A Journey to Take It a Little Slower on This Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!
Enjoy 5 days of the wonders of the Andes!
The hikes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu generally follow the same itinerary as our classic 4-day Inca Trail hike but at a more leisurely pace.
This means you can spend more time at each ruin along the way. Without a doubt, it’s an excellent option for those concerned about their hiking ability and pace, as well as for families with younger hikers.
The 5-Day Slow-Paced Inca Trail to Machu Picchu follows the same route as the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail, but allows you to spend more time at each archaeological site and walk shorter distances each day.
This is a perfect option for families, couples, children, and anyone who wants to take their time to enjoy the Classic Inca Trail and spend more time exploring the Inca Sites in smaller groups.
HIGHLIGHTS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
DAY 01: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 82 – PALLACTA – HATUNCHAKA
Pick-up from your hotel at 5:00 a.m. to travel by bus to Km. 82. After breakfast, begin the 5-day Inca Trail along the Urubamba and Cusichaca rivers. You will visit local villages and important archaeological sites like Willkarakay, Patallacta, and Hatunchaka.
DAY 02: HATUNCHAKA – WAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSCA – PACAYMAYO
Wake up with coffee in your tent and get ready to hike to the highest point of the Inca Trail, Warmiwañusca or Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,215 meters above sea level. The hike is challenging but incredibly rewarding with spectacular mountain views.
DAY 03: PACAYMAYO – RUNKURAKAY – SAYACMARCA – PHUYUPATAMARCA
Start the day by conquering the second and final mountain, Runkurakay, at 4,000 meters above sea level while visiting the archaeological sites of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Conchamarka, and entering the cloud forest. Camp at the best viewpoint of the Andes mountain range.
DAY 04: PHUYUPATAMARKA – INTIPATA – WIÑAYWAYNA – INTIPUNKU – MACHU PICCHU
Wake up with the sunrise over the Andes on the most beautiful day of the hike. You will visit several archaeological sites: Phuyupatamarka, Intipata, Wiñaywayna, Inti Punku, and finally arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon to see the great citadel almost empty. Overnight stay at a 3-star hotel.
DAY 05: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU (THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS) – CUSCO
Board the first buses to Machu Picchu and explore the most important sites with your guide before leaving the citadel. After lunch, you will travel by panoramic train to Ollantaytambo and then return to Cusco in a private van.
Day 01 Cusco | Ollantaytambo – Piscacucho (km 82) – Llactapata – Hatunchaca
Best of the Day: Explore archaeological sites and take in the stunning Andean landscapes.
Take your first steps on ancient paths.
We will depart from Cusco at 5 am in our private transport and head to KM 82, the starting point of the Inca Trail.
After this journey, your chef will prepare breakfast before starting the hike. We begin our walk along the left bank of the Urubamba River, following the trail over flat terrain, until we reach the community of Miskay (2800 m / 9184 ft).
The first two hours of the hike are relatively easy as we head to our first Inca site and checkpoint: Patallacta.
From this site, our path to Machu Picchu begins. After Patallacta, we will head towards the canyon to enjoy lunch and views of the area.
We will then continue along the trail at a relaxed pace, enjoying the landscape and listening to stories from our guide. Afterward, we will continue with a two-hour hike to reach our overnight campsite in the village of Huanchaca at (3300 meters).
Total Distance: 12 km (7.8 miles)
Estimated Walking Time: 4 hours
Maximum Altitude: 2,600 m (8,692 ft)
Campsite Altitude: 3,000 m (9,842 ft)
Reaching the highest point of the trek at Dead Woman’s Pass and enjoying the spectacular views around you.
Enjoy the incredible views of the Andean mountain range.
We wake up early to begin our ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass. The views of the snow-capped mountains and the cloud forest are fantastic.
This first stretch is the most challenging part of the hike. It consists of a steep ascent stretching over nine kilometers, leading us to the first mountain pass on the Inca Trail: Warmiwañusca Pass (Dead Woman’s Pass).
We will stop at Llulluchapampa to relax and purchase any last essentials. We may see deer and hawks in this area. We will also have the chance to see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu (one of the few plants that grow at this altitude).
