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. See the day-by-day itinerary below.

TREKKERS WANTED!

Words from the group: "We’re a 60‑year‑old couple — wife from Japan, husband from Guam — currently living in San Diego and finally checking the Inca Trail off our bucket list. We’re looking for fellow travelers from around the world who want to share this adventure, enjoy great company, and experience the magic of Peru together. If you’re excited for meaningful travel, new friendships, and an unforgettable trek to Machu Picchu, we’d love you to join our trek."

Final rates are based on the number of paying participants that enroll for this trip.
 

We are currently accepting deposits to secure space on the trek. Please be advised once the deposit deadline is reached, we will, at that time, determine how many paying participants have enrolled and adjust the final cost of the trip. This information will determine the final balance per person.

If you have any questions please ask prior to signing up. 

Prices are per person, based on double tent occupancy; solo travellers and odd-number groups may incur a single occupancy supplement.

Group of 3 people: $5,028 USD

Group of 4-5 people: $4,455 USD

Group of 6-7 people: $4,075 USD

Single Occupancy Supplement: $1,230 USD

Important: Due to strict weight limitations on the Inca Trail, single tents are not available. All hikers are required to share a double tent during the trek. Single hotel rooms before and after the trek can still be arranged upon request.

Final balance is due 7 days prior to the trek departure.

Hi Fellow trekker,

This is your payment link for your upcoming 9-day trek.  The price quoted here is the price per person. Please be sure to enter the correct number of passengers for whom you will be paying the deposit.  

Please make sure you read and understand our Booking Conditions before paying your deposit. Please also download and fill out this Passenger Details Form and this online Medical Declaration & Insurance Waiver. You will be prompted to upload these documents when paying your deposit. 

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in Peru!

Lorena

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.

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.

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.

We will 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).

• Total Walking Distance: 6 km

• Total Walking Time: 4.5-5h

• Minimum Altitude: 2600m (8,530 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 2700m (8,858 ft)

• Altitude of camp: 2700m (8,858 ft)

• Approx. night temperature: 3°C (37.4°F)

Your Luxury Inca Trail hike begins today with a morning pick-up from your hotel in our private transport. You should have breakfast in your hotel or bring some snacks. We will stop in Ollantaytambo for last-minute purchases, or a quick breakfast if you missed it in Cusco! From Ollantaytambo, we continue to Piscacucho (also known as Kilometre 82) where the Inca Trail starts. On arrival at Km 82, it is necessary to show entrance tickets, passports, and student card (if applicable).

Crossing the Urubamba River, we begin our trek through typical dry forest where we will see prickly pear and other cactus as well as the tara tree. We will walk around 3 hours (6 km) to Miskay, and then another hour and a half to two hours to Llactapata, our campsite for the night (2700m / 8858 ft). After a short break at the campsite, we will walk for about 40 mins to the ruins of Llactapata themselves. This is a special treat for us as most Inca Trail hikers miss this site, actually the largest to be found along the trail! We will take an hour or so to explore these ruins before returning to our campsite at around 5:30pm.

• Total Walking Distance: 9km

• Total Walking Time: 6h

• Minimum Altitude: 2700m (8,858 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 3750m (12,303 ft)

• Altitude of Camp: 3750m (12,303 ft)

• Approx night temperature: -5˚C (23˚F)

After a good night’s rest, we begin to walk 4 km of gentle uphill trails through farmland until we reach Huayllabamba. Then, leaving pastoral villages behind, we will continue to Ayapata (3300m /10,826 ft) where we will have lunch. From Ayapata, we walk another 2 hours uphill, entering the subtropical forest, until we reach Llulluchapampa (3750m / 12,303 ft).

• Total Walking Distance: 15km

• Total Walking Time: 9h

• Minimum Altitude: 3680m (12,073 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 4200m (13,780 ft)

• Altitude of campsite: 3680m (12,073 ft)

• Approx. night temperature: -3°C (27°F)

After two relatively relaxed days on the Luxury Inca Trail, today we will have a long and fairly arduous day as we hike towards the highest part of the Inca Trail. We begin with a steep ascent towards the highest pass, the Abra Huarmihuañusca (also spelled Warmihuañusca)  or Dead Woman’s Pass, coming in at an impressive 4200m (13,779 ft). It is a tough hike, but you’ll feel an amazing sense of achievement upon reaching the top! After a short rest on the pass, we continue downwards 600m (1968 ft) over 3kms (1.8 mi) through a very humid forest until we reach Pacaymayo where we will have lunch.

