We had such a fantastic time with Machu Picchu adventures. From the moment I messaged John he made our adventure possible. Everything was planned perfectly and our guide Christian was absolutely fantastic, he took us on all of our day trips and then took us on an epic Inka trail 4 day hike, with his team of porters and chef who are absolute rockstars. Christian was hilarious and was a fountain of knowledge. We had the best time! Thankyou all so much
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Professional Chef
- Sleeping mattress
- First aid kit
- Drinkable water
- 3 afternoon snacks and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day.
- Personal porter to carry 6 kilos / 13.2 pounds of your equipment.
- Entrance tickets for the 4 day Inca Trail and Machu Picchu site
- Oxygen bottle
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel
- Professional Tour Leader
- Duffel Bag
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu site to Aguas Calientes town (Machu Picchu pueblo)
- Private transportation by bus to Km 82
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- 2-man tent for every 2 trekkers
Excludes
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Lunch and Dinner on the last day
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- We will pick you up in your hotel.
Itinerary
Day 1
1
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 am. Then we will drive to Ollantaytambo town, located in the Sacred Valley, where we will have breakfast. After that, we will board a train to Km 82. On this spot the Inca Trail starts. After walking for 4 hours, we will make a stop to have lunch. Then we will continue our trip until we reach the Ayapata Campsite, located at 3,300 m.a.s.l. (10,826 ft). Here we will have dinner and and prepare for the next day.
Day 2
2
The second day of the trek is the most challenging. We will start the trip by trekking for 4 hours to the Warmiwañuska Mountain Pass, located at 4,215 m.a.s.l (13,829 ft), which makes it the highest point of the Inca Trail. Then we will descend to Pacaymayu, where we will have lunch. After that, we will go through a cloud forest until we reach the Chaquicocha Campsite. There we will have dinner and rest.
Day 3
3
The third day provides a less challenging trekking experience. We will make our first stop at Phuyupatamarca, where we will spend some time admiring the unique views this place offers. Phuyupatamarca is an archaeological site of Inca origin. Due to its location at 3,600 m.a.s.l. (11,811 ft) it's also known as "The City Above the Clouds". Afterwards, we will descend to the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna, which name means "Forever Young". Wiñay Wayna is the last stop before arriving at Machu Picchu. Here we will have dinner and rest.
Day 4
4
On the last day we will wake up at 4 am. After having breakfast we will trek to the Inti Punku, the entry point to Machu Picchu. Inti Punku provides a beautiful view of Machu Picchu during sunrise, which is only available to those who traverse the Inca Trail. Once on Machu Picchu, our 2-hour guided tour will begin. We will explore the different areas of the citadel, including its most famous buildings. If you have booked a climb to the Huayna Picchu Mountain, our staff will direct you to the entrance. After the guided tour, you will have plenty of time to explore the citadel on your own. Finally, we will take a bus to Aguas Calientes town, where we will take a train to return to Ollantaytambo. We recommend you having lunch at Aguas Calientes before boarding the train. Once in Ollantaytambo, we will drive back to Cusco. The return trip from Aguas Calientes to Cusco takes around 4 hours. We will back in Cusco at approximately 7:00 pm.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We have just completed the 4 day INCA trip with Machu Picchu Tours and our wonderful guide Christian. The team were absolutely amazing and really supported us to having a relaxed yet exciting trip. The experience is amazing if you love wildlife and amazing views. The food we had was top class and the team were always on hand to help. A special mention goes to our amazing guide Christian who went the extra mile in understanding what our interests were to make our trip even special(like bird watching). Christians humour and energy really made the trip more fun and we loved his fun facts. Thank you for making our once in a lifetime trip so special.
This 4-day hike was a bucket list item for me. As an average hiker from the northeastern US, I usually stick to nearby Appalachian trails. However, this hike was more challenging than expected. We had a large group of varying fitness levels, from 11 to 51 years old. Surprisingly, the kids fared better than the adults. The third day was particularly difficult. Our group of 19 had 20 porters and 2 guides. The porters were amazing and did a great job with preparation, cleaning up, setting up, and dismantling tents. To improve the experience, I would suggest better food options and more comfortable sleeping arrangements. I would also change the trip from 4 days to 5 days, as the third day was very long, and the last 45 minutes of the hike were in the dark.
