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Want to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Retrace the footsteps of the ancient Incas on this 9-day hiking tour of the world-renowned Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, exploring the heights of the Andes.
Spend the first few days acclimatizing to the altitude in Cusco and the Sacred Valley while taking in the natural and historical wonders that both have to offer.
Then, set off on an unforgettable multi-day trek along the famous Inca Trail. One of the most recognized and sought-after hikes in the world, the Inca Trail takes you across the mountains and through time. You’ll reach breathless heights as you summit Dead Woman’s Pass, and feel a sense of wonder as you walk along original Inca trails.
Finally, walk through the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu itself, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World – an unparalleled experience you won’t find on any other trail.
This is a life-changing adventure through changing scenery and terrain, a chance to connect a rugged trekking challenge with one of the most famous ruins in the world.
Book today and cross this off your bucket list!
High quality personalized experience
Unique, off-the-beaten track routes
Experienced staff
Verified sustainability practices
$20 of every trek donated to Threads of Peru
Meals
Accommodation
Transportation
Entry Fees
Additional
We offer you the opportunity to personalize your trek and make your experience more comfortable through our Optional Extras and Upgrades. All options are available during the reservation process; please ask your sales consultant for more information.
Get ready for warm days, cold nights, and plenty of adventure! We will provide a comprehensive packing after booking, but here are some essentials to keep in mind:
With these essentials, you will be set for an unforgettable Andean Heights tour!
For more info on packing for Peru, check out our blog: Packing for Your Trek.
Want to join a trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone!
Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!
Arrive to Cusco any time during the day. Upon your arrival, we will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.
Enjoy the rest of the day free to rest, settle in or explore a little bit of the city on your own.
Then, in the evening your guide will meet you for a special Welcome Dinner to kick-off your Inca Trail tour.
Your Welcome Dinner will be accompanied by a pre-trip briefing by your guide. They will give you more details about what to expect over the coming days, and give you a chance to ask any last-minute questions you might have.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Tierra Viva San Blas, or similar (Cusco)
Cusco (originally “Qosqo”) means “Navel of the World”, and was once the heart of the Inca Empire. After a restful sleep in your comfortable hotel in the city centre, join your guide on a walking tour of this cosmopolitan city.
During our walking tour we will wander the city’s enchanting narrow streets, visiting the Plaza de Armas and its famous Cathedral, Santo Domingo Monastery (atop the legendary Q’oricancha Temple), the artisan quarter of San Blas and the lively San Pedro market.
At the end of the tour, your guide will either leave you in the Plaza de Armas to continue exploring on your own, or accompany you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tierra Viva San Blas, or similar (Cusco)
We head out of Cusco this morning, enjoying a picturesque drive through the mountains to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Sacred Valley has a milder climate than Cusco and we will see a succession of quaint villages, agricultural terraces, and many archaeological sites.
For our journey from Cusco to your Sacred Valley hotel, we have two options:
Option A:
Just before we reach the Valley, we can stop at Awanacancha. Here we can see llamas, alpacas and vicuñas, all camelid species native to the Andes and culturally significant through the centuries as pack animals and for their fleece. We will also have a chance to learn a bit about traditional weaving, a practice that dates back nearly 5000 years.
After this stop, we continue on to Pisac, where we can make a brief stop to check out its famous artisan market and world-class ancient ruins.
The Pisac ruins are some of the finest and largest in the entire valley. Despite the excellent condition of many of the structures, little is conclusively known about the site’s actual purpose. It appears to have been part city, part ceremonial center, and part military complex. It might even have been a royal estate of the Inca emperor Pachacutec.
Leaving Pisac, we head towards Urubamba where we will visit a traditional ceramics factory where we can purchase beautiful earthenware. After visiting the ceramic factory, we continue on to your hotel, where you will have the rest of the day free.
Option B:
Alternatively, we can delve a little more deeply into the unique weaving and natural dye traditions of the Andes at an awana wasi, or weaving house, in Chinchero, before continuing on towards the fascinating sites of Maras & Moray.
From Chinchero, we travel through jaw-dropping scenery as we head to the Moray Inca ruins, one of the most unusual and interesting in the area. A pre-Incan site also thought to have been used by the Incas, Moray is a series of circular agricultural terraces which are believed to have been an experimental agricultural station for different crop strains.
After our visit, we continue to the community of Misminay, located close to Moray, where traditionally dressed members of the community will welcome you. We will enjoy a healthy and delicious lunch here featuring traditional Andean fare, including potatoes, corn and sweet potatoes.
We then continue our picturesque drive through the Sacred Valley until we reach our hotel, nestled in the beautiful landscape alongside the Urubamba River. Enjoy a tranquil evening relaxing in your room or strolling the gorgeous grounds, and enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel’s on-site restaurant (not included).
