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The Inca Trail Trek is one of the world’s ten best hikes. The trail was built by the Incas over 600 years ago to connect their capital city of Cusco to the Sacred Citadel of Machu Picchu. This hike offers trekkers incredible vistas of Andean glacial peaks to tropical forests as they hike this historical trail of 45Km/26 miles through the Sun Gate to the legendary Machu Picchu Citadel. Besides the Inca Trail of 4 days there are additional options of 1, 2, or 5-day treks to allow all travelers the option to experience this incredible trek. The 1 and 2 day treks are the last one third of the Inca Trail and also enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
To protect this historical trek, the Peruvian government heavily regulates it. There are only 500 permits issued per day, of which 200 are for trekking tourists and 300 for guides, chefs, and porters. As a result, permits sell out quickly, especially in the high demand months of May through September.
The 4 or 5 days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu its available on any date that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 people except in February when the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. Subject to availability. Please check with our sales staff for current Inca Trail prices.
| No. OF PEOPLE | 2 to 8 people |
|---|---|
| PRICE | US$ 677 per person |
Personal porter included!
***This price includes the extra porter who will carry your belongings up to 7 kilos. We will provide you with a duffle bag…. And we are including the VISTADOME TRAIN upgrade for free.
Machu Picchu Circuits.
As of June 1, 2014 the government of Peru has introduced new circuits for all visitors to Machu Picchu. On any Inca Trail trek the received entrance ticket will be for Circuit 3. If you require a different ticket this will be an additional cost. You must purchase at the time of booking, the circuits are as follows.
Circuit 1A Trek to Machu Picchu Mountain
Circuit 1B Viewing Platforms 1, 2
Circuit 1C Trek to the Sungate
Circuit 1D Trek to the Inca Bridge
Circuit 2A All of Machu Picchu with Viewing Platform 1
Circuit 2B All of Machu Picchu with no Viewing Platform
Circuit 3A Bottom Half of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu
Circuit 3B Bottom Half of Machu Picchu (included with the Inca Trail)
Circuit 3C Bottom Half of Machu Picchu with the Big Cave
Circuit 3D Bottom Half of Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu.
Today begins your adventure of a lifetime, the Classic Inca Trial. We will pick you up from your hotel in our private van very early in the morning at 4:40am. From there we travel to Piskacucho, which is called kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins. On the way, we stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo at 6:30-7am to load up on energy for our start of the trail. (Breakfast is not included)
Upon arrival at kilometer 82 at 8:30am, we will have some time to organize ourselves, use of the restrooms, apply sunscreen, insect repellent, etc. At the Inca Trail first control point be ready to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) your student card.
At the start of the trail (2720m/8923ft) we cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy, a warm-up along the Inca flat terrain. There are great views of the Incan Fortress (‘Huillca Raccay’), the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata, (officially called ‘Patallacta’), the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle, the Andes Mountains, and the beautiful snow-capped peak of ‘W’akay Willca’ (5860m/19225ft) known in books as Veronica. .
Our first campsite (Ayapata) is an hour and a half up to the small village of Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft) in the temperate green valley of the same name. Temperatures at night are around 5ºC depending on the month.
During the day, we will enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains Veronica, (5,860m/19,337ft), the lush green valley around us and a myriad of flora and fauna.
After waking up at 5 to 5:30am and enjoying a hot breakfast, we start a steep ascent towards the highest pass, Abra de Warrmihuañusca or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4200m/13779ft. On this day, you will feel a real sense of achievement upon reaching the top! After a well-deserved rest, we begin the descent to where we stop for lunch, which is located at Pacaymayu (3550m/11646ft).
On our way up to the pass, we will be able to see an array of hummingbirds and a combination of other species of bird life. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and the ´Polylepis´ or Q’ueuña trees which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft!
After lunch, begins the second two-hour steep climb to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4000m/13,123ft). We arrive at our campsite by 5 pm. Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night.
This is the most impressive day so far; keep this in mind as you ascend on day three! We wake up for breakfast at 6am and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’). Here we reach the third highest point on the Inca trail (3680m/). The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular!
The Inca site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’, is located a few minutes’ walk from the third pass. After visiting this site, we continue walking down 3000 stairs through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Incan site of ‘Intipata. After taking some time to visit this site, we continue on until we arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna. (2680m/8792ft). Today, we will only walk about 4 to 5 hours. We arrive at camp by lunchtime! Temperatures during the night are about 12º C
A short walk from our campsite, is the famous Incan site of ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are feeling tired after your day’s trek, it´s a moment you cannot miss, the most impressive site on the Inca trail.
