inca trail 5-day itinerary: day-by-day route guide
CuscoInca Trail 5-Day Itinerary: Day-by-Day Route Guide
There’s a reason the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is considered one of the most iconic treks on Earth. Every step brings you closer not only to a destination but to a living connection with history, nature, and the people who have walked this path for centuries.
Most travelers know the “Classic 4-Day Inca Trail”, the version that has become a standard for most tour operators. But there’s another way to walk this ancient route: a 5-day itinerary, designed to slow down the experience, explore more deeply, and approach Machu Picchu at a gentler, more sustainable rhythm.
This is how Explorandes, pioneers of the Inca Trail since 1975, have chosen to guide travelers for nearly five decades. The result? More time to explore, less crowding, and a richer journey from start to finish.
Why Choose the 5-Day Inca Trail?
The path itself is mostly the same, the original Inca route built over 500 years ago, but the experience changes completely when you walk it over five days instead of four.
The extra day means:
- Shorter hiking hours each day, giving you time to rest, explore, and truly connect with the surroundings.
- Less congestion at campsites and archaeological sites, since your schedule is offset from the majority of groups.
- More time for discovery, with moments to sit quietly, photograph the landscape, or learn from your guide about the history and spiritual meaning of each site.
Most importantly, the 5-day itinerary respects the natural pace of the Andes. It allows your body to adapt better to altitude, reducing fatigue and maximizing enjoyment.
Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Llactapata
The adventure begins early in the morning with a transfer from Cusco or the Sacred Valley to Km 82, the official starting point of the Inca Trail. After meeting your porters and guides, the trail gently winds along the Urubamba River, offering your first glimpses of snowcapped peaks and terraced fields. Unlike the typical 4-day route that pushes for a long first hike, Explorandes’ 5-day itinerary keeps this day light. You’ll hike 10–11 km (6–7 miles) through rolling Andean farmland, crossing small villages and Inca archaeological sites such as Willkaraqay and Patallacta, ancient outposts that once guarded the valley.
Camp is set at Llactapata (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), a tranquil setting near the ruins, where the evening light paints the mountains in gold. It’s a gentle start that lets you ease into the altitude and the trek's pace.
Day 2: Llactapata – Llulluchapampa
Today, the real ascent begins, and you’ll feel the gradual shift from valley to mountain. The path climbs steadily through lush vegetation, entering the cloud forest filled with hummingbirds, orchids, and towering native trees.
You’ll pass through small settlements like Huayllabamba, where porters and guides exchange greetings with local families, keeping alive the centuries-old connection between travelers and Andean communities. The camp at Llulluchapampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) is one of the most beautiful along the trail, open meadows framed by high peaks. Here, Explorandes sets camp earlier in the afternoon to allow full rest and acclimatization before crossing the highest pass the next day. Evening temperatures drop, but the sky fills with stars, and the silence of the mountains feels timeless.
Day 3: Llulluchapampa – Warmiwañuska Pass – Phuyupatamarca
This is the most physically demanding day, but also the most spectacular. You’ll cross Warmiwañuska Pass (4,215 m / 13,828 ft), known as the “Dead Woman’s Pass,” the highest point of the trek. The climb is steady but rewarding, and with the 5-day schedule, you start earlier and unhurried, before most groups reach this section.
After celebrating the summit, the trail descends into a lush valley filled with native vegetation and climbs again toward the second pass, near Runkurakay, a circular Inca ruin once used as a lookout point.
Lunch is served in quiet surroundings before continuing toward Sayacmarca, another impressive site perched on a stone ridge. Most 4-day groups hurry past it, but Explorandes takes time to explore it fully, walking through its narrow alleys and feeling its alignment with the mountains and stars. Camp is set near Phuyupatamarca (“the place above the clouds”), one of the highest and most scenic campsites on the trail. From here, the view stretches endlessly across the Vilcabamba range. At sunset, you understand why the Incas chose these heights as sacred ground.