After the two-hour hike to the pass, we can enjoy the beautiful views and a refreshing cup of coca tea. Upon reaching the pass, the rest of the day is downhill. After approximately two hours, we will stop for lunch and enjoy a free afternoon in the Pacaymayu valley.
Total Distance: 10 km (7.3 miles)
Estimated Walking Time: 6 hours
Maximum Altitude: 4,215 m (13,821 ft)
Campsite Altitude: 3,600 m (11,811 ft)
Feel the magic of the Incas as you visit ancient sites.
After breakfast, we will continue our hike along the opposite side of the valley, heading toward the second pass on the trail. Along the way, we will enjoy fantastic views of waterfalls, as well as the flora and fauna. Midway, we will stop and visit the Inca site of Runcu Raccay (an Inca watchtower) and take a short break before continuing our climb to Runcu Raccay Pass (4,000 meters).
From Runcu Raccay Pass, we will begin our descent into the cloud forest. After approximately one hour, we will reach the Sayacmarca ruins, one of the most beautiful archaeological centers on the Inca Trail, where we will have a one-hour guided tour.
From Sayacmarca, we will continue to our lunch spot at Chaquicocha (dry lake). Here, we will see the fantastic flora and fauna that the Inca Trail has to offer. From Chaquicocha onwards, we will walk along the Inca flats (gradual slopes) towards our final campsite at Phuyupatamarca (3,680 meters).
This area of the Inca Trail offers impressive views of the Vilcabamba mountain range, as well as abundant flora and fauna. After another two hours of hiking, we will arrive at our campsite, where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu Mountain and the Urubamba River.
We will set up camp and have the opportunity to explore the Inca site. As the sun sets, we can enjoy the beautiful sunset over the snow-capped peaks.
Total Distance: 13 km (8.1 miles)
Estimated Walking Time: 9 hours
Maximum Altitude: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
Campsite Altitude: 3,680 m (12,033 ft)
Visit the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
On day 4, we will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises on the Inca Trail, weather permitting. After breakfast, you will have a guided tour through Phuyupatamarca.
We will then begin our descent along the long stone steps down to Wiñay Wayna at 2,650 m / 8,692 ft, where we will have lunch. As we approach the foot of the staircase, we will visit the site of Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). This site offers stunning views of the Sacred Valley and was an important agricultural area for Machu Picchu.
After Intipata, we will continue to Wiñay Wayna, the largest archaeological site on the Inca Trail aside from Machu Picchu. This impressive complex consists of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector, and an urban area. At this site, we will enjoy spectacular views over the narrow Urubamba River valley.
Next, we will have our final lunch with our porters. On this day of the Inca Trail, we will hold a traditional ceremony to thank the porters and cooks for all their hard work. If you wish, you can leave a tip for them at this time.
After bidding farewell to our team, we will continue to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we will get our first views of Machu Picchu. It takes about an hour of walking along a flat stone trail through the high jungle to reach the Sun Gate. From there, it is approximately another hour to the site itself.
Upon arrival, we will have the chance to enjoy the sunset and views of Machu Picchu without the crowds, before taking the bus to the hotel in Aguas Calientes. Private groups can arrange to camp this night instead of staying in a hotel.
Hotel: Inti Punku (or similar)
Total Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Estimated Walking Time: 5 hours
Maximum Altitude: 3,680 m (12,033 ft)
Marvel at the energy of Machu Picchu and Discover the Secrets of the Incas.
On day 5, we will rise early and board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to enjoy the sunrise at the citadel (weather permitting). These buses operate on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 5:30 a.m.
You will have a two-hour guided tour of the Inca citadel and then free time to explore. If you have purchased permits for Huayna Picchu, your guide will show you where this hike begins. It will take about 45 minutes to reach the top and another 45 to return. This hike costs $75 per person and must be booked in advance.
After exploring the citadel, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and meet for our final lunch in town. Please note that lunch with your group is optional and not included in the cost of the tour.
Later, you will take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private bus will be waiting to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Difficulty: Easy
Machu Picchu Site Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Machu Picchu Mountain Altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
Huayna Picchu Mountain Altitude: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
