4-Day Inca Trail with Transfers from Cusco

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!!

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.

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!