On the classic Inca Trail, you spend three nights in tents at authorized campsites between 2,650 and 3,800 meters (8,694 to 12,467 feet) above sea level. The most commonly used campsites are Wayllabamba or Ayapata on the first night, Pacaymayo or Chaquicocha on the second, and Wiñay Wayna on the third.
Where you camp can make a big difference to your experience: how cold you feel, how many hours you hike the next day, and what you see when you unzip your tent. Here’s what each campsite is like, who decides where you sleep, and how to rest well at high altitude.
Inca Trail Campsites at a Glance
The temperature difference between the highest and lowest campsites can exceed 10°C (18°F). The temperatures in the table are approximate overnight lows during the dry season (May to September), when nights are coldest.
| Campsite | Night used | Approx. elevation | Approx. overnight low | Restrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayllabamba | First | 3000 m (approx.) | 3 to 7 °C | Yes |
| Ayapata | First | 3300 m (approx.) | 1 to 5 °C | Yes |
| Llulluchapampa | First (rarely used) | 3800 m (approx.) | -2 to 2 °C | Yes |
| Pacaymayo | Second | 3600 m (approx.) | 0 to 4 °C | Yes |
| Chaquicocha | Second | 3600 m (approx.) | 0 to 4 °C | Yes |
| Phuyupatamarca | Third (5-day routes or depending on availability) | 3650 m (approx.) | -2 to 3 °C | Yes |
| Wiñay Wayna | Third | 2650 m (approx.) | 8 to 12 °C | Yes |
Who Decides Where You Sleep?
You don’t choose a campsite the way you choose a hotel. Inca Trail campsites are managed by the Cusco Decentralized Directorate of Culture, and each sector has several numbered areas with limited capacity. Your tour operator requests campsites when purchasing your permit, and spaces are assigned based on availability.
That’s why two groups starting on the same day may spend the night in different places, and why an itinerary may be adjusted after booking. The earlier you secure your permit, the more options your operator has to arrange campsites that balance the hiking effort across the days.
Which Campsite Combination Works Best for You?
If you stay in Ayapata instead of Wayllabamba on the first night, you start the second day closer to Warmiwañusca Pass, making the climb shorter. If you spend the second night in Chaquicocha rather than Pacaymayo, the third day is easier. Our day-by-day Inca Trail itinerary shows how each day changes depending on your campsite combination.
What Each Campsite Is Like
Each campsite has its own character: some are near small rural communities, others sit on open hillsides, and one is beside an archaeological site.
Wayllabamba
This is the traditional campsite for the first night. It’s in a farming area where local families still live and sell drinks and snacks. The relatively mild night helps you start the trek feeling good, although it leaves the entire climb to the pass for the second day.
Ayapata
It’s about an hour and a half uphill from Wayllabamba, at the edge of the forest. Sleeping here makes the first day slightly longer but saves you part of the climb on day two. It’s a popular choice for hikers who want to spread the effort more evenly.
Llulluchapampa
This open grassland sits at 3,800 meters (12,467 feet), at the foot of the final climb to the pass. Few groups camp here because reaching it on day one is very demanding and it is the coldest overnight stop on the route. Most hikers pass through around midmorning on the second day.
Pacaymayo
This is the second-night campsite on the classic itinerary. You arrive after crossing Warmiwañusca Pass and descending a long set of stone steps into a narrow valley. Surrounded by mountains, the campsite loses sunlight early and gets cold quickly.
Chaquicocha
This campsite is farther along the trail, past the second pass and the Sayacmarca archaeological site. Getting here makes the second day longer but the third day more relaxed. On clear nights, you can see the stars over the Vilcabamba mountain range.
Phuyupatamarca
This campsite sits high on a ridge beside the archaeological site of the same name. It’s used mainly on 5-day itineraries. It’s cold, but offers one of the widest sunset views along the route, with snowcapped peaks in the distance when the weather cooperates.
Wiñay Wayna
This is the final-night campsite for almost all groups and the lowest along the trek. It feels warmer and more humid, and it is busier than the others because groups from different tour operators gather here. From here, you set out before dawn toward the Sun Gate.
A Night at Camp, Step by Step
By the time you arrive at camp, the porters have already set everything up. That’s one of the biggest differences between the Inca Trail and other trekking routes: you focus on hiking while the crew takes care of the rest.
Your Tent and Sleeping Space
You usually share a four-person tent with just one other person, leaving room for your backpacks. A sleeping pad is provided inside. You bring your own sleeping bag or rent one from the operator; ask for one rated for below-freezing temperatures.
Dining Tent and Meals
The crew sets up a dining tent with a table and chairs. In the late afternoon, tea is served with cookies and cancha (toasted corn), followed later by a hot dinner. Afterward, your guide explains the next day’s plans and wake-up time.
Restrooms and Water
Authorized campsites have basic permanent restrooms shared by all groups. There are no showers or electricity, so pack wet wipes and a power bank. Water for cooking and drinking comes from nearby sources, and the cook boils it before serving.
Cold Nights
As soon as the sun goes down, temperatures drop quickly, especially at campsites above 3,500 meters (11,483 feet). It’s a good idea to put on warm layers before dinner. In the morning, the crew wakes you with a cup of coca tea at your tent door.
How to Sleep Well Above 3,000 Meters
At high altitude, it’s normal to wake up several times or sleep more lightly. A few simple habits can help you rest much better.
Arrive Acclimatized
Spending at least two days in Cusco before starting is one of the best ways to sleep well on the trail. A gentle activity during those days, such as the hike with yoga and an offering at Inkilltambo, lets you stay active at 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) without exhausting yourself and helps prepare your body for the trek ahead.
Keep Dry Clothes Just for Sleeping
Set aside thermal layers, thick socks, and a hat that you don’t wear while hiking. Sweat-damp clothing can leave you cold all night, even with a good sleeping bag.
Ask for a Hot Water Bottle
Before bed, ask the cook to fill your bottle with hot, boiled water. Inside your sleeping bag, it acts like a heater, and in the morning you’ll have water ready to drink.
Eat a Light Dinner and Avoid Alcohol
Digestion is slower at altitude. A moderate dinner, plenty of fluids during the afternoon, and no alcohol can help you sleep without a headache.
Get Ready for Bed Before Dark
Leave your headlamp, toilet paper, and sandals near the tent entrance. Having everything within reach makes a midnight restroom trip quicker and less chilly. If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs: activity starts very early at Wiñay Wayna.
On the 4-day Inca Trail with Illa Kuntur Travel, your guide will tell you which campsites you’ll stay at and what warm clothing to pack for your travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Stay in a Hotel on the Classic Inca Trail?
No. All three nights of the 4-day Inca Trail are spent camping within the sanctuary. If you’d rather stay in a hotel, the Short Inca Trail is an option, ending with an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
Can I Choose Which Campsite I Stay At?
You can request a particular combination through your tour operator, but the final assignment depends on available spaces when your permit is purchased. Booking early increases your chances.
Which Inca Trail Campsite Is the Coldest?
Llulluchapampa and Phuyupatamarca, because of their elevation. During the dry season, nighttime temperatures can fall below 0°C (32°F).
Are There Showers at the Campsites?
There are no showers. Each morning, the crew provides a basin of warm water for washing your face and hands.
What Sleeping Bag Do I Need for the Inca Trail?
One with a comfort rating of at least -5°C (23°F), especially between May and September. If you don’t have one, you can rent one from the operator.
