BEST inca trail 5 days | INCA TRAIL PERU

HIGHLIGHTS 5 DAYS INCA TRAIL

Our local company Inca Trail includes Professional highly trained, educated, and passionate head guides to lead the groups on the Inca trail 5 days and answer all questions, amazing porters who will help to carry all the needed camping gear and personal belongings; a professional chef who deliver hot restaurant-style meals at each camping site to guarantee delicious food and to ensure you have plenty of energy to appreciate the amazing landscapes that 5 day Inca Trail offers.

Why should you hike Inca trail 5 days with us?

Our 5-day Inca Trail itinerary is designed to avoid the crowds by keeping half a day ahead and behind everyone else. Check out what is difference between 4 days and 5-day Inca Trail here.
Our porters are treated with respect, we provide them a fair salary, a decent tent with a pad, proper meals, and proper equipment. We care for their health, well-being, and the health of their families, also we are committed to social projects to improve their lives.
We are a practical, punctual, reliable Travel company, welcoming individuals or groups. Check out our reviews on trip advisor.
At AB Expeditions, our porters, guides, driver, and Cooks receive their salaries as soon as they finish their job.
We don’t share our group of Inca trail 5 days with other companies.

Day 1: Cusco – Piscacucho KM 82 – Hatunchaca
Very early in the morning of the first day, we will pick you up from your hotel (exact time will be confirmed in the briefing). We will then travel in our transportation to Ollantaytambo, where we will stop to have breakfast (this breakfast is not included). Following breakfast, we will continue on to the trailhead (named KM 82). Then, upon completing the final checks, we will pass through the checkpoint (passport is required at this point). The beginning of the trek is relatively flat, allowing for an easy start to the day. About two hours into the hike you will see the first Inca site (Patallacta), and the guide will pause to explain the history and culture of the ancient Incas. Another one hour walk will put us at the lunch place. After lunch and another few hours of hiking, we will arrive at the first campsite (Hatunchaca) in time to prepare a dinner and rest up for the second day.
- Walking Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles.
- Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities.
- Meals: Lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Breakfast is not included.
- Campsite elevation: 3,000m/ 9,842 ft.
L , D Meals

6 – 7 hours. Walking Time

11 km / 6.83 miles. Walking Distance

noderate Level of Difficulty

2,700 m / 8,856 ft. Starting Altitude

3,000 m / 9,840 ft. Highest Altitude
Day 2: Hatunchaca – Dead Woman´Pass – Pacaymayu
After waking up early at approximately 6 am and having a quick breakfast, we will start hiking towards the highest point of the Inca trail called warmiwañusca (dead women´s pass, 4215 meters). This is the most challenging day of the trek, as it involves the most strenuous climbs, but will offer you stunning views of the surrounding mountains. On this portion of the trek, expect several breaks, and allowances for photos and simply enjoying the surroundings. We will hike approximately 3.5 hours uphill before reaching our lunch stop (Llulluchapampa). We will take lunch after we will continue ascending until we reach the peak approximately 2 hours later. After reaching the highest point, we will descend for approximately 1.5 hours until we get to the second campsite (Pacaymayu).
- Hiking Distance: 11. km / 7.1miles.
- Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
- Campsite elevation: 3,600m/ 11,520ft.
B , L , D Meals

7 – 8 hours. Walking Time

12 km / 7.45 miles. Walking Distance

difficult Level of Difficulty

3,000 m / 9,840 ft. Starting Altitude

4,215 m / 13,825 ft. Highest Altitude
Day 3: Pacaymayu – Runkuracay´Pass – Phuyupatamarca
This day is the most impressive day with many views of the Vilcabamba mountain range and the sacred mountain (Salkantay). We will wake up at approximately 7 am, grab a quick breakfast, and continue hiking until we reach the first Inca site of the day (Runkurakay). After exploring the ruins, we will keep going up for 1 hour to the second pass of the Inca trail (called Runkurakay Pass). Then we will descend to a second Inca site (Sayacmarca), at which we will stop for exploring and get information from your tour guide. After we will keep walking for 30 minutes, where we will take a rest and eat lunch. We will walk for 2 hours more, we will stop at the next overnight campsite and will have the opportunity to watch the sunset over the beautiful Vilcabamba mountain range.
- Hiking Distance: 12 km / 6.5 miles.
- Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
- Campsite elevation: 3,680m/ 12,000ft.
B , L , D Meals

