Luxury Inca Trail4 Day Inca Trail Trek with Vistadome Return Train
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The 4 day Inca Trail from Km 82 is the classic walk to Machu Picchu, and this Alpaca Expeditions listing on Viator is the most reviewed one in the catalog, with 11,562 reviews at a 5.0 rating. It costs $835 per person and runs in shared groups of up to 14. A personal porter carries up to 7 kg of your gear, you sleep in a 4-man Eureka tent shared by two, and a portable chemical toilet travels with the group. The return train class depends on your travel date. This page sets out exactly what the price covers, what you still pay for, and who should book something else from the comparison of luxury Inca Trail tours. Compare it with the other luxury Inca Trail tours.
About This Tour
Alpaca Expeditions runs this shared-group 4 day Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu with hotel pickup, camping on the trail and a train back from Aguas Calientes. At least one guide always walks behind the group, so nobody is left on the trail, and the group carries a first aid kit, an oxygen tank and a satellite phone.
The $835 price includes the Inca Trail entrance fees, the Machu Picchu entrance fee, all meals on the trek, drinkable water and the train home. A briefing happens the night before at 6 PM at the operator's office in Cusco. Bring your original passport, because the permit is issued to your document.
One honest note before anything else: all sales are final. Permits are issued to one passport and are non-transferable. Lock your dates before you pay.
$835 per person on Viator
4 days of trekking with camping on the trail, no hotel nights stated
Shared group of up to 14, minimum 2 people per booking, not private
Camping in 4-man Eureka tents used by only 2 people, with a portable chemical toilet for the group
Train back from Aguas Calientes. Vistadome class applies to treks running on earlier dates, Expedition class applies to later dates, and a Vistadome upgrade is $20 per person
Sleeping bag, trekking poles and air mattress are rentals. Tips for the crew and travel insurance are not included. Cancellation: non-refundable, all sales are final
Check Dates and Availability
Starting times appear when you check a date. Permits are capped at 500 people per day, so book early.
From $835 per person · 4 days · 5.0★ (11,562 reviews)
You'll confirm the exact date and time on the secure booking page.
Quick answer Price, porter and the fine print
This 4 day Inca Trail costs $835 per person and includes the Inca Trail permit, the Machu Picchu entrance fee, a personal porter for up to 7 kg and the train back from Aguas Calientes.
Key takeaways
- The booking is non-refundable once made. If you want free cancellation up to 24 hours, compare the 4-Day 3-Night Inca Trail Trek.
- The return train class depends on your travel date, and a Vistadome upgrade is $20 per person. See how trains compare in the guide to the Hiram Bingham train.
- Groups run to 14 people. If you want your own group and guide, look at the Private 5-Day Inca Trail.
- For a shorter option with a hotel night, see the Short Inca Trail with 4-Star Hotel.
What the Price Actually Covers
The listing covers trail fees and meals but leaves camping kit rentals outside the price. Here is the split, taken from the operator's own inclusions and exclusions.
Included in the $835
The operator takes all entry fees for the expedition, which covers the Inca Trail permit and the Machu Picchu entrance fee. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are on the trek, with drinkable water along the route. A personal porter carries up to 7 kg of your things, and a briefing session runs the night before the tour at 6 PM at the office.
The safety kit includes a first aid kit, an oxygen tank and a satellite phone.
- Personal porter up to 7 kg per person
- Camping in 4-man Eureka tents used by only 2 people
- Portable chemical toilet only for the group
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu and trek entry fees
- All meals on the trek and drinkable water
- Return train from Aguas Calientes, class by travel date
What Costs Extra
The sleeping bag, trekking poles and air mattress are rentals, so budget for them if you do not bring your own. Tips for the crew are optional, and the operator does not state a suggested amount. Travel insurance is your own cost.