As a pretty well traveled person, I have never actually signed up for a guided a tour before. I was pretty anxious to do so but I am SO glad that we did this trip through Machu Picchu Tours! Honestly, the experience was more than we could have ever hoped for. The logistics were smooth, the communication was easy, and the trek itself was absolutely astounding. Our guide, Profe Christian, was the cherry on the cake! Not only did he know pretty much everything to answer our (many) questions along the way (aside from the grammatical ones 😉), but his attitude, humor, and warmth ensured the trip was fun and safe for everyone. Oh, also! The team of porters and the chef that came with us was also incredible! The food was exceptional (sul pikey, Raymundo!) and not a day passed that we didn’t see the team working SO hard to ensure we were safe and comfortable.
Christian was the best guide I’ve ever had in all my travels. He made sure at every moment that we had everything we needed. Throughout our 4-day trek through Inca Trail, we got to know our porters because Christian had already built a positive relationship with them. Christian handled all of the logistics for us along the way and we felt like we won the lottery having him as our guide. He thought of everything we might need from our interests, comfort, preferences and paces. Christian was also incredibly knowledgeable in English and Spanish about the history of the trail, Machu Picchu, and the language of Quechua. My friend and I feel like we met an interesting person and amazing professional and teacher in Christian!
The 4-day, 3-night trek to Machu Picchu was nothing short of extraordinary—an experience that blended physical challenge with cultural and intellectual depth in a way few journeys do. Our guide, Christian, elevated the entire expedition. His insight extended far beyond the expected historical narrative of the Inca Empire; he wove together ecology, anthropology, and storytelling with a fluency that made each step along the trail feel purposeful and alive. The difficulty of the terrain was undeniable, yet it was rendered not only manageable but deeply rewarding—due in no small part to the remarkable porter team. Their strength, resilience, and quiet precision were humbling. To witness what they carried, how swiftly they moved, and the grace with which they supported the group was to encounter a level of dedication that borders on the spiritual. They are, without exaggeration, the backbone of the entire experience. Equally transformative was the culinary dimension of the trek. As someone who typically divorces gastronomy from backpacking, I was unprepared for what awaited us. The chef redefined what is possible in such remote conditions—each meal thoughtful, refined, and genuinely impressive. It felt less like trail food and more like a moving feast. In a fully equipped kitchen, one can only imagine the heights he could reach. This trek is more than a journey to a destination—it is an immersion into history, landscape, and human excellence. If you’re considering it, don’t hesitate. It is, in every sense, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Christian was an incredible guide on the Inca Trail. He is kind, attentive, and so knowledgeable, and made the entire experience feel both meaningful and enjoyable. I loved listening to the history and stories he shared along the way—they truly brought everything to life. He was consistently supportive and encouraging, which made a challenging trek feel much more doable. The entire team was amazing—the porters were so friendly and worked incredibly hard, and it was clear how much care they put into every part of the experience. The meals were honestly phenomenal—gourmet quality and better than anything I could get at a restaurant in my hometown. I’m so grateful we had Christian and this team guiding us.
Our trip was fantastic from the start to very last minute and even beyond. I started to organize the trip with John already a long time ago and the whole time communication was excellent. I traveled to Machu Picchu with my blind dad. We had the best tour guide on our 4 day trip, Edwin, who was amazingly patient, loving and caring. My father, who can't see a thing, felt safe the whole time and taken care of. We were crazy to do this trip but I am so glad we picked this company. Everything was so well organized- Our cook Alejandro, was very very good and all the staff with us; thank you Marion, Emiliano, Prudencio, Juan, Willy, Alejandro and Rodolfo. Thank you the whole team!!