7 – 8 hours. Walking Time

12 km / 7.45 miles. Walking Distance

difficult Level of Difficulty

3,650 m / 11,972 ft. Starting Altitude

4,150 m / 12,956 ft. Highest Altitude
Day 4: Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Aguas Calientes
After an early departure, we will stop at a popular Inca site (Phuyupatamarca). We will then follow our adventure, that day in the morning is downhill with a lot of steps through the cloud forest to the ruins of Intipata and Wiñayhuyna, which are both well restored. After grabbing a quick lunch at Wiñayhuyna, followed by a small ceremony to say thank you and goodbye to the crew. It’s an Inca trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again and to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them, then you can do so now). We will walk another 1.5 hours to the Sun Gate, from where we will have a spectacular view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. However, it will take another 45 minutes to hike down to Machu Picchu itself. After spending some time in Machu Picchu, we will go by bus to our overnight hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Inca Trail 5 Days Hiking Distance: 10km / 7.4 miles.
- Overnight Accommodations: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Aguas Calientes elevation: 2,000m/6,561ft.
B , L , D Meals

7 – 8 hours. Walking Time

10 km / 6.21 miles. Walking Distance

difficult Level of Difficulty

3,650 m / 11,972 ft. Starting Altitude

3,650 m / 11,972 ft. Highest Altitude
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
We will have a breakfast very early at the hotel and then catch a 5:30 am a bus to Machu Picchu. A half hour bus ride will bring you to the citadel for a guided visit, which normally takes approximately 2 hours. Your official tour guide will walk through the different sectors of the hill-top citadel, taking you back in time to gain an understanding of ancient Andean life. You will then have free time to explore the city by yourself and take in some of the magnificent views. If you still have the energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains, which normally take approximately 45 minutes Huayna Picchu and 2 hours Machu Picchu Mountain. However, if you are interested in either of these additions, please book in advance as there are special ticket arrangements. At the end of your exploration of the site, you will be brought by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (it does not include), before receiving your train ticket to the Ollantaytambo station. Here, a driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast, provided by the hotel. (Lunch, tea time and dinner are not included).
Elevation: 2,400m / 7,874ft

B Meals

JUST BY BUS Walking Time

JUST BY BUS Walking Distance

EASY Level of Difficulty

2000 masl / 9534 feets Starting Altitude

2400 masl / 1050 feets Highest Altitude

What’s Included For 5 Day Inca trail to machu Picchu?

Trekking briefing the night before at your hotel with your trekking guide where your guide will overview the trek and provide the duffle bags which will be carried by our porters.
Pick up from your hotel and transfer back
Transfer in private transport to km82 ( trailhead )
sleeping tents (we only put 2 in each tent) are very spacious, large, and comfortable with plenty of room to fit your trekking gear and your day packs
Foam mats to put under your sleeping bag (carried by horses)
Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs (very comfortable)
English-speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 10 people)
Meals per day, tea social/happy hour every afternoon, snacks every morning
Portable private toilet tent
First-aid kit including an emergency oxygen tank
Chef, cooking equipment, and kitchen tent
Porters (to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment)
Drinking water every morning, lunch, happy hour, and dinner time and water for washing your feet and hands
Expedition Tourist class train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, then a private Van to transfer back to your hotel in Cusco
Entrance to Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
Bus tickets from Machu Picchu
2 hour Private Guided tour of Machu Picchu with plenty of time to explore on your own
Climb to the Sun Gate.
7 kg /15 lb luggage allowance to be carried by our porters (you will trek only with your day pack which is way more comfortable than carrying a big bag!)
We are a locally owned Peruvian company with the best adventure guides, professional chefs, and amazing porters.
We will create the trip of a lifetime experience for you.
Taxes included

What’s not Included For 5 Day Inca trail to machu picchu?

Breakfast on the first day
Dinner on the last day
Sleeping bag (this can be rented from the company for $20 for the entire trek)
Walking sticks (this can be rented from the company for $15 for the entire trek)
Optional inflatable sleeping pad (7cm/3″) (you can rent from the company for $20)
Tips for the crew

Prices: 5 day Inca trail to machu picchu

Permits are needed for your chosen start date. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2023 through January 2024. All prices quoted are $USD