The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous trail in South America. It is recognized by the National Geographic as one of the 10 most beautiful treks in the world. It is considered this for its breathtaking scenery, landscapes, Andean mountains, and archaeological sites.
On the Inca Trail you can explore a variety of ruins throughout the trek and at the end of the adventure, you will have the greatest prize of all, Inti Punku to the ruins of Machu Picchu!
Day 01: Cusco – Km. 104- Wiñaywayna – Aguas Calientes
Early in the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel to take a train towards kilometer 104, where you will start your trek. A very short hike will take you to Chachabamba at 7,380 feet above sea level.
This archaeological site used to provide several Andean products, including corn and potatoes, to the people of Machu Picchu. After a presentation about the site, you will continue to hike to Wiñaywayna, observing the beautiful landscape surrounding the Urubamba River. You might be lucky and observe the Machu Picchu orchid. And before you know it, unexpectedly, the amazing ruins of Wiñaywayna will appear in front of you.
After a bit more hiking, you will arrive at the only lodge located in the area. Here you will enjoy your lunch box. After lunch you will start a hike of about one hour and thirty minutes, which will take you to the Gate of the Sun or “Intipunku.” From here, you will have an amazing view of Machu Picchu located at 7,875 feet above sea level. After a rest, you will walk another 40 minutes until you reach the entrance to Machu Picchu. From there, you may walk to the town of Aguas Calientes or catch a tour bus that will drive you to either Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes (this bus ticket is not included).
Once in town, you will check into the accommodation of your choice and then enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 02: Machu Picchu– Cusco
After breakfast, you will be picked up to take the bus to Machu Picchu.
Your guide will provide you with a snack for the day, and at Machu Picchu they will give you a tour that will last roughly two hours.
After your tour, you will be free to climb the Wayna Picchu, Machu Picchu mountain, or just wander exploring the grounds. In the afternoon, one or two hours before your train departure, you should take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will take the train to Poroy.
Upon arrival in Poroy, you will be driven to your hotel located in Cusco.
End of our service.
Our Transportation
Clean transportation
Comfortable seats
Professional drivers
Transportation for solo customers or couples
Transportation for small groups
Transportation for large groups
Train to/from Machu Picchu
Included:
Brief presentation of the Inca Trail at our office in Cusco the day before your departure date
Bilingual and professional tour guides
Train tickets from Poroy, Cusco to the Km. 104
Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Two-hour guided tour upon your arrival to Machu Picchu
Bus ticket up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (2 one way tickets are provided)
Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Poroy, Cusco departing between 15:00 – 18:35 hours
Private transportation from the train station to your hotel in Cusco
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (1B, 1L, 1D)
Vegetarian food available upon request for no extra charge
Accommodations in Aguas Calientes
Emergency oxygen bottle
First aid equipment
Not included:
Breakfast on Day 2
Lunch and dinner on day 1
Gratuity
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Personal expenses
Extra nights
Extra tours
Land Package
All prices listed below are per passenger and cover only the land-based portion of the trip. Flights are not included.
CATEGORY
PRICE
Economy class
USD $ 550.00 /person
Double Occupancy
Standard
USD $ 590.00 /person
Double Occupancy
Comfort
USD $ 640.00 /person
Double Occupancy
Luxury
USD $ 780.00 /person
Double Occupancy
Inca Trail FACTS
The vast Inca Empire was connected by an extended Inca trail system. The original Inca Trail is the most popularly used trail in Peru. This is the only trail that has as the final destination, Machu Picchu. There are several places from where it is possible to start the Inca Trail, but the most popular one is the classic Inca Trail which consists of a 4 days and 3 nights hike with break.
The classic Inca Trail begins in Cusco, Peru. If you would like to hike the Inca Trail, you will need to have permit because the Peruvian government only allows 500 people per day. The only way to get a permit is by hiring a registered tour operator or a travel agency working directly with a tour operator. All tour operators and travel agencies offer packages including the permit and other services. It is important to get your Inca Trail tour booked with a travel agency or tour operator that is going to provide you the service that you are paying for.
Hiking the Inca Trail is an amazing experience that you will never forget. In order to be ready to hike the Inca Trail, you should acclimatize to the altitude of Cusco. Also, you should be in shape to really enjoy the trek. If you are not used to hike, the service of an extra porter should be hired to carry your personal belongings.
Inca Trail FAQ
When is the best time to hike the Inca Trail?
The dry season is generally the best time to complete this trek. The dry season runs from April to November, while the wet season runs from December to March. Even during rainy season it doesn’t usually rain all day long.
June to September are the most popular months for this trek. May and October offer the nicest weather. The Inca Trail is closed in February.
Can I buy the Inca Trail permit on my own and hike the trail on my own?
No, you are not allowed to buy the permit or hike the trail by yourself. The National Institute of Culture only sells permits to authorized tour operators.
Do all the tour operators provide the same service?
No. Make sure that you are hiring a professionally run tour operator that will take proper care of you and the environment. If you see prices that are too low, be careful. Some companies have hidden extra charges or fees. Some companies won’t provide all the services they claim they be offering.
Could I hike the Inca Trail at any time?
Yes, as long as there is availability on the day you will start the trek. You don’t need to check for availability for all the days you will be on the trek, just the starting day. However, during the month of February the trail is closed for maintenance.
Why do I need to check availability?
Availability is restricted by the Peruvian Government. Only 500 people per day are allowed to hike the Inca Trail.
How far in advance should I book my Inca Trail?
