Camino inka 4D/3N

Distance: 15 km (11 miles)
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Max Altitude: 3,600 m (11,811 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp at Wiñaywayna

Many consider this the most beautiful day of the trek. You'll walk along relatively flat Inca trails ("Inca flat" involves gradual inclines) through stunning cloud forest, with views of the Salkantay and Vilcabamba mountain ranges. The first highlight is reaching Phuyupatamarca ("Town Above the Clouds") at 3,600m (11,811ft), a complex of Inca baths and structures with breathtaking views .
From here, you'll begin a long descent down ancient Inca stone steps, passing the site of *Intipata (Sun Terraces). You'll eventually arrive at the magnificent *Wiñaywayna ("Forever Young") ruins (2,600m / 8,530ft) in the early afternoon. This is one of the most impressive and extensive sites along the trail, featuring intricate agricultural terraces, religious sectors, and residential areas .
Your final campsite is nearby. After lunch, you'll have time to explore the Wiñaywayna ruins with your guide. In the evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner to thank the incredible team of cooks and porters for their hard work. It's traditional to provide tips at this time if you are happy with their service .

Distance: 10 km (7.5 miles)
Hiking Time: 9-10 hours
Max Altitude: 4,215 m (13,829 ft)
Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp at Chaquiccocha

This is the most challenging but rewarding day. You'll be woken early with a hot cup of coca tea to prepare for the ascent. After a nutritious breakfast, you'll embark on a steep, 4-hour climb through a high-altitude Andean valley to the highest point of the trek: Warmiwañuska (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,215m (13,829ft). Reaching the pass is a major achievement, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys .
You'll then descend a long stone staircase into the Pacaymayo Valley for a well-deserved lunch, which helps recharge your energy. The day continues with a second, shorter ascent to the *Runkurakay Pass (approx. 4,000m / 13,123ft), passing a small, circular Inca ruin of the same name. From here, you'll hike to another significant Inca site, *Sayacmarca ("The Dominant Town"), which is dramatically perched on a mountainside .
The final stretch of the day is a gentle walk on original Inca pathways through beautiful cloud forest to your second campsite at Chaquiccocha (3,600m / 11,811ft). You'll arrive in the late afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range before dinner .

Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Max Altitude: 3,600 m (11,811 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp at Wiñaywayna

Many consider this the most beautiful day of the trek. You'll walk along relatively flat Inca trails ("Inca flat" involves gradual inclines) through stunning cloud forest, with views of the Salkantay and Vilcabamba mountain ranges. The first highlight is reaching Phuyupatamarca ("Town Above the Clouds") at 3,600m (11,811ft), a complex of Inca baths and structures with breathtaking views .
From here, you'll begin a long descent down ancient Inca stone steps, passing the site of *Intipata (Sun Terraces). You'll eventually arrive at the magnificent *Wiñaywayna ("Forever Young") ruins (2,600m / 8,530ft) in the early afternoon. This is one of the most impressive and extensive sites along the trail, featuring intricate agricultural terraces, religious sectors, and residential areas .
Your final campsite is nearby. After lunch, you'll have time to explore the Wiñaywayna ruins with your guide. In the evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner to thank the incredible team of cooks and porters for their hard work. It's traditional to provide tips at this time if you are happy with their service .

Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Max Altitude: 2,720 m (8,924 ft)
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Boxed Breakfast
Accommodation: Return to Cusco

The final day starts very early (around 3:30 AM) with a quick breakfast. You'll line up at the checkpoint to be among the first groups to enter the trail at 5:30 AM. The goal is to hike for about 1-2 hours to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) (2,490m / 8,169ft) for sunrise .
This moment is the culmination of your journey. As the morning mist clears, you'll be rewarded with your first iconic, panoramic view of Machu Picchu spread out below, bathed in the morning light—an unforgettable experience .
After taking photos, you'll descend for about an hour to the citadel itself. Once inside, your guide will lead you on a comprehensive 2-3 hour tour of the main sectors of Machu Picchu, explaining its history and significance .
After the tour, you'll take a *bus down to Aguas Calientes town. Here, you can have lunch (not included) and perhaps visit the market. Later, you'll board a *scenic tourist train (Vistadome or 360°) to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, where a private vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving in the evening (around 7:30 PM) .