The classic 4 day Inca Trail is incredible, but it moves fast. The 5 day version follows the exact same UNESCO World Heritage path from Km 82, over Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215m, and through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu.
The difference is pace. You split the big climb over two afternoons, you sleep lower and warmer in Pacaymayo Valley after the pass, and you get an exclusive night at Phuyupatamarca at 3,680m for the best sunset on the entire trail. On Day 4 you arrive at Wiñay Wayna early, when it is empty, not at dusk with 200 other hikers.
If you prefer more photos, more ruins, better sleep, and time to acclimatize, this Slow 5 Day Inca Trail is the better fit.
Your 5 Day Inca Trail tour includes entry to Machu Picchu on Circuit 1 and Circuit 3. This covers the classic postcard views from the upper terraces and the full guided tour inside the citadel.
If you wish to visit the lower part of the citadel on Circuit 2, you will need an additional entrance ticket at US$55 per person. This is a new regulation from the Ministry of Culture and applies to all tour companies on the Inca Trail. No operator can include Circuit 2 within the standard Inca Trail permit.
Let us know at the time of booking if you want us to secure the extra Circuit 2 ticket for you, as availability is also limited.
This adventure unlocks the best of both worlds, combining Circuit 1 Panoramic for high-altitude vistas with Circuit 3 Royalty Route for the sacred temples.
Circuit 1: Upper Terrace – The classic postcard photo.
Circuit 3: Royalty Route – Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana, Temple of the Condor.
Flat and easy, to find your rhythm.
Our team picks you up early from your hotel in Cusco around 4:00 AM. After a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo and introduction with our porters, you arrive at Km 82 at 2,720m, the official start of the Inca Trail.
The first two hours track gently along the Urubamba River with views of Patallacta high on the hillside. Slow pace, cactus valley, big Andean views. This day is to get your legs moving and breathe the trail for the first time.
The hardest day, with a smarter finish.
Porters wake you with hot coca tea. You hike up through cloud forest to Llulluchapampa, then up original stone steps to Dead Woman’s Pass – Warmiwañusca – at 4,215m. The highest point of the entire trail. You will be out of breath because everyone is at that altitude. Your guide sets a slow, steady pace with many small breaks.
Here is the 5 day advantage: In the 4 day you camp at the top. On the 5 day you continue down one hour into the Pacaymayo Valley at 3,550m. Lower, warmer, quieter. You will sleep much better here.
The most beautiful day, with time to enjoy it.
Climb to the second pass at Runkurakay at 3,950m, then walk the original Inca stone highway along the ridge. Ruins appear every hour – Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca, the Town Above the Clouds at 3,680m. With the 5 day itinerary you have a full hour at each site, not ten minutes.
Afternoon light over the cloud forest is incredible for photos.
A day of Inca steps into the jungle.
Thousands of original stone steps down into green cloud forest. Orchids, hummingbirds, bromeliads. The trail feels completely different from Day 2.
You arrive at Wiñay Wayna early afternoon. Huge terraces built into the mountain – Forever Young in Quechua. Because you are on the 5 day, you explore it when it is empty, not at dusk with 200 other hikers. Last dinner with your chef and porter team, a special Andean tradition to thank them.
The day you dreamed about.
Wake at 3:30 AM, breakfast at 4:00 AM, walk to the checkpoint for the 5:30 AM opening. One hour to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, including the famous Gringo Killer steps. Then you see it – your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu in morning light. 30 minutes here for photos.
One hour down to Machu Picchu for the classic Circuit 1 postcard viewpoint, then a 2.5 hour private guided tour on Circuit 3 inside the citadel. Free time, bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, Expedition Train to Ollantaytambo, and private transfer to Cusco. Arrival around 8:00-9:00 PM.
Make Your Arrival Even Better: Optional Extra Hikes
After your guided tour you can add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if booked in advance. US$69 each. Very limited, must be booked when you reserve your Inca Trail.
Day 2 takes you to 4,215m at Dead Woman’s Pass. That is higher than Cusco. You will be out of breath, your legs will burn. That’s normal. What matters is you arrive in Cusco 2 full days before your trek. No heavy partying, no heavy tours. Just water, coca tea and rest. Tell your guide how you feel, always.
You hike light. We carry the heavy stuff.
At your briefing we give you a duffel. You put max 6kg inside. Sleeping bag included in that 6kg. You can rent a warm one from us if you need. Our porters carry it. You carry only a small daypack on the trail.
Your big suitcase stays free and safe in our office in Cusco. Your duffel goes with porters to Aguas Calientes on Day 5 and waits for you at the lunch restaurant.
Small rule that catches people: Your daypack inside Machu Picchu cannot be bigger than 25L. About 40 x 35 x 20 cm. Leave the big pack.
You land in Lima. You must clear immigration, pick up your bag, and check it again for Cusco. Even if they said it goes straight through. It does not. Leave 3 hours minimum between flights or you will miss it.
Everything big is included. Permits, porters, food, tents, train.
You only need small cash in Peruvian soles for water on Day 1, a beer in Aguas Calientes, and tips.
ATMs in Aguas Calientes are terrible. Get soles in Cusco.
