The 3-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a challenging trek that offers a unique alternative to the Classic Inca Trail 4-Day journey. Designed for intrepid travelers seeking an adventurous hiking experience, this trail is perfect for those who want to challenge themselves in the great outdoors. Discover one of the most pristine landscapes of Peru and experience an Andean journey to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Hike through high mountain passes, highland meadows, and tropical cloud forests. The highlight of the 3-day hike to Machu Picchu is reaching the iconic Sun’s Gate (“Inti Punku” in the Quechua native language), the entrance to the Incan sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Be one of the many adventurers from around the world, who has successfully, done this moderate to difficult Machu Picchu 3-day hike!!
3 day Inca Trail tour is one of the best hike to reach to the ancient Inca Trail and in the short time. Enjoy the best scenary this original Inca path. With paved stone paths and stairs cut into mountain -sides, the trail passes Inca citadels such as Runkurakay, Wiñaywayna, Phuyupatamarca and Machu Picchu, through cloud-forest speckled with orchids and fauna, across high Andean plains and up on to the oxygen-starved Warmiwañusca Pass (4200 m / 13,780 ft).
Sustainable Tourism: At Tierras Vivas, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism by being eco-friendly and supporting local communities.
If you book this trip, you will sponsor the reforestation of native plants in the community in Cusco
3 Day Inca Trail Operator: Tierras Vivas Travel
Service Level: Comfortable, tourist-class accommodation, tourist-class train, and private transport.
Trek’s Difficulty: 4 – difficult – moderate; Some high altitude points and strenuous walk, but accesible to healthy travellers..
Age Requirement: 4+. Please note: all participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Permits: It is included in the Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu tickets. Please note: the trail is fully booked months in advance during the high season.
Crew: A professional Tour Guide.
Meals: 2x breakfast, 2x lunch, 2x dinner, 2x afternoon tea (Food on the Inca Trail)
Transportation: Private van, 2x train (Expedition train service).
Camping equipment: All-inclusive camping equipment!
Inca Trail Group Available: Min: 2 – Max: 16
Day 01: Cusco – Km 82 – Llullucha Pampa
Day 02: Llullucha Pampa – Wiñaywayna
Day 03: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Departure Point: We pick you up from your hotel (please check the Starting Point & Pick-Up section under the Essential Info bookmark).
Briefing Point: Our guide will visit your hotel 2 or 1 day prior to the trek.
Briefing Time: Between 4:00 – 5:00 pm.
Return Point: Cusco – our driver will drop you off at your hotel/hostel/Airbnb apartment.
If you want to know about the 3-day Inca Trail Challenge available on the real time 2023, contact us by WhatsApp +51 984 004472. We will reply ASAP or you can fill about Request Information.
The 3 Day Inca Trail Hike is the best alternative trail for the 4 Day Inca Trail trek. This itinerary was created for all trekkers who have a short time to hike the classic trail to Machu Picchu. This trail is the same route as the Inca Trail and the difference is that you will walk more hours to complete the challenge, we recommend that before booking the Machu Picchu 3 day hike, you exercise during the day. Book Now!!, There is limited availability.
If you want to hike the challenging trails to Machu Picchu. The 7-day Inca Trail or Choquequirao to Machu Picchu hike is for you! or hike to the Classic Inca Trail or Short hike, we recommend you the following treks:
If you want to book the 3 day Inca Trail 2024. Please click below.
Before you book, maybe you have some question about the Inca Trail.
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains not included in our service, it is the extra, in our trek only included the Inca Trail permits + Machu Picchu ticket.
In you would like to cancel, please visit our Inca Trail Booking Policies
To complete your booking, we will require your personal details, full name, passport, nationality and day of birth. Once sent, our booking department will require the 50% pre-payment for your book your entrance fee and train ticket. Inca Trail Book and Payment you will find the next step to book and payment.
Tierras Vivas is a fully licensed tour operator and has 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor. The copy of our Inca Trail Hike Tripadvisor reviews below proves our experience and enthusiasm to offer our customers the best Inca Trail Tours.
Check our Inca Trail Trek Tripadvisor comments below:
May 2023 • Family
Catherine W Wrote: “A truly unforgettable experience. We did the 3 day Inca trail to machupichu with Niko. He was hands down the best tour guide I have ever met. If I could give him 6 out of 5 stars I would. His passion for sharing the history and culture of his people really shines. He is a wealth knowledge about everything along the hike from every peak you see to each plant along the way. Most importantly of all, he is dependable team leader, problem solved and decent human being. And also just really fun to be around. On our first day Niko said on this trek, we will become a family. I learned how deeply and sincerely he meant that. We were cavalier enough to think we could carry our 4 year old along the Inca trail. When we were struggling on a difficult part of the hike. Niko without hesitation picked up our daughter and carried her down a difficult descent himself . It was as if he was my real brother.
