This trek joins two very different faces of the Andes. Day one leaves Tambomachay, above Cusco, and crosses a chain of high passes up to 4,230 m, with views of the Verónica, Pitusiray and Chicón glaciers and the Piuray and Qoricocha lagoons, before a night in camp at Pucamarca (4,010 m).
On day two the train drops you at Km 104, the start of the Short Inca Trail: stone steps past Chachabamba and the terraces of Wiñay Wayna lead to the Sun Gate and your first view of Machu Picchu, followed by a hotel night in Aguas Calientes and a guided visit of the citadel. Camping gear, a cook, horses, the Inca Trail train, the hotel and the Machu Picchu entrance are included for US $680. Read our 4-day trek guide.
Discover Huchuy Qosqo, Little Cusco, a royal Inca estate of fine stonework and irrigation high above the Sacred Valley.
Sacred Valley panoramas
Trek high Andean passes with views of Veronica, Pitusiray and Chicon and the Piuray and Qoricocha lagoons.
Original Inca trails
Follow authentic Inca paths through remote highland scenery rarely seen by other travelers.
Machu Picchu finale
Most routes finish with a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the New Seven Wonder.
Living Andean culture
Meet Sacred Valley communities and learn about traditional farming and customs.
Comfortable support
Horses, a chef, camping gear and a hotel in Aguas Calientes keep the trek comfortable and well-supported.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Huchuy Qosqo and Inca Trail 4 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco to Tambomachay and Pucamarca
A private ride to Tambomachay (3,600 m) begins a high-Andes day over the Sicllaccasa, Queullococha, Challu Challu and Rumicruz passes (up to 4,230 m), with views of Veronica, Pitusiray and Chicon and the Piuray and Qoricocha lagoons.
You descend to camp at Pucamarca (4,010 m) for dinner under the Andean sky.
Distance
16 km / 10 mi
Duration
7–8 hours
Max altitude
4,230 m
Campsite
4,010 m
Meals
Lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate to hard
DAY 2
Huchuy Qosqo, Km 104 and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
A scenic ride to the train takes you to Km 104 (2,200 m), the start of the Short Inca Trail. After Chachabamba and Choquesuysuy you climb stone steps past waterfalls and orchids to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m).
Two more hours bring you to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) and your first view of Machu Picchu, then a descent and bus to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night.
Distance
14 km / 8.7 mi
Duration
7–8 hours
Altitude
Aguas Calientes 2,160 m
Meals
Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty
Moderate
Good to know: Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's passport details when you book.
DAY 3
Machu Picchu guided tour
A 30-minute bus ride takes you up for a two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, with free time to hike the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge, or climb Huayna Picchu (optional, $70), before lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Visit
2-hour guided tour
Optional
Huayna Picchu
Meals
Breakfast
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 4
Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco
A free morning in Aguas Calientes, for the hot springs or the craft market, before the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo and a 1.5-hour transfer to your Cusco hotel.
Morning
Free in Aguas Calientes
Meals
Breakfast
Return
Train and private car to Cusco
Difficulty
Moderate
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Huchuy Qosqo and Inca Trail 4 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Hotel pickup in Cusco
Private transport to Tambomachay
Bilingual professional guide (English and Spanish)
Huchuy Qosqo entrance
Chef, camping gear and horses
Meals as detailed in the itinerary
Oxygen and first aid kit
Return transport to Cusco
Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour
Train tickets to Km 104 / Aguas Calientes
Hotel night in Aguas Calientes
Bus tickets Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Not Included
Sleeping bag (rent in Cusco)
Trekking poles (rent in Cusco)
Huayna Picchu climb (optional)
Tips and gratuities
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Huchuy Qosqo and Inca Trail 4 Days day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this high-altitude trek. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout.
Physical fitness
Moderate to hard. The first day is the longest, crossing passes up to about 4,230 m; the following stages are shorter and lower, with stone paths and Inca steps on the Inca Trail section. You carry only a daypack.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with clear skies and firm trails; nights at camp are cold, especially from June to August. From December to March rain, mud and cloud are frequent, and snow is possible on the high passes.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,230 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF. Nights at camp can drop below freezing, so pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $680 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $646 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $612 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Moderate to hard. Day one is the toughest: about 16 km over passes up to 4,230 m. The Short Inca Trail on day two is around 14 km with many stone steps. Spend at least two days acclimatizing in Cusco first.
Yes, the Short Inca Trail from Km 104 requires a permit with your passport details. Spaces are limited, so book early, especially from May to September.
Yes. Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveller’s details at booking.
One night camping at Pucamarca and a hotel night in Aguas Calientes before your Machu Picchu visit.
May to September, the dry season, for clear skies and firm trails. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.
This trek needs TWO bookings: the government Inca Trail permit (capped at 500 per day and sold out months ahead) and the Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Check both calendars before you book.