This was a trip of a lifetime! Christian and Efrain were our guides. Christian was very knowledgeable. He not only helped us navigate the trail, he also taught us about all the Incan Sites along the way. He was happy, positive, and encouraging! Efrain was so kind. He stayed with one of our friends who was taking lots of pictures with her professional camera. He even took the camera from her during the challenging climbs. The porters were incredible! The two head porters were Rueben and Ambrosio. They, along with the other 17 porters, were also kind, happy, helpful, and so efficient! They hauled everything from tents, to tables, stools to sit on, our personal bags, all the food, propane tanks, etc. As our group arrived at lunch or camp each night, they stood in a line and clapped and cheered for us! They had tents set up with our personal duffle bags placed in each tent by the time we showed up each day. In addition, they set up a full “dining tent” complete with a basket of fresh flowers, silverware, real plates, cups, and a different origami shaped napkin each day! They added the nicest little touches that made everything amazing! The Sous Chef, Carmelo, was icing on the cake!! It’s hard to comprehend how, in those conditions, he made big, beautiful, nutritious meals. We had 2 in our group who were gluten free and 2 who were vegetarian. He accommodated everyone. He made everything from delicious fresh juices, to fresh popped popcorn, to fresh guacamole with chips in the shape of llamas, to warm soups and noodles, to chicken, beef, rice, potatoes, french fries, etc! The food was ridiculously good and creatively presented! (See pictures!). Plus, a dessert each night!! Starting with caramelized plantains, then roasting marshmallows over a flame, and a full cake the last night with Machu Picchu drawn in icing! The trail itself is challenging but worth it! The views are breathtaking, the climbs are steep, and the stairs are plentiful!! Make sure you train and become familiar with altitude and a stairclimber! The Incan Ruins along the way are stunning, seeing llamas “in the wild” is so entertaining, and stretching yourself mentally and physically will leave you feeling very accomplished!! The final day ending at Machu Picchu is the most satisfying feeling. Go do it!!
Our guide Edwin and the team of porters were phenomenal. They were patient, encouraging and worked so hard for us! The food was gourmet and amazing. They set up camp each night and kept us very comfortable. Highly recommend!
The 4-day Inca Trail was unforgettable journey through stunning mountain landscapes, ancient ruins, and cloud forests, culminating with the amazing Machu Picchu. The experience was even more special by our incredible guide and the dedicated team who supported us every step of the way. Our guide was incredibly full of knowledge about the history of the Incas. Apart from that, we learned so much about the flora and fauna of the Andes. Thank you Christian, you are the king of the jungle! The porters and cooks were outstanding—hardworking, kind, and the meals were delicious! So, another thanks to the master chef Carmello. The entire team made us feel safe, supported, and inspired every step of the way. Highly recommend this trek with such a dedicated and professional team!
We are an American family from Evansville, Indiana. After doing much research we chose Machu Picchu Tours to make our dream come true of seeing Machu Picchu via the 4-day Inca Trail Trek. Planning this kind of trip is no small feat, but John Taqquere Villaneuva was there for us every step of the way! He always responded quickly to my MANY texts and provided excellent information to prepare us for the trek. Our amazing guide, Edwin, the Porters and Chef went way above and beyond to make sure we felt safe and that we were getting the best experience that was promised. I cannot emphasize how important hygiene and safe food is on a trip like this. We feel our Porters did an excellent job keeping the dining area clean and providing excellent, healthy and safe food. While it is common for foreigners to get sick when traveling to a new country, the crew kept us healthy, hydrated, and safe the entire trip. Our porters took care of every single detail from setting up our camp, refilling our water bottles, and feeding us delicious hot meals 3 times a day. The porters were always there to take care of us. Our bags were transported and waiting for us in our tents upon arrival. Hot drinks were ready for us upon arrival at each campsite, and hot soapy water and towels were provided to clean up after a long day’s hike. Their work ethic and attention to detail was impressive. The 4 day trek is strenuous. Our guide, Edwin, coached us along the way, helping us to set a pace that worked for us so that we would not burn out. He also handled all of our paperwork and entry tickets. There are checkpoints and everything must be in order and spelled correctly. Without these documents, there is no trek and there is no entry into Machu Picchu. Our guide always kept us informed of the daily itinerary and was always supportive and eager to help. His knowledge of the history of the Inca and the ruins was exceptional. We walked away feeling an immense appreciation and understanding of the Inca because of Edwin. If your dream of seeing Machu Picchu is through the Inca Trail, or want to arrange guided tours, then don’t let fear stand in your way. And if you are looking for an agency, we highly recommend John Taqquere Villaneuva with Machu Picchu Tours. These are good, honest, trustworthy and hard-working people that will help make your dream come true. We are so thankful to Machu Picchu Tours, our Guide, Edwin, and the amazing Porters and Chef for their hard work and efforts to help make our dream come true.
