Inca Trail 4 Days Hike To Machu Picchu: A Classic Trek
The Inca Trail is one of the world's great walks, and four days on it will change how you see Peru. Priced from $835 per person, this trek includes a personal porter carrying up to 7 kg of your gear and a Vistadome Train ride back to Cusco. Note that all sales are final and no refunds are available for cancellations, so make sure your dates are set before you book.
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Why Book With Alpaca Expeditions
Alpaca Expeditions is Peru's #1 Tour Operator, rated 4.99 out of 5 across more than 11,587 verified reviews. That score does not happen by accident. It comes from a company that backs every trek with three written guarantees: safety, food quality, and expert guiding.
The safety guarantee means at least one guide always walks at the back of the group. Nobody gets left behind on a mountain pass. The food guarantee follows five strict kitchen rules, and if anything goes wrong, affected guests are fully compensated. The lecture guarantee means your guide delivers high-quality content on Inca history throughout the trek, and all lecture materials are sent to your inbox afterward so you can read them again at home.
These are not marketing promises. They are commitments the company stands behind with real accountability.
What Is Included in Your Trek
At $835 per person, this is a fully supported expedition. Here is exactly what comes with your booking:
- A personal porter who carries up to 7 kg of your gear per person
- Drinkable water throughout the trail
- A portable chemical toilet reserved exclusively for your group
- Camping in 4-man Eureka tents, with only 2 people sharing each tent for extra comfort
- A briefing session the evening before departure at 6 pm in the Alpaca Expeditions office in Cusco
- A Vistadome Train experience for the return journey to Cusco (for tours running through January 2026)
A few things are not included: sleeping bags, trekking poles, and air mattresses are available to rent separately. Tips for the crew are optional but always appreciated. Travel insurance is also not included and strongly recommended for any multi-day trek at altitude.
From March 2027 onward, the Vistadome Train upgrade costs an additional $20 per person.
What to Expect on the Trail
The classic 4-day Inca Trail covers roughly 43 kilometers of ancient stone path through cloud forest, alpine meadows, and Inca ruins before arriving at the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu. The second day is the hardest, climbing to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 meters above sea level. Plan for early starts, cold mornings, and one of the most rewarding views in South America waiting for you at the top.
Your Alpaca Expeditions team handles the logistics so you can focus on walking. The porters move fast and will have camp set up, water ready, and meals prepared before you arrive at each site. The group size is kept manageable so the experience never feels like a factory tour.
After reaching Machu Picchu on day four, you board the Vistadome Train for the return trip to Cusco. The panoramic windows make the journey through the Sacred Valley a worthwhile end to the adventure on their own.
Practical Details Before You Book
The total activity duration is 5,760 minutes, which works out to four full days on the trail. The trek starts from Cusco, where altitude acclimatization of at least two days beforehand is strongly recommended. The trailhead is at Km 82 on the Urubamba River, roughly two hours from the city.
Inca Trail permits are strictly limited by the Peruvian government and sell out months in advance, especially for the dry season between May and September. Booking early is not optional if you want specific dates in 2026.
All sales are final. There are no refunds for cancellations under any circumstances, so confirm your travel dates, arrange comprehensive travel insurance, and check visa requirements for Peru before completing your purchase. If you need to rent gear like a sleeping bag or trekking poles, contact Alpaca Expeditions directly after booking to arrange it alongside your trek.
