---
title: Inca Trail 4-Day Hiking Tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco
lang: en
type: tour
city: Cusco
country: Peru
price: 849
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.83
reviews: 380
duration_minutes: 5760
languages: [en, es]
rank_in_category: 62 of 62 (Inca Trail Treks)
schedule_checked: 2026-11-08
data_updated: 2026-11-08
canonical: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/tours/inca-trail-4-day-hiking-tour-to-machu-picchu-from-cusco/
---

# Inca Trail 4-Day Hiking Tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco

**Guidekin's take:** Follow the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in a small shared group of up to fifteen, reaching the Sun Gate before sunrise. Permits and most trek meals are included; the Basic option excludes a sleeping bag, which can be rented. 4.83 from 380 reviews at €849 per person for 4 days.

In our comparison: #62 of 62 in Inca Trail Treks, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Enjoy this trek to Machu Picchu, which is the only one to take you along the original Inca Trail, and reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Along the way, you will enjoy incredible landscapes and changing environments. This is a spectacularly rich experience in the Andean Mountains in which you will immerse yourself in the Inca culture as you hike 26 miles (43 kilometers) through the heart of the beautiful Andes.

Please note that Inca Trail Trek permits (INCLUDED in your booking) sell fast, so we recommend booking in advance. If there are no more permits at the time you book the trip, we will suggest you an alternative hike to Machu Picchu, or you can get a full refund.

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: no car needed
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- Starts 05:30: one departure a day
- Food included: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
- Age rule: Minimum age is 7 years
- Non-refundable: no free cancellation

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup included

## Key facts

- Price: from €849 per person for the Inca Trail Basic Service option; other options up to €946
- Duration: 4 days
- Rating: 4.83/5 from 380 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Likely to sell out
- Operator: Bamba Travel
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English, Spanish
- Tickets: Admission included
- Start times: 05:30
- Booking: Confirmation within 48 hours, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08

## Reviews

4.83 from 380 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
96% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 364 of 380.

- 5 stars: 351 (92%)
- 4 stars: 13 (3%)
- 3 stars: 3 (1%)
- 2 stars: 6 (2%)
- 1 star: 7 (2%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers praise guides, food and porters; late changes to promised itineraries or Machu Picchu entry are the recurring caveat.

**Praised:**
- Guides share detailed Inca history and explain the sites along the trail
- Patient pacing, rest stops and encouragement for hikers who struggle
- Varied camp meals and generous portions earn repeated praise
- Porters carry equipment and have tents ready when hikers reach camp

**Complaints:**
- Some report late notice that promised Machu Picchu entry tickets were unavailable
- Unavailable departures led to changes from the booked Inca Trail itinerary

Written by Guidekin from the 50 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2022-09-11 to 2025-10-28); last checked 2026-11-08.

## Tour options

Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page.

| Option | Price | Guide languages | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inca Trail Basic Service | €849 / person | Spanish, English | Pickup included |
| Inca Trail Complete Service | €946 / person | Spanish, English | The COMPLETE option INCLUDES a Thermal Sleeping Bag, Porter & Duffel Bag to carry a total of 7kgs of personal gear for each trekker (3kgs for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 4kgs of personal items). Pickup included |

## What's included

- Inca Trail Permits Included / Pre-departure briefing
- First aid kit
- Lunch
- The COMPLETE option INCLUDES a Thermal Sleeping Bag, Porter & Duffel Bag to carry a total of 7kgs of personal gear for each trekker (3kgs for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 4kgs of personal items)
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Small group experience; Max 15, Avg 6
- Porters and cook to carry all shared camping equipment
- Tourist Bus Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
- Professional Bilingual Guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour

## Not included

- Airport Pick-Up (please make your own way)
- Sleeping Bag for BASIC package (Rental $15 USD for the trek)
- Day 1 Breakfast, Day 4 Lunch, Bottled Water
- Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
- Optional Extras - Inflatable Sleeping Mattress ($15 USD for the trek) - Professional Trekking Poles ($15 USD for the trek) - Huayna Picchu Trek (200 Soles) - Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (200 Soles) Optional Huayna Picchu Trek (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
- Accommodation in Cuzco
- Tips (Tipping is 100% optional depending on the service you received. Although tipping is customary in Latin America, it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, we recommend $40-50 USD per trekker for the entire team of porters, cooks and guides.
- Prices for optional activities are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please confirm these prices before departing on the trek.

