 hours
- Highest point: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft · Camp altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Difficulty: challenging · Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner
-
After breakfast, about two hours of hiking lead to the Runkuraqay pass (about 3,955 m / 12,975 ft), past the circular ruins of Runkuraqay and a small lake. The trail then descends to Sayacmarca, an important Inca site in the cloud forest.
After lunch you continue to Phuyupatamarca, the “City in the Clouds”. This camp has views of Machu Picchu Mountain and snow peaks such as Salkantay, Pumasillo and Verónica.
- Distance: 13 km / 8 mi · Hiking time: about 7 hours
- Camp altitude: 3,680 m / 12,073 ft · Difficulty: moderate
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner
-
Wake up at about 5:00 a.m. for coffee and the sunrise over the mountains. After the last breakfast, a mostly downhill hike with more than 3,000 Inca steps passes Phuyupatamarca, Intipata and Wiñay Wayna before the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
Around 10:00 a.m. you get your first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, and about an hour later you reach the citadel. You can have lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (not included), followed by the guided visit of Machu Picchu in the afternoon. You then go down to Aguas Calientes for the Vistadome/Observatory or 360° train to Ollantaytambo and private transport to Cusco.
- Distance: 11 km / 6.8 mi · Hiking time: about 5 hours
- Difficulty: moderate · Meals: breakfast and snacks
Includes / Does not include Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights
Includes
- Pre-departure briefing at your hotel
- Professional tour guide (English or Spanish)
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance tickets
- All transportation during the tour, including private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Return by Vistadome/Observatory or 360° panoramic train
- Three nights of luxury camping: walk-in sleeping tents, toilet tents, shower tents and massage tents
- Dining and kitchen tents with tables and chairs
- Queen and twin luxury camping cots, foam and inflatable mattresses, duvets, sheets and pillows
- Down sleeping bag rated to −15 °C
- Private service: the program can operate with one traveler
- Exclusive chef and porter team
- Personal porter for up to 10 kg / 22 lb of gear, and a duffle bag for it
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, plus cold drinks, water and daily snacks
- Massage therapists on the three camping nights
- Hot showers, private toilet, towels and bathrobe
- Trekking poles, rain poncho and backpack rain cover
- Souvenir shirt
- First-aid kit, satellite phone and emergency oxygen
- All taxes and booking fees
Not included
- Lunch and dinner on day 4
- Travel insurance
Packing list Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Base layer or light thermal layer
- Trekking pants
- Long-sleeve shirts and short-sleeve T-shirts
- Fleece and a warm jacket, ideally waterproof or windproof
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking boots
- At least four pairs of breathable hiking socks
- Wool hat or beanie
- Sandals or light shoes for camp
- Medium daypack, 15–25 liters
Prices Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights
Tour price
Price per person · ask us for group-size rates
- Starting from US$1,559 per person Check dates
- Groups & private service Rate based on your group per person Get a quote
Private service from US$1,559 per person. The program can run with a single traveler; ask us for the price for your group size. A 30% deposit secures your Inca Trail permit.
Overview
- Duration 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Tour type Private trek
- Difficulty Moderate to challenging
- Max altitude 4215 m.a.s.l
- Accommodation Luxury camping
- Group size Minimum 2 people
Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: 4 days / 3 nights
The Luxury Inca Trail is the classic 42 km (26 mi) route from Km 82 to Machu Picchu, run as a private service with far more comfort on every night of the trek. You sleep in spacious walk-in tents on queen or twin camping cots with duvets and sheets, take a hot shower and a massage at camp, and eat gourmet Peruvian food cooked with fresh local products. A personal porter carries up to 10 kg (22 lb) of your gear, you reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, and you return on a panoramic train.
Highlights
- Private Inca Trail service: the program can run with a single traveler.
- Luxury camping with walk-in sleeping tents, a dining tent and private toilet and shower tents.
- Queen or twin camping cots with pillows, duvets and sheets.
- Hot showers and massage sessions on the three camping nights.
- Gourmet Peruvian cuisine from an exclusive team of chefs.
- Inca sites along the trail and arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
- Return by Vistadome/Observatory or 360° panoramic train.
Tour information
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights · Start/end: Cusco
- Distance: 42 km / 26 mi · Highest point: Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
- Difficulty: moderate to challenging · Languages: English / Spanish
- Accommodation: luxury camping · Service: private
Gourmet Peruvian food on the trail
Every day our chefs prepare Peruvian dishes and ingredients such as quinoa, ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, alpaca, caldo de gallina, empanadas, chicha morada and coca tea, with international options and menus for dietary restrictions. Tea time with coca leaf is served every afternoon.
Permits and availability
The Luxury Inca Trail uses the same official permits as the Classic route, with a limited number of spaces each day. Check the Inca Trail permits and availability before you choose your date. Campsites are assigned by Peru’s Ministry of Culture according to availability; the itinerary below shows the usual camps. If you prefer a group departure, see the Classic Inca Trail 4 days.
