Inca Trail 5 Days 4 Nights: The Leisurely Classic to Machu Picchu (2026)
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Availability Daily departures
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Transport Hotel pickup
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Languages Spanish, English
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Service type Not specified
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Cancellation policy Not specified
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Maximum altitude 4,215m (13,829 ft) m.s.n.m.
About this activity
The Inca Trail is a 44 km route from the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu, crossing a 4,215m mountain pass, traversing cloud forest, puna grassland, and subtropical jungle, and passing six major Inca archaeological sites before descending to the Sun Gate for the first view of the Lost City. It is the most famous trekking route in South America, and one of the most complete experiences of Andean archaeology and ecology anywhere in Peru.
The 5-day version is the same complete Inca Trail — every kilometer, every pass, every ruin — distributed over five days instead of four. The extra day allows you to linger at Wiñay Wayna’s ruins, spend unhurried time at Sayaqmarka and Phuyupatamarca, and arrive at the Sun Gate rested and ready for a full morning at Machu Picchu. This is the format for travelers who want to do the Classic Inca Trail properly rather than at a forced march pace.
Price: $720 USD per person. Includes all camping equipment, porter service, all meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 5 breakfast, and full permit bundle.
Why Choose This Tour?
- Km 82 / Piscacucho (2,750m) — trailhead
- Llaqtapata / Patallacta (2,840m) — Inca agricultural complex
- Warmiwañusca / Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m) — highest point
- Runkurakay ruins (3,760m) — circular Inca watchtower
- Sayaqmarka (3,624m) — ‘Dominant Town’, cliff-top fortress
- Phuyupatamarca (3,640m) — ‘Town in the Clouds’, ceremonial fountains
- Wiñay Wayna (2,650m) — ‘Forever Young’, finest ruins on the trail
- Inti Punku / Sun Gate (2,720m) — first view of Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu (2,430m) — full guided tour Day 5
Itinerary
Day 01
Itinerario
Itinerario
Inca Trail 5 Days to Machu Picchu: The Classic Route Without the Rush
- Daily departures (min. 1 person)
- Shared group service (max 16 people)
- MINCETUR-certified bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
- Sleeping bag, camp mattress, and porter service included
- 3 nights camping + 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- All permits included — book 4–6 months in advance
The Inca Trail is a 44 km route from the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu, crossing a 4,215m mountain pass, traversing cloud forest, puna grassland, and subtropical jungle, and passing six major Inca archaeological sites before descending to the Sun Gate for the first view of the Lost City. It is the most famous trekking route in South America, and one of the most complete experiences of Andean archaeology and ecology anywhere in Peru.
The 5-day version is the same complete Inca Trail — every kilometer, every pass, every ruin — distributed over five days instead of four. The extra day allows you to linger at Wiñay Wayna's ruins, spend unhurried time at Sayaqmarka and Phuyupatamarca, and arrive at the Sun Gate rested and ready for a full morning at Machu Picchu. This is the format for travelers who want to do the Classic Inca Trail properly rather than at a forced march pace.
Price: $720 USD per person. Includes all camping equipment, porter service, all meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 5 breakfast, and full permit bundle.
What's included
Inclusions
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Meals
- All meals: Day 1 lunch through Day 5 breakfast (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners)
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Tickets & Permits
- Inca Trail permit (Km 82 → Machu Picchu, SERNANP)
- Machu Picchu Circuit 2 entrance ticket
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Guide
- MINCETUR-certified bilingual guide
- Assistant guide for groups of 9 or more
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Transportation
- Hotel pickup and return to Cusco
- Private transport Cusco ↔ Km 82 and Ollantaytambo ↔ Cusco
- Return train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo
- Consettur bus to/from Machu Picchu (Day 5)
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Equipment
- 3 nights camping in double-occupancy mountain tents (4P tents, 2 per tent)
- Camping equipment: tents, sleeping bag, camp mattress
- Porter service: carries tents, kitchen gear, communal equipment
- Dining tent with folding tables and chairs
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Accommodation
- 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
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Other
- Vegetarian option available at no extra charge
- Emergency oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Biodegradable soaps and detergents
- Pre-trek briefing in Cusco
- Secure luggage storage in our Cusco office during trek
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the 5-day Inca Trail different from the 4-day version?
Both cover the same 44 km route from Km 82 to Machu Picchu. The 5-day version distributes the distance over one extra hiking day, reducing the average daily distance and allowing more time at the archaeological sites — particularly Wiñay Wayna, which receives a dedicated half-day rather than a rushed late-afternoon stop. The total cost is slightly higher ($720 vs $680 for our 4-day) because it adds one extra night of camping, cook, and guide service.
Do I need to carry my own gear?
No. The porter team carries all camping equipment (tents, kitchen, tables, chairs, food). You carry only your personal daypack (recommended 20–25 liters) with your clothing, water, snacks, and personal items. An optional personal porter can carry your main bag for an additional fee.
What altitude do we sleep at?
Night 1: Wayllabamba (~3,000m). Night 2: Pacaymayo (~3,600m). Night 3: Phuyupatamarca (~3,640m). Night 4: Hotel in Aguas Calientes (~2,040m). The progression from 3,000m → 3,600m → 3,640m → 2,040m means you are at altitude for three nights before descending significantly; this gradual pattern aids acclimatization.
Is it safe to do the trail if I have mild altitude concerns?
The 5-day Inca Trail's maximum altitude is 4,215m (Dead Woman's Pass, Day 2). Everyone in the group carries altitude medication; the guide carries emergency oxygen. However, altitude illness is individual and cannot be entirely predicted. Spend at least 3–4 days in Cusco before the trek, avoid alcohol the day before, stay hydrated, and ascend slowly. If you experience severe symptoms (severe headache, vomiting, confusion), the guide will assist in descent.
What happens to luggage I don't bring on the trek?
Bags left in Cusco are stored securely in our office at no charge. Only bring what fits in a 20–25 liter daypack on the trail; your main luggage remains in Cusco until you return.
Can children do the 5-day Inca Trail?
SERNANP regulations prohibit children under 8 on the Inca Trail. Children aged 8–12 may participate if physically active and comfortable with sustained uphill hiking. For families with younger children, the Short Inca Trail 2 Days is a better alternative (lower altitude, no camping, hotel accommodation).
What food is served during the trek?
The camp cook prepares three full meals per day from Day 1 lunch. Breakfasts typically include hot cereal, eggs, bread, fruit, and hot drinks. Lunches are served hot at designated rest points and include soup, a main course, and dessert. Dinners at camp are multi-course with soup, main, and dessert. Vegetarian options are provided for all meals if requested at booking.
What permits do you arrange, and what documents do I need?
We arrange: (1) Inca Trail SERNANP permit — requires your full legal name and passport number exactly as printed. (2) Machu Picchu entrance ticket — Circuit 2. Bring the same original passport you used for booking to the Km 82 trailhead check post; photocopies and digital copies are not accepted.
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