Our Premium Inca Trail experience is designed for travelers who want more time, comfort,
and personalization at every step. Stay in hand-picked 4-star hotels, enjoy modern
camping comforts on the trail, and discover Cusco’s must-see highlights at a relaxed
pace before arriving at Machu Picchu.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Cusco – Transfer to Sacred Valley
Overnight: Sacred Valley (4-star hotel) •
Meals: Not included
Upon arrival at Cusco airport, your private tour guide will be waiting to welcome you
and transfer you to the historic center of Cusco. Take some time to stroll through the
plazas, shop for handicrafts, or enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll travel by private transport for about 2 hours into the
Sacred Valley to check in at your 4-star hotel. This lower altitude is ideal for
acclimatization before starting the Inca Trail.
- Hotel: Casa Andina Premium or similar
- Transportation: Airport pick-up and Sacred Valley transfer
- Tour guide: Included
Day 2 | Sacred Valley Tour: Chinchero – Moray – Maras – Ollantaytambo
Overnight: Sacred Valley (4-star hotel) •
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up to explore the Sacred Valley in comfort.
Visit the weaving town of Chinchero, where you’ll see the
archaeological site, a colonial church, and learn ancient weaving techniques still used
to create some of Peru’s finest textiles.
Continue to the mysterious circular terraces of Moray, believed to be
an Inca agricultural laboratory, then visit the salt pans of Maras,
where thousands of salt pools cascade down the hillside. Finish the day at
Ollantaytambo fortress, one of the most impressive Inca sites in the
valley. Return to your hotel to rest and prepare for the Inca Trail.
- Hotel: Casa Andina Premium or similar
- Transportation: Included
- Tour guide: Included
- Entrance fees: Included
Day 3 | Sacred Valley – Km 82 – Llactapata – Huayllabamba
Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi •
Hiking Time: ~8 h •
Campsite Altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be picked up around 08:30 and driven for about
one hour to Km 82, the official starting point of the Inca Trail.
Here you’ll show your original passport at the checkpoint and begin the trek along the
banks of the Urubamba River.
The first day is considered relatively gentle—your “training day”—to help you
acclimatize and get used to the trail. Hike for about 4 hours to
Patallacta, the first major Inca site, where your guide will explain
Inca agricultural and military strategy while you enjoy stunning views.
After a freshly prepared lunch near the site, continue for another 2 hours to the
campsite at Huayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,843 ft), a small
Andean community where you’ll camp in comfortable tents with access to hot showers.
- Campsite altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
- Highest altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
- Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi
- Duration: ~8 hours
- Meals: Snacks, lunch, dinner (hotel breakfast)
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4 | Hatunchaca / Huayllabamba – Dead Woman’s Pass – Pacaymayu
Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi •
Hiking Time: ~8 h •
Highest Point: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
Wake up early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea served in your tent. After a hearty
breakfast, begin the most challenging day of the trek. Hike for around 4 hours uphill
to Llulluchapampa, where you’ll enjoy lunch and admire the surrounding
mountains, flowers, and wildlife.
Then continue ascending for about 2 more hours to
Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca, 4,215 m / 13,829 ft), the
highest point of the Inca Trail. At the summit, take time to enjoy the views while your
guide performs a traditional offering ceremony to the Apus (mountain
spirits).
From the pass, it is a 2-hour descent to Pacaymayu Valley, where you’ll
spend the night camping with all the comfort of our premium equipment.
- Campsite altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Highest altitude: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
- Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
- Duration: ~8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Day 5 | Pacaymayu – Runcuraccay – Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca
Distance: 13 km / 8 mi •
Hiking Time: ~9 h •
Highest Point: 4,000 m / 13,123 ft
After breakfast with spectacular views between two mountain ranges and the sound of
distant waterfalls, begin a 2-hour climb to Runcuraccay Pass
(4,000 m / 13,123 ft). Along the way, explore the small circular Inca ruin of
Runcuraccay and enjoy views of hanging valleys and lakes.
From the top of the pass, descend into the cloud forest, visiting the fortress of
Sayacmarca, perched on a narrow ridge with magnificent views of the
Vilcabamba mountain range. Lunch is served near the Inca site at
Chaquicocha (3,600 m / 11,811 ft).
In the afternoon, continue for about 2 hours along one of the most beautiful sections of
the Inca Trail to Phuyupatamarca, the “City in the Clouds.” This
spectacular campsite offers some of the best views of the Urubamba River and the
surrounding mountains—and on clear days, you can see Machu Picchu Mountain in the
distance. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset and a night of stargazing.
