Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Cusco highlights

10 Days / 9 Nights

Departs: Daily

Min People: 2

Fitness: Low

Some Meals Included

Hike the 4-day Classic Inca Trail, delve into authentic Peru while you acclimatise, and spend some time in the ancient capital of the Incas, Cusco with its cosmopolitan captivating culture.

Why do this tour?
Departs any day with a minimum of two people – plan it around your schedule.
Trek the Inca Trail and pass through the Sun Gate before getting your first glimpse of iconic Machu Picchu, explore other highlights of the region including Captivating Cusco.

This is a private tour that runs daily with a minimum of 2 people required to depart. Because this tour offers several options to customize your Peru experience, we do not operate it on a group basis.

A special 10-day Peru hiking adventure that blends a bucket list trek, breathtaking landscapes and ancient culture.

Enjoy the highlights of Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Trek the Classic Inca Trail over 4 days finishing at Machu Picchu*
Optional Rainbow Mountain or Palccoyo excursion to complete your Peruvian adventure

Itinerary

You arrive in Lima, the City of the Kings and a fabulous melting pot of Creole culture for your ‘Best of Cusco and Machu Picchu 5-day tour’.

As your first introduction to Peru, we have an insightful orientation tour of Lima including a tour of the historic centre including the magnificent Plaza de Armas and Cathedral, followed by a hands-on cooking class on Peruvian Cuisine.

Overnight: Lima

Included meals: D

Your international flight needs to arrive before 12 noon to do this program; if your flight arrives after that time, we recommend arriving 1 day earlier – Day 0.

After an early morning flight, our Cusco based team greet you and transfer you to your hotel. From here you will have a walking tour of Cusco that gives a great orientation to what was once the capital of the Incan Empire. It is a gentle walking tour, suitable for all fitness levels and a great way to start to acclimatize to the altitude. We will visit many of Cusco’s main attractions, including the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s main square, the Qorikancha, the artsy bohemian neighbourhood of San Blas, and the San Pedro Market.

Here, your guide will show you where you can find banks, laundry services and more useful services. They will also point out some of Cusco’s best restaurants where you can savour some of Peru’s world-renowned cuisine. In the evening, we will dine at one of Cusco’s best Novo Andino restaurants.

Included meals: B, L, D

Overnight: Cusco

Today we will set out to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your first stop is Pisac, one of the largest tourist markets in South America, and afterwards visit the impressive Pisac ruins that tower above the town. Next stop is a Ceramics Factory in Urubamba before heading to Ollantaytambo fortress and village. The village and the majority of its foundations date from the Inca era; enjoy strolling the quaint streets and sampling delicious local cuisine.

Overnight: Yanahuara

Included meals: B, L, D

You head up into the mountains, with amazing views across the Andes before visiting an Incan agricultural station, Moray.

From here, you will be a special guest at the Misminay village, where traditionally dressed community members treat you to a typical Andean meal and share their unique traditions.

Next, head back down towards the valley, with jaw-dropping views unfolding before your eyes as we descend to the Maras salt flats. The salt pools are an incredible sight against the stunning mountain backdrop – a photographer’s dream.

Overnight: Yanahuara

Included meals: B, L, D

Inca trail permits are now completely sold out for these dates:
May – 100% sold out
June – 4 dates
July – 30
If you wish to travel during these times we can offer you an alternative Inca trail trek.

We travel by private car to Km 82, also known as Piscacucho, the start of the Inca Trail. Crossing the Urubamba River, we begin our trek through the dry forest where cacti, prickly pears and the Tara tree grow. We walk for around 3 hours (6 km) to Llactapata the first archaeological site on our journey. Following this stop, four kilometres of gentle uphill through farmland takes us to Wayllabamba, our campsite for the night.

Distance – 12 km (8 mi)
Minimum Altitude – 2,700m (8990 ft) / Maximum Altitude – 3100m (10,000 ft)
Altitude of Camp – 3100m (10,000 ft)

Approx. Night Temperature: 10˚C

Overnight: Camping

Included meals: B, L, D

Note: Inca Trail permits sell out very quickly! You should book 6 to 8 months in advance in order to secure your Inca Trail permit. If permits are sold out when you book, we also offer the Lares and Inca trail route which is a great, off-the-beaten-track alternative. You can also choose this trek from the start for a truly immersive experience, full of rich, Andean culture, sweeping landscapes and crystalline glacial lakes.

