Inca Trail & Machu Picchu 7 Days

Here is your chance to experience the world famous Inca Trail and the ruins of Machu Picchu. Our tour starts in Cusco the ancient capital of the Inca set high in the Andes and surrounded by the beautiful Sacred Valley. When you arrive in Cusco we will pick you up at the airport and arrange a tour of the city. We include one free day in Cusco to acclimatize and to explore before starting the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is challenging hike going over three passes the highest of which is Dead Woman Pass at 4200m/13779ft. For much of its distance the Inca Trail follows the route of the ancient Inca highway system and you will be climbing the same steps put in place by the Incas almost 1000 years ago. Enroute to Machu Picchu you will cross a number of ruins including Huillca Raccay, Patallacta, Phuyupatamarca and Winay Wayna. On the morning of the fourth day of the trek we will reach the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu before sunrise and you will have a guided tour of the impressive ruins of Machu Picchu as well as several hours to explore on your own before heading back to Cusco by train and bus. The last night of the tour is in Cusco and we will drop you back to the airport on the final day.

What's Included?

• 4 Days of Trekking the Inca Trail
• Expertly cooked meals on the trek
• 3 Nights accommodation in Cusco with breakfast*
• Airport transfers in Cusco
• Cusco City Tour with transport and entrance fees
• All Land Transfers as mentioned in itinerary
• Professional Guide & Cook
• Comfortable Dining tent, tables and chairs.
• Inca Trail Permit (Non refundable**)
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

* A single supplement of $300 for a private room for solo travelers.
** Once the Inca Trail Permit is confirmed it's impossible to change any of the details. There is no refund for cancellations of the permit.

Day 1: Arrive Cusco

We will pick you up at the airport when you arrive in Cusco and transfer you to your hotel. Your guide will arrange time for a briefing with you to go over logistics and at 13:00 we will arrange a half day tour of the city. Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and a beautiful city set high in the Andes.

Overnight: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath

Day 2: Rainbow Mountain Tour

Hiking Distance: (7km / 4.5 miles) ; Elevation: 5200m/17060ft
Drive Time: 7 hours roundtrip.
This morning, we will meet in the hotel lobby at 5:30 am for a full-day excursion to the world-famous Rainbow Mountains. Upon arrival, we will take you on a 6 hour guided trek through this natural, multi-colored phenomenon in the Peruvian Andes. We will return to the hotel by 5 pm that evening. Transport, entry fees and lunch are all included.

Overnight: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath

Day 3: Start Inca Trail - Hike to Ayapata Camp

Hiking Distance: (10km / 6 miles) ; Elevation: 2950m/9680ft
Drive Time: Approximately 4 hours to trail head.

We will meet in the hotel lobby at 4:30am for an early start to get on the trail. It's about a 4 hour drive to Piscacucho which is the start of the Inca Trail and the control point (make sure to bring your passport with you). The trail starts at 2,720m / 8,923ft and we will cross the Vilcanota river before heading into the cloud forest. Enroute to our camp we will pass the Inca ruins of Huillca Raccay and Patallacta. We also have great views of the snow capped Andes including W'akay Willca at 5, 860m /19,225 ft.

Day 4: Ayapata Camp to Chaquicocha Camp

Hiking Distance: (11km / 6.5 miles) ; Elevation: 3350m/11000ft

We will get an early start for the day at 5:30am to have breakfast and prepare for the days hiking. Today is a challenging day taking us across the Dead Woman's Pass at 4200m/13779ft. After that we descend about 700m/2000ft to Pacamayu for lunch before tacking Runkurakay the second pass of the day at 4000m/13125ft. During the day we will be walking through cloud forests or high altitude jungle which hosts an incredible number of plant species and birds.

Day 5: Chaquicocha Camp to Winay Wayna Camp

Hiking Distance: (9km / 5.5 miles) ; Elevation: 3650m/11975ft

We will again get an early start for the days hike. Our first stop will be the ruins of Phuyupatamarca meaning 'Town in the Clouds'. Phuyupatamarca lies at 3680m/12075ft and is roughly the third highest point on the trail. We will continue through the cloud forest to Intipata an agricultural site of the Inca before reaching our campsite at Winay Wayna which is named after the nearby ruins.

Day 6: Winay Wayna Camp to Machu Picchu to Cusco

Hiking Distance: (11km / 6.5 miles) ; Elevation: 2400m/7875ft

Today is the final day of the trek and we will get an early start to make it to Machu Picchu before sunrise. One of the advantages of completing the Inca Trail is that you will reach Machu Picchu before tourists coming by road and can enjoy the ancient city before the crowds coming later in the day. Your guide will give you a tour of the city and then you will have another 2 hours to explore on your own. Once your finished exploring you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for journey back to Cusco by train and bus.

Optional Tour: Wayna Picchu is the mountain directly behind Machu Picchu and is frequently climbed for great views of the mountains. This requires a pre-arranged permit which can be obtained for additional cost. Please ask us if you would like to include the optional hike in the package.

Overnight: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath

Day 7: Depart Cusco

Take breakfast at the hotel and we will arrange your transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima.

Exclusions

• Meals and drinks other than those mentioned in the itinerary (Please let us know if you would like any extra meals included).
• Tips and gratuities.
• Optional excursions.
• Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs and telephone calls.
• Travel insurance.
• Personal equipment such as trekking equipment.
• Damages caused by the client to the bus or to the camping equipment.
• Camping equipment such as sleeping bag or walking stick.
• Personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag. (You will not have access to your duffel bag until your evening campsite).

Our latest terms and conditions can be found here - "Terms and Conditions."

For details on the following please check:
Extra Costs - (click here)
Payments - (click here)
Cancellations - (click here)
Travel Insurance - (click here)

Please review the "Terms and Conditions" carefully before booking and don't hesitate to ask us if any questions.