## Schedule

- Runs: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat
- Departures: 05:30
- Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

## Good to know

- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 7 years
- Typical Meals on the Trek: On all of our Treks to Machu Picchu we search for great cooks who provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain, with specialty menus and the freshest local ingredients available. Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek. *Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request (please advise at least 2 days in advance). BREAKFASTS: Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk. LUNCH & DINNER: First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado or potatoes. Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken) or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew). Desserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk. SNACKS: Boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers.
- IMPORTANT: Please note that Inca Trail Trek permits (INCLUDED in your booking) sell fast, so we recommend booking in advance. If there are no more permits at the time you book the trip, we will suggest you an alternative hike to Machu Picchu, or you can get a full refund.
- Accommodation options: During the trek single travelers will share a tent with another traveler of the same sex and couples will have a tent to themselves
- Physical Requirements: This hike is demanding, it’s important to be in good physical condition; The Inca Trail elevation changes make the hike strenuous as there are three passes during the hike and you will have 1.2 miles (1,950 meters) of uphill and 1.4-miles (2,250 meters) of descent
- Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration, which must be valid for at least 6 months past the date of travel; Without this information, the local tour operator will be unable to make the booking
- You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers you will not be accompanied by a guide.
- Daily departures with a group of 4 or more
- No departures in February due to unfavorable climatic conditions
- The COMPLETE service INCLUDES a thermal sleeping bag, foam sleeping mat, duffel bag & porter to carry a total of 7kgs of personal gear for each trekker (3kgs sleeping bag & mat + 4kgs personal items). The reduced BASIC (LIGHT) service ONLY INCLUDES a basic foam sleeping mat and EXCLUDES the thermal sleeping bag, duffel bag & porter to carry personal gear. You will carry your own backpack, sleeping bag, mattress & personal gear. EXTRA ITEMS FOR RENT IN CUZCO: Inflatable Sleeping Mattress, Professional Trekking Poles.
- SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail.
- DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.
- Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry their old passport or a photocopy with them on the trip.
- *Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details.
- As of June 11, 2022, all travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers from 12 to 17 years old must prove they are vaccinated with two doses. If they do not have a complete scheme, they must present the negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin.
- No more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek at km. 82; This number includes all support staff (ie. porters, cooks and guides) and is very tightly controlled; Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the Trail is effectively closed off for the day and no further bookings can be made; Reservations are not held on the Trail and all permits to trek must be bought as far as possible in advance with complete and correct passport information, to which no modifications can be made; Any attempts at modifications will result in a loss of the permit and any money paid.

## Compared with other Inca Trail Treks

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #62 of 62** | €849 | 4 days | 4.83 (380) | shared |
| [Inca Trail 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu – Return by Vistadome Train](/peru/cusco/tours/inca-trail-4-day-trek-to-machu-picchu-return-by-vistadome-train/?format=md) | €761 | 4 days | 4.99 (11636) | shared |
| [2-Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Vistadome & 4-Star Hotel](/peru/cusco/tours/2-day-short-inca-trail-to-machu-picchu-vistadome-4-star-hotel/?format=md) | €533 | 2 days | 4.99 (4074) | shared |
| [Inca Trail 4-Day 3-Night Trek to Machu Picchu with Expert Guides](/peru/cusco/tours/inca-trail-4-day-3-night-trek-to-machu-picchu-with-expert-guides/?format=md) | €909 | 4 days | 4.99 (1069) | shared |

Ranked #62 of 62 in Inca Trail Treks by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €428 to €5668, median €790; typical length 4 days. 16 of 62 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/inca-trail-tours/?format=md

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