Machu Picchu Trek – 4 Day Itinerary with
TreXperience on the Inca Trail
During the month of April I had the opportunity of trekking along the Inca Trail for 4 days and 3 nights with the fantastic outfitter, TreXperience. It was my first high altitude trek and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience or a better company to go with, it was incredible!
So here is the full recap of our trip.
And be sure to check out the Tiktok I created about this bucket list experience!
Prior to the TreXperience trip
Leading up to the trek, we were provided packing lists and all relevant information. Everything from permits, train tickets, transfers and bus tickets were all handled by TreXperience. All we had to do was fly into Cusco and they took care of the rest.
The night before our tour we all met at the TreXperience office to go over all the information we needed for the trip.
We confirmed our hotel pick ups, received our duffels to pack and chatted about the itinerary. Our guides Robinzon and Jonah did a great job preparing us for the week ahead.
Day 1
My friend Corbin and I got picked up at our hotel in Cusco at 4:30am. We had been staying at the Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels on the top of the hill overlooking the town. By the way, I highly recommend this hotel!
Check out the highlights of our stay here:
All transfers are included in the cost of the trip with TreXpereince. It’s door to door service from your accommodation in Cusco!
It was about a 3 hour drive to the small charming town of Piscacucho where we had an included breakfast.
We ate, bought some coca leaves and introduced ourselves to our fellow travelers. Then with full stomachs, we headed off to the start of the Inca Trail.
The morning was a rather leisurely hike. Our guides showed us different plants along the trail that are used to dye clothes or heal a variety of ailments etc. We passed by rivers, little villages and other tour groups as we went.
There are bathrooms along the trail that you can pay to use so have some spare change. I also recommend traveling with these compostable wipes.
After two hours, we hit Patallacta, the first of the Inca ruin sites along the route. The views were jaw-dropping!
Another two hours and we arrived at our lunch spot. And what a lunch it was!
Never have I had such great food while on a camping or backpacking trip. The private chef, waiter and porters really go above and beyond to deliver a luxurious camping experience. Each meal was 3+ courses and a heaping pile of fresh food.
After a much needed post lunch nap, we continued on!
One thing to note: In the briefing we were informed that day one would all be easy. And until lunch, it is. But following lunch, there is a lot of uphill climbing to do. I find it helps to be mentally prepared when you have a steep climb coming. So get ready to start climbing! And don’t be too hard on yourself if you find day one challenging as well!
After a scenic but uphill 2 hour hike, you’ll arrive at the first campsite! Per usual, the porters pampered us completely by having everything set up and ready to go: tents, sleeping bags, air mattress.. the works! We briefly went around and introduced ourselves to the amazing crew. We had a whopping 21 porters!
Pro tip: Bring camp shoes so you can change out of your hiking shoes for the night. After a very filling dinner, we were all ready for bed after such a big day and an early morning.
I lay awake that first night slightly nervous for the huge day ahead because we would be hiking 10+ hours up into the clouds at nearly 14,000 feet. Unsure how the altitude would effect me, I was a bit uneasy after hearing some horror stories from the trail.
Although it was cold outside, I fell asleep cozy and warm. The TreXperience sleeping bags really lock the heat in. I highly recommend renting their gear so you don’t have to fly with anything.
Pro tip: Sleep with your clothes inside your sleeping bag. So if it’s cold in the morning, you’ll be putting on warm clothes. It makes the morning a lot more easy if your clothes aren’t cold.
Day 2
4:30am there is a noise outside our tent. “Good morning. Coca leaf tea?”
One of the porters has brought 2 cups of piping hot tea to our tent. We get ready to head to breakfast while the porters tear down the tents and pack everything up. Soon we are off on the trail!
Day 2 is well known for being the longest, most difficult day on the Inca Trail. But I’m relieved to find it’s also my favorite views yet. Especially in the afternoon when we clear the tree line and have an uninterrupted view of the mountains.