Couldn’t have asked for a better crew chef porters tents and food for this 4 day Inca trail trip Was the best experience for all 8 of us in our friends group to enjoy every moment and have amazing time all the way through the trip in town and on the Inca trail Very organized crew knowledgeable friendly and just plain awesome to have around every step of the way. Highly recommend this company to solo and groups that plan to visit Peru
Completed the INCA trail with our Hike Junkies family. The Machu Picchu tours were INCREDIBLE!!! A great big shout out to John Taqquere Villanueva & his team for providing us with their expertise & care before, during & after the 4-day backpacking hike. The porters had camp setup for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during our hiking adventure. Our chef, Carmelito "5-STARS," prepared meals that you should only find in a fine dining restaurant. We even had some Peruvian history lessons along the way. A few surprise discovery viewpoints along the trail. After completing 4-day Inca trail, we hiked the Humanatay Lake on 5th day & Rainbow Mtn on 6th day. We THANK YOU, John, Alberto, Berle, Aiwyn & drivers, porters for making this the adventure of the century!...so far
We just completed the 4 day Inca Trail with Machu Picchu Tours. John Taqquere Villanueva went above and beyond to provide us with an amazing experience, with fun, knowledgeable guides to qn amazing chef and porters. Our tents were comfortable and kept us warm and dry from the elements. We were served four course meals, desert and happy hour on each day. Happy hour consisted of fresh hot popcorn, hot cocoa, coffee, cookies and bread. In addition to the 4 day Inca Trail we scored permits to hike Huayna Picchu ( Stairs of Death) which we conquered just having completed the last day of the Inca trail. Yes, our group is crazy! One member of our group was unable to hike the four day Inca trail due to severe health issues, John Taqquere and went above and beyond to give him an amazing Machu Picchu experience. Our trip consisted of City Walking Tour of Cusco, Alpaca Farm, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain and other ruins. This was a humbling experience that will last a lifetime.
Thank you John we had a great Trip and Our short Inca trail experience was Superb and Due to all we loved and appreciated all of them with them and Exactly all of our way to your Trip and Excellently organized.
Working with John during the planning stages was very smooth, he was always available to answer any question I had. John’s passion for sustainability and taking care of the guide, chef and porters was evident. He also made incredible accommodations for both standard and vegan diets during this trek. The Chef is the best on the mountain by far. During the trek we became a close knit team and helped each other along the way. Our lead guide Charley was full of incredible knowledge concerning the culture, the mountains, Machu Picchu and the Florida and fauna. Thanks to everyone for an amazing experience!!
I really want to thank the porters, chef and chef's assistant and server for the wonderful care, food and very hard work they did for our 10 person private tour group with Machu Picchu Tours. They could not have been more helpful kind and always with a smile and a laugh. Truly amazing how hard they work and strong they all are. They made the trip so comfortable for us and the food was delicious and presented in such a beautiful and fun manner. We didn't due it justice! I also have a special regard for the 2 porters, the head one and the youngest who on the 2nd day after I hiked up & down the 1st 13,800 mountain peak, I was 2/3 of the way up the 2nd 13,100 peak and it was getting late in the afternoon. Being the oldest and slowest hiker I told Louis the guide I could do the whole way up and down with enough time. He said once it is dark the puma cats would come out and so, he had the 2 porters carry me and tag teamed me the rest of the way up and then all the way down to camp! Everyone cheering when we arrived as we laughed at the craziness of it! These two men will always have a place in my heart for their efforts and humor! Beyond the call of duty! LOL! I recommend this company completely for how they conducted themselves, how much they cared and always keeping our safety & comfort to the forefront with smiles and humor!
