The 9-day Inca Trail Trek from Lima is the ultimate trip to discover the best of Peru. Explore ancient ruins and local markets in the Sacred Valley and hike the Inca Trail for four days.
The trip begins with a pick-up in Lima, where you will spend the night. You'll have a chance to explore the Peruvian capital and stroll through Miraflores.
Next, fly from Lima to Cusco, where you'll explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas before embarking on the four-day Inca Trail trek, culminating on the last day at the stunning citadel of Machu Picchu. Along the way, you'll see breathtaking scenery, abundant cloud forest wildlife, lush green vegetation, ancient Inca stairways, and remarkable architectural sites.
The Inca Trail is considered a challenging trek due to its steep trails and unpredictable weather. It is recommended to acclimatize for a few days before the trek to avoid altitude sickness. If necessary, you can take altitude sickness medication or drink coca tea. In addition, it is essential to bring extra clothing and waterproof gear, especially during the rainy season, and sturdy trekking boots are highly recommended.
After reaching Machu Picchu, you will return to Cusco by train and bus in the evening of the same day. Come to Peru for a unique, life-changing adventure - there is only one Peru!
Sustainable Tourism: Inca Trail Machu is very keen and happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism by being eco-friendly and supporting local communities
Physical Activity: 3-Moderate to Difficult - Some points are high.
Service Level: All Inclusive.
Age Requirement: 4+. Please note: all participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Inca Trail Permits: Included the Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu Ticket.
Crew: Inca Trail Machu Representatives in Lima and Cusco as well as professional bilingual Tour Guides, a Cook and Porters on the Inca Trail trek.
Accommodation: 3* hotels (5 nights), campsites (3 nights).
Meals: 8x breakfast, 4x lunch, 3x dinner, 3x afternoon tea during the Inca Trail (Please allow USD 50-100 for meals not included).
Transportation: 1x domestic flight, transportation by private van, 1x train (Expedition Class).
Camping equipment: You can view our camping equipment here!
Day 01: Lima
Day 02: Lima to Cusco
Day 03: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour
Day 04-06: Hike the Inca Trail Trek
Day 07: Hiking to Machu Picchu
Day 08: Cusco City
Day 09: Departure
The tour begins when we collect you from Lima International Airport and taken to your hotel where you check in. You will be met by our representative at the airport who will be hold a board with your name on it.
Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, so you may arrive at any time.
We can organize guided city tours in Lima, or sightseeing tours in Lima.
In the morning, we take you to the Lima´s airport for your flight to Cusco City. Our Representative awaits you in front of the Cusco´s arrival airport hall holding a sheet with your name. After he/she welcomes you in Cusco, he/she takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore around this fascinating city as well as to acclimatize to its high altitude.
The Cusco City is the oldest continuously inhabited city of this continent as well as a hub of the South American travel network! The city attracts people from all around the world, who arrive not only to visit a unique destination, but also to experience an antique culture that differs a lot from the occidental 21st century´s way of life. One could easily spend a week just in and around this site. Inca-built stone walls line most of the central streets and it is not necessary to go far to see other major Inca ruins! This is a city steeped in history, traditions and legends!
Every year, Cusco is visited by thousands of travelers, who come to delve into its noble, but tragic past. It is a perfect base for optional explorations around the city´s surroundings as well as for a range of outdoor activities.
Cusco also has got numerous colonial churches. The most important of them is the Cathedral on the main square. Its construction started in 1559 and it took 100 years to finish!! The Cathedral can pride on the biggest depository of Colonial art of the city! A vault containing remains of the famous Incan historian - Garcilaso de la Vega is just past the entrance. Other churches that are worth seeing are La Compañía, La Merced and San Francisco.
Early in the morning, a bus will pick us up to go to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It starts out in Pisac, a picturesque town with colonial and racially mixed features. In the archaeological center of Pisac one finds a hill called Intihuatana with an impressive view of the valley. We continue our trip to Ollantaytambo which was at the times of the Tahuantinsuyo a giant center for agriculture, administration, social, religious and military activities. We spend the night in this small town before heading for the start of this famous Inca Trail trek the next morning!
Starting best Machu Picchu tours from Lima. This 4-day trek is physically challenging but worthwhile!! Its difficulty is within the ability of the most reasonably fit. This 44-km (27-mile) Inca Trail tours are often steep including 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 4,200 m (13,776 ft). The temperature at night may fall below zero so it is important to get ready for that! It also sometimes rains, even during a dry season!
Day 01: Starting the Inca Trail Trek
The tourist bus takes us to km 82, also called Piscacucho. Here is the control point where you have to show your original passport and your ticket entrance fee to the Inca Trail, and also meet the support team who will be accompanying you on the walk (cook and porter). We set out on the walk until our first break and lunch Miskay. Later, we continue walking until we arrive to the first campsite Llullucha Pampa. Previously, you have a guided visit to the rest of the archeological site of Llactapata.
Day 02: Llulluchapampa - Chaquicocha
The second day of the walk has the most arduous section of the Inca Trail, with a difficult climb until you reach the top of the first pass called Warmiwañusca (dead women pass) After celebrating at the pass we descend until Pacasmayo where we have lunch and afterward we visit the archeological site of Runkuraqay and Sayacmarca. We camp in Chaquicocha, where we enjoy a well-deserved dinner.
Day 03: Chaquicocha - Wiñaywayna
We begin the day with a small