overview
Peru’s
Inca Trail is rated by National Geographic as the best destination trek in the world. It is 39 km/24 miles long. It combines beautiful mountain scenery, original Inca trails, archaeological sites, and lush cloud forest rich in flora and fauna. On the final day, it leads through the famous Sun Gate where trekkers have their first views of the magnificent Inca city of
Machu Picchu.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Personalized service from beginning to end
- Original Inca trails
- Inca archaeological sites
- Beautiful landscapes and snowcapped peaks
- 400 species of orchids and 423 species of birds registered by the government
- Enter Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate
- Enjoy the magical Machu Picchu site
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – KM 82 – WAYLLABAMBA
We will pick you up from your hotel to travel by private transportation to Km 82, the starting point of the trek. The trail follows the Urubamba river valley with beautiful views of the Urubamba mountain range. On the way we will see the archaeological site Q’anabamba and pass by Willkaraqay, with its impressive view of Patallacta. Lunch is at Tarayoq and the first campsite is Wayllabamba. Team porters will set up the tents at each camping site.
Trekking distance: 11 km / 6.84 miles
Campsite altitude: 3000 m / 9843 ft
DAY 2: WAYLLABAMBA TO PACAYMAYU
The most strenuous day on the route, ascending through beautiful native vegetation to Warmiwañusca Pass (Dead Woman Pass) at 4200 m /13,780 ft, the highest pass on the trail. The magnificent stone trail descends to the camping site Pacaymayu.
Total distance trekking: 9 km / 5.60 miles
Campsite altitude: 3600 m / 11,811 ft
DAY 3: PACAYMAYU TO WIÑAYWAYNA
Considered the best day of the entire hike, and the longest. After a healthy breakfast we will hike over the second highest point of the trail, Runkurakay Pass (3900 m / 12,800 ft) then descend to our lunch stop. We will visit the archaeological sites Runkuraqay, Sayaqmarca and Puyupatamarka. We will hike through beautiful cloud forests and over original stone paved Inca trails, which show the craftsmanship of our ancestors. We descend to our last campsite Wiñay Wayna, with impressive views of the Urubamba Valley.
Total distance trekking: 13 km / 8 miles
Campsite altitude: 2650 m / 8694 ft
DAY 4: WIÑAYWAYNA TO MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES
On the last day we will hike along the Inca trail of flat stones to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) where we can enjoy the first site of the Inca citadel Machu Picchu. From there, we will hike down to the main entrance to leave our packs and start our full walking tour of the amazing Inca city. Later, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and take the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transportation will take us back to the hotel in Cusco.
Trekking distance: 6 km / 3.73 miles
Machu Picchu altitude: 2400 m / 7874 ft
Aguas Calientes altitude: 2050 m / 6725 ft
Included
Items that are included in the tour prices:
- Pre-departure briefing at your hotel
- Private transportation from Cusco to the starting point of the trek
- Inca trail permits and Machu Picchu entrance fees
- Professionally licensed trilngual tour guides
- Personal tents: two person capacity with plenty of room for personal gear
- One inflatable sleeping pad per person
- A duffle bag for personal belongings provided at the briefing
- Dining tent with table and chairs
- Kitchen tent and cooking equipment
- Porters to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment
- Porters to carry up to 5kg of personal gear per traveler (for more baggage, more porters can be hired)
- Meals (3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners), daily snack and hot drinks (Vegetarian and special diets are available)
- Warm water every morning and afternoon for bathing
- Filtered boiled drinking water from the second day on
- Biodegradable hand soap
- Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Transfer from the train station to hotel in Cusco
Items that are not included in the price:
- Breakfast on the first day
- Lunch on the last day after Machu Picchu
- Sleeping bag (you can rent one from our company for $25)
- Ticket for Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. If you would like to climb either of these mountains, please let us know when you are booking
- Tips and extra spending
Price
Group Tour
- Price from 695 USD per person
Private Tour
Private tours are available and priced by party size
- Price for 2-3 guests: 1015 USD per person
- Price for 4-5 guests: 840 USD per person
- Price for 6-7 guests: 740 USD per person
- Price for 8 or more guests: 695 USD per person
PACKING LIST
WHAT WE RECOMMEND BRINGING:
- Current passport is required. If your passport expired between booking and starting your tour, bring both the old and new passports!
- Short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, fleece, thermals, wool socks, lightweight pants, warm hat
- Small pack to carry things that you will need during the day
- Rain gear or poncho
- Hiking boots with ankle support
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, film and batteries (batteries die faster in cold conditions)
- Hydrating face and body lotion
- Sun block and insect repellent
- Water bottles (Nalgene or metal ones are required, plastic bottles are not allowed)
- Toilet paper and tissues