The rest of our experience with Tierras Vivas was also exceptional. Chef Mario whipped up delicious multi course meals that I didn’t think possible in his “kitchen”. The porters in our family were the sweetest kindest hardest working group. And attention to detail of the trip planning was seamless from the supplies tents, hiking poles to the schedule for pickups train rides etc.
A word to the wise. The 3 day Inca trail hike is exactly the Same hike as the 4 day. Except the first 3 days are condensed to 2. And the last day is exactly the same. So the days are long. And you should do it only if you are extremely athletic. If you are like “I’m young and healthy I should make it “ consider the 4 day. If you’re not fit enough or fast enough you may end up hiking in the dark.”
May 2023 • Friends
Pia H Wrote: “We had the best time ever on our 3 days, 2 nights Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu starting at km 82. our guide Nico was the best! He explained a lot about the history and he showed us very patiently all the sights, plants, nature, ruins,…
The food of the company was unbelievable good – our chef Mario created delicious meals for us!
Our Porters were really nice and helpful!
It was the best experience ever!“
This route was first examined by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and was opened for hikers in 1970. The legendary ruins of Machu Picchu are not the only historical remaining parts within the region, many other fascinating sites are in places that are only accessible on foot and have barely been explored.
The Machu Picchu hike is starting early in the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer by driving toto Piskacuchu, an area situated on the 82nd km waymarker (51mile) of the Cusco (2,680 meters from sea level) – Machu Picchu railroad- the beginning of the Inca Trail. After a briefing you will cross a bridge and walk together with the bank of the Urubamba River as it streams north-west with the Sacred Valley along a horizontal landscape, then turning right and moving up abruptly from the river. After passing through a small village, the relics of the Inca hillfort Huillca Raccay appear high above the mouth of the river Cusichaca (happy bridge). When the Incas conquered this area they constructed a fort here as the site commands a wonderful vista across the Urubamba Valley and guarded the entrance to the Cusichaca Valley. You will also visit the very large Patallacta. You will have lunch in Chamana and then carry on along the river observing various Incan agricultural stepped terraces and irrigation channels until reaching the attractive village of Wayllabamba. After that in the afternoon you reach the village of Llullucha Pampa, the location of your first campsite (3,850m). You will have dinner and a rest.
Distance: 17 km
Estimated time: 7-8 hours
Maximum altitude: 12,630 feet /3,850m
Campsite: Llullucha Pampa
1st Night campiste: Llulluchapampa campsite
Inca Trail Hike: Patallacta
The second day is the hardest but one of the most fascinating days, you reach 4,200 m, traversing the first and highest Warmiwañusqa Pass and later the second pass at 3,800 meters above sea level but also get to see more exciting sites, like Runquracay, the site is fenced with alcoves that might have been little resting locations, guard posts or ceremonial places, If feeling the effects of the altitude when crossing the first high pass its best to not stop or descend quickly to the valley of the Pakaymayu River, where you have lunch. Then you continue hiking through the valley to the Inca ruins of Runkuraqay and then climb up over the second pass – Abra Runkuraqay. After that you descend down to Yanacocha (The Black Lagoon) and then trek up a trail with stone steps to arrive at another cluster of distinct buildings. This location is called Sayaqmarka, a pre-Hispanic site with slender streets and buildings that stand at different levels; sanctuaries, patios, canals and an outside protective wall. From the top of the arch end, you can see various buildings that look like they once were temples and an astronomic watchtower with constant water supply and superior food storage.
Sayaqmarka is a location brimming with enigma and enchantment; the rough distance from Runkuraqay is about 5km. It takes about 2 hours. This site covers over 3,600 meters above sea level. There’s a wonderful trail and a tunnel traversing across the site. We walk past beautiful subtropical vegetation and great archaeological sites. We get over the Phuyupatamarca Pass and just behind it are the Phuyupatamarca ruins which are better preserved than the ones we have seen up to now. A few km’s down a steep descent and via a cloud forest takes us to the last campsite at Wiñay Wayna Visitor’s center where you can purchase food and drink and use the restrooms.
Distance: 21 km
Estimated time: 9-10 hours
Maximum altitude: 13779.53 feet /4,200m
2nd night campsite: Phuyupatamarca or Wiñaywayna campsite
Inca Trail Hike: Runquracay, Pakaymayu, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñaywayna
The third day begins at 3 am when we hike the last 4 km to Machu Picchu. Pursue the path indicated which is plainly marked by the signposts (and be careful not to wander too near to the edge of the cliff). Cherish your time at the most valuable masterpiece of the continent. You have plenty of time to enjoy your visit to Machu Picchu. In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco.
If you go straight from the town of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes), its only 2km from Puente Ruinas station to Machu Picchu. It takes about 20 minutes to go down a narrow path which runs side-by-side to the rail line.
