The Inca Trail 5 Days Trek is designed in a way that you spend more time in each Inca ruin and get an immersive insight into the Inca civilization.
5 Day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu takes you to the emblematic Inca citadel, Machu Picchu following the same route as the 4 Days Classic Inca Trail hike.
However, the Inca Trail 5 Days Trek is designed in a way that you spend more time in each Inca ruin and get an immersive insight into the Inca civilization and Andean traditions through our English-speaking local tour guide.
Visiting the world’s wonder, Machu Picchu tops the bucket list of travelers in South America. Inca Trail is the most preferred trek to Machu Picchu. Primarily because it offers an authentic experience as you will be retracing the footsteps of the Incas all the way through.
The trail is dotted with several ancient and untouched Inca ruins that can be accessed only by hiking the trail.
Due to its overgrowing popularity and to preserve the trail, local authorities restrict access to 500 people a day. This number includes porters, guides, and chefs from over a hundred tour operating companies, leaving room for barely 200 tourists.
Inca Trail permits are released six months before and are often sold out in just a few hours. Hence it is highly recommended to plan your trip months in advance.
Inca Trail 5 Days covers a total distance of 43 kilometers (26 miles). The highest point of the trail is the Dead Woman’s Pass at 4215 meters above sea level(13821 ft). It is highly recommended that you spend at least 3-4 days in Cusco and acclimatize to avoid altitude sickness.
Reasons to choose Machu Picchu Tours for 5 Day Inca Trail Hike:
Machu Picchu tours is a fully locally owned and licensed Inca Trail tour operating company based in Cusco. Our local guides have hiked the trail several times and have extensive knowledge about the history, culture and flora, and fauna that are distinct to the region.
Do take a moment to check our verified travel reviews on Tripadvisor.
Your epic 5-Day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu begins with an early morning (0500 AM) transfer from your hotel in Cusco. We will embark on a two hours drive to the former administrative capital of the Incas, Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.
You can sit back and wink a nap during the drive so you arrive fresh to start your hike. Ollantaytambo is the last big town on the route so you can buy some essentials if needed.
We will continue our drive to the starting point of the 5-Day Inca Trail hike, Piskacucho (Km 82). The place is named after its distance from Cusco, en route to Machu Picchu. Your original passport will be verified here against the Inca Trail permit.
All set, we will begin our 5-Day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu—we also have a 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour – Cusco to Machu Picchu Tour available. Our Andean chef will serve a traditional breakfast.
After breakfast, we will be hiking along the course of the Urubamba river, mostly through flat terrain, to the community of Miskay (2800m/9184ft). This section of the trail is relatively easier. We will be stopping at the Inca site of Patallacta.
After getting an introduction to the Inca civilization, we will be hiking down the hill to the canyons. We will be stopping for lunch here to contemplate the views of the archaeological site of Patallacta.
We will then hike for two hours, soaking in the scenic views of the Peruvian Highlands with immersive information on Incan history through our local expert to our campsite in Hatunchaka (3300 meters/ 10826 ft. ).
The second day of the 5-Day Inca Trail Hike is challenging yet interesting. After relishing an early morning breakfast, we will begin hiking up the hill to the infamous Dead Woman’s Pass, which is the highest point on the trail.
It is a 9 km (5.59 miles) steep ascent. Although this stretch is somewhat challenging, it compensates for the hike with staggering views of the snow-capped Andean peaks and highland farms.
You will also have an opportunity of spotting llamas, alpacas, deer, and Andean condors along the way. Once we reach the top, our local expert will be giving you an insight into the history and local traditions while you soak in the pristine views of the Andean Valley below.
Once you have had your fill, we will begin with a descent to Pacaymayo Valley. The route is dotted with many flora and fauna, most of which are distinct to the region.
As we reach our campsite in Pacaymayo Valley, our chef and support crew will welcome you with Peruvian coffee or Cocoa Tea. This will be followed by lunch.
You will have the rest of the evening to yourself so you can take a rest or simply saunter through the valley.
After witnessing the sunset (depending on the weather), we will be serving dinner.
We will be waking you up to a fresh cup of Peruvian coffee or Coca Tea followed by a traditional breakfast. After breakfast, we will begin hiking to the second-highest pass which lies at the opposite end of the valley.
This part of the trek is dotted with waterfalls and tropical views. Along the way, we will be stopping at the Inca site of Runku Raqay. This served as a watch tower during the Inca civilization. Our local expert will be giving you a detailed tour of the site.
After soaking in the history of the Incas here, we will continue hiking further up to Ruku Raqay Pass (4000 meters / 13123 ft.). We will be stopping here so you can get some rest before continuing the hike on the third day of our Inca Trail Trek.
We will begin gradual descent to the cloud forest. After an hour’s hike, down the hill, we will be reaching Sayacmarca. This is one of the most beautiful Inca sites. Our local expert will be giving you a one-hour guided tour of the complex. You have some free time after the tour to click photos.