The highest point on the trail is Dead Woman’s Pass, nearly 6,000 feet ABOVE Machu Picchu!
It takes 4 hours to reach the pass. And as we begin the summit, I go slowly. I’m feeling the air thin out but I’m not feeling like I might vomit or anything. The altitude is tiring but my only symptom is an occasional light headache and getting winded easily.
This day is hard but the views make it worth it. I began the day at the front but found I much preferred being at the end. I could pause to take pictures without feeling like a line of people behind me were about to trample over me. It also allowed me to feel alone in nature at times instead of hiking in a single file line.
There were times I wanted to chat and socialize with the other hikers and times I want to get lost in thought and just enjoy the view in solitude.
Highlight of the trip: When I was near the final summit of Dead Woman’s Pass, I looked up and there stood my best friend, patiently waiting. Although he had been first in the group and I had been last, he waited so we could summit the highest point together. When we reached the top and looked back down at all we had just conquered together, I felt tears welling in my eyes. What an accomplishment. And how special we did it together!
After Dead Woman’s Pass, there was a lot of steep downhill. A welcome change after the steep incline of a summit! You may want to use your trekking poles here to protect your knees.
Pro tip: Make sure you trim your toenails super short before the trek! If your nails extend over your toe at all, they will press against your shoes on the downhill sections and can be painful or even result in your nail popping off.
We had one more uphill section before we got to have a hard-earned lunch! I was shocked at how much the porters do for each guest. Each meal was fully set up when we arrived. Our tents and sleeping bags were always waiting for us… the porters carry way more weight, hike faster than us and still have everything done before we ever get there! (So tip them well, they deserve it!)
After our lunch, the porters surprised us by laying out the sleeping pads so we could all take a 30 minute rest/nap. It was so thoughtful!!
Then we had the second summit for the day. And whewww, it felt hard after already doing Dead Woman’s Pass… but we did it!
What I liked about Dead Woman’s Pass was you always knew how much further you had to go, you could see the shape of the woman in the mountain straight above you that we had to cross. With the second summit of the day, I kept thinking we were done…. only to round a corner and see another incline.
So just be mentally prepared that the second summit takes a long time and winds it’s way up the mountain. You won’t know when the end is or how much further you’ve got to go.
After many steps and some seriously breathtaking views, we reached another Inca lookout point. (Also spectacular!) But just then, it started to rain. Fortunately TreXperience provides everyone with ponchos. I had also brought my own.
Pro tip: Make sure you’re always rain ready! It will be a miserable trip if all your things getting soaking wet with no way to dry them. And being wet will make you really cold.
Shop my poncho and waterproof day bag here:
After we had accomplished both summits, we had lots of downhill hiking which was lovely. At this altitude, the trees stop growing so the views are just pure mountains and clouds. It’s amazing.
Our guides surprised us with one more stop… a spectacular abandoned Inca village with amazing views… but it meant more stairs.
At first I was frustrated, “MORE STAIRS?!“ I thought to myself. We had been told we were done with any uphill climbing and my tired body did not appreciate this surprise. However a positive mindset on the trail is everything, so after a few encouraging words from my best friend who is some kind of robot I swear, (he seemed to never got tired!) we set off for the ruins.
And our guides were right, they were beautiful and worth the extra climb.
It was an added bonus that we could see our campsite from the Inca village!
After such a long day and sooo many hours of hiking, it was very motivating to see the finish line in site! There in the distance were our cute little tents which held my comfy sleeping mat and sleeping bag… and you can only imagine how good that sounded just then!! We finished off the day strong!
Despite the challenges, it ended up being one of my favorite days of the trek. Dinner was of course delicious again. TreXperience really knocks it out of the park with the food. It felt so nice to change out of our hiking boots and into our comfy camp shoes.
That night we fell asleep early with joyful feelings of accomplishment.
Waking up to use the bathroom in the night can be a surprising treat at this campsite. I unzipped my tent and my jaw dropped! What a view!! The stars at this campsite are INSANE!