This is the final part of your journey with lots of exciting site to see. We’ll eat breakfast at 4:00 AM and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking to Machu Picchu, arriving about 6:00am at the Sun Gate, also known as Inti Punku. At that point, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel will be in front of you with its mystic beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. At the Sun Gate, you will watch sunlight spreading down over the citadel like melting goal, as the sun rises behind you. Finally, we walk downhill on the Inca flat stone steps towards Machu Picchu Citadel (2,400m/7,872 ft.) Be sure to have your camera out for all of the incredible views of the Majestic Machu Picchu.
After walking about 60 minutes, we enter the Citadel of Machu Picchu from the top through the “House of the Guardians” where all of the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu are taken. From there, we proceed towards the control point, where we register and leave any large backpacks or walking poles. You are only allowed to take small bags into Machu Picchu, such as camera bags. Walking poles are not allowed because they can damage the stones.
Your guide will give you a guided tour and educate you about the history of the ruins for about two hours. You will see many of the important parts of Machu Picchu
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hike up Huayna Picchu will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping or sightseeing.
The Expedition Train at 2:55pm or 3:20pm will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance: 6kms/3.7mls
Difficulty: Easy
***IMPORTANT:
ORANGE NATION is your best choice if you truly want to enjoy your trek in , especially in the Cusco Region. We are specialists in creating unique trekking routes, with our customized treks to Machu Picchu which other tour operators are not offering. We have numerous Classic Inca Trail options of 1 to 7 days and other Alternative treks to Machu Picchu! What that means for our clients is lots of unique options to choose from, more enjoyable and exciting treks, personalized service,and small groups averaging 4 to 6 trekkers and with a maximum of 8 trekkers.
Our high quality service is not about quantity, nor is it about cheap prices and large groups…. We have a fair-price while providing the best possible service and personalized attention in small groups, and providing the best trekking experience through our unique trekking paths. All you have to do is to immerse yourself in the stunning landscape around you and simply feel the magic of Mother Nature (Pachamama) and the Andes. We carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up your tents, avoid crowded campsites, and take care of all your requirements and details so you can relax and enjoy your trek or tour.
All Treks are only operated by ORANGE NATION : The Company is owned and operated by Saul Alvarez Montalvo a native of Cusco, and experienced guide himself. He is passionate about providing people the best quality service possible. What that means for you is that all our treks and tours are strictly and only operated by ORANGE NATION with our professional staff. ORANGE NATION will never pass you onto another company; we will work with you until we get it right…. All the departures are 100% guaranteed – If you are booked and have made your deposit. ! You are going!
ORANGE NATION also knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in . Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Salkantay/Inka Trail ! July 14th to 20th 2016Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley, Alli and Ellie hike to Machu Picchu
In an effort to provide a more personalized service to our passengers, we in ORANGE NATION have a policy that our groups will not exceed 10 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
I am very proud of my guides! Highly professional, speaking in fluent English and very knowledgeable. Passionate for the Inca heritage/ history, dedicated to a steady personal development and learning to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories about the Inca Andean culture. Fun loving, great sportsmen and well educated some having a degree in Archaeology, Botany, History or Anthropology. Others are great entertainers and the best “Salsa Dancers” on this side of Machu Picchu.
Our team (Guides, Cooks, Porters, Cowboys) and Our equipment are what really makes ORANGE NATION stand out from all of our competitors…. For all our adventurous hikes we include the following items:
ORANGE NATION has always believed that we should “give back” to the communities we pass through on our treks. Therefore, as part of our commitment in responsible tourism, we socially support and employee from these communities.
Please click on social projects for more information about what we do.
ORANGE NATION is proud to be able to support these beautiful people, not only in hiring them for work but to bring things back to grassroots, to share in their home and families. This makes us happy to have a holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
A beautiful reflection of our attitude in everything we do, is that we wish to make life richer and more meaningful for all involved.
We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading ORANGE Nation outside the arrivals. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments).
It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm in our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center
Of course! During the Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are for free. Please don´t pack anything you will need for your hike.
FIRST, to book your 4 days Inca Trail Machu Picchu for 2019, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase the Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$200.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for Inca Trail 4 days. You can make you deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbol on the top of our home page, or you can click on the PAYPAL symbol on our booking page.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge by PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of orangenationperu@gmail.com to complete the payment.
Unfortunately the answer is “No”. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the ticket has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable nor refundable.
*** If you cancel your 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek, the deposit is non-refundable!
Yes for sure! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit. The rangers will check every day and when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number…if so, please send the new passport number as soon as possible.
First I would say that the weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. BUT you will have many different varieties of weather as you pass through the numerous microclimates and will depend on the location. We highly recommend you to bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
In general if you have regular exercise and spend a couple of days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatisation to the altitude, you may be fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. See the following link for more informatio: Altitude sickness
We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
The maximum group size is 10 people. Usually our groups are between 2-6 people. Orange Nation Peru specializes in SMALL and PRIVATE groups and provides personalized service
You will have 1 cook per group. The number of porters depends of the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, there will have 4 porters, 4 trekkers will have 6 porters, 6 trekkers will have 9 porters, 8 trekkers will have 12 porters.
