4 Days | Trek the iconic Inca Trail or Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu
![Leader and traveller at summit posing with Machu Picchu in background](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt91ac361fb63bbacc/65e8e9a00ded5c46065bf112/Intrepid_Travel-Peru-Cusco-Inca-Trail-day4-travellers-having-pictures-with-Machu-Picchu-behind-24.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Traveller smiles down and makes a thumbs up looking down from a rocky peak at the second pass of the inca Trail](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt73f79b446b59f6d2/66a8279c37105d00b3c602fe/Intrepid-Travel-Peru-Cusco-Inca-Trail-day3-travellers-enjoying-at-the-second-pass-035.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Intrepid leader talking about Machu Picchu with travellers in Peru](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt9e39eb7e9368a500/65ee9d1ee9bbc48240df6e28/Intrepid_Travel-Peru-Cusco-Inca-Trail-day4-travellers-with-leader-at-Machu-Picchu-46.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Intrepid porters wave and smile at the camera as they begin hiking the Inca trail](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt38a57a5f632fc006/66bd470e7f7bec4ac6aaf8ae/Intrepid-Travel-Peru-Cusco-Inca-Trail-day1-porters-passing-by-16.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Travellers smile while encountering horses and local going the opposite way on the Inca Trail](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt4850e5e996b3b866/66bd471060f248511f8ac215/Intrepid-Travel-Peru-Cusco-Inca-Trail-day1-travellers-walking-next-to-horses-42.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Spend four days on the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Machu Picchu! Whether you’re a new trailblazer or an experienced trekker, this short trip allows you to join a local leader, local porters who know the land well and a small group of likeminded adventurers to one of the most iconic sites in the world. Discover a lost civilisation and get active, soaking up the gorgeous views along the way, seeing ancient ruins and mingling with locals.
Trip overview
![Map of Peru: Trek The Inca Trail 4 Days including Peru](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltf3d8cab3ce1beb59/66bd470d6627d93330784a5e/GGXI_2025-1.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Cusco, Peru
- Finish
- Cusco, Peru
- Theme
- Walking & trekking
- Destinations
- Peru
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- GGXI
- This trip allows trekkers to visit Machu Picchu – one of the magnificent Seven Wonders of the World, sitting high in the Andes mountains.
- Get active with one of the most iconic treks in the world, soaking up gorgeously lush scenery and travelling with a small group of adventurers and local leaders and porters to help you along the way.
- Follow in the footsteps of a great lost civilisation up to the Sun Gate overlooking mighty Machu Picchu. If you take the Quarry Trail, pass amazing archaeological sites, valley views and enjoy off-the-beaten-path cultural interactions.
- Start and end your journey in Cusco – Extend your stay a few days to really explore the old capital of the Inca Empire and become aclimated to the hight altitude. Explore the archaeological remains, Spanish architecture and the Plaza de Armas (the central square in the Old City).
- Whether you trek the Inca Trail or Inca Quarry Trail, you'll be travelling responsibly with a company that cares about balancing profit and purpose. Intrepid is the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail and we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all.
- This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the Medical and health information section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
- This trip starts early on Day 1. We very strongly recommend that travellers arrive in Cusco 2 days prior to your trip starting to aclimitise to the high altitude. This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time and it can be part of a longer itinerary. If you have more time and would like to incorporate your altitude acclimatisation time into your trip you might like to check out the Inca Trail Express (GGTA) or the Inca Trail Express from Lima (GGTBC).
- This trip involves a lot of walking to see the sites, there'll be strenuous hiking. The trip is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Please bring comfortable footwear suitable to hiking. See the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
- You'll be camping with basic facilities. It's definitely the journey as well as the final destination (Machu Picchu) that makes this way of exploring Peru worthwhile.
- According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the Itinerary for details.
- Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail or Quarry Trail), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.
- Can't decide which trek is for you? Read up on them here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/inca-trail-vs-quarry-trail/
Itinerary
Inclusions
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Private vehicle, Bus, Taxi, Train
Route 1 - Inca Trail: Camping with basic facilities (3 nights). Route 2 - Quarry Trail: Camping with basic facilities (2 nights), Hotel (1 night).
- 3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
- Machu Picchu - Guided tour
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This will be used to apply for your Inca permit and if any info doesn’t match your passport, the Inca authorities will refuse your entry. Delays in providing this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
2.This trip starts early on Day 1. We very strongly recommend that travellers arrive in Cusco 2 days prior to your trip starting to aclimitise to the high altitude. This trip finishes on arrival back to Cusco on day 4 (approx 7pm). Pre and post accommodation in Cusco can be booked subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. At the time of booking, please advise whether you would like to hike the classic Inca Trail or Quarry Trail. When available, the Inca Trail will be booked as the default option. Fees may apply to changes made after the time of booking, and availability on other options cannot be guaranteed.
5. Inca Trail permits are sold on a request basis only. Once a deposit is paid and passport details are provided, Intrepid will endeavour to secure a permit for you. If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Quarry Trail instead https://www.intrepidtravel.com/machu-picchu-peru/quarry-trail.
6.The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February, you will be automatically booked to hike the Quarry Trail.
7. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail or Quarry Trail), you may be joined by other Intrepid and/or non-Intrepid travellers. There is also a small chance you may be the only traveller from your group on your selected option.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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