After the tour, we will be hiking to Chaquicocha which in Quechua means dry lake. Here you will get to see some beautiful flora and fauna. We will be stopping here for lunch.
After lunch, we will continue hiking for two hours through flat terrain with some inclines to our campsite in Phuyupatamarca (3680m / 12073ft). You will be getting stunning views of Vilcabamba Mountain Range as we near our campsite.
We will be leaving our gear at the campsite and doing a guided tour of the Inca site. After the tour and after witnessing the sunset, we will be returning to the campsite for a well-deserved dinner.
This is one of the rewarding mornings of the Inca Trail 5 Days Hile to Machu Picchu. Depending on the weather, you will witness the sunrise. This is certainly an unmissable sight on the trail. After breakfast, we will be hiking down the long fleet of stone steps to Wiñay Wayna (2650m/8692ft).
As we will get closer to the bottom of the steps, we will be visiting Intipata (Terraces of Sun). Our local expert will be giving you detailed information and the prominence of the site to the Incas. You will have staggering views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas from here.
Wiñay Wayna
After contemplating the views, we will continue hiking to Wiñay Wayna archaeological site. In Quechua, the name signifies forever young. This is one of the largest and most beautiful archaeological sites on the trail.
The complex consists primarily of farming terraces. It also houses urban and religious sectors. Our local expert will be giving you an immersive tour here.
We will stop at the campsite here for lunch. This will be our last lunch with the support team. After lunch, you may express your gratitude by leaving a tip, if desired. After lunch, we will be hiking to the iconic Sun Gate (Inti Punku). You will get the first view of Machu Picchu citadel tucked amidst Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains from here.
After relishing the view, we will descend to the main entrance of the citadel. Here we will be boarding the bus down to Aguas Calientes town.
We will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room here for the night.
Aguas Calientes, as the name suggests is home to Natural Hotsprings. It will be the best retreat to spend a few minutes taking a dip in the thermal waters after a full day hike.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will be embarking on a 25 minutes bus ride up the hill to Machu Picchu citadel. Our crew will help you clear the security and enter the citadel. Depending on the weather, you will witness the sun rising above the surrounding peaks as the blanket of clouds would unfurl Machu Picchu to you.
We will begin the tour with a detailed introduction to the Inca Empire. Our local expert will walk you through different parts of the citadel on two hours guided tour.
After the tour, you will have some free time to soak in the views of Machu Picchu, If you have booked to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our local expert will be directing you to the respective trail head.
Once you have had your fill of Machu Picchu, we will be exiting the citadel and taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes town. You can stop by one of the restaurants for lunch or simply check out the shops.
Later in the evening, we will be taking the trail back to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will meet you here and will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco City on our private transport. You will be reaching Cusco by 09:30 PM.
Departure & Return Location
Cusco Hotel Transfer
Departure Time
5:00 a.m.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Packing list
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Do you have any questions? Contact us at +51 974 378 488
Find out what those who have trusted us to explore unique destinations and live extraordinary adventures have to say.
John CJanuary 10, 2025Verified Excellent, perfectly planned trip. The trip was perfectly planned from start to finish, the transport, the hike, the hotel, the food and the entrance to Machu Picchu. The lovely guide Edwin was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the site, the hike, and it's history. It truly is an incredible and captivating place that is a must see if you have the opportunity. Gabriel CNovember 12, 2024Verified Rainbow Mountain Tour guide We had a great tour of Rainbow Mountain. Jose was extremely knowledgeable and was a lot of help. The tour included good breakfast and lunch. I highly recommended this tour Joshua SNovember 10, 2024Verified "Unforgettable Machu Picchu Journey with an Exceptional Guide!" John was the perfect guide for our journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu! From the start, he made everything smooth and enjoyable, picking us up from our hotel and ensuring we were comfortable and ready for the adventure ahead. Thanks to his planning, we arrived at Machu Picchu early, avoiding the crowds and enjoying the stunning morning views. The weather was fantastic, and John's deep knowledge of the history and culture made every moment even more memorable. His explanations brought the ancient Incan sites to life, and he guided us thoughtfully through the walk at Machu Picchu, pointing out details we would have missed on our own. Throughout the entire day, John was attentive, patient, and incredibly helpful. He truly went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. Highly recommend! Gabriel CNovember 10, 2024Verified Great tour Me and my brother went on a tour with John. He was very helpful. