Cargando Expedición...
Local Cusco Desk (UTC-5)DIRCETUR Lic. Oficial 20601588219
Official Machu Picchu Permits Guaranteed · Small Groups · Oxygen Equipped
Cargando Expedición...
4-day official stone road pilgrimage over Dead Woman's Pass (4,215m) to the Sun Gate.
Effective O₂ at 4,215m
Prior rest recommended
+3,986 ft total ascent
Official circuits included
An authentic 4-day expedition along the ancient royal highway of the Incas. Starting at Km 82 (Piscacucho), you trek through archaeological complexes including Patallacta, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñay Wayna. Led by collegiate mountain guides, a dedicated team of Quechua porters and expedition chefs handle camp logistics and hot gourmet meals, allowing you to focus on the spiritual journey before entering the Lost City of the Incas at sunrise through Inti Punku (Sun Gate).
Select any day or milestone on the interactive graph to view its atmospheric altitude, effective oxygen pressure, and terrain biome.
Peak Altitude
3,000 m
Effective O₂ Level
~74% vs sea-level
Gentle mountain plateau. Warm days, restful sleep with ~74% oxygen. (SERNANP official checkpoint and bridge crossing at Km 82)
Pickup between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM from your Cusco hotel. Private transfer to Km 82 (Piscacucho), where you meet your team of porters and pass through the official SERNANP government checkpoint. Begin the hike along the Urubamba River, gazing at the snowcapped peak of Mount Veronica. Explore the monumental agricultural terraces of Patallacta with your collegiate guide. Enjoy a hot gourmet lunch prepared by your camp chef. Continue ascending gently along the Kusichaca River to reach the village of Wayllabamba (3,000m / 9,842 ft) for dinner and your first night in 4-season expedition tents.
Wake at 5:30 AM to hot coca tea delivered to your tent. Today is the most physically demanding stage. Ascend steadily through native Polylepis (quenual) cloud forests and the high-altitude meadow of Llulluchapampa. Pace your breathing to conquer the summit of Warmiwañusqa (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,215m (13,829 ft), the highest point of the trail with expansive 360-degree Andean vistas. Celebrate with your guides before descending 2 hours down ancient stone staircases into the Pacaymayo Valley (3,600m / 11,811 ft) for a hearty hot lunch, afternoon rest, dinner, and starry mountain camp.
Known as the most visually captivating day. Ascend to the circular ceremonial checkpoint of Runkurakay and cross Runkurakay Pass (3,950m). Descend through Incan stone stairways to the cliffside labyrinth of Sayacmarca (Town in a Steep Place). Continue through an authentic Incan tunnel carved through solid granite into lush subtropical cloud forest. Explore Phuyupatamarca (Town in the Clouds) with its ritual baths and ceremonial plazas. Descend 3,000 stone steps to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,650m (8,694 ft), Peru's most spectacular ruin outside Machu Picchu. Celebratory farewell dinner with porters and guide.
Wake at 4:30 AM to embark on the final trail section. Hike 1.5 hours along stone pathways flanked by wild orchids to reach Inti Punku (Sun Gate) at 2,720m (8,923 ft). Watch the first rays of morning sunlight illuminate the stone citadel of Machu Picchu below. Descend 45 minutes to the citadel main gate, check large backpacks, and embark on a comprehensive 2.5-hour guided circuit (Circuit 1 or 2) covering the Upper Guardian Terrace, Temple of the Sun, and Sacred Plaza. Take the Consettur bus down to Aguas Calientes, board the scenic return train to Ollantaytambo, and transfer in private transport directly back to your hotel in Cusco.
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Personal expenses & discretionary items
Prevent acute mountain sickness before your trip. Select your target Andean destination and how many nights you will spend in the highlands before ascending.
Nights spent above 2,500m (Cusco, Sacred Valley or Arequipa) prior to this day.
Sacred Valley (2,870m) allows 60% deeper sleep and gentler acclimatization than Cusco.
Rushing to 5,036 m (16,522 ft) with less than 2 nights in the highlands is the #1 cause of medical evacuation in Cusco.