For treks running on later dates the standard train is Expedition class, and the Vistadome upgrade is $20 per person. Cold nights above 3,500 metres can drop below freezing in any month, so a warm rented sleeping bag is not a place to save. Check the rental prices with the operator before you travel, as they are not stated here.
| Line | In the price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inca Trail permit | Yes | Guide takes all entry fees for the expedition |
| Machu Picchu entrance | Yes | Included in the entry fees |
| Meals and water | Yes | Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinkable water |
| Personal porter | Yes | Up to 7 kg per person |
| Return train | Yes | Vistadome on earlier dates, Expedition on later dates |
| Vistadome upgrade | No | $20 per person for treks on later dates |
| Sleeping bag, poles, air mattress | No | Available for rent |
| Tips for the crew | No | Optional |
| Travel insurance | No | Arrange your own |
| Cancellation | No | All sales are final, no refund |
The Non-refundable Rule
All sales are final and no refund is available for cancellations. Permits are issued to one person on one passport and are non-transferable. The practical fix is to confirm your travel dates and time off before booking, and to buy travel insurance that covers you if you have to cancel for a covered reason.
Sources: Viator listing, Wikipedia on permits
The view from Dead Woman's Pass. Photo: Shriram Rajagopalan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the Trek Runs, Day by Day
The listing states the pickup, the briefing and the broad shape of the route. It does not print daily walking distances or campsite times, so the day notes below stick to what the operator says plus the published facts about the trail.
Before the Trek
The briefing runs the night before at 6 PM at the operator's office in Cusco. Pickup from your Cusco hotel is included the next morning, though the pickup time is not stated in the listing. The trailhead at Km 82 is reached by road, and the classic route runs about 42 kilometres to Machu Picchu, though some sources give 44 or 45.
| Stage | What the listing states | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Briefing | 6 PM the night before | At the operator's office in Cusco |
| Pickup | Included, time not stated | From your hotel in Cusco |
| Trailhead | Km 82 | Classic Inca Trail start, about 3 hours by bus from Cusco via Ollantaytambo |
| Total distance | 4 days on the trail | About 42 kilometres to Machu Picchu, some sources give 44 or 45 |
Days 1 to 3 on the Trail
Day 1 walks the gentler valley section from Km 82 toward the Wayllabamba area, with the first camp at a designated site. Day 2 is the hard one: the climb to Dead Woman's Pass, the highest point of the trail at 4,200 to 4,215 metres, a climb of about 4 to 5 hours from camp, then a descent to the second camp. Day 3 crosses the second pass past the Runkurakay ruins and along the cloud forest stretch past Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca to camp near Winay Wayna.
The whole trail gains about 2,500 metres of elevation across the four days. Your porter carries up to 7 kg of your kit, the 4-man Eureka tent sleeps two, and the portable chemical toilet travels with the group.
Day 4, the Sun Gate and the Way Home
The last morning starts in the dark for the walk to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), about 2 kilometres from the Machu Picchu entrance, where trekkers get their first view over the citadel. Machu Picchu opens at 6:00 a.m., so sunrise from the gate is realistic mainly for Inca Trail hikers. The guided visit of Machu Picchu follows, with the entrance fee already paid.
After the visit the Consettur bus runs down to Aguas Calientes, about 25 to 30 minutes, and the return train to Ollantaytambo takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, with onward transport back to Cusco. The train class depends on your travel date, and the listing does not state exact departure times.
Sources: Wikipedia on the route, Salkantay Trekking on Dead Woman's Pass
Inca Trail 4 Days 3 Nights to Machu Picchu
The operator's own film of this 4-day trek. Third-party video by Alpaca Expeditions. This site did not shoot it and has no relationship with the creator.
Who This Tour Rules Out
This listing fits a lot of travellers, but several groups should book differently. Here is who, with the alternative to pick instead.
Travellers Who Need Flexible Plans
All sales are final. If there is any chance your dates move, this is the wrong booking. The 4-Day 3-Night Inca Trail Trek offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before, at $998 per person, which may be worth the difference for uncertain schedules.