The trip was amazing! The guide and the porters make it! We had the the mist amazing porters and chef! They carried everything!! Tents, sleeping bags all of our stuff...plus food for 4 days! They woke us up in the morning with a hot cup of coca tea and warm water to wash up with! The food was amazing as well, we had more than we needed. They are extremely strong and kind. Thank you for making this such an amazing trip!
The most amazing trip!! It was the 4 day inka hike and we added on hunantay lake and rainbow mountain. Super difficult, the stairs never end!! We all made it though ...with the help of our fantastic guide ! Charley is the best!! He's organized, kind , patient and truly loves his job. He shared the history of his people and educated us. He was able to answer all of our questions...and our group had alot! Everything went smoothly, all of the plans, transportation, tickets, timing, porters, food. Even when the group wanted horses and motorcycles for humantay lake and rainbow mtn..he made it happen! We had a few illnesses during our 10 day adventure, and Charley was patient and kind. What a memorable trip. Oh... he also acted as our photographer! He made sure we got lots of photos and helped with posing! Thank you Charley!!!!
My Inca trail trip well exceeded any expectations. Our tour guide are knowledgeable, caring, patient and have passion with Incas culture and history. Our days are filled with nature beauty, culture sharing, 3 course gourmet meals. John, Charlie and Ronald are the best tour guides who I have ever met!
It goes without saying that the Inca Trail was fantastic. It wasn’t an easy hike, however, what made everything better was the crew that facilitated our hike. From the porters, to the chef to the guides, everyone was so forthcoming in their quest to make this excursion the best it could be. Despite the heavy loads they carried each day they were always smiling and never failed to give us a hearty hello. The food the chef and his assistant cooked up for us was amazing. Every meal was a pleasant surprise. We couldn’t believe what was in effect a mobile kitchen could cook up such great tasting dishes. Our guides, Charly ( head) and Rolando (assistant guide) went out of their way to make sure everyone was safe, first and foremost, and that we all enjoyed ourselves. Their knowledge of the trail was impressive. One of our team members was struggling a bit so both Charly and Rolando took it upon themselves to help her on the descents and led her down some of the tricky parts by the arm. It was a great sight to see. Overall this was an awesome experience and I believe it was enhanced fully by our Machu Picchu Tours family. I say family because that’s how every member of the crew made us feel. I highly recommend this crew for anyone that is thinking of hiking or just doing tours in Peru.
Machu Picchu Tours is organized, professional, and you feel welcomed to their Country from the minute they pick you up at the airport. Due to my error my baggage was left in Lima and they went out of their way to make sure it arrived in Cusco. No request was too large to accommodate for a group of 14 from food requests to changes in our itinerary. Our guides Charly and Rolando were passionate and knowledgeable and clearly had pride in their Inca heritage. I felt safe and trusted Machu Picchu Tours. We all felt like family by the time we left Peru. The food was made each day along the trail and was delicious! Desserts included mango pie and strawberry cake all made from scratch at camp by the chef! One hiker from another group joked about wanting to join us because they didn’t get the same food experience. We had several types of tea, coffee, fresh juices, and hot cocoa at every meal or when we arrived at camp. We also had hot water waiting for us at camp in individual bowls to freshen up each afternoon and also in the mornings. The extra customer experience matters. Truly a wonderful experience and I wil
I am very happy with the trip I took to Machu Picchu. Our tour guides Charly, Rolando and John T Villanueve are very knowledgeable in the history of Peru . They provided us extensive support. John organized our trip our . We are a hiking group from AZ. We were provided with excellent treatment. Extremely caring of our group.. My personal experience hiking up to Machu Picchu was difficult and I would not have been able to make it up . Machu Picchu is very difficult. Charly and Rolando we were the best guides ever!! Thank you Machu Picchu tours.