Day 4: Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna
The day begins with a breathtaking sunrise as clouds drift across the peaks below you. The trail now descends through a series of Inca staircases carved directly into the mountainside, leading toward the subtropical cloud forest.
You’ll visit Intipata, a terraced site used for agricultural experiments, before arriving at Wiñay Wayna, an exquisite complex of temples, terraces, and waterfalls. Its name means “Forever Young,” and it’s considered one of the most beautiful sites on the entire trail.
While most groups camp near here only briefly before rushing to Machu Picchu, Explorandes’ 5-day itinerary includes time to explore Wiñay Wayna in peace, to absorb its intricate stonework and its quiet energy before the final approach.
You’ll spend the afternoon reflecting on the journey, enjoying your last evening with the support team who’ve carried, cooked, and cared for you along the way.
Day 5: Wiñay Wayna – Inti Punku – Machu Picchu – Cusco
The final morning starts before dawn. After a light breakfast, you walk the last stretch of the Inca Trail to Inti Punku (“Sun Gate”), the original entrance to Machu Picchu. As the sun rises, its first light illuminates the ancient citadel, an unforgettable sight that makes every step worthwhile. From here, you descend gradually to Machu Picchu itself, arriving before the main crowds.
Explorandes’ guides lead you through a private, in-depth exploration of the site, explaining not just its architecture but its symbolic relationship with the mountains and celestial alignments. Later, a short bus ride takes you down to Aguas Calientes, where lunch and the return train to Cusco mark the perfect close to your journey.
Highlights of the 5-Day Itinerary
- Less Rush, More Connection: Each day ends earlier, allowing more time for rest and exploration.
- Exclusive Campsites: Explorandes uses strategic, less crowded camps, especially at Llactapata and Phuyupatamarca.
- Cultural and Natural Depth: More opportunities to explore sites like Sayacmarca, Intipata, and Wiñay Wayna in detail.
- Better Acclimatization: Gradual elevation gain minimizes fatigue and altitude effects.
- Sustainable Operations: The slower pace reduces environmental strain and improves porter welfare through better rest cycles.
These small differences add up to a profound impact, transforming the trek from a race to a journey of reflection and balance.
Map and Campsite Overview
Day 1
Route: Km 82 → Llactapata
Campsite: Llactapata
Approx. Altitude: 2,650 m / 8,694 ft
Day 2
Route: Llactapata → Llulluchapampa
Campsite: Llulluchapampa
Approx. Altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
Day 3
Route: Llulluchapampa → Phuyupatamarca
Campsite: Phuyupatamarca
Approx. Altitude: 3,650 m / 11,975 ft
Day 4
Route: Phuyupatamarca → Wiñay Wayna
Campsite: Wiñay Wayna
Approx. Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
Day 5
Route: Wiñay Wayna → Machu Picchu
Approx. Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Why Explorandes’ Approach Stands Out
Explorandes was the first licensed operator on the Inca Trail, leading treks long before permits or limits existed. Over the years, the company has helped define responsible trekking in Peru, from pioneering porter welfare standards to achieving B Corp certification for sustainability.
Choosing the 5-day Inca Trail with Explorandes means supporting ethical travel, minimizing environmental impact, and genuine connection with local communities.
Practical Notes
- Distance: 43 km (26 miles) total
- Elevation gain: Up to 4,215 m (13,828 ft)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, with gradual acclimatization
- Best time to go: May to October for clear skies; April and November for quieter trails
For weather and packing recommendations, see:
Final Reflections
Walking the Inca Trail over five days isn’t just a logistical choice; it’s a way of experiencing Peru’s most sacred path at its natural rhythm. You’ll have time to breathe the mountain air, connect with your team, and let the Andes tell their story.
When you finally stand at the Sun Gate and watch Machu Picchu emerge from the morning mist, you’ll know the slower path was worth it.