Travellers Who Want a Private Group
This is a shared trek with up to 14 people, and the operator takes bookings for travellers aged 5 to 17 and 18 to 75 with a minimum of 2 people per booking. If you want your own guide and pace, the Private 4-Day Inca Trail runs at $1,200 per person and the Private 5-Day Inca Trail adds a hotel night in Aguas Calientes at $1,710 per person.
Travellers Watching the Budget
At $835 this is a mid-price classic listing, but a lower classic price exists. The 4-Day Inca Trail with Panoramic Train costs $798 per person and still includes a personal porter for 7 kg and a panoramic Vistadome-class train back.
Travellers Who Cannot Manage the Pass
The operator asks for at least a moderate level of physical fitness and does not recommend the trek for pregnant travellers, people with spinal injuries, heart problems or poor cardiovascular health. Day 2 climbs to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 to 4,215 metres, and altitude sickness can appear from about 2,500 metres. If four days at altitude is too much, the 2-day short Inca Trail from Km 104 reaches the Sun Gate with far less climbing.
Solo Travellers and February Dates
A minimum of 2 people per booking applies, so solo travellers need to pair up or look elsewhere. The trail also closes every February for maintenance and reopens on 1 March, so no dates exist in that month. Permits are capped at 500 per day including about 200 trekkers, so high-season dates sell out.
Bring your original passport, because the permit is issued to your document and is non-transferable.
A PeruRail Vistadome on the line from Poroy to Ollantaytambo. Photo: Kabelleger / David Gubler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Before and After the Trek
The trek is four days, but the trip around it needs planning. These points come from the route, permit and logistics guides on this site.
Acclimatise in Cusco
Cusco sits at about 3,400 metres, and the trail tops out at 4,200 to 4,215 metres on Dead Woman's Pass. Plan two or three nights in Cusco before the trek to adjust, and keep day 1 easy. The guide to the best time to hike the Inca Trail covers seasons and night temperatures, which can drop below freezing above 3,500 metres in any month.
Permits and Your Passport
Permits are sold only through authorised agencies and are issued to one person on one passport, non-transferable. Book early because the 500 daily permits sell out, and book with the exact passport details you will travel on. The page on Inca Trail permits explains release dates and the February closure, when the trail shuts for maintenance and reopens on 1 March.
The Machu Picchu Visit and Add-ons
The listing includes the Machu Picchu entrance fee and a guided visit, but it does not state which circuit you get or offer Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain add-ons. If a specific mountain climb matters to you, confirm the circuit with the operator before booking. The guide to Machu Picchu tickets and circuits on the homepage explains how the circuits split the site.
Luggage, Trains and Aguas Calientes
PeruRail allows one backpack up to 8 kg or one carry-on up to 12 kg on Machu Picchu trains, and offers free luggage storage at Machu Picchu station from 5:00 to 22:00. The return train to Ollantaytambo takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the drive from Ollantaytambo back toward Cusco is about 61 kilometres. Some trekkers add a night in Aguas Calientes, which sits at about 2,040 metres.
The page on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu covers the full route and its ruins.
Sources: PeruRail luggage rules, Salkantay Trekking altitude guide
Day by Day Itinerary
The listing states the briefing time, the pickup and the route shape. Daily walking times come from published trail facts, and exact clock times on the trail are not stated by the operator.
-
The night before
Briefing in Cusco
A briefing session runs at 6 PM at the operator's office.
-
Start
Hotel pickup and drive to Km 82
Pickup from your Cusco hotel is included, and the time is not stated in the listing. The bus runs via Ollantaytambo to the Km 82 trailhead, about 3 hours away, where permits are checked against passports.
-
Day 1
Km 82 to the first camp
A gentle first day along the Urubamba River valley toward the Wayllabamba area. Meals and drinkable water are provided, and the portable chemical toilet is set up at camp.