Meals: Breakfast, Box lunch
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Valle, or similar (Yanahuara)
Today we start the highlight of your Inca Trail tour – the 5-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu!
We will pick you up from your hotel in the morning to travel to the trailhead at Km82, also known as Piscacucho.
If we have time, we may make a stop in the charming “living Inca village” of Ollantaytambo along the way. Here you can admire the cobblestone streets that encircle its quaint central plaza as you grab a cup of coffee or make some last-minute purchases.
Once we arrive at the trailhead (2700m / 8858 ft), we will be asked to show our permits and original passports before we are allowed to enter.
Crossing the Urubamba River, we begin our 5-day Inca Trail hike by climbing upwards from the beautiful Sacred Valley, watching the river get smaller below us.
We hike through typical dry forest growing prickly pear, other cactus, and the tara tree. We will walk around 3 hours (6km / 3.7 mi) towards Llactapata, the first archaeological site on our journey.
If we have a good pace, we can head down to this site – actually the largest on the whole Inca Trail, and one that most hikers skip! Otherwise, we will observe this impressive Incan ruin from above, as our guide regales us with fascinating historical details.
Then, we head back up to reconnect with the main trail where we will have another 4 km (2.5m mi) of gentle uphill through pastoral farmland until we reach Huayllabamba (also spelled Wayllabamba, 3000m / 9842 ft), our campsite for the night.
Remember: Included in the price of your Inca Trail tour is a duffel bag in which to pack your belongings which is carried by the porters. Our tireless trekking team will prepare the campsite before you arrive, including setting up the tents for you, and our outstanding cook will prepare delicious meals! All you need to carry is a day pack and water – we provide water with which to fill up your own reusable water bottle, too!
Meals: Breakfast at hotel; all meals on the trail
Included: Private transportation, private English-speaking guide, porters, trail chef, camping equipment, all entry fees & permits, comfortable foam mattress, duffel bag for your belongings to be carried by the porters (up to 7kg / 15 lbs per person).
Accommodations: Camping: 2 people in a 4-person tent for extra room & comfort!
We’ll wake up early this morning in order to get a good start on what is usually considered the most challenging day of the Inca Trail trek.
After a delicious breakfast, we leave Huayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek: an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km up to the first and highest mountain pass on the Inca Trail, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass; 4200m / 13,780 ft).
As we climb, the landscape changes from sierra (alpine) to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation), and we have the chance to spot llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, a type of grass and one of the few plants that grow at this altitude.
We also cross an area of cloud forest which is home to much of the flora and fauna the Inca trail is famous for, including many different species of birds, such as hummingbirds and sparrows, as well as the elusive Andean bear, also called the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus).
About half way up (after approx. 2h of hiking), we will stop at Llulluchapampa for lunch (3780m / 12,402 ft).
After a well-deserved rest, we continue with a steep ascent towards Dead Woman’s Pass. While it’s just 1.5 km (0.9 mi) to the pass, it will take us 2 hours to climb this steep and difficult stretch. But the effort is worth it: you’ll feel an amazing sense of accomplishment upon reaching the top!
We will stop here to take photos commemorating our achievement, as well as to capture the stunning vistas that surround us. Then, we will continue our journey – downwards this time! We cover a distance of 3km (1.8 mi) down large, steep stone steps, losing a stunning 600m (1968 ft) of elevation as we go.
Finally, we arrive at our campsite, Pacaymayo (3620m / 11,876 ft), where we will spend the night.
Meals: All meals
Included: Camping equipment & field team as described on Day 1 of trek
Accommodations: Camping
For many people, Day 3 of the 5-day Inca trail is by far the best. It’s the longest day of hiking, but it’s filled with incredible history – and even a sense of wonder – as the undulating trail takes you from one ancient Inca site to another.
We begin with a relatively steep climb to the Abra Runkurakay (3970m / 13,022 ft). Halfway up to the pass, we reach the curiously fascinating Inca site of the same name (3960m / 12,992 ft). This site consists of a small semi-circular structure that is believed to have served as an Incan watchtower. It is also one of the checkpoints and the beginning of the original Royal Inca trail to Machu Picchu, known as the Qhapaq Ñan.
After going over the pass, we descend 3.5km (2.2 mi) across undulating terrain towards Yanacocha (Black Lake) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624m / 11,887 ft), one of the most captivating Inca ruins on the whole trail.
Climbing up a steep, narrow staircase in order to reach it, this intriguing complex feels like a natural extension of the rockface from which it emerges. The complex structure consists of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. It’s an absolute marvel to behold!
