Day 4 of the Inca Trail is the day when you see what you’ve been working for the last few days. On the last day you finally get to Machu Picchu and explore the ruins. Here is our experience from the Inca trail to Machu Picchu on Day 4 including what we did that final morning and what it was like to finally be there.
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Our trekking company has a motto of “the journey is the destination” and on day 4 that felt so true. We had hiked and hiked for days now and we were all so excited to get to Machu Picchu and see this amazing place. But it also felt like it wasn’t just about getting to Machu Picchu anymore. It was also about the journey of days 1 through 3 and how hard we had all worked.
Waking up on Day 4
We woke up at 2:00 AM on day 4 at 8,792 feet. Yes, you read that right we basically slept for a couple hours. I actually slept in my clothes for day 4 so that we could quickly be ready. Good thing my favorite leggings are really comfortable! Our guides told us literally just bring your bag and you’ll have time to brush your teeth and get ready once we’re at the checkpoint. We didn’t really understand at the time but they were right!
We packed everything up and walked about 5 minutes to the first Machu Picchu checkpoint. Our guide wanted to be the first group there. At the checkpoint there is a small office, and then a couple covered benches. The point is to be one of the first groups at the checkpoint for two reasons. First, there are only enough benches for about 3 groups so if you’re not one of those you have to stand. Second, the first groups at the checkpoint are the first ones let in to hike to the Sun Gate.
- We sat at the checkpoint from 3:00 AM to 5:30 AM when it opens. So we literally sat there in the middle of the night, freezing while waiting for it to open. It seems a little silly but there are a lot of groups trying to get in and this gives you the best opportunity to get to the Sun Gate with unobstructed views.
- We didn’t have a full breakfast like we usually did at the camp site. So while we were sitting waiting we were brought hot tea and a bag of to-go breakfast which included a piece of fruit, a sandwich, a juice box and crackers.
It was really cold that morning so make sure to wear all your warm layers! I wore my buff over my face which helped a lot after sitting for so long. Also don’t forget your head lamp because the first few hours you’ll be hiking in complete darkness! Check out my full Female Packing List for Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for everything I brought.
Starting to Hike
At 5:30 AM when the checkpoint opened, we started hiking to the Sun Gate. We all were so excited that we thought day 4 would be no problem. But we all underestimated how hard the hike that morning was going to be! Because it was so early, we started hiking in the pitch black with our headlamps on. It had rained overnight so the combination of it being dark and wet made it a little difficult. Because there were other groups behind us, we also were moving really fast. It felt like we were running to Machu Picchu in the dark.
- While the rest of the hike up until this point felt relaxed and at our own pace, this hour felt very rushed. It was like we were all running to be the first ones. In reality there is almost a zero percent chance of you actually being first so it’s not necessary to run. Take your time and enjoy your last hour of hiking the Inca Trail!
Read More: Day 1 of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Getting to the Sun Gate
Around 6:30 AM we got to the Sun Gate which sits at 8,956 feet! The Sun Gate, or Inti Punku, is one of the main gates entering into Machu Picchu. It stands as a important mile marker as you can now see the ruins of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountain. We got really lucky that it was completely clear that morning!
- The views at the Sun Gate are absolutely beautiful! You are looking down at Machu Picchu so you see the winding bus route up the top and all the surrounding mountains.
- It’s easy to want to skip ahead and run to Machu Picchu but take some time to appreciate the Sun Gate. While it’s not the city of Machu Picchu, it is remarkable and definitely deserves a photo of its own!
We hiked for about a half hour before our group stopped to take a break and our guide took the opportunity to tell us a little more about the ruins within Machu Picchu.
Walking into Machu Picchu
At 7:30 AM we were in the upper area of Machu Picchu! Machu Picchu is at 7,873 feet in elevation so we hiked down just over 900 feet that morning. We were immediately reminded that we were no longer a group of twelve hiking along the trail in the middle of the mountains. There were many, many groups of people who had taken the train and were already exploring.
- While walking past the groups who had taken the train earlier this morning, I immediately felt such a sense of pride. Although we smelled a little worse and were a little dirtier, we had just hiked for the last 4 days to this incredible place.
