Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
from $1140
per personExperience one of the most famous treks in the world, the Inca Trail in Peru, including Machu Picchu citadel.
These four magnificent days take you to seldom-seen archaeological sites above the rushing Urubamba River and through a number of ecosystems that span from temperate to warm and tropical environments, up and down the spectacular Andes Mountains. These forgotten routes will come to life as you relive what was once a major road system some 600 years ago! This classic hike starts out of Cusco and covers the major attractions on this incredible footpath. The day before you will have a 6 pm briefing in the lobby of your hotel to answer any and all questions you might have about this venture. Among some of the key points to be covered are the following: You may pack up to 11 lbs (5.5 kilos) of personal gear that includes sleeping bag / mattress in a plastic bag. The rest of your luggage can be checked at your hotel in Cusco. At the trailhead the plastic bag will be placed into a duffle to be carried by porters for the hike. You must provide and carry your own daypack with items needed during the trek, i.e. water for the first day, sunscreen, hat, rain gear, valuables, camera, first aid, warm layers, etc.
DAY 1. CUSCO / INCA TRAIL – WAYLLABAMBA – YUNCACHIMPA
Your guide meets you at your hotel with a private vehicle for transport through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo for a brief stop for last minute personal items in the small shops. Continue to kilometer 82 to Piscacucho to begin your hike on a rather flat strollingt path along the Urubamba River and then upward to your lunch stop, with close-up views of the archaeological sites at Qhanamarca, Llactapata, and later Wayllabamba. Climb up for an hour to your campsite at Yuncachimpa to spend the night. (Lunch / Dinner)
⇢Hiking distance 13 km (8 miles) / Camp altitude 11,000 feet (3,300 meters)
DAY 2. YUNCACHIMPA – WARMIWANUSCA – PAQAYMAYU – CHAQUICOCHA
It´s the most challenging day as you climb two passes, with a gradual ascent to the highest point of the Inca Trail (Dead Woman’s Pass). En route, you’ll pass through several disctinct ecological zones, reaching 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level. Your descent will eventually take you to the campsite Pacaymayo, where you’ll have a well-deserved hot lunch. Climb 1 hr 45 minutes up to the second pass on the Inca Trail (3,950 meters / 12,960 feet above sea level) and finally descend to our campsite at Chaquicocha. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
⇢ Hiking distance 18 Km (11 miles) / Camp altitude 12,000 feet (3,640 meters)
DAY 3. CHAQUICOCHA – WIÑAYWAYNA**
It’s the shortest day and perhaps the most beautiful day for your hike as you will be hiking authentic Inca trails that have been around for over 600 years! En route, visit different Inca sites including Puyupatamarka, Intipata, and Wiñaywayna** where you’ll camp. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
⇢ Hiking distance 7 km (4 miles) / Camp altitude 8,500 feet (2,580 meters)
** Campgrounds are assigned on a first-come/first-serve basis by the Ministerio de Cultura and operators do not get to choose or request or even see what is available at time of booking; therefore, we are not able to guarantee campgrounds. On Day 3, if Wiñaywayna is not available, you may be camping at Phuyupatamarca which is a 6-7 hour hike from the ruins. You will be at Machu Picchu sometime between 10 am – 12 pm. We can book a later train departure from Aguas Calientes to ensure you have enough time to explore the ruins. Approximate train departure times are 15h00, 16h30, 17h00 and 18h00 & it takes 4.5-5 hours to get to your hotel in Cusco. Otherwise, the only way to spend more time at the ruins is to schedule an extra day & stay at a hotel in Aguas Calientes. We can defer the train tickets if we know in advance.
DAY 4. SUN GATE / MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
Your last day starts early with a hearty breakfast to get to the gate for the last checkpoint on the Inca Trail. The hike is an average of 3 hours depending on your pace and the campground to which you are assigned. It´s about 2 hours to the Sun Gate and from there only 1 hour to Machu Picchu, arriving at approximately 07h00-07h30. You´ll enjoy a private tour of this ancient site followed by time to rest or re-enter the ruins on your own until about mid-day. Usually no later than noon you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to board the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will be waiting. Continue by car another 2 hours to your hotel in Cusco (Total travel time about 4.5-5 hours). (Breakfast)
⇢ Hiking distance 5 km (3 miles)
Note: Please return the duffle bag to the guide after the hike or leave it at the reception desk in the hotel.
Tour Location
2019 Rates (per person)
Shared services
| Up to 8 per group | $1,140 |
Private services
| 2-3 persons | $1,245 |
| 4-5 persons | $1,195 |
| 6-8 persons | $1,140 |
*Student discount: under 17 with scanned copy of valid passport, deduct USD 20.
Booking Policies
RESERVATIONS:
- A non-refundable deposit of USD 250 per person is required to confirm the booking.
- Balance payment is due 30 days before departure.
CANCELLATIONS:
- If cancellation is received 120 to 61 days before departure, only the deposit will be charged.
- If cancellation is received 60 to 31 days before departure, 50% will be charged.
- If cancellation is received 60 to 30 days before departure, 50% will be charged.
- If cancellation is made 30 or less days before departure, full payment will apply.