We then continue on to Chaquicocha (“dry lake,” in Quechua) where we will most likely stop to have lunch. After a restful break, we continue along what is – in our opinion! – the best part of the Inca Trail. The mostly downhill hike from Chaquicocha to Phuyupatamarca takes about 1.5 hours.
As we reach the third pass, Abra Phuyupatamarca (3680m / 12,073 ft), we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas’ ancient craftsmanship, walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain and noticing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. From here, the rest of the day’s trek is relatively easy.
Phuyupatamarca, which means “town above the clouds,” is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and is located on the highest point of a mountain. While we enjoy a guided tour of Phuyupatamarca, our porters set up our tents and we will spend the night here.
Meals: All meals
Included: Camping equipment & field team as described on Day 1 of trek
Accommodations: Camping
If the weather is good this morning, enjoy your early morning tea, hot chocolate or coffee in front of one of the most spectacular sunrises on the entire Inca Trail 5 days / 4 nights itinerary, with views of Palccay and Salkantay mountains. Your guide may even perform a small ceremony to show gratitude to the mountain gods (apus) before breakfast, in front of this breathtaking vista.
After breakfast we will say goodbye to our porters as they will head home during the course of the morning. We then continue our hike through the ruins of Intipata, a collection of terraces that it is believed were used to grow food for the inhabitants of Machu Picchu.
We continue down the long descending stone steps which will lead us to Wiñaywayna (2700m / 8858 ft), which is the most complete archaeological site on the Inca Trail besides Machu Picchu, and sadly, one that most Inca Trail hikers skip!
Also spelled Wiñay Wayna or Wiñayhuayna, this site consists of an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector, and offers spectacular views over the Urubamba River valley.
After our tour of the ruins, we leave Wiñaywayna to hike along undulating terrain to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate (2715m / 8907 ft), where we are rewarded with our first views of Machu Picchu! This will take an hour of hiking through highland jungle, along a narrow trail of flat stones that line the cliff edge.
From this fabulous spot, we may enjoy spectacular views over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu, weather permitting. For many, this is the most special moment in the Inca Trail; for others it is just the “icing on the cake” of all that the Inca trail has to offer!
A short walk beyond Inti Punku brings us down to the entrance of Machu Picchu where we will get a chance to take a picture from the Caretaker’s hut in celebration of all that we have achieved.
From here, we will take a side path down to the exit, where will catch a bus to go down to Aguas Calientes, as we will save our tour of Machu Picchu for tomorrow.
In Aguas Calientes we’ll check into our hotel, before enjoying a celebratory dinner as a group. Then it’s off to bed as we’ll have an early start tomorrow!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included: Camping equipment & field team as described on Day 1 of trek; bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Accommodations: Tierra Viva Machupicchu, or similar (Aguas Calientes)
Today is the final day of your Inca Trail tour and includes a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
After a restful sleep in your carefully selected hotel, you will have breakfast at a reasonable hour before we make our way to the bus stop. Boarding the bus fairly early, we make our way up to Machu Picchu in time for an entry between 7 and 8 AM – the best time to visit Machu Picchu, in our opinion.
Entering Machu Picchu, we will enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the ruins along Circuit 3. Afterwards, we exit the site and take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (walking is an option, but your bus ticket is included).
You will have a bit of free time to grab a snack or explore on your own, and then we will head to the train station to catch our return train to Ollantaytambo. There, we will connect with our private transport to take you all the way back to Cusco. (Total travel time is around 4 hours.)
Feeling Adventurous?
You may wish to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, but take note: this requires an extra permit, and they can sell out well in advance! Be sure to tell us at booking if you would like to add one of these short hikes, and your Travel Consultant will discuss how adding one of these Machu Picchu hikes may change the itinerary of your Inca Trail trek. For more details about each hike, see our Machu Picchu Hikes blog.
Meals: Breakfast
Included: Entry to Machu Picchu, bus up & down to Machu Picchu, Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo, private transport to Cusco, private English-speaking guide.
Accommodations: Tierra Viva San Blas, or similar (Cusco)
Sadly, it’s just about time to say goodbye on our Inca Trail tour!
Depending on the time of your departure flight, you might have time for some last-minute souvenir shopping or a stroll around Cusco’s atmospheric streets before getting ready for the journey home.
After checking out of your hotel, we will then transfer you to the Cusco airport in time for your departure flight.
Keep in mind: it is recommended to be at the airport at least 1.5 hours prior to domestic flights, and 3 hours prior to international flight departures. If you are flying to Lima and have an international connection, please make sure you allow enough time between flights in Lima.
Meals: Breakfast
Included: Airport transfer
