Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Peru
7 Days
6B 3L 3D
From$980 USD

Hike along the world-famous Inca Trail to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome To Cusco

You'll be collected at any time from Cusco Airport, and driven to your hotel in the heart of the city. In the evening, you'll meet the rest of the team and prepare for your hike along the Inca Trail.

(You will need to provide us with your flight details to make the transfer arrangements)

• Accommodations: Amaru Colonial or similar ( 3-star hotel )

• Meals: Not Included

• Entrance Tickets: N/A

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After a hearty breakfast at 8am, you'll head over to the Sacred Valley where you will visit the Alpaca farm, Pisac and Ollantaytambo inca site.

In the evening you'll have an opportunity to wander the cobblestone streets, and for those who want to, you'll visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).

• Accommodation: Sol Natura Hotel or similar ( 3-star hotel )

• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

• Entrance Tickets: Included

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Today's the big day, as you head over to km 82, where the Inca Trail begins. It's a straightforward start, with the hike taking you along the side of the river and past ancient Incan Ruins.

• Accommodations: Campsite

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

• Entrance Tickets: Included

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An early start as you start your hike up Warmiwañusca - better known as 'Dead Woman's Pass. This is the highest point of the trail at 4,198m (13,769 ft), and boasts some of the most incredible views of the whole trail. You can expect to reach camp by early afternoon, which will give you time to rest and relax over a freshly cooked dinner.

• Accommodations: Campsite

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

• Entrance Tickets: Included

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You'll be woken by your guides with a fresh cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and continue your hike along the Inca Trail. Today, you'll pass a couple more famous ruins, including Runquraqay and Phuyupatamarca - locally known as the town above the clouds. You can expect to see glimpses of snow-capped mountains today, as you approach openings in the cloud forest.

• Accommodations: Campsite

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

• Entrance Tickets: Included

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Wake up time is at 3:30 AM. We’ll eat breakfast at 4:00 AM and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking when they open the gates at 5:30 AM. We’ll wave goodbye to our team of porters and chef and then it’s “Forward On” to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory. We will reach the Sun Gate by 6:30 am, and then it’s just an hour trek down to reach the Lost City of the Incas. As we hike and get closer to Machu Picchu, the views of the city get better! At about 7:40 AM we’ll reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hour private guided tour. After the tour, you’ll be given your bus tickets to make your way down to Aguas Calientes, and you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the city on your own or climb one of the neighboring mountains – Huaynapicchu (must be arranged ahead of time). Your guide will offer to meet you down in the village of Aguas Calientes to enjoy your last lunch in a local restaurant. This is optional and not included. At lunch, your guide will hand out train tickets, we will book the Expedition class train departing Aguas Calientes at 2.55pm. Please make sure you are on the platform at least 30 minutes ahead of time. This will be a 2-hour train to Ollantaytambo, where an Alpaca driver will meet you and drive you back to the city on our bus, then drop you off at your hotel.

• Accommodation: Amaru Inca Hotel or Similar (3-star hotel)

• Meals: Breakfast

• Entrance Tickets: Included (Except Huayna Picchu )

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After a night back in your hotel, you'll have the option to be transferred back to the airport at any time. Alternatively, you may choose to spend some more time exploring Cusco.

(You will need to provide us with your flight details to make the transfer arrangements)

• Accommodations: Non-required

• Meals: Breakfast

• Entrance Tickets: N/A

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What's Included

Included
  • Transfer services airport / hotel / airport.
  • All Private transportation for each tour.
  • Meals as per the itinerary.
  • Purified water on the trek.
  • Experienced English-speaking trekking guide.
  • Briefing: The day before your sacred valley tour at 6:00 pm in our office.
  • Duffle bag to put your belongings (7 kilos maximum)
  • A Porter for carrying your duffel bag: You will not have access to your duffel bag until your evening campsite.
  • Train ticket for the way back from Aguas Calientes to Ollaytaytambo (Train class: Expedition)
  • Bus ticket to go down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
  • Permits for the Inca Trail.
  • Entry ticket for Machu Picchu Citadel (circuit 3).
  • Portable chemical toilet
  • First aid kit, oxygen tank, and satellite phone.
  • Trekking poles .
  • Accommodation during the trip (as stated in daily itinerary).
Not Included
  • International and local flights.
  • Meals not mentioned.
  • Personal travel/rescue insurance.
  • Tips and gratuities.
  • Travel insurance (advisable)
  • Day Packs: You must bring your backpack (25 L maximum).
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain ($75 per person to be arranged in advance).
  • Sleeping bag, air mattress(available for rent).
  • Any extra nights accommodation not specified in itinerary.
Have a question?