- We hiked through rain and hail, up to 13,779 feet in altitude and over 35 kilometers in total. While I was so excited to be at Machu Picchu, it felt like it really wasn’t all about that anymore. I agree that “the journey is the destination” throughout this experience. We had seen so many impressive ruins, beautiful views of the mountains and had worked so hard even when tired and sore.
We took some time to take the classic Machu Picchu pictures as well as a big group photo. At this upper area you can get a picture with all of the ruins within Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu in the background.
- There are a lot of differing opinions of bringing cameras while hiking to Machu Picchu but at this point we were so glad that we brought our Sony camera! These are photos that we’re so glad we have to look back on.
Around 8:00 AM we left Machu Picchu. Because we had hiked in, we had never checked in using our tickets. So we left and had the opportunity to use the bathroom and store our backpacks.
- There is a size limit on backpacks that can be brought into Machu Picchu. Our guide told us 35 liters and mine is 40 L while Dave’s is 44 L. While we may have been able to do it, we checked them both for 10 Soles or 3 USD. It was nice to no longer have to carry them but it meant we had random things in all of our pockets such as our phones, ponchos, and water.
Travel Truth: If you are hiking, you will definitely want to use this bathroom! Waking up at 2 AM meant we had been up for hours now and never had access to another bathroom once we entered through the checkpoint. Our guides made sure we understood that when we entered into Machu Picchu (using our tickets this time) we would not be able to come out because there is no re-entry.
Read More: Day 3 of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Exploring the Ruins
From 8:30 until about 11:30 we toured the buildings within Machu Picchu. There is a pathway going in one direction so make sure before you continue on, you take all the pictures you want. It was remarkable to see the buildings that the Incas were able to build so long ago. Each served a different purpose that was well thought out.
It was amazing to be in Machu Picchu, the place that we had talked about for 4 straight days. Honestly by 11:30 we were completely exhausted! The time spent slowly walking through made us realize more and more how sore our legs and feet were. With such an early morning, we had now been awake for over 9 hours and were really feeling it.
We left with hundreds of pictures and such a sense of happiness that we had officially completed the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!
5 Things We Wish We Knew About Hiking to Machu Picchu
Lunch on Day 4
We waited in line for about thirty minutes for the bus down to Aguas Calientes, which is the town at the bottom of Machu Picchu. By 12:30 PM we were in Aguas Calientes having lunch with the rest of our group and our guides.
- This last lunch in Aguas Calientes was not included in our trek fee which our guides were very clear about. But we had time before our train back to Cusco and it was our last opportunity to relish in what we had all just done together.
Our train from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco left at 3:20 PM. Our trekking company handled both the bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes as well as the train tickets back to Cusco. They simply handed both tickets to us with all of our information which was so helpful.
Back to Cusco on Day 4
Around 7:15 PM our train got into the train station in Cusco. Alpaca Expeditions had a bus waiting which dropped us all off right back at our hotels. This was so appreciated after an early wake up to not have to think about getting back to where we were staying.
We stayed in the same hotel in Cusco before the hike and after the hike so we stored a bag there. In the bag were items that we did not need for the hike such as our computers, other electronics and extra clothes. Storing bags in Cusco while hiking to Machu Picchu is very common but it’s good to double check with your hotel or hostel before!
Read More: Day 2 of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Was Day 4 of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Hard?
The hike the morning of day 4 was significantly harder than we all expected. I think we all thought it would be like 20 minutes of flat hiking and then we would simply be there. But it’s fairly uphill before getting to the Sun Gate. However, after completing days one, two and three you really don’t even think about it anymore.
Need More Convincing? 100 Photos to Inspire You to Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The pace and urgency that morning was something we didn’t expect. Don’t forget to slow down and appreciate where you are!
After completing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu we would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone wanting to visit! The sense of accomplishment that we felt upon walking into Machu Picchu was something you can’t get from taking the bus. The whole trek was even more than we could have imagined and we know it would not have been the same experience without our amazing trekking company!
