Multi-day treks are typically a back-to-basics experience but what if we told you that one of the world’s most legendary treks can be completed without compromising on life’s little luxuries? Well, our luxury 5-day Inca Trail defies expectations that one must rough it to reach Machu Picchu on foot with all of the most craved-home comforts and a few unexpected luxuries too. Freshly cooked meals on a white linen table, comfortable beds in spacious stand-up tents, daily hot showers, and even daily massages are just a few things you can expect on our luxury 5-day Inca Trail. Read on to find out more about what to expect during this once-in-a-lifetime experience from the camp facilities to the daily trekking itinerary.
What is so special about the Inca Trail?
Within the last few decades, the Inca Trail has become one of the world’s most famous hiking routes. It attracts people to its lush mountainous trails for many reasons starting with its rich pre-colonial history, spirituality and mysticism, and breathtaking beauty. Not to mention the world wonder sitting at the end of the trail, the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
What makes the Inca Trail particularly special is that the hiking route follows in the footsteps of the Incas. In other words, it is the same route the Incas would have taken to reach Machu Picchu, a ruin believed to have been one of the empire’s most sacred political and spiritual centers. By hiking along the Inca Trail, you get the privilege of stepping in the Inca’s shoes and seeing the sacred journey through their eyes.
What’s more, the Inca Trail is the only route to Machu Picchu that allows you to arrive through the citadel’s original entrance, the Sun Gate, colloquially known as ‘Inti Punku’. Having been built to align with sunrise on the summer solstice, the Sun Gate is one of Machu Picchu’s most important and impressive structures. The fact the gate offers the most beautiful view across the terraces of Machu Picchu is just an added reward for all who complete the four-day Inca Trail.
The Luxury 5-day Inca Trail Itinerary
Length: 43 km (26.8 mile)
Difficulty: Moderate/ Difficult
Elevation Gain: 2000 meters
Maximum Elevation: 4215 meters
Inca Trail Day 1
The Inca Trail sets off along the cobblestone paths beside the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley, a place once dotted with the estates of wealthy Incas and inns for weary Inca travelers. Staying fairly level, the trail leads to the community of Miskay at 2800 meters where you will stop for a refreshing drink and a chat with the locals.
Equipped with new knowledge about living in the remote Peruvian Andes, you’ll continue along the trail to see advantageous views of the ancient Inca city of Llactapata in the mountains where the Urubamba meets the Cusichaca River. After admiring the ruins from afar, you’ll descend to explore them while your guides set up the luxury camp for your first night of glamping.
Walking time: 5km (3 miles) / 3 hours
Inca Trail Day 2
Today’s hike continues from Llactapata with a small 250 meter ascent to Wayllabamba, a farming community hidden deep in the mountains. Here you will have time to stop and admire the peak of the Vilcanota mountain range which rises to a dizzying 5800 meters. Ensuring you’re feeling strong and refreshed, the journey then continues to the most difficult point of the Inca Trail, Dead Woman’s Pass.
Steep and tiring due to the high elevation of 4200 meters, you will hike for 9 km (6 miles) to ascend halfway up the pass before retiring for the day. In the evening, your guides will ensure you have a delicious and nourishing meal, a sound and comfortable night’s sleep, and even a professional massage.
Walking time: 12 km (7.5 miles)/ 5-6 hours
Inca Trail Day 3
Rising early after a good night’s sleep, you will be treated to a hearty freshly cooked breakfast to ensure you’re well-fueled to climb the rest of Dead Woman’s Pass. After a few more hours of steep ascent, you will undoubtedly feel relieved (and very accomplished) to reach the top where you will be rewarded with exhilarating views of what lies ahead. You’ll then descend 800 meters into the valley before beginning a 400-meter ascent over the Abra Runkurakay pass, stopping to admire another Inca ruin.
From here, the landscape changes from arid mountains to lush cloud forests where you’ll get to explore the Sayacmarca and Abra Phuyupatamarca Inca ruins, the latter being the most architecturally sophisticated on the Inca Trail. Having completed the longest and toughest part of the trek, this evening you will celebrate with another delicious meal at your luxury camp along with Peruvian wine and pisco.
Walking time: 15 km (9.5 miles)/ 8 hours
Inca Trail Day 4
Rise and shine because today’s the day you will get your first glimpse of the very thing you’ve traveled so far to see, Machu Picchu. But first, take a moment to appreciate the epic views from your camp as the sun drenches the cloud forest with its warm glow. The first part of today’s hike descends down ancient stone steps to Wiñaywayna, the biggest archeological site on the Inca Trail.
You’ll get plenty of time to explore the complex’s impressive grounds which includes terraces, religious landmarks, and houses before beginning the final stretch of the Inca Trail, an hour-long cobbled path high up in the cloud forest. Reaching the famous Sun Gate at the end of the Inca Trail marking the entrance to Machu Picchu, excitement will begin to brew in your belly. After four challenging days of hiking, you will finally get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
Tonight, you’ll be treated to a night in Machu Picchu’s most luxurious 5-star hotel where you will be wined, dined, and pampered to your heart’s content, ready to explore Machu Picchu in the morning.
Walking time: 11 km (7 miles)/ 5 hours
Inca Trail Day 5
Today is the day you’ve been waiting for. Your hotel concierge will wake you at the break of dawn and fill you with a glorious breakfast so you’re ready to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. After admiring the ancient Inca citadel bathed in morning light, you’ll be treated to a private guided tour that goes into great detail about the history, archeology, architecture, and spirituality behind the mind-blowing ruins. Having realised your dream of walking along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you’ll be transported by train back to Cusco.
What benefits to expect on the Luxury 5-day Inca Trail Itinerary
The best guides on the Inca Trail
Although hot showers and gourmet dinners are a huge luxury on the Inca Trail, nothing will improve your experience more than the elite guides accompanying you. With backgrounds in 5-star hotels, the guides provided on this luxury Inca Trail hold themselves to impeccable standards and attentively ensure every need is taken care of. As experts on the Inca Trail’s geography and history, their knowledge will greatly enrich your experience.
Sleep in a real bed in a luxury tent
Instead of enduring a cramped camping tent, enjoy the space and comfort of a luxury bedroom tent. Not only does it give you headroom for standing, but it also has enough space for camping beds, saving you from sleeping on the cold, hard ground. Added luxuries include high-tech sleeping bags, a camping mattress, and pillows.
Inca Trail Camping
Freshly made gourmet food and drinks served every day
Eat like Inca royalty on the Inca Trail with breakfasts, lunches, and gourmet dinners freshly prepared by your very own chef. A wine or pisco appetizer will also be served to toast each day’s accomplishments. Your meal will be served on a white linen table in a dining tent with windows highlighting the stunning views surrounding you.
Enviable bathroom facilities
At each camp, you’ll benefit from a particularly rare luxury on the Inca Trail: eco-friendly bathroom facilities. This includes a tent with a biodegradable toilet for optimum cleanliness and privacy and a solar-powered hot shower to ease your muscles at the end of each day of hiking.
Get a massage in the Anes Mountains
A professional masseuse can accompany you along the Inca Trail to relieve tiredness and soreness at the end of each day with a muscle-melting massage. Held in a private tent with mountain views, it will undoubtedly be one of the coolest locations you’ll ever have a massage.
Is it worth doing the luxury 5-day Inca Trail?
While Machu Picchu is reward enough for four challenging days of trekking the path of the Inca, allowing yourself a few luxuries along the way will make the experience all the more special. Especially since moments like being served a gourmet meal and having a post-hike massage on the mountains are experiences only a select few get the privilege of having. For more information and booking inquiries, message us here or call on +1 855 217 9045.