This is generally considered the most challenging day of the Inca Trail, with an early start. Leaving small villages and farmland, we enter the sub-tropical forest. From here we have a steep ascent towards the highest pass, the Abra de Huarmihuañusca, (Dead Woman’s Pass) coming in at a breathtaking 4200m (13,779ft).

You will feel an amazing sense of achievement upon reaching the top! We then continue downwards 600m (1980 ft) over 3 km (1.8 mi) through very humid forest to the evening campsite of Pacaymayo.

Distance – 11km (6.8 mi)
Minimum Altitude – 3100m (10,000 ft) / Maximum Altitude – 4200m (13,780 ft)
Altitude of Camp – 3600m (11,810 ft)

Approx. Night Temperature: Around 6˚C

Overnight: Pacaymayo Campsite

Included meals: B, L, D

After another early breakfast, we visit the stunning Inka site of Runkurakay and then continue on to Sayakmarka, one of the most beautiful Inka ruins on the Inca trail.

After lunch we trek through beautiful scenery to reach the entrance to the cloud forest. We see fabulous examples of orchids and hummingbirds on route to Phuyupatamarca ( “Town in the Clouds”), the third highest point on the trail (3680m). There are also wonderful views of Salkantay Mountain.

From here we walk another 3 hours downhill into the forest until we reach Wiñay Wayna, our campsite for the evening.

Distance – 12km (10.5 mi)
Minimum Altitude – 2670m (8760 ft) / Maximum Altitude – 3900m (12,800 ft)
Altitude of Camp – 2670m (8760 ft)

Approx. Night Temperature: 12˚C

Overnight: Wiñay Wayna Campsite

Included meals: B, L, D

It’s a very early morning in order to reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, by sunrise (2730m / 8792 ft) and your first view of the mysterious and enigmatic Machu Picchu.

After walking from Inti Punku to the main ruins, you have a a guided tour of Machu Picchu

Once your Machu Picchu guided hike is complete, you will head down to Aguas Calientes – either on foot or by bus (bus ticket included in the price of the tour). You have lunch in Aguas Calientes on your own before taking the train to Ollantaytambo where our private vehicle will meet you to take you the rest of the way to Cusco.

Distance – 8km (5 mi)
Minimum Altitude – 2400m (7870 ft) / Maximum Altitude – 2720m (8920 ft)

Overnight: Cusco

Included meals: B

Today you have a free day to explore Cusco’s atmospheric streets, do some souvenir shopping, explore some of the many museums or get a massage.

In the evening, you will have a chance to learn more about Peru’s amazing gastronomy, with a cooking class.

These classes provide an immersive cultural and gastronomic adventure, going far beyond merely following a recipe. It is a hands-on journey designed to connect you with the culture, and ingredients, and usually involves making a Pisco Sour, Ceviche and other famous Peruvian dishes like Aji de Gallina or Lomo Saltado.

Optional: Today you can add an optional extra tour to Vinicunca the Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake. If you choose to do these day trips, we recommend either extending your trip by one day, or not doing the cooking class.

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the Cusco airport and assistance on your departure flight, planned to optimise connections with international flights.

Included meals: B

Includes

All ground transfers
9 nights’ accommodations (Lima/Cusco/Ollantaytambo/Cusco)
All entry fees
Train & Bus to/from Machu Picchu
Professional – and passionate – English-speaking guide
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary

Does Not Include

Flights Lima-Cusco
Drinks
Tips for guide and driver

Additional extras

You have the option to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, but both require special permits which sell out 6-8 months in advance. The tour requires an extra cost and is unguided.

What to Expect on our Peru tours

A professional private service team dedicated to you – operating seamlessly to ensure that you have the most complete Peru experience possible
Our expertise – we have a group of Peru experts that have travelled to all parts of the country delighted to help you create your journey
A commitment to safety, and sustainability.
On ground 24 hours a day support while you are in Peru

Book Now

Prices are per person in USD, based on group size. The more people in your group the cheaper the price becomes. This tour is a private tour with just yourself and the people you bring with you.

2 people

$3665

3 people

$3015

4-6 people

$2445

7+ People