Trips to Machu Picchu
About this trip
The 5-Day Inca Trail is a more relaxed, immersive version of the world-famous trek to Machu Picchu. While it follows the same 26-mile (43km) ancient path as the classic 4-day route, the extra day transforms the experience from a physical endurance test into a scenic journey with more time for exploration, better acclimatization, and significantly fewer crowds.
What’s included
Briefing
Pre-departure briefing
Hotel Pick up
Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to km.82 (starting point of the trail)
Entrance Ticket
Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fee (days 1-4) + Machu Picchu entrance fee (day 5)
Personal tents
2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field. kailas tent or north face tent
Mattress
One inflatable sleeping pad per person
Dining tent
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Kitchen tent
Toilet tent
Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities
Tour guide
English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 10 people)
Chef
Chef and cooking equipment
Porters
Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
Meals
Meals (04B, 04L, 04D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
Water
Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards
Soap
Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
Detergents
Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff
Bus Ticket
Bus ticket from Machupicchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes
Train Ticket
Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Expedition, Vistadome, upon request +US$80)
Bus Transfer
Transfer train station to hotel in Cusco
First-aid kit
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Others
hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
What’s not included
Breakfast
Breakfast on the first day
Meals
Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machu Picchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machu Picchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense too
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag US$20
Walking sticks
Walking sticks US$15
Personal Porter
Extra porter 14 kilos US$180
Personal Tent
Personal Tent US$60
Hot Springs
Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is s/15.00 (Peruvian Soles). Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes
Huaynapicchu entrance fee
if you would like to climb this mountain a new entrance fee applies (US$ 80)
$950
Itinerary
The Ultimate 5-Day Inca Trail Itinerary: A More Immersive Trek to Machu Picchu
Experience the world’s most famous hike at a relaxed pace. The 5-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the perfect choice for families, photographers, and trekkers who want to avoid the crowds and spend more time exploring ancient ruins.
Day 1: Cusco – Patallacta | Beginning Your 5-Day Inca Trail Adventure
Your journey begins with a private transfer from your Cusco hotel to Km 82, the official trailhead of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After meeting your expert guide, porters, and cooks, you’ll begin your hike along a less-visited section of the trail on the banks of the Urubamba River.
- Highlight: Visit the Q’ente archaeological site and the impressive ruins of Patallacta.
- The Experience: Unlike the standard 4-day trek, we take a detour to explore secluded ruins that most hikers never see.
- Difficulty: Moderate (Warm-up day).
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner.
Day 2: Patallacta – Llulluchapampa | A Gentle Ascent Through the Cloud Forest
On the second day of your Inca Trail trek, we focus on steady, unhurried acclimatization. While most hikers rush to cross the highest pass today, our 5-day itinerary breaks the climb into two manageable parts.
- Highlight: Explore Paucarcancha, a remote Inca fort tucked away from the main trekking crowds.
- Nature: Journey through distinct biozones, from the low sierra to the mystical Andean cloud forest. Keep an eye out for White-Tailed Deer and diverse birdlife.
- Campsite: Stay at Llulluchapampa (3,800m), a quiet campsite positioned perfectly for a sunrise start toward the pass tomorrow.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 3: Llulluchapampa – Phuyupatamarca | Conquering Dead Woman’s Pass
Today is the most rewarding day of the 5-day Inca Trail hike. We tackle the legendary Warmiwañusqa (Dead Woman’s Pass), the highest point of the trek at 4,215m (13,828ft).
- The Route: After conquering the pass, we visit the circular ruins of Runcuraccay and the "Inaccessible Town" of Sayacmarca.
- The Views: You will enjoy panoramic vistas of the Vilcabamba mountain range and snow-capped peaks.
- Campsite: We camp at Phuyupatamarca, the "Town Above the Clouds." This site offers a rare, distant glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain under the stars.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 4: Phuyupatamarca – Sun Gate – Aguas Calientes
The fourth day is dedicated to deep immersion in Inca culture. Because we camp closer to the citadel than other groups, we have the luxury of time to explore the massive terraces of Intipata and the famous ruins of Wiñay Wayna.
- The Highlight: Arrive at Inti Punku (The Sun Gate) in the late afternoon. While the morning is crowded with hundreds of hikers, the afternoon is peaceful, offering you a private, golden-hour view of Machu Picchu.
- Comfort: After capturing your iconic photos, we descend to the valley for a final night of camping (or an optional hotel) near Aguas Calientes.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 5: Machu Picchu Citadel Exploration & Return to Cusco
This is the day you’ve been waiting for. We wake early to take the first bus to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary to see the "Lost City of the Incas" at its most magical.
- Guided Tour: Your expert Machu Picchu guide will lead a 2-hour comprehensive tour, explaining the history of the Sun Temple, the Main Plaza, and the Intihuatana stone.
- Optional Hikes: If you have pre-booked permits, you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for an aerial view of the ruins.
- Return: In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo followed by a comfortable transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast.
Location
Your Organizer
Trips to Machu Picchu
Trips to Machu Picchu by Manu Explorers Peru specializes in authentic tours to one of the world’s wonders. Our offerings include the Classic Inca Trail, Salkantay, Lares, and Choquequirao treks, alongside the high-adventure Inca Jungle Trek and scenic train tours to Machu Picchu. Looking for more adventure? We also provide expert-guided jungle expeditions to the Manu National Park Reserved Zone.
