Inca Trail Campsites

Hiking Inca Trail, you will find campsites along the way, well-marked and indicated. The Travel Agencies cannot set up their camps, in places NOT marked. It would not be safe for the group and the place would be predated.

Trekking companies are pre-assigned campsites by the governing body that controls the Inca Trail (Ministry of Culture). There is only limited capacity for campers so it all has to be pre-arranged and agreed in advance.

The guards permanently protect the camping areas, and you will be safe, without annoying noise. The Security Guard will be in charge of controlling any risk that may arise.

In the camping areas, you do not have electricity or a cell phone network, so it is recommended that you take appropriate precautions. Take a personal flashlight, charge your batteries in advance, and be ready, to enjoy a starry sky, and depending on the day you will have the light of the full moon.

inca trai campsites

Do Campsite Locations Matter on the Inca Trail?

When booking permits for the Inca Trail 4-day trek, we are presented with four distinct options. Each option offers different experiences and features along the trail. In this blog, we will explore the key differences between these four options, providing you with detailed insights to help you choose the one that best suits your preferences and expectations for this unforgettable adventure.

Option A:  Wayllabamba – Pacasmayo – Wiñaywayna

 Things to Know:
  • With this option, your final campsite will be Wiñaywayna, which is two hours away from Machu Picchu. This means you’ll arrive at Machu Picchu early in the morning and have a much better experience there.
  • There are 14 campsites on this option, so you’ll be hiking with many other people on the Inca Trail.
  • This option is ideal for someone who prefer to take it easy during the initial days and acclimatize to the altitude in order to successfully complete the Inca Trail.
  • With this option, you will cross one pass each day: the Dead Woman Pass on the second day and the Runkurakay Pass on the third day.
  • This campsite option is the second to sell out, after option B.
 Pros
  • With this option, you’ll spend your first night sleeping at Wayllabamba campsite, which is at 3,000 meters, which is lower than Cusco. This can help you adjust to the altitude more easily.
  • You will only cross one pass on the second day, which is called the Dead Woman Pass. This is the hardest part of the Inca Trail. After that, you will have time to relax and regain your energy before tackling the second Runkurakay Pass.
  • You only hike for five hours on the first day, which helps you save energy for the next day when you will tackle the toughest part of the Inca Trail, known as Dead Woman’s Pass.
Cons
  • Because there are 14 campsites in this choice, many travelers on the Inca Trail stay at these sites. As a result, you will see a lot of people at each campsite and along the trail.
  • If you hike slowly, you might not be able to visit the Wiñaywayna Inca site, as it closes at 5 p.m. This is because Day 3 of the hike is the longest.

Option B: Ayapata – Chaquicocha – wiñaywayna

 Things to Know
  • This option has only six campsites, so it is the first to sell out. It’s best to book these campsites at least six to eight months ahead of time to secure a spot.
  • With this option, your last campsite will be Wiñaywayna, located two hours from Machu Picchu. This means you will get to Machu Picchu early in the morning, allowing you to have a much better experience there.
  • With this option, you’ll cross two passes—Dead Woman’s Pass and Runkurakay Pass—in just one day, which will be on the second day. This will be the hardest day of the Inca Trail.
  • Day 1 and Day 2 are the longest days, while Day 3 is the shortest.
Pros
  • On the third day, you have a short day and reach the Wiñaywayna campsite by lunchtime. After eating, you can spend the whole afternoon taking a shower and exploring the Wiñaywayna Ruins, then go to bed early.
  • Since there are only 6 campsites available in this option, so you will be sharing the area with only a small number of people, both at the campsites and on the Trail.
Cons
  • If you hike slowly, you might feel scared. The first day is long, and it goes uphill from Wayllabamba to Ayapata, which can make you feel worried about the second day. Some people even decide to quit. However, very few people actually turn back from the first day.
  • If you hike the Inca Trail in August, September, and October, you will encounter a lot of mosquitoes at the second campsite, called Chakicocha, which can be quite annoying.
  • You might skip the Sayacmarca Inca site because the second day is the longest and hardest. Due to time constraints, you will head directly to the campsite instead of visiting Sayacmarca.

Option C: Wayllabamba – Pacaymayo – Phuyupatamarca

Things To Know
  • Your last campsite will be at Phuyupatamarca, approximately seven hours away from Machu Picchu. Consequently, you will reach Machu Picchu by around 11:00 a.m.
  • Those who reserve their Inca Trail permits at the last minute are given this campsite option.
  • This option is great for those planning to hike the Inca Trail for 5 days.

Pros 

  • With this choice, you’ll sleep your first night at the Wayllabamba campsite, which is 3,000 meters high. This is lower than Cusco, so it can help you get used to the altitude more easily.
  • On the second day, you’ll only need to go over one mountain pass, called Dead Woman Pass. This is the toughest section of the Inca Trail. After that, you’ll have some time to rest and recover before starting the second pass, Runkurakay.
  • On the first day, you hike for just five hours, allowing you to conserve energy for the next day when you’ll face the hardest section of the Inca Trail, called Dead Woman’s Pass.

Cons

  • Because you sleep at the Phuyupatamarca campsite, which is seven hours away from Machu Picchu, you will get to Machu Picchu around midday. By then, you will be tired, and you won’t be able to enjoy it as much as you would in the morning.
  • The porters have only one scheduled train to Ollantaytambo at 5:30 am. If they miss this train, they have to wait until the next day. This means they need to wake up early to pack up the tents, so you will also need to get up early and start walking in the dark for the first part of the Trail.
  • Sadly, you won’t be able to visit the Inca site of Wiñaywayna due to a lack of time.

Options D:  Chamana/Tarachayoc – Chulluchapampa – Phuyupatamarca.

 Things to Know
  • Your last campsite will be at Phuyupatamarca, approximately seven hours away from Machu Picchu. Consequently, you will reach Machu Picchu by around 11:00 a.m.
  • Those who reserve their Inca Trail permits at the last minute are given this campsite option.
Pros
  • If you choose this option, you won’t see many people at the campsite or along the trail.
  • Because the first day is a short distance, the pickup time will be later at 7 a.m.
Cons
  • Because you sleep at the Phuyupatamarca campsite, which is seven hours away from Machu Picchu, you will get to Machu Picchu around midday. By then, you will be tired, and you won’t be able to enjoy it as much as you would in the morning.
  • The porters have only one scheduled train to Ollantaytambo at 5:30 am. If they miss this train, they have to wait until the next day. This means they need to wake up early to pack up the tents, so you will also need to get up early and start walking in the dark for the first part of the Trail.
  • Sadly, you won’t be able to visit the Inca site of Wiñaywayna due to a lack of time.
  • The third day is the hardest of all four days because you have to go over two mountain passes in just one day, and you still need to hike to the Phuyupatamarca campsite.
Name of the Inca trail campsites 
  • Mesqay
  • Rumi Chaca
  • Huayllabamba
  • Ayapata
  • Llullachapata
  • Pacaymayo
  • Chaki Cocha
  • Phuyupatamarca
  • Wiñaywayna

inca trail campsites

Note: Learn more details about Inca Trail here

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