If you have any questions about this trip or want to speak with an expert, get in touch.

We're ready to help.

Team Images
Team Images
Team Images

Rated 5.0

9 verified reviews

Michael
Michael

(Aug 2024)

We highly recommend this company, trip was very well organized, all exceeded our expectations. Thank you, Our tour guides Ruben, Saul and Carlos.

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Stephanie
Stephanie

(Jul 2023)

Amazing and challenging experience with top notch guide, Alexander, and strong porters and chefs who made delicious food that catered to our needs. I would recommend this company to anyone interested in an authentic Machu Picchu trek.

Duane
Duane

(Jul 2023)

This was a fabulous trip on the Inca Trail. Flech and Wilbur were our guides and made it special. Many thanks to them!

Julie
Julie

(Jun 2023)

Excellent experience hiking the Inca Trail with incredible guides, delicious meals, beautiful views, and, of course, the archaeological sites that are a once in a lifetime experience to visit.

Alexandra
Alexandra

(Jun 2023)

Do not hesitate to book this trek!! It was truly a once in a lifetime trip, made exceptionally special by the amazing tour guides (Javier, Elix, & Carlos) porters, and chef. The attention to detail and information given was top notch. The Inca trail itself was other worldly and not something to be missed. You can tell that this company is extremely intentional in everything they do... from how they treat their porters, who are literally carrying everything on their backs, to the thought given to their 3 course meals in the middle of the mountains, and finally to how much the guides made us laugh along the way when we thought we might not make it. Could not recommend this company more!

FAQs

Before you go

Please see the section above for inclusions and exclusions.

You will be given a duffel bag when you arrive. You can put all of your things in this, for the porters to carry. You will also need a small day bag, which you will carry yourself. Expect to carry about 5kg of weight in this bag e.g. water, suncream, waterproofs, phone, passport etc.

Porters will carry up to 7kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt. You can borrow a sleeping mat, pillow and poncho for free when you arrive in Peru. Just ask one of your guides! You will also be provided with a duffel bag, for all your things upon arrival. Documents: • Passport • Travel insurance details • Boarding passes for flights • Driver’s license (if needed) • Cash • Credit/Debit Card Sleeping: • Sleeping bag • Sleeping bag liner (optional) Footwear: • Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight • City footwear: Sandals • Shoes for the plane (Optional) Clothing: Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking. • 2 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts) • Fleece/soft-shell jacket • Waterproof jacket • Down jacket for warmth (Optional) • Travel clothes and City Wear • Underwear • Base-layer trousers (optional) • Waterproof trousers • Trekking trousers • Trekking shorts (Optional) • 2 thick wool hiking socks • Lightweight and breathable hiking socks • Gloves and wool hat • Swimwear Other: • A daysack: 35 litres • Dry liner or dry bag • Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best. • Sunglasses • Suncream • Personal medication – inhaler, blister pads, etc. • General toiletries, contact lenses, glasses (if needed) • Towel • Electronics - travel adaptor, phone & charger • Head torch (essential) • Lipsil • Book • MP3/music and headphones • Travel wash • Hand sanitiser, wet wipes

It is worth checking on your government's website. British citizens can check here.

We recommend you check at the Fit for Travel website.

The currency used in Peru is Nuevo Sol (PEN) You will need to ensure that you withdraw enough PEN for your trip to the airport or in Cusco.

You can use a drone in areas around Machu Picchu, but not when you are inside the grounds.

Yes - there will be a group of trained chefs joining you. Just let us know your requirements before you arrive.

