The 3-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour is an intrepid hike and it is the most legendary Peru treks challenge. During this hike, you will view the most beautiful Andean mountains and jungle that this popular trail has to offer.
This Machu Picchu hike is a shorter version of the classic 4-day Inca Trail. You won't miss anything on the route since it follows the traditional Inca Trail route. It is ideal for people who don't have much free time and want to take on the challenge of the world's most popular trail. The 3-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins at kilometer 82 (the trailhead) and ends at the Inca citadel. Enter the city through Intipunku, or the Sun Gate.
During the hike, enjoy scenic views and visit Inca sites such as Patallacta, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñaywayna, and Intipata. You will also conquer two high passes: Dead Woman's Pass, which is 13,835 feet (4,215 meters) high, and Runkurakay, which is 13,123 feet (4,000 meters) high.
Trekking the three-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu through the Sacred Valley is both challenging and magnificent due to its impressive landscape. Our all-inclusive Inca Trail to Machu Picchu package includes a three-day hike. Just bring appropriate clothing for the trek.
Book online now and take on this challenge on your hike to Machu Picchu!
Sustainable Tourism: Inca Trail Machu is very keen and happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism by being eco-friendly and supporting local communities
Physical Activity: 4-Difficult - Some points are high
Service Level: Friendly Travel Group, All Inclusive & Quality service
Age Requirement: 4+. Please note: all participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tour Operator: Inca Trail Machu since 2007
Permits: Included the Inca Trail permits and 2x Machu Picchu ticket.
Inca Trail Machu Staff: Professional Tour Guide, Trekking chef and Porters during the Machu Picchu hike, and an Inca Trail Machu representative who visits you at your hotel to brief you about the trail.
Personal Porters: Our porters will carry personal belongings up to 7 kg per person!
Accommodation: Camping 2 Nights.
Meals: 2x breakfast, 2x lunch, 2x dinner, 2x afternoon tea.
Transportation: Private van, train.
Group Size: 2 to 8 trekkers (with one guide); 9 or more trekkers (with two guides).
Camping equipment: All camping equipment included like a double tent, Air mattress, and a sleeping bag, please check below,
Day 01: Cusco - Km 82 - Llulluchapampa
Day 02: Llulluchapampa - Wiñayhuayna
Day 03: Wiñayhuayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Today, we will begin our 3 day Inca Trail challenge. In the morning, our guide, trekking cook, and driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Ollantaytambo, a journey of about an hour and a half. There, you will have the option of eating breakfast or buying extra snacks for the three-day trek.
Remember to bring your water bottle! You’ll need to stay hydrated during the first four hours of the trek. After that, our trekking chef will provide boiled water to refill your bottle.
After a brief stop in Ollantaytambo, we will drive an additional 45 minutes to reach Km 82, the starting point of the Classic Inca Trail. At the checkpoint, you must show your passport and Inca Trail permit. Once the formalities are complete, we will begin our trek by crossing the Vilcanota River via a footbridge. We will start our journey from the banks of the Urubamba River toward the Patallacta archaeological site.
Continuing along the 3-day/ 2-night Inca Trail route, we will reach Huayllabamba, where we will stop for lunch. The entire hike will take about nine hours (18 km) to reach our first campsite at Llulluchapampa.
Estimated trekking time: 8–9 hours
Trekking distance: 17 km (10.5 miles)
Maximum elevation: 3,850 m (12,631 ft)
Minimum elevation: 1,200 m (3,937 ft)
First campsite elevation: 3,850 m (12,631 ft)
Physical rating: Moderate
Season: Cold (especially the first night).
Meals included: One snack, one lunch, one afternoon tea, and one dinner.
We will wake up early to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and the fresh air. After breakfast, we will begin one of the most challenging days of the three-day Inca Trail hike. Today, we will visit the Runkurakay, Sayaqmarka, and Phuyupatamarca archaeological complexes.
We will start the Inca Trail trek by crossing two high mountain passes, including Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass), which is located at 4,200 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.). This is the highest point of the hike. Though the climb is physically demanding, the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, snowy peaks, and beautiful, semi-tropical valley make it worthwhile.
Then, we will descend into the Pacaymayu Valley, where we will stop for lunch and rest briefly. After lunch, we will hike for about two hours to reach Runkurakay and then climb to the second pass: Abra Runkurakay.
We then hike for about two more hours (5 km) to Sayaqmarka, entering the subtropical zone of the Cusco region. Located at over 3,600 meters above sea level, Sayaqmarka is a site filled with mystery and charm.
After the guided tour, we walk downhill for around two hours to reach the Phuyupatamarca Inca site. The final stretch of the hike is a semi-flat path that leads to Wiñayhuayna, our second campsite, where we will spend the night.
Tonight, you will have a special meeting with your tour guide, trekking chef, and porters. It will be a time to say goodbye, as the porters will return home the next day while you continue on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Estimated Trekking Time: 10–12 Hours
Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Maximum elevation: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
Minimum elevation: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
Physical rating: Difficult
Season: The second campsite experiences varied temperatures.
Meals included: One snack, one breakfast, one lunch, one afternoon tea, and one dinner.
Water: Our trekking cook will provide cold water during the hike and at every campsite.
Today is the last day of the three-day Inca Trail hike, and we will arrive at Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas.
We'll wake up early, have a quick breakfast, and then start our hike from the Wiñayhuayna campsite. Along the way, we’ll pass the Wiñayhuayna and Intipata Inca sites before continuing on to Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate.
As we hike, we’ll enjoy the diverse flora and breathtaking landscapes the Inca Trail offers. When we reach Inti Punku, we’ll have our first panoramic view of Machu Picchu, along with a stunning panorama that includes the mountains Huayna Picchu, Putucusi, and Huchuy Picchu, as well as the winding Vilcanota River around the citadel. Take some time here to capture your best photos.
Then, we’ll walk downhill to Machu Picchu and enter the citadel through the main gate. First, we’ll head to the Guardian House, where you can enjoy the most iconic panoramic view of the Inca city. We'll pause briefly, then continue down to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu.
For the rest of the Intrepid Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 3 Days tour, we will re-enter the citadel using the circuit available at the time of your reservation.
Once inside Machu Picchu, you will enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the archaeological site. You will visit important temples and areas, admire incredible Inca architecture, and learn about the ancient city's fascinating history. Please note that according to new Machu Picchu regulations, all tickets follow a one-way circuit and cannot be used to return to the entry point once you start the tour.
After the tour, we will exit the citadel and take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, a nearby town with many restaurants where you can have lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our driver will meet us for the return transfer to Cusco. Finally, we will drop you off at your hotel. This concludes your unforgettable three-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour.
Estimated trekking time: 4–5 hours
Trekking distance: 5 km/ 3.1 miles
Maximum elevation: 8,858 ft (2,700 m)
Minimum elevation: 1,200 m (3,937 ft)
Physical Rating: Moderate
Season: Warm and foggy.
Meals included: One snack and one breakfast
A down sleeping bag for warmth and comfort;
A soft sleeping bag liner for added comfort and hygiene.
A hot water bottle to keep your feet warm on cold nights;
An inflatable pillow with a removable cover;
During the Inca Trail Tours our staff will provide the following:
Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this trek, you receive your own single tent for all nights.
Local flights: No local flights are included in the trek´s price!