The evening before you start your 4 days Inca Trail Machu Picchu trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFLE BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. Your team of porters will carry your duffle bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffle bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Usually a 30 to 50 litre backpack is sufficient.
The 4 days Inca Trail Machu Picchu is a 42km (24.4 mile) hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 4,217m/13,907ft. On the second day of the trek we climb two mountains. The Trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise.
In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatised to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the 4 days Inca Trail Machu Picchu.
It has been highlighted by most of our clients, especially by the female ones who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet!! Orange Nation Peru toilet facilities have an individual tent and a “camping toilet with a seat.” Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite. At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the dirty facilities supplied by the government.
CLASSIC INCA TRAIL: If you are booking for the Inca Trail, 4 or 5 days, you must book early to get your desired date. Depending on the month a tourist wishes to hike, they may need to book 6 months or more in advance. The permits came out on October 2024 for the 2025 season and are available to purchase.
ALTERNATIVE DATES: We work hard to get permits for your preferred date – in fact we normally secure 98% of the preferred dates for our customers. However, we prefer that you also give us at least 2 alternative dates just in case we are unable to secure permits for your preferred date. This ensures we can still get permits for you and make sure you can experience the Inca Trail!
SHORT INCA TRAIL: If you are booking the 1 or 2 day Inca Trail, it is preferred that you also book in advance, 2 to 4 months before is possible, depending on the date you prefer to trek.
Orange Nation makes sure all their hikers’ information is updated and ready to use to secure the Inca Trail permit on the date the client is hoping to secure. Thus, the moment the permits are released for sale, we can purchase the permits before they are all sold out. Some dates in May or June may sell out within minutes, and others in hours. Any delay in the booking process could mean Orange Nation Peru is unable to secure your Inca Trail permit, especially for the Classic Inca Trail. It is always wise to provide an alternative date to be sure of getting your permit.
Unfortunately, once permits have been purchased, it is not possible to change the start date, get a refund, or transfer permits to someone else. To change your start date, you will need to purchase new permits.
Please double check your starting date when filling out your Booking Form to prevent any changes needed.
It may be possible to book at the last minute with the 2 day or 1 day Inca Trail and perhaps the Classic Inca Trail (4 or 5 day) if you are looking to trek in a month of the year where demand is lower. However, it is not recommended! The permits are not the only item that can book out, trains and hotels can also book out. Please do not wait until the last minute, book now if you have set dates!
Orange Nation Peru needs your personal details and they must match your passport. What is required is your full name as written in your passport, passport number, date of birth, nationality and gender. Once again, it must match exactly your passport! After booking, please send us a copy of your current passport or driver’s license if you are booking with that.
If you are renewing your passport, Orange Nation Peru can book with your old passport number (or driver’s license number) and we will update once your new passport arrives. Further details are written below.
If you are still in the process of obtaining your passport, you can still book with your driver’s license information and when you obtain your new passport then simply email Orange Nation Peru a photo of both your new passport and your driver’s license and we will update your permit information at the government office. Please bring your drivers license and new passport when you come to Peru.
If your passport will expire before you trek, you can book the Inca Trail hike with your current passport and when you obtain your new passport, you can take photos of both your old and new passports. Then email Orange Nation Peru those photos and they will update your permit information at the government. It is also wise to bring both your old passport and new passport to Peru when you come, if your still have your old passport.
Remember to check your current passport to make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival to Peru!!! The Government of Peru is enforcing the existing law that requires all foreign travelers to have a passport valid for a minimum of six months past the time of entry into Peru. Peruvian authorities will deny entry into Peru for travelers not meeting this requirement.
“Please read the following information carefully; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the 4 days Inca Trail Machu Picchu”
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator in that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and it´s people.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Orange Nation destinations. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you feel, depending on your perception on the quality of service and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
For sure you may upgrade to Vistadome train which has slightly nicer seats, panoramic windows and ceiling. You will be offered some snacks and a dance show will take place on board. The price is US$67 per person which includes the transfer from Poroy (Cusco) train station to your hotel in Cusco. It is 2 hours by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then another 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco by bus. If you upgrade to the Vistadome Train, the trip from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Cusco), takes 3.5 hours, and then 25mins by taxi to your hotel. Usually our clients are back at their hotel by 8pm. If you plan to take the bus to Puno on the same night, that is totally possible.
It will depend on the train availability but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. Therefore you will take the train at 2:55pm, 3:20pm or 4:22pm. With this train schedule, you will have more than 9 hours to enjoy Machu Picchu.
Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there too!
If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we will pick you from up there.
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the 4 day Inca Trail Machu Picchu due to a health reasons, Orange Nation Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu.
Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.
As a professional direct local tour operator we provide you with a duffle bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 15 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40Litres for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