Day 3
We got to sleep in until 5:30am today, ha!
Day 3 is the most leisurely day of the trek. Only 5 hours of hiking until lunch… then that’s our campsite for the day!! We couldn’t believe it… no long hill uphill hike after lunch?!
The hike was nothing short of breathtaking. Mountains everywhere and perfectly preserved Inca walls, tunnels and paths. There is something so magical about walking the very same route this ancient civilization once used.
When we got to the campsite, my jaw dropped! Our tent was placed right next to a huge drop off with a spectacular view.
Pro tip: This is one of the few campsites that has a shower. However there isn’t a great way to dry your hair at this high altitude and nights are cold. So you may want to rinse off your body but not wash your hair!
We were served lunch in our glamping tent.. again delicious! Then we had the option of joining for 20 minute hike to an Inca sight and waterfall.
Pro tip: If your guide doesn’t offer this, ask! I highly recommend it. But TreXperience for sure includes it. So book with them!
The hike was beautiful. The ruins were expansive and almost everyone jumped in the freezing cold water for a dip!
Corbin and I took our sweet time climbing back up to camp (again it’s a lot of uphill through the ruins) and exploring the abandoned site.
We took photos and it was so nice to go at such a leisurely pace. We wandered, sat and chatted and enjoyed it immensely.
Eventually we made our way back to camp for some downtime before dinner. (I feel like a broken record here but yep… you guessed it! Another amazing meal!)
Pro tip: This was the first time since we left breakfast one day 1 that anyone had any kind of service. There is a tower near the campsite. However if it can wait, I suggest you keep your phone on airplane mode to savor the rarity of being offline 
That night after dinner, we compiled all the tips for the porters, waiter, assistant chef and head chef. (Our two guides we would tip the last day.) You have to be ready to tip cash on the third night because the porters pack up and head back early on the 4th morning and you don’t see them again. They board a train back rather than going to Machu Picchu. All your duffels are brought to the TreXperience office for you to pick up at the end of the trip.
Pro tip: Your tour company should provided a suggested tipping amount. We tipped extra because the porters work SO hard. Many without any kind of insurance. But be prepared with cash.
Day 4
The final day is the earliest wake up call of all!
3:20am the porters came to our tent offering coca leaves. Part of the reason the wake up call is so early is because the porters have to pack down and catch the one train back. If they miss it, they have to wait a whole extra day! We had been informed to pack our bags the night before, so we were ready to go right away.
Breakfast was a to-go bag which you can sit and eat at the checkpoint. All the other tour companies meet at the gate to the trail and everyone waits for it to be opened.
If you’re down there by 3:45, you’ll still be waiting over an hour. So I ate my breakfast there, brushed my teeth and got ready for the day there instead of at my tent. It gave me more time to sleep and something to do while we waited. Our guides informed us it’s always kind of a race to get to Machu Picchu first. But truthfully, I don’t understand why.
Once everyone does the first morning hike to the sun gate (where you catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu) everyone pauses to wait there anyway. Then when you arrive at the actual entrance, there is more waiting in line. And tourists have already arrived inside so it’s not like you’re beating much of a rush. So there really is no reason to race or stress.
Don’t spend your last morning on the trail in a panic that you’ll be late or somehow miss Machu Picchu, you won’t. And it’s more enjoyable to take occasional breaks than to sprint through the whole last hike. (Which is still quite challenging and ends in a steep uphill climb again!)
We slowed down a bit after racing through most of the morning to savor the views and capture these photos.
It was truly spectacular when we saw this world wonder!
Just be prepared, after spending 4 days on the trail with almost no other humans and having entire Inca compounds entirely to yourself, the crowds at Machu Picchu can be quite jarring.
There will be people waiting in line for pictures, large tour buses pulling up and many tour groups shuffling along. It’s still amazing and worth the visit, don’t get me wrong.