Distance: 4 km
Estimated time: 4-5 hours
Inca Trail Hike: Sun gate Machu Picchu (Intipunko), Machu Picchu
During the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu we spend two nights full-service camping, meaning that our camp staff will erect and dismantle the tents, cook, and do all camp chores for you: you need only carry your day pack. There will also be dining and toilet tents and bowls of warm water are provided both morning and evening for washing with.
Our tents are of the brand Eureka Timberline Outfitter 4 person designated for 4 seasons. We provide with 4 person capacity tents; however, just 2 trek participants use it! In this way, we provide you more space and comfort. In case of a single traveller, we provide with a 2 person capacity tent.
Single Supplement: If you are traveling on your own, and would prefer to share a tent, we’ll pair you with another trekker of the same gender and there will not be an extra cost. If you prefer to have a tent to yourself a surcharge of USD 40 will have to be paid. If you want an upgrade any service to the train or do you want to stay extra night in Machu Picchu, contact us directly to info@tierrasvivas.com for this to be done and confirmed to you.
Candice R wrote a review Aug 2021: “Efrian was a spectacular guide!! His knowledge on all the flora and fauna was incredible not to mention the animals. It happened to be pacha mamas birthday on the day we hit the summit and he conducted the most beautiful ceremony!! He took us at a good but steady pace for us to finish successfully in 3 days!! The porters were magnificent, they even managed to make me a birthday cake at 3,800 meters without an oven!! Thanks Pedro and your amazing team, Andreas, Mateo and Estefan. You all made the Inca trail an unforgettable memory 🙂“
Cafetk Wrote a review October 2021: “What an incredible trip! Our guide Efrain was amazing and very knowledgeable. The food provided by Andres was delicious every day (and he was very entertaining as well) Enrique, Miguel, Ardril, and Christian were a great team of porters and always smiling. We never saw other groups on the trail. Efrain was informative but also gave us space to be on our own. We even learned some Kechuan! Thanks again and highly recommend.”
Pavel Wrote a review September 2021: “An unforgettable experience! Our tour guide Efrain was great. His knowledge and professionalism was beyond expectations. Even though we booked a group tour, we were treated as on a private one, with maximum individual attention and accommodation during the entire tour.
Special thanks to porter Juan and chef Pedro.
I would definitely recommend Tierras Vivas!”
3 Day Llactapata Trek to Inca Trail is a new hiking to Machu Picchu. This hike involve 2 important Inca Path. The Quechua word “Llactapata” means “High City”. Llactapata shows us her incredible condition and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. On the Inca Trail, you will discover the Patacancha, Wiñaywayna archeological site and the last day you will arrive to Machu Picchu. Visit our website Llactapata trek to Inca Trail
The 3 day Salkantay Hike to Machu Picchu challenge was created for the intrepid travellers, who like to explore and discount the sacred mountain on the short time.. After the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is the second most popular trek to Machu Picchu, is listed as one of the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine visit our hike to 3 day Salkantay Hike
This Sacred Valley tour to Inca Trail 3 days tour was created especially for you, offers the possibility of combining a traditional guide tour of the Sacred Valley with an adventure hike, this links the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas and the 2 day Inca Trail course towards one of the seven wonders of the modern world Machu Picchu. Visit and Book Now Online the Sacred Valley to Inca Trail
is a small town located on the north of Cusco. We start in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (In Huaran). Then, we will go up to the narrow path and we will have the chance to see stone houses with thatched roofs surrounded by herds of llamas, alpacas and guinea pig. The road is moderate compared to the Inca Trail. This road has two passes of 4000 MAMSL or 13,000 feet. In this trip the trek is about 7 to 8 hours daily at an altitude of 2900 MAMSL where we have impressive panoramic views of different snowy mountains. We also have beautiful lagoons. We will camp in a community where we can appreciate the art and textile industry that are well-preserved in this places. You will discover the quechuan culture in the heart of the Inca land. After finishing our hike we will take the train to Aguas Calientes and visit the famous Inca fortress of Machu Picchu world heritage site. Please visit:
This 4 day trek is an open-air adventure that offers a challenge of spectacular natural beauty and spirituality. Salkantay (that means “Wild Mountain”) is located at 6,271 MAMSL. It is the highest peck of the Vilcabamba and one of the highest of the Andes and it is located on the north-west of Cusco. The famous Salkantay Trek is considered one of the 25th best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine. It is a trek open for all the people and without space limits at least for now. This trek connects Cusco Town with Machu Picchu. Salkantay trek is an ancient and remote path located on the snowy mountains and it’s surrounded by an exuberant tropical rain forest. The experience of walking through this path is so amazing that you can easily get lost in the beautiful landscapes. Our tour is customized so it is not the usual path, this is a new path for trekkers who are looking for more privacy and authenticity. Visit the Short Sallkantay Trek 4 days