Due to limited availability, we recommend that you book your Inca Trail trek at least 3 months in advance. If you plan to hike the Inca Trail during busy season (June through September), you should book it 6 months or more in advance.
How do I reserve a spot for the Inca Trail?
Contact us by e mail.
What should I do if there is no availability for the days that I will be in Cusco?
There are alternative treks, such as Salkantay, Inca Jungle Lares and Choquequirao. You can also take the train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu. If you are planning on visiting Machu Picchu, we recommend spending the night in Aguas Calientes, that way you will have enough time to really enjoy the magic and mysticism of Machu Picchu.
Why do I have to make a deposit?
In order to get your Inca Trail permit and secure your space, we need to pay in advance the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail permit and your train tickets. If you only complete the booking form, without making the deposit, we won’t be able to secure your spot. The security deposit is non-refundable once the permit has been purchased.
What happens after I make the security deposit?
First, you will receive an e-mail confirming the payment. Second, you will receive an e-mail or call from an Advice Peru representative. That person will be in charge of your account.
Once we receive your permits from the National Institute of Culture (takes about 1 week), we will e-mail a scanned copy to you. Two weeks before your departure date, you will receive an e-mail including a link to our secure server for your final payment, and we will ask you for your hotel/hostel information in Cusco so we are able to arrange your briefing and transportation. If you desire, we will book a hotel in Cusco for you and add the total to your final payment.
After the final payment is received, we will send you via e-mail a voucher with important contact information and details of the services that will be provided to you in Peru.
Can I change my starting date for the Inca Trail?
Once the Inca Trail permit has been purchased, you cannot change the starting date without incurring an additional cost. The permits are issued by the Peruvian Government and are non-refundable and non-transferable. If the permit has been issued and you need to change your starting date, you will lose your deposit and a new security deposit will be required.
Does Advice Peru give refunds for cancellations?
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
Can I hike the Inca Trail the same day that I arrive at Cusco?
The main effects of altitude sickness show the first or second day. For this reason, we highly recommend that you hike the Inca Trail at least a couple of days after arriving in Cusco.
What should I do to avoid altitude sickness?
To avoid altitude sickness, give yourself time to acclimatize to the change in altitude (2 to 3 days). For instance, if you are trekking the Inca Trail, you should rest the day before. Try to avoid alcohol, and make sure you eat lightly and drink plenty of water. Make sure to stay hydrated, walk slowly and take frequent breaks. Drinking coca leaf tea always helps. It is widely available, and your hotel in Cusco will probably offer it as well.
What should I do if I get altitude sickness?
Drink plenty of liquids, (coca leaf tea will definitely help), take a nap and try to rest. If you are in the middle of the trek and start feeling dizzy, extremely tired, nauseated, and have a headache, ask for advice from your guide. Guides have plenty of experience in this matter.
Do the porters carry my sleeping bag and mattress foam?
If you book our Classic 4 Day Inca Trail tour package, our porters won’t carry your sleeping bag and the mattress foam that we will provide to you before starting the trek. We offer the service of porters to carry up to 15 pounds (7 kilograms) and 30 pounds (14 kilograms.)
For Inca Trail packages of 8 or more days our porters will carry up to 15 pounds (7 kilograms) of your personal belongings. Please make sure your belongings do not weight more than that. The foam weights about 3 pounds and a regular sleeping bag weights about 4-6 pounds. If you have more weight than 15 pounds and you do not want to carry it, please hire the service of an extra porter.
Do you provide water during the trek?
Yes. We provide treated water every morning and at every meal. At meal times we will also provide tea or coffee. During the trek, approximately every 2 hours, you will be able to refill your bottle in small streams or mountain springs. Water should be safe to drink, but we recommend using water purification tablets, which can be bought in most pharmacies in Cusco. However, after using the tablets, you’ll have to wait approx. 30 min. before drinking the water.
You will be able to buy water and other snacks during the first day, on the second day until 10:00 a.m. and at your camp site the third day. Please give your trash to your porters at the end of the day. Help us keep the trail and the ecosystem as clean as possible.
What should I bring on the trek?
Mainly hiking shoes, long sleeve shirts, t-shirts, a good jacket, scarf, gloves, raincoat, hat, thermal pants and socks for the cold nights, sunglasses, a good sleeping bag for cold weather (we can rent you one), mosquito repellent, sunscreen, water purification pills, toilet paper, flashlight, a small first aid kit, some coca leaf candies, and of course a camera.
Rain gear is recommended during the wet season (December to March) and cold weather gear-warm jacket, thermals, hat and gloves-is recommended for the dry season, especially June to August.
Are there bathrooms along the trek?
Yes. During the trek you will find basic bathrooms at the end of the first day, two hours after starting the second day hike and at the end of the second day hike and at your lunch and night camps the third day. If you have booked the deluxe package, a portable and ecological toilet will be provided.
How difficult is the hike?
The entire 4-day trail hike is approximately 45 km/28 miles so the distances traveled each day are not very long. Although it is generally accepted that anyone who is accustomed to hiking and camping can hike the Inca Trail, the altitude can make hiking these distances feel about twice as difficult as hiking the same distance at sea level.
What is the food like on the Inca Trail?
A cook accompanies every group on the Inca Trail. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and hearty snacks are provided for your hike. Meals are a mix of local specialties and international favorites. Vegetarian meals are also available upon request at the time of booking.
What are the guides like?
Advice Peru guides are among the very best and most experienced guides anywhere. They are from the surrounding Cusco – Sacred Valley area and speak fluent English. Most have plenty of years of experience leading Inca Trail hikes and all have training in the history, culture, ecology and spirituality of the area.
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