-
Hotel pickup in Cusco at about 5:00 a.m. and private transport to Km 82, the start of the Inca Trail. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo or Urubamba), pickup is about two hours later. There is a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo.
From Km 82, a relatively easy hike of about four hours leads to the lunch area near the Inca site of Llactapata, where our chefs serve a gourmet lunch with local products. After lunch, about two more hours along the Cusichaca River bring you to Wayllabamba, where the luxury camp is ready with walk-in tents, hot showers, massage service and drinks.
- Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi · Hiking time: about 6 hours
- Camp altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft · Difficulty: moderate
- Meals: lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner
-
The most challenging day. After a hot drink and breakfast, a steep climb through the cloud forest leads to Llulluchapampa (about 3,762 m / 12,338 ft), crossing several microclimates with mountain views and native plants.
You continue to Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,215 m / 13,829 ft, the highest point of the trek. After the views, a descent of about two hours leads to Pacaymayo Alto, where the luxury tents, a hot shower, massage service and dinner are waiting.
- Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi · Hiking time: about 8 hours
- Highest point: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft · Camp altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Difficulty: challenging · Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner
-
After breakfast, about two hours of hiking lead to the Runkuraqay pass (about 3,955 m / 12,975 ft), past the circular ruins of Runkuraqay and a small lake. The trail then descends to Sayacmarca, an important Inca site in the cloud forest.
After lunch you continue to Phuyupatamarca, the “City in the Clouds”. This camp has views of Machu Picchu Mountain and snow peaks such as Salkantay, Pumasillo and Verónica.
- Distance: 13 km / 8 mi · Hiking time: about 7 hours
- Camp altitude: 3,680 m / 12,073 ft · Difficulty: moderate
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner
-
Wake up at about 5:00 a.m. for coffee and the sunrise over the mountains. After the last breakfast, a mostly downhill hike with more than 3,000 Inca steps passes Phuyupatamarca, Intipata and Wiñay Wayna before the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
Around 10:00 a.m. you get your first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, and about an hour later you reach the citadel. You can have lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (not included), followed by the guided visit of Machu Picchu in the afternoon. You then go down to Aguas Calientes for the Vistadome/Observatory or 360° train to Ollantaytambo and private transport to Cusco.
- Distance: 11 km / 6.8 mi · Hiking time: about 5 hours
- Difficulty: moderate · Meals: breakfast and snacks
Includes
- Pre-departure briefing at your hotel
- Professional tour guide (English or Spanish)
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance tickets
- All transportation during the tour, including private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Return by Vistadome/Observatory or 360° panoramic train
- Three nights of luxury camping: walk-in sleeping tents, toilet tents, shower tents and massage tents
- Dining and kitchen tents with tables and chairs
- Queen and twin luxury camping cots, foam and inflatable mattresses, duvets, sheets and pillows
- Down sleeping bag rated to −15 °C
- Private service: the program can operate with one traveler
- Exclusive chef and porter team
- Personal porter for up to 10 kg / 22 lb of gear, and a duffle bag for it
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, plus cold drinks, water and daily snacks
- Massage therapists on the three camping nights
- Hot showers, private toilet, towels and bathrobe
- Trekking poles, rain poncho and backpack rain cover
- Souvenir shirt
- First-aid kit, satellite phone and emergency oxygen
- All taxes and booking fees
Not included
- Lunch and dinner on day 4
- Travel insurance
What is the difference between the Luxury and the Classic Inca Trail?
The route, the official permits and the 42 km are the same. The luxury version is private and adds walk-in tents with camping cots and bedding, hot showers, massages at camp, gourmet food from an exclusive chef team, a personal porter for up to 10 kg and a panoramic train back.
Do I need an Inca Trail permit?
Yes. It uses the same daily permits as the Classic Inca Trail, which are limited and sell out, so book early and check the availability calendar.
Can I book it as a solo traveler?
Yes. It is a private service and the program can operate with one traveler.
Where do we camp?
The usual camps are Wayllabamba, Pacaymayo and Phuyupatamarca, but Peru’s Ministry of Culture assigns the campsites according to availability.
How much can my porter carry?
Your personal porter carries up to 10 kg / 22 lb of your gear in the duffle bag we provide.
How do I get back to Cusco?
On a Vistadome/Observatory or 360° panoramic train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, then by private transport to Cusco.
- Base layer or light thermal layer
- Trekking pants
- Long-sleeve shirts and short-sleeve T-shirts
- Fleece and a warm jacket, ideally waterproof or windproof
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking boots
- At least four pairs of breathable hiking socks
- Wool hat or beanie
- Sandals or light shoes for camp
- Medium daypack, 15–25 liters
Tour price
Price per person · ask us for group-size rates
- Starting from US$1,559 per person Check dates
- Groups & private service Rate based on your group per person Get a quote
Private service from US$1,559 per person. The program can run with a single traveler; ask us for the price for your group size. A 30% deposit secures your Inca Trail permit.