On your trip

You will average around 6 miles / 10 km per day. The below distances are approximate and depending on which campsites we use. Day 1: Pick up from airport Day 2: Day trip to Sacred Valley Day 3: 8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours) Day 4: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours) Day 5: 6.2 miles/10km (5 hours) Day 6: 3 miles/ 5km Day 7: Depart Cusco

The trek is aimed at beginners with a good level of fitness - you will be hiking for around six hours each day. We recommend that you train by doing any sports or exercise (e.g. jogging) twice a week in the run-up to your trip.

The hotels have good standard toilets. There will be a portable toilet at each campsite you stay at. They are regularly maintained by the staff.

You will arrive at the gates just before sunrise, then enjoy a guided tour which lasts around 2 hours. After this, you will have some free time inside the grounds before heading back to your accommodation in Cusco.

We will send some professionally trained chefs on the trek with you. They will prepare fresh food each day. Most dietary requirements are catered for e.g. vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, food allergies, etc. Our guides will provide you with clean water throughout the whole trek. This water is collected from each campsite, boiled, and filtered. When traveling in countries such as Peru, it's important to maintain vigilance with hygiene and food safety. Bring plenty of hand sanitiser.

You stay in local hotels in Cusco, with the option to upgrade to superior rooms for those who want to. Whilst on the trek, you'll stay in tents. The hotel is quite cosy with twin shared rooms as standard, Wifi and pleasant communal areas. The tents are 4 person tents which are shared by 2 trekkers. Single supplement is available for $120. This will give you a single room and your own tent on this trip.

You can be picked up from Cusco Airport at any time on the first day of the trip, and dropped off at any time on the last day. Airport transfers are included for free, and take about 15 minutes.

Other FAQs

Cusco is at 3400m / 11,150ft, so you will feel some of the effects of altitude straight away. If you can arrive a few days earlier, then this will give your body more time to adapt. You will need to book any extra night's accommodation at your own expense (paid in-country). It is usually possible for us to collect you from the airport on an earlier date. We can also help you arrange extra nights in the hotel before or after your trip. Please 'MESSAGE YOUR GUIDE' on the Skyhook dashboard after booking to ask us about earlier transfers and extra nights. Hotel accommodation prices vary depending on what hotel we use but generally cost $100-$150 per night based on a double room (TBC).

The average group size is 12 people, with a maximum of 14.

While the itineraries are designed to allow for adequate acclimatisation you are likely to feel the effects of altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation whilst on this trek. Please be aware that your guide may deem it unsafe for you to continue trekking at any time and arrange for you to descend to a lower altitude. When you go above altitudes of 2,500m, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. We advise that you move slowly, don’t rush and ensure you protect yourself from the weather. Ensure you stay hydrated and eat plenty to keep your energy levels up.

It is customary in Peru to tip guides and porters. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. A good rule of thumb is between $50 - $100 at the end of your trip. You can give this to the lead guide.

The minimum age for this trek is 18 years or 16 years with a parent/guardian.

The winter season and driest time of year in Peru are May - Sept. The summer season is Nov - Mar, which is the warmest, but wettest time. During the summer season, it does not rain every day, but can often have a downpour in the afternoons. Apr and Oct can sometimes see some small rain showers.

Yes! If you would like to add extra days to your trip and visit Rainbow Mountain, please 'Message Your Guide' from your Skyhook Dashboard after making the booking. These extras will need to be arranged directly with the local operator and paid for in the country.

After you have made your booking, we will get on the system to buy your permit. Note that permits are controlled by state authorities and availability can change in minutes. Because of this, we can only confirm your trip once we have secured the permit. Once this happens, we will send a confirmation message (at this point your booking becomes non-refundable). If we are unable to get a permit for your date, we will recommend an alternative date or refund your booking in full.

All of your luggage is not needed for the trek and should stay in Cusco. All hotels are very accommodating and quite used to storing luggage on-site, or you can safely store your bags with us. You can give your bags to your guide when he picks you up from your hotel, and your things will be taken to our storage facility and delivered to you when you return.

If none of the listed available dates suit you, we can arrange a group for your preferred departure date. Please contact us to verify the availability of Inca Trail permits, and we will be happy to open a group for your chosen date.

Your head guides are Ronaldo and Bonnie

All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run Alpaca Expeditions, based in Cusco.

By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!

Ronaldo
Bonnie