The Inca Trail is the most regulated hiking permit in South America. Five hundred permits per day, including guides and porters — meaning roughly 200 hikers actually on the trail. They are released months in advance and the prime months sell out in days. Our team holds direct relationships with the licensed operators and books permits the moment the system opens.

What sets the private Inca Trail apart from the standard group experience is the difference between a tent and a camp. Our camps are pre-pitched by an advance team, the dining tent has a real floor and folding chairs, the dinner is three courses with wine, and a private masseuse meets the group at Wiñay Wayna on the third night. The trail itself remains demanding — it is high, long and unforgiving of poor preparation — but the experience around it is genuinely luxurious.

Day 00Pre-trek
briefing

Briefing the afternoon before departure at our Cusco atelier. Gear check, route walk-through, weather and altitude conversation. Final equipment fitting. Light dinner.

Day 01Km 82
to Wayllabamba

Pre-dawn transfer to the Sacred Valley, breakfast in Ollantaytambo, then on to Km 82 — the trailhead. 12 km of gentle climbing along the Urubamba river, through Inca terraces at Llaqtapata. Camp at Wayllabamba (3,000 m). Hot showers, three-course dinner, early sleep.

Day 02Dead Woman's Pass
(the hard day)

The classic challenging day: 11 km but with a 1,200 m ascent to Warmiwañusca, the Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 m. Down through cloud forest to Pacaymayo (3,600 m). This is where altitude tolerance shows. We pace conservatively and adjust on the day.

Day 03Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca
to Wiñay Wayna

The most beautiful day on the trail. Two passes — Runkurakay and Phuyupatamarca — and a string of Inca sites: Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipata. 16 km, but mostly descending. Camp at Wiñay Wayna, with the option of an evening visit to the eponymous Inca site, terraced into the cliff face. Private masseuse meets the group at camp.

Day 04Sun Gate arrival
Machu Picchu

Pre-dawn start. Two hours to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate — the way the Incas approached the citadel from the trail. Sunrise behind Huayna Picchu. Descend into the citadel under your trail permit, then re-enter properly with your separately booked Circuit ticket and our private archaeologist for the formal tour. Bus down to Aguas Calientes. Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo, private transfer to Cusco hotel.

Day 05Recovery
massage

A complimentary deep-tissue massage in your Cusco hotel. Late breakfast. Optional walking tour of Cusco for those still mobile. Departure transfers in afternoon.

What is included

  • 4-day Inca Trail permit (one of the hardest permits to secure)
  • Private licensed Inca Trail guide and assistant guide
  • One porter per trekker (carry up to 7 kg of your personal items)
  • Pre-pitched glamping-grade camps with real beds, hot showers, dining tent
  • Private trek chef and three full meals per day
  • Private masseuse at Wiñay Wayna camp
  • Machu Picchu Circuit 2 ticket (2026, separately booked)
  • Vistadome return train and Cusco transfers
  • 1 night Cusco hotel post-trek with recovery massage
  • Walking poles, sleeping bag, mat, all camp equipment

What is not included

  • International flights to Lima, and the Lima–Cusco domestic flight
  • Gratuities, personal expenses, travel insurance (mandatory)

Customisation

The standard 4-day trek is the version above. We also offer the 2-day Inca Trail (Km 104, much less demanding, single night at Wiñay Wayna), and the 7-day Salkantay/Inca combined trek for serious hikers. For travelers concerned about Day 2 altitude, we recommend an extra Sacred Valley acclimatisation night before the trek begins.

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