Just manage your expectations because nothing beats having the Inca sites to yourself on the trail.
Pro tip: After 4 days of hiking, you might want one nice thing to take a picture in at Machu Picchu. I packed a hat and alpaca sweater I had bought in Cusco.
Our guide Robinzon escorted us around the site and shared interesting facts about the once thriving yet very mysterious site.
We saw plenty of llamas and even a wild chinchilla.
TreXperience handled everything expertly. We got our tickets to Machu Picchu included and the bus ticket into the nearby town Aquilantes.
So we all boarded the bumpy, winding bus into town to go have lunch at a restaurant. We toasted pisco sours and beers to the amazing trek. Then, we thanked and tipped our guides. (Most companies say 10%-15% of the tour cost.)
After that, we had some free time to wander the small town before our train departed. So Corbin and I got massages for just $20 and it was worth every penny to have our sore hiking muscles rubbed!
Eventually, it was time to board the train. (Again, all included and handled by TreXperience!) It was a beautiful journey back on the glass top Vistadome train. There were a few cultural performances on the train and even a Peruvian fashion show you could shop.
After a couple hours, we arrived at the train station and a TreXperience driver was there waiting for us. He led us to the van and drove us the remaining distance to Cusco. We picked up our luggage from the TreXperience office and all got dropped at our hotels. We were exhausted but so happy from our grand adventure.
I truly cannot recommend this company enough. If you’re going to do the trek, I would book with TreXperience. Not only because they do an excellent job but because after talking to the porters from a variety of companies, they treat their employees the best and are locally owned. If you’re going to travel, support locals whenever possible!
Tips for trekking the Inca Trail:
Stay tuned on the Travel With Me Page – I’ll be launching the Inca Trail trek as a group trip soon!
Absolute essentials for the Classic Inca Trail hike:
- Valid, original Passport (a copy will not be accepted)
- Passport must be at least 6 months valid to enter and exit Peru.
- Valid Student Card (if you booked as a student)
- Hiking boots (light, comfortable and broken in)
- A good quality daypack (light, small and cozy)
- Water storage for at least 2 liters; either a camel bag or water bottle(s)
- Trekking poles (you can rent from TreXperience)
What to put in the daypacks:
Below is a list of items to keep with you at all times in your backpack. Remember, you will be carrying this with you every day of the trek, so we bring a good quality daypack, light and comfortable.
It is important to note that due to local regulations, your backpack should not exceed 25L. All larger bags can not be taken into Machu Picchu and will need to be stored outside the gates.
- Hat and sunglasses
- Rain gear
- Warm layers (fleece / long-sleeved tops)
- Sun cream, bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- Band-aids, moleskin
- Camera, extra batteries
- Head Torch
- Additional snacks, power bars, chocolate
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips (small change helps pay to use the villagers’ toilets on the first day)
What to put in the duffle bags:
TreXperience will provide you with a duffel bag to pack any items that you do not need to keep with you during the day. The porters will carry this bag for you throughout the trek. Please note this bag should weigh a maximum of 7 kg, including your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you bring/rent one). These two items weigh approximately 3 kg together (2 kilos sleeping bag, 1-kilo air pad). During the Inca Trek, you will travel through different temperatures as you climb/descend; it can also be cold at night when at the campsite. Therefore, layers work best!.
Duffle bags will be provided at our office during the safety briefing held the day before.
- Sleeping bag for Inca trail (can be rented)
- Air mattress for Inca trail (can be rented )
- Some light, comfortable shoes for the camp
- Warm jacket, hat, and gloves for Inca trail
- 4 t-shirts (wicking t-shirts are best)
- 2-3 hiking pants/trousers
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 4 sets of hiking socks
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket for the coldest nights
- Quick-dry towel
- Soap
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Face moisturizer
- Power Bank / battery charger
- Plastic bags to keep wet or muddy clothes separate
Shop my merino wool trekking socks:
Thank you to TreXperience for hosting me during the trip.
As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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