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. Not only did he give a great tour but he was able to give us good recommendations and was very accommodating Kim AOctober 24, 2024Verified An amazing experience! We are an American family from Evansville, Indiana. After doing much research we chose Machu Picchu Tours to make our dream come true of seeing Machu Picchu via the 4-day Inca Trail Trek.Planning this kind of trip is no small feat, but John Taqquere Villaneuva was there for us every step of the way! He always responded quickly to my MANY texts and provided excellent information to prepare us for the trek. Our amazing guide, Edwin, the Porters and Chef went way above and beyond to make sure we felt safe and that we were getting the best experience that was promised. I cannot emphasize how important hygiene and safe food is on a trip like this. We feel our Porters did an excellent job keeping the dining area clean and providing excellent, healthy and safe food. While it is common for foreigners to get sick when traveling to a new country, the crew kept us healthy, hydrated, and safe the entire trip. Our porters took care of every single detail from setting up our camp, refilling our water bottles, and feeding us delicious hot meals 3 times a day. The porters were always there to take care of us. Our bags were transported and waiting for us in our tents upon arrival. Hot drinks were ready for us upon arrival at each campsite, and hot soapy water and towels were provided to clean up after a long day’s hike. Their work ethic and attention to detail was impressive. The 4 day trek is strenuous. Our guide, Edwin, coached us along the way, helping us to set a pace that worked for us so that we would not burn out. He also handled all of our paperwork and entry tickets. There are checkpoints and everything must be in order and spelled correctly. Without these documents, there is no trek and there is no entry into Machu Picchu. Our guide always kept us informed of the daily itinerary and was always supportive and eager to help. His knowledge of the history of the Inca and the ruins was exceptional. We walked away feeling an immense appreciation and understanding of the Inca because of Edwin. If your dream of seeing Machu Picchu is through the Inca Trail, or want to arrange guided tours, then don’t let fear stand in your way. And if you are looking for an agency, we highly recommend John Taqquere Villaneuva with Machu Picchu Tours. These are good, honest, trustworthy and hard-working people that will help make your dream come true. We are so thankful to Machu Picchu Tours, our Guide, Edwin, and the amazing Porters and Chef for their hard work and efforts to help make our dream come true. HikeJunkieCarlosOctober 21, 2024Verified Very organized crew knowledgeable friendly and just plain awesome to have around every step of the way. Couldn’t have asked for a better crew chef porters tents and food for this 4 day Inca trail tripWas the best experience for all 8 of us in our friends group to enjoy every moment and have amazing time all the way through the trip in town and on the Inca trailVery organized crew knowledgeable friendly and just plain awesome to have around every step of the way. Highly recommend this company to solo and groups that plan to visit Peru SkyMiles KOctober 19, 2024Verified 1 of 2 top Bucket List items, Hike the INCA Trail to Machu Picchu Completed the INCA trail with our Hike Junkies family. The Machu Picchu tours were INCREDIBLE!!! A great big shout out to John Taqquere Villanueva & his team for providing us with their expertise & care before, during & after the 4-day backpacking hike. The porters had camp setup for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during our hiking adventure. Our chef, Carmelito "5-STARS," prepared meals that you should only find in a fine dining restaurant. We even had some Peruvian history lessons along the way. A few surprise discovery viewpoints along the trail. After completing 4-day Inca trail, we hiked the Humanatay Lake on 5th day & Rainbow Mtn on 6th day. We THANK YOU, John, Alberto, Berle, Aiwyn & drivers, porters for making this the adventure of the century!...so far Rebecca ROctober 19, 2024Verified 4 day Inca Trail with Hike Junkies We just completed the 4 day Inca Trail with Machu Picchu Tours. John Taqquere Villanueva went above and beyond to provide us with an amazing experience, with fun, knowledgeable guides to qn amazing chef and porters. Our tents were comfortable and kept us warm and dry from the elements. We were served four course meals, desert and happy hour on each day. Happy hour consisted of fresh hot popcorn, hot cocoa, coffee, cookies and bread. In addition to the 4 day Inca Trail we scored permits to hike Huayna Picchu ( Stairs of Death) which we conquered just having completed the last day of the Inca trail. Yes, our group is crazy! One member of our group was unable to hike the four day Inca trail due to severe health issues, John Taqquere and went above and beyond to give him an amazing Machu Picchu experience. Our trip consisted of City Walking Tour of Cusco, Alpaca Farm, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain and other ruins. This was a humbling experience that will last a lifetime. Chalmers BOctober 9, 2024Verified Great experience! Our guide Edwin was excellent. The first day is very challenging but equally rewarding, and we were really glad that MPT arranged a pre-meeting the day before to go over logistics and make sure we were properly equipped -- renting poles is highly recommended, well worth the $10. Reaching the Sun Gate and getting the full vista of Machu Picchu felt like a life accomplishment. The second day is much less challenging, walking through the actual ruins of Machu Picchu, and we felt much less pressure because we'd gotten such great views and photos the day before.
Huchuy Qosqo was used as a royal estate by Viracocha. During the last days of his rule, he faced a revolt from Cancha People. Huchuy Qosqo Hike is an off-the-beaten-track experience that takes you to the lesser-known yet prominent Inca site, Huchuy Qosqo Peru.
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