After lunch, we will continue walking to the beautiful Inca site of Runkurakay, one of the checkpoints on the Inca Trail and the beginning of the original Royal Inca road to Machu Picchu, known as Qhapaq Ñan. We continue on to Sayakmarka, one of the most beautiful Inca remains on our Luxury Inca trail hike, and then another 3h until we reach Chaquicocha (3600mt /11,811 ft).

As we hike beyond Chaquicocha, we enter the cloud forest. On this last 1.5h stretch of the day, we will trek through some incredible scenery, filled with orchids and hummingbirds. Finally, we arrive at Phuyupatamarca, which means town above the clouds. This is the most stunning campsite on the entire Inca Trail, and most people who hike the classic route don’t camp here! Tomorrow morning you will really see where this place gets its name. This is the third highest point on the Inca trail (3680m / 12,073 ft) and we will have breathtaking views of Salkantay mountain.

• Total Distance: 11km

• Total Walking Time: 5h

• Min Altitude: 2000m (6,562 ft) / Max Altitude: 3680m (12,073 ft)

For a special treat this morning, we wake early – around 5 am – in order to enjoy a quiet morning tea in front of incredible views of Salkantay mountain. Then, after a leisurely breakfast, we set out on the last leg of our Luxury Inca Trail. We start by hiking downhill through the forest for about 3-4 hours until we reach Wiñay Wayna (“forever young”), where we will have lunch. On the way, we stop at Intipata, another interesting Inca ruin overlooked by most hikers. We will see loads of colorful orchids, enjoy gorgeous views, including of the sacred Urubamba river, the same one we saw at the beginning of the Inca Trail. It’s like coming full circle!

Depending on your pace, we will have lunch either before or after we visit the Winay Wayna ruins, the most impressive on the trail. No matter how tired you are, don’t miss out on seeing this wonder!

After lunch and our visit to the ruins, we leave Wiñaywayna to walk on an undulating path towards Inti Punku, the Sun Gate (2700m / 8858ft). This will take an hour of hiking through highland jungle, along a trail of flat stones that line the cliff edge. The last 10 min of this hike are include very steep steps (colloquially known as the “Gringo Killer”!). A challenging climb, you might just end up using your hands as much as your feet to complete the climb. After such a long journey, we deserve to take a break and really breathe in this fabulous spot. We will spend at least half an hour to enjoy spectacular views over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu, weather permitting.

From Inti Punku, a short gentle downhill walk brings us down to the Guardhouse of Machu Picchu. Here you can take the classic photo of Machu Picchu! We walk to the checkpoint, where you can use the restroom or have some snacks. Then we will enter into the Inca Citadel itself. If desired, we have a chance to visit some special parts of ruins that others may miss, including the Temple of the Sun, or Intihuatana. This will be just our first taste of Machu Picchu, and then we will take last bus down to Aguas Calientes.

Arriving in Aguas Calientes we will check into our luxury hotel before enjoying a celebratory dinner. Then it’s off to bed as we’ll have an early start tomorrow.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will take the bus up to Machu Picchu. For a more relaxed visit, we will have our first guided tour around 10-11 am, on Circuit 3B.

If you’re 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 hikes. For more tips on what to see, check out our Visiting Machu Picchu page.

Once out of the citadel, we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch right outside the Machu Picchu gates, at the Tinkuy restaurant by Belmond.

We will enjoy a second Machu Picchu visit in the afternoon, after the morning crowds have all but completely cleared out.

We will return to Tinkuy to enjoy an exclusive team time just for Hiram Bingham passengers. Then, we will be transferred to Aguas Calientes by bus and then start our journey back to Cusco in the afternoon by the Hiram Bingham train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy. There, our driver will meet us and transfer you directly back to your hotel in Cusco. Total travel time is about 4 hours from Aguas Calientes to 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.