4D/3NClassic Inca Trail
The classic 42 km route over Dead Woman's Pass, arriving through the Sun Gate at dawn.
from $932 USD
See trek details The ultimate fusion: glaciers and the Sun Gate in one journey. Two days in the shadow of Salkantay, the sacred mountain — a turquoise glacier lake, a night under the ice and the thrill of a 4,600 m pass. Then you trade snow for orchids and walk the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. You carry a day pack; we carry everything else.
Trip highlights
- Humantay Lake, turquoise beneath a glacier
- Salkantay Pass at 4,600 m
- Camp under the Salkantay glacier
- Inca Trail from KM 104 past Wiñay Wayna
- Arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
Why book direct with a local operator
Our own crew
Guides, chefs and crew are our team in Cusco — no middlemen, no resold departures.
Fair pay
Porters and horsemen are paid fairly, carry legal weights and get proper gear and meals.
Best trail food
Our trail chefs cook fresh Andean dishes three times a day.
Low-impact trekking
Leave No Trace camps, waste carried out, community projects supported.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Cusco → Soraypampa → Humantay Lake
Walking time
3–4 h
Distance
7 km
Climb
+450 m
Descent
−450 m
Highest point
4,200 m
We pick you up before dawn and drive through sleeping villages to Mollepata, where breakfast is waiting. By late morning you reach Soraypampa, right beneath the white wall of Salkantay. After lunch you climb slowly to Humantay Lake — and nothing prepares you for that colour: a turquoise mirror held by a glacier. Sit on the rocks, catch your breath, listen to the ice crack. Back at camp the tea is hot, the stars come out, and the mountain glows pink before it disappears into the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinnerOvernight: Soraypampa 3,900 m
Departure dates
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Available Few spaces left Sold out No departure
Daily departures (closed in February). Tap a green date to book it.
What's included
- Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance
- Professional bilingual guide
- Train to KM 104 and return train to Ollantaytambo
- Bus Machu Picchu ↔ Aguas Calientes
- Hotel night in Aguas Calientes
- Transfers from and to your hotel in Cusco
- Tents set up by our team, dining tent and kitchen
- Trail chef and all meals listed in the itinerary
- Horsemen and mules / porters for all camping gear and 5–7 kg of your things
- Hotel night in Ollantaytambo
Not included
- Travel insurance (required)
- Hotels in Cusco
- Airport transfers
- Tips for the crew
- Meals not listed
- Sleeping bag and trekking poles (available to rent)
Trail chefs and the people behind your trek
Our chefs cook three hot meals a day — quinoa soup, lomo saltado, fresh trout, Andean herbal teas — with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Our crew are Quechua men and women from the communities around Cusco. We pay them fairly, respect legal load limits and support their families through our community program.
How hard is it? Level 4 of 5 — Challenging
Challenging. You'll reach 4,600 m on day 2 — the highest point of any of our Machu Picchu treks — and walk a full Inca Trail day on day 3. Fit hikers with 2–3 days of acclimatization in Cusco do great.
Our difficulty scale
Every trek we run is rated from 1 (easy) to 5 (hard). This one is a 4.
- 1Easy
Gentle walks of 2–4 hours, little climbing. Anyone in normal health.
Unique City Tour: Inca Trail, Alpacas & Ruins
- 2Moderate
4–6 hours a day with some climbs, mostly below 3,500 m. Regular walkers.
Short Inca Trail (Express) · Inca Jungle Trek
- 3Active
5–7 hours a day, steady climbs and passes up to around 4,000 m. Good basic fitness.
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu · Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu · Rainbow Mountain Trek · Salkantay & Humantay
- 4Challenging
6–8 hours a day on steep stone steps, one or more passes above 4,000 m. Fit hikers who train beforehand.
Classic Inca Trail · Lares Fusion Inca Trail · Salkantay Fusion Inca Trail · Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu · Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
- 5Hard
Long, remote days, big daily climbs and high passes near 5,000 m. Experienced, very fit trekkers.
Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu · Ausangate Trek
Best time to go
Runs every month except February (Inca Trail closure). May to September brings the clearest glacier views.
Best (dry season)Good (shoulder)Rainy, still openClosed
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
- Jan
- Peak rainy season. Green, quiet and dramatic, but expect daily showers and muddy steps. Permits are easy to get.
- Feb
- Closed. The Ministry of Culture closes the Inca Trail every February for maintenance. Try the Salkantay or Inca Jungle trek instead.
- Mar
- Trail reopens. Still wet, but lush cloud forest, orchids and few hikers.
- Apr
- Rains fade, landscapes are at their greenest. A great shoulder month.
- May
- Dry season begins. Clear skies, green valleys — one of the very best months.
- Jun
- Dry and sunny days, cold nights (near 0 °C at Pacaymayo). Inti Raymi festival in Cusco on 24 June.
- Jul
- Peak season: the most reliable weather. Permits sell out months ahead.
- Aug
- Dry, clear and busy. Book 5–6 months in advance.
- Sep
- Still dry with warmer nights. Excellent views and slightly fewer hikers.
- Oct
- Mostly dry with the first afternoon showers. Good value and fewer crowds.
- Nov
- Mixed weather — sun in the morning, showers some afternoons. Greener trail.
- Dec
- Rainy season returns. Fewer hikers and festive Cusco, pack good rain gear.
Frequently asked questions
Why combine Salkantay with the Inca Trail?
You get the wild mountain scenery of Salkantay and still walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate on the real Inca Trail — the best of both, in 4 days.
Do I need an Inca Trail permit?
Yes, for the 2-day Express section. We buy it with your passport details as soon as you book; it's limited, so book early.
Where do we sleep?
One night camping with our crew, one night in a hotel in Ollantaytambo and one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Is it open in February?
No. The Inca Trail closes every February; we'll suggest the full Salkantay or Lares trek instead.
Combo or Classic Inca Trail?
The Classic spends all 4 days on the Inca Trail. The combo trades two of those days for remote Andean villages or glaciers, with hotel nights and fewer crowds.
How do I avoid altitude sickness?
Spend at least 2 days in Cusco (3,400 m) before the trek, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol the first days and walk slowly. Our guides carry emergency oxygen and a first aid kit.
Who carries my things?
You only carry a light day pack. Our crew (porters on the Inca Trail, horsemen and mules on Salkantay and Lares) carries the tents, kitchen, food and up to 5–7 kg of your personal gear.
What food is served?
Three hot meals a day plus snacks and tea, cooked fresh by our trail chefs. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets are available on request.
Is drinking water provided?
Yes, boiled and filtered water from the first lunch onwards. Bring a 1–2 litre bottle.
What should I pack?
Broken-in hiking boots, rain jacket, warm layers, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, headlamp, water bottle, personal medication, passport and some cash.
Is travel insurance required?
Yes. It must cover hiking at altitude, medical evacuation and trip cancellation.
How much should I tip the crew?
Tips are optional but appreciated. Many hikers give around 40–80 USD per person in total, shared between the crew.
What age range joins your treks?
Most of our hikers are between 25 and 60. Fit hikers older than that walk with us every month — pace matters more than age.
Can I extend my stay or add Huayna Picchu?
Yes. Ask us when booking and we'll add the ticket or move your return train.
Why book with a local operator?
We are based in Cusco and run every trek with our own guides, chefs and crew. No middlemen: your money goes to the people who make your trip.
