4 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu by 360° Train

The inca trail to Machu Picchu 4 days and 3 nights was impressive with happy gringo tours. The porters were awesome, the food fantastic, the train on way to Cusco was amazing, and thanks to our guide Muaro and the company!

We had an amazing expedition to Machu Picchu 4 days and 3 nights! We booked the classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu with gringo tours. The first impression of the porters were very pleasant and the porters were very friendly along the Inca Trail. Our honest recommendation to Happy Gringo Tours! They provided us an unforgettable experience to Machu Picchu and our tour guide Jorge was very knowledgeable. Highly recommended!

Trekking the Inca Trail was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. The 4-day, 43-kilometer (26-mile) journey to Machu Picchu was not only a physical adventure but also a deeply cultural and spiritual one. If you're considering it, prepare for stunning scenery, unpredictable weather, and moments that will stay with you forever. Easing into the Adventure We started early from Cusco, and after a few hours’ drive to KM 82, the trek officially began. The first day was relatively gentle, winding through small Andean villages, farmland, and riverside trails. Our guide explained the historical significance of the route and introduced us to Incan ruins like Llactapata. The scenery was breathtaking – green valleys, snow-capped peaks in the distance, and a sky so clear it looked painted. We reached our first campsite by late afternoon, where porters had already set up tents and prepared a hot meal. The hospitality and organization were top-notch. The Challenge – Dead Woman’s Pass This was by far the toughest day. We ascended over 1,200 meters to reach the infamous Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters (13,828 ft). The climb was steep and unrelenting, with endless stone steps testing our endurance and altitude tolerance. However, the feeling of reaching the summit was absolutely euphoric. The panoramic view of the Andes was surreal. After a brief rest, we descended to our second campsite in the Pacaymayo valley. That night, the stars lit up the sky like I’d never seen before. History and Nature Combined Day three was the most scenic and historically rich. We passed through several Incan ruins, including Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca. The trail meandered through cloud forests, with orchids, hummingbirds, and ancient stone paths carved right into the mountainside. This day felt magical – the mist weaving through the trees, the quiet moments of reflection, and the growing excitement of approaching Machu Picchu. Our last campsite at Wiñay Wayna was just an hour and a half from the Sun Gate. The Reward – Machu Picchu We woke at 3:30 a.m. to be among the first to reach the Sun Gate. The trail was still dark as we hiked with headlamps, full of anticipation. As the first light broke through the mountains, we caught our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. It was breathtaking – a mystical city hidden in the clouds. We descended for a guided tour, and it truly felt like stepping into history. All the sweat, sore legs, and altitude headaches were worth it. We highly recommend the Happy Gringo company in Perú

DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY "HAPPY GRINGO TOURS" This company is hopeless. Very bad communication and management. They never contact and share any booking details until very last minute. Finally they contacted us 1.5 days before the inca trial start date was to inform us the start date need to PUSH BACK ONE DAY. Happy Gringo Tours claimed there is a new ticket system from Machu Picchu new management and everyone in the tour will be affected but ended up it is a LIE. We have to reschedule our accommodation and other planned activities because of this last minute change. Do not book with them unless you want a last minute surprise. I wish there is negative star rating I could provide to this hopeless company and management. The tour itself was fine and need to give credit to the tour guide and the team.