- Campsite altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Highest altitude: 4,000 m / 13,123 ft
- Distance: 13 km / 8 mi
- Duration: ~9 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 6 | Phuyupatamarca – Intipata – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Distance: 10 km / 6 mi •
Hiking Time: ~6 h •
Overnight Altitude: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
Today is one of the most beautiful days of the trek. Wake up early to watch the sunrise
over Veronica Mountain. After breakfast, explore the Inca site of
Phuyupatamarca and begin descending quickly into the lush cloud forest
region where Machu Picchu is located.
Over about 3 hours of stone staircases and hanging paths, you’ll reach
Intipata (Terraces of the Sun), a series of dramatic agricultural
terraces clinging to the mountainside. After time to relax and take photos, continue for
one more hour to Wiñay Wayna, the last and one of the most important
archaeological sites on the Inca Trail.
After lunch, say goodbye to your trekking team and continue the final stretch of the
Inca Trail. Hike for about one hour to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to
enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Then walk another
hour down to the upper terraces of the citadel, arriving in the late afternoon when the
site is quieter—perfect for photos. Finally, take the bus down to
Aguas Calientes, enjoy dinner, and spend the night in a comfortable
hotel.
- Town altitude (Aguas Calientes): 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
- Highest altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
- Duration: ~6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel (Tierra Viva or similar)
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 7 | Explore Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
Guided Tour Time: 3–4 h •
Train: Vistadome panoramic
On the most important day of your journey, wake up very early, enjoy breakfast at your
hotel, and board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. Your guided
tour begins with a short walk to the Inca Bridge, then continues
through the most important temples, plazas, altars, and viewpoints of the Lost City of
the Incas.
After your guided visit, you’ll have free time to explore on your own or (if reserved in
advance) climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
Later, enjoy a special lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge before
taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes.
In the afternoon, board the exclusive Vistadome panoramic train to
Ollantaytambo, where the TreXperience team will meet you and transfer you back to your
hotel in Cusco. Arrival is around 18:30.
- Meals: Breakfast (hotel), lunch at Machu Picchu
- Train: Vistadome panoramic train
- Hotel in Cusco: Casa Andina Premium or similar
Day 8 | Fly Out of Cusco or Extend Your Stay
Meals: Breakfast •
Transfer: Hotel → Airport
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be transferred to the Cusco airport according to
your flight schedule. If you’d like to extend your stay, you can add extra days to
visit Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, or other incredible spots around
Cusco—just let us know when booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days is the Premium Inca Trail Tour?
The Premium Inca Trail program lasts 8 days and 7 nights, combining
Cusco, Sacred Valley, and the 4-day Classic Inca Trail, with upgraded hotels and
private service throughout.
How difficult is the Inca Trail on this tour?
The trail itself is the same Classic Inca Trail route and is considered
moderate-to-challenging, with steep ascents, descents, and high altitude. However, this
Premium itinerary includes extra days to acclimatize and a private guide who adapts the
pace to your needs, making it more comfortable than a standard group tour.
What is the maximum altitude on this trip?
The highest point is Dead Woman’s Pass at
4,215 m / 13,829 ft on Day 4 of the trek. You’ll also cross Runcuraccay Pass
at around 4,000 m / 13,123 ft. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least one
or two days before the tour if you are sensitive to altitude.
Where do we stay during the Premium Inca Trail Tour?
You’ll stay in 4-star hotels in Cusco and the Sacred Valley (Casa
Andina Premium or similar) before and after the trek. During the Inca Trail, you’ll
spend three nights camping in premium tents with hot showers (where
available) and private portable toilets. You’ll also spend one night in a comfortable
hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Is this a private tour or a group tour?
This is a fully private Premium tour. Your guide, transportation, and
camping setup are exclusive to you and your travel companions, allowing maximum
flexibility in daily schedules and photo stops.
Can you adapt the itinerary or add Rainbow Mountain?
Yes. One of the advantages of the Premium program is flexibility. You can extend your
stay in Cusco to add Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, or other tours.
Just let us know your ideas when you inquire, and we’ll adapt the program.
What about Covid-19 safety measures?
We follow strict hygiene and safety protocols: mandatory temperature checks, masks in
public areas when required, regular sanitizing of vehicles and equipment, smaller
groups, reduced capacity in transport and sites according to local regulations, and
100% online payments with flexible booking policies.
What should I do with my extra luggage?
Any luggage you don’t need on the Inca Trail can be safely stored at your hotel in
Cusco or the Sacred Valley. On the trek, porters will carry up to 8 kg of your
gear in a duffel bag; you’ll hike only with a small daypack.
Do I need to book Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain in advance?
Yes. These hikes have limited daily permits and often sell out quickly, especially in
high season. If you’d like to add one of these climbs, please mention it when booking
so we can secure your ticket (+$75 per person).
How far in advance should I book this Premium tour?
We recommend booking at least 4–6 months in advance, especially for
high season (May–September), since Inca Trail permits and premium hotels are limited.
For shoulder and low season, 2–3 months is usually sufficient, but earlier is always
better.
