Classic Inca Trail 4 days: the complete guide
It is the most famous trek on Earth for a reason. Over four days the Classic Inca Trail walks you along original Inca pathways, past ruins no road reaches, over the lung-testing Dead Woman’s Pass, and finally through the Sun Gate to your first sight of Machu Picchu at dawn. Here is everything you need to walk it well.
Part of our complete guideThe complete Inca Trail guide →Why the Classic Inca Trail is special
No other trek combines this much Inca history with this finish. You sleep on the trail, pass the ruins of Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Wiñay Wayna, and arrive at Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate — the way the Incas intended. It is the one trek that is permit-capped, so it must be booked far ahead.
The route, day by day
| Day | Route | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Km 82 → Wayllabamba | Gentle start along the river |
| 2 | Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m) | The hardest day, highest pass |
| 3 | Runkurakay → Wiñay Wayna | Ruins and cloud forest |
| 4 | Sun Gate → Machu Picchu | Dawn arrival at the citadel |
See the full itinerary and dates
Day-by-day plan, inclusions and live permit availability.
Permits: book early or miss out
This is the crucial part. The Classic Inca Trail has a strict daily permit cap that sells out months ahead in high season, and February it closes entirely. Read our full permits and booking guide, then check live dates on the permit calendar.
The permit is issued against your passport number and name, which are checked at the trail. We collect these at booking — bring the same passport.
How hard is it, and how to prepare
It is challenging, above all on day two’s climb to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 m. Good fitness helps, but acclimatizing in Cusco for two or three days first matters more. See our packing guide for the trail.
When to go
The dry season (May–September) is the most reliable and the busiest; April and October are quieter. The trail closes every February. More in our best-time guide.
Frequently asked questions
It is challenging, especially day two’s climb to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 m. Good fitness and several days acclimatizing in Cusco beforehand make it very achievable.
In high season, four to six months ahead — permits are capped daily and sell out. Book as soon as your dates are firm.
Yes, every February for maintenance. All other months operate, weather permitting.
The highest point of the trek at 4,215 m, on day two — a long climb named for the mountain’s reclining silhouette, and the trail’s biggest physical challenge.