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Day 2
Over Dead Woman's Pass
The hardest day. The climb to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 to 4,215 metres takes about 4 to 5 hours from camp, then the trail descends to the second campsite. Take it slow and drink water.
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Day 3
Second pass and cloud forest ruins
Over the second pass by the Runkurakay ruins, then along the cloud forest section past Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca to camp near Winay Wayna. Most of the elevation gain is behind you.
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Day 4, morning
The Sun Gate and Machu Picchu
An early start for the walk to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), about 2 kilometres from the citadel entrance, for the first view over Machu Picchu. The guided visit follows, with the entrance fee already covered.
-
Day 4, afternoon
Bus, train and back to Cusco
The Consettur bus takes about 25 to 30 minutes down to Aguas Calientes, and the train to Ollantaytambo takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. The train class depends on your travel date, with a Vistadome upgrade of $20 per person available on later dates.
Strengths and Watch Points
An honest read of the strongest and weakest points of this listing, based on the operator's own terms and the published trail facts.
What we genuinely like
- +11,562 reviews at a 5.0 rating make this the most reviewed listing in the catalog
- +A personal porter carries up to 7 kg per person, so you walk with a light daypack
- +4-man Eureka tents shared by 2 people give real space, and a portable chemical toilet travels with the group
- +A first aid kit, oxygen tank and satellite phone ride with the group, and at least one guide always walks behind it
- +The Inca Trail permit and the Machu Picchu entrance fee are both included, so no government fees to arrange yourself
- +A security guarantee, a food guarantee with compensation, and lecture materials sent by email after the trek
The honest downsides
- −All sales are final, with no refund for cancellations
- −The sleeping bag, trekking poles and air mattress are rentals, so the from-price is not the full cost
- −The return train class changes by travel date, and later dates ride Expedition class unless you pay the $20 Vistadome upgrade per person
- −Up to 14 people is a bigger group than the small-group listings capped at 8
- −Camp nights are cold, with temperatures above 3,500 metres dropping below freezing in any month, so rent a warm sleeping bag
- −The listing does not state which Machu Picchu circuit you get, so confirm before booking if a specific circuit matters
Who it's NOT for: Travellers who might need to cancel, solo travellers, and anyone who wants a private group of their own should book a different listing.
Questions About This Tour
How much does this 4 day Inca Trail cost?
It costs $835 per person on Viator, and rentals, tips and travel insurance sit outside that price. See the full cost split in the what the price covers section.
Is the booking refundable if my plans change?
No, all sales are final and no refund is available for cancellations. The 4-Day 3-Night Inca Trail Trek has free cancellation up to 24 hours if flexibility matters.
What train do I ride back from Machu Picchu?
The train class depends on your travel date: Vistadome applies to treks on earlier dates and Expedition class to later dates, with a Vistadome upgrade of $20 per person. The Hiram Bingham train guide covers the full range of train classes.
Do I need to carry my own luggage on the trail?
No, a personal porter carries up to 7 kg of your belongings, and you walk with a daypack. The Premium 4-Day Inca Trail Trek also has porters carry all heavy gear if you want to compare.
How fit do I need to be for the 4 day Inca Trail?
The operator asks for at least a moderate level of fitness, and day 2 climbs to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 to 4,215 metres. The Dead Woman's Pass guide explains the climb and how to prepare for the altitude.
Can children and older travellers join?
The listing takes bookings for travellers aged 5 to 17 and 18 to 75, with a minimum of 2 people per booking, though it is not recommended for pregnancy, spinal injuries or heart conditions. For a gentler option, see the short Inca Trail.
When is the Inca Trail closed?
The trail closes every February for maintenance and reopens on 1 March, so no departures run that month. The best time to hike the Inca Trail guide covers seasons, rain and crowds.
Lock your permit date and check availability for this 4 day Inca Trail with the Vistadome return.
Bookings run on Viator's platform, and this listing is non-refundable once booked.
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