You do not have to tip. But most groups do because the porter and chef team is incredible.
We do it together on Night 4 at Winay Wayna camp. Your guide will organize it if you want to join. No pressure.
You need insurance that covers up to 4,500m, emergency evacuation in the Andes, and trip cancellation. Inca Trail permits are 100 percent non refundable by Peruvian law. Also make sure it covers train strikes or landslides. It happens in rainy season.
Bring the original passport that matches your permit. Exact same number, exact same name.
You will show it 4 times. Km 82, Winay Wayna checkpoint, Machu Picchu entrance, and the train.
A photo, a copy, a different passport = no entry, no refund. Check it twice before you leave Cusco.
You need four climates in one bag.
Leave at home: Drones, selfie sticks, tripods and any daypack over 25L. All banned inside Machu Picchu.
Same trail, same permit, same entry through Sun Gate to Machu Picchu. The difference is pace. The 4 day averages 11 to 12 km per day. The 5 day averages 8 km per day. You get two special camps that 4 day does not have: Pacaymayo at 3,550m after Dead Woman’s Pass so you sleep lower and warmer, and Phuyupatamarca at 3,680m for the best sunset on the trail. You also get a full afternoon at Winay Wayna instead of arriving at dusk.
If you want to enjoy the trail not just finish it, yes. The 5 day is better for photos, for acclimatization, for families and for anyone over 50. You have more time at Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca ruins. The only reason to choose 4 day is if you are short on time or want a slightly harder physical challenge.
Moderate. You still climb to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215m on Day 2, so you will be out of breath and your legs will burn. That is normal. But because days are shorter, you have more time to rest. No technical experience needed. You need good fitness, broken in boots, and 2 to 3 days in Cusco before to acclimatize.
Night 1: Wayllabamba at 3,000m. Night 2: Pacaymayo at 3,550m in a remote valley below Dead Woman’s Pass. Night 3: Phuyupatamarca at 3,680m, the City Above the Clouds, only for 5 day groups, best sunset. Night 4: Winay Wayna at 2,680m, closest camp to Machu Picchu. All tents, dining tent and portable toilet are set up by porters.
Day 1: 6 hours, 10 to 12 km. Day 2: 8 to 9 hours, 12 to 14 km, hardest day to Dead Woman’s Pass 4,215m. Day 3: 6 to 7 hours, 10 km, best ruins day. Day 4: 5 hours, 6 to 8 km, downhill to Winay Wayna. Day 5: 3 hours, 5 km to Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. Shorter daily effort than 4 day.
Yes. Day 5 starts at 3:30 am with headlamps. You hike 1.5 hours to Inti Punku Sun Gate for the first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. This is the classic Inca Trail finish and is included on both 4 day and 5 day tours.
For 2026 and 2027 your Inca Trail permit includes Circuit 1 and Circuit 3. Circuit 1 is the classic postcard from the upper terraces with Huayna Picchu behind. Circuit 3 is the Royalty Route through Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana and Temple of the Condor. Circuit 2 lower citadel is not included and needs an extra ticket of US$55. Tell us at booking if you want it.
Dry season May to September is best for clear skies. June to August is busiest, book permits 6 to 8 months ahead. April and October are great with fewer people. Inca Trail is closed every February for maintenance. No trekking that month.
Permits are limited to 500 per day for all operators including porters. For 2027, book 7 to 8 months ahead for May to August. For April, September and October, 4 to 5 months. We need your passport number and full name exactly as on passport to secure it. Permits are 100 percent non refundable by Peruvian law.
Duffel max 6kg including sleeping bag that porters carry. Daypack max 25L for Machu Picchu rule. Inside daypack: waterproof jacket and pants, 4 wicking shirts, 2 trekking pants, thermals for nights, warm beanie and gloves, sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 50, headlamp with batteries for Day 5, 1.5L water, power bank, trekking poles with rubber tips. Broken in waterproof boots, not new shoes. No drones or selfie sticks, banned in Machu Picchu.
Yes. Standard duffel up to 6kg is already carried by porters. If you want to carry almost nothing, hire a private porter for your daypack for extra comfort. Many travelers do this for Day 2 to Dead Woman’s Pass. Ask at booking.
Yes. We operate with full Inca Trail authorization as part of Sam Travel Corporation. Our license is checked at Km 82, Winay Wayna checkpoint and Machu Picchu entrance. All porters have insurance and fair wages, and all camping equipment, food and train tickets are included.
YOUR ADVENTURE. OUR EXPERTISE.
Guest Reviews
Real experiences from travelers who slept under the Andean sky
I never thought I could sleep in a luxury bed while staring at the Milky Way through a transparent dome. The Salkantay glacier right in front of you at sunrise — absolutely unreal. Worth every penny.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky DomeWe did the full Salkantay Trek and stayed at the dome on night two. After a hard day of hiking, coming back to a real bed, hot shower and that view of the mountain? Nothing compares to that.
SkyDomeCamps - Salkantay TrekI have camped across Patagonia and Nepal but nothing matched this. The dome is warm, beautifully designed and the silence at 4,600m is something else entirely. I woke up at 3am just to stare at the stars.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky Dome
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