Great experience completing the four day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Our tour guides Charly and Rolando took exceptional care of our needs large and small. The porters were so friendly and helpful whenever we needed something, whether it was with our tents or hot water or misplaced items. And Carmelo and his food…out of this world. So much food that I couldn’t eat it all at each meal. Over the top high end cuisine. It is a strenuous and tiring four days out in the elements, but worth every minute with Machu Picchu Tours guiding us. We learned so much history about the Inkas and learned much about the flora and fauna along the trail. I highly recommend this company and it’s staff. The rain couldn’t even dampen our spirits.
Great and fun experience. Knowledgeable tour guides- Charlie and Ronaldo. I highly recommend. Thank you for the amazing trek.
From the beginning John was super friendly and helpful. Even before closing a deal we scheduled a call just to answer some of my questions and he had all the good will before the trip, and also in Cusco before starting! Unfortunately he couldn’t go with us, but this wasn’t a problem at all, cause our guide, Adolfo, full filled every expectation. He knows lots of Inca culture, that shared with us, and always treated us with the best of respect and very friendly. Had the patience to follow our speed. Supportive. Always letting us know how the day would go, but open to changes if we asked it for. The porters team and cook… wow another huge surprise! The meals, surrealist. I would’ve never imagined to eat the great meals we had every day. The route is something else. Gorgeous landscape, and impressive incas constructions along the way. Machu Picchu is just the cherry of the pie when you go through the Inca trail. My only recommendation would be to allow at least a final meal with the whole team. I completely recommend the trail and the group! I go back home with renewed energies! Thanks for everything Adolfo, team and John! Best regards! Antonio
Machu Picchu Tours organized everything to perfection. Our guide Adolfo knew how to present Inca life in a pleasant way. If things were a little more difficult during the tour , he reassured and encouraged. I don't think anyone could have done better. I highly recommend Machu Picchu Tours and Adolfo as a guide..
I traveled with Javier (guide) and my three gal pals (we’re 25). We LOVED the Inca sites along the way and the porters who carried our stuff and cooked for us were the BEST! A once in a lifetime experience, but it was TOUGH! Javier was so patient, understanding, and FUN the entire way. I got sick during the trip due to the altitude and he took great care of me.
Just got back from 4 day inca trail, was more than I expected. Buetiful scenery, good food and brilliant guide (javier)
Truly a wonderful experience. To know Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley... It was always a dream and without a doubt Elaine helped us a lot. It was all perfect.
We were lucky enough to hike alone as a family of 5 with a guide, a cook and 10 tugboats on the 4 days Classic Incatrail. It was an unforgettable experience. Everything was super organized. The guide (Edwin) took great care of us and gave us a lot of interesting knowledge about the Incas. The Carmello spoiled us daily with fancy food and tried to meet every taste. The 10 tugboats were also always friendly and tried to make our stay as good as possible.
Forms in various places in Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machupicchu, Salinas de Mara, colorful mountain, Racc archaeological park and Lake Titicaca.
All very Great, I and Ana Cristina love, the receptivity and organization of Elaine and John accompanied us on the tours, note 1.000000000😁😁😁😍😍😍😍
Wonderful trip, prepared with great care by the company. Cozy accommodation, well located, great value for money. Excellent, qualified and dedicated guides, who care about giving you the best possible experience, ensuring great knowledge, well-being and beautiful photos. Comfortable cars with capable and attentive drivers. We stayed in Peru for 11 days. Everything was prepared by Machu Picchu Tours and everything was impeccable, the country is fascinating, you can do a little bit of everything in a single trip, the itinerary was prepared with our well-being in mind and according to our interests. I highly recommend this trip and this company. Special thanks to Elaine, John, Luís, Edgar and Héctor.
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