I recently completed the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and I can confidently say that it was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. From the breathtaking Andean landscapes to the rich history of the Inca civilization, every moment on the trail was both challenging and deeply rewarding. Our journey began early in the morning when our guide and porters picked us up from our hotel in Cusco. After a short drive to Km 82, the official starting point of the Inca Trail, we met the rest of our group and the porters who would be carrying our gear. Spirits were high, and the energy was palpable. The first day was relatively gentle. The hike was around 11 kilometers (7 miles), with a moderate incline that allowed us to acclimate. We walked through beautiful Andean farmland, passed small Quechua villages, and saw our first glimpses of Inca ruins, including Llaqtapata, an impressive archaeological site that gave us a preview of what was to come. Our campsite was set up when we arrived, and the team greeted us with warm water for washing and a hearty three-course meal. I was amazed by how delicious the food wasquinoa soup, trout, and even a small dessert! The quality and quantity of the meals throughout the trek were impressive. Day two is famously the most difficult of the trail, and it certainly lived up to its reputation. We woke up at 5 a.m., had a filling breakfast (including coca tea), and began our steep ascent toward Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca), the highest point on the trail at 4,215 meters (13,828 feet). The climb was intense and pushed all of us to our limits, but the views at the top were spectacular. Looking back down the valley and seeing how far we’d come gave me a deep sense of accomplishment. The descent afterward was hard on the knees but manageable with trekking poles. That night, we camped in the cloud forest. Despite the cold temperatures, the camaraderie within the group kept everyone in good spirits. Our guide told us fascinating stories about the Incas, the trail’s history, and how it had been used as a pilgrimage route to Machu Picchu. Day three was my personal favorite. We passed several stunning Inca archaeological sites, including Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca. These ruins are nestled along the mountain ridges and feel like well-guarded secrets of the Andes. This section of the trail was rich with biodiversity. We trekked through lush cloud forests filled with orchids, moss-covered trees, and the songs of native birds. The trail itself became more intricate, with beautifully preserved Inca stonework, narrow stairways, and winding paths that made us feel like true explorers. Although it was the longest day (about 10 hours of hiking), it was the most scenic and rewarding. Every turn in the path revealed another amazing view. Our final campsite at Wiñay Wayna, just a few hours from Machu Picchu, was near another set of impressive ruins. Our guide took us for a short visit in the evening, and we were the only group there. Watching the sun set behind the mountains from Wiñay Wayna was magical. That night, we had a small celebration with our porters and chef. There was singing, dancing, and heartfelt thank-yous. We were all incredibly grateful to the support team for their hard work and kindness. The final day began very early 3:30 a.m.! After a quick breakfast, we joined the line at the checkpoint gate to enter the last stretch of the trail. When it opened at 5:30 a.m., we hiked in the dark with headlamps, full of anticipation. After about an hour and a half, we reached the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) just as the first light began to illuminate Machu Picchu in the distance. It’s hard to describe the emotions I felt seeing the ancient city for the first time. There’s something incredibly moving about arriving on foot, just as the Incas once did. It felt like the perfect climax to our journey. We descended to Machu Picchu itself and took a guided tour through the citadel. Our guide explained the meaning behind the architecture, the spiritual significance of the temples, and the theories about how and why Machu Picchu was built. It was both educational and awe-inspiring. After some free time to explore on our own, we took the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch and a soak in the hot springs. Later that afternoon, we took the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a bus back to Cusco. It was a long day, but filled with fulfillment and wonder. What Made the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Our Guide was Knowledgeable, funny, and incredibly supportive. He made the history come alive and thanks to Happy Gringo Tours!

The trek was fantastic, the scenery great and the experience exceptional. Many thanks to our guide Jorge who was very kind and clear in his explanations. The porter team and the cook provided a great service, all meals were good and plentiful. The only negative point is the front trek: no reply to the various whatsapp and email messages sent. To request information we had to go to the agency two days before the trek to get answers. Too bad because it does not put confidence before the beginning of the adventure who she was a faultless.

We want to leave the biggest thanks to the greatest team of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We had an amazing 4 day trek to Machu Picchu with Happy Gringos - we highly recommended!

We did the 2 day Inca trail with Jorge! He was an amazing guide, very knowledgeable about Incan culture. He also found the best photo spots and even offered to carry my backpack in a particularly challenging stretch. He gave us good recommendations about food and things to do around Cusco. Highly recommend!

We had fantástic 4 day hike to Machu Picchu with Happy Gringo Tours in Perú. The porters, the food, the tour guide and the camping equipments were in good shape. Highly recommended company to trek the Inca Trail!

Thanks For such Amazing hospitality and Trip With You we even enjoyed alot and had a good and also the thing I want to mention they arrangements are quite amazing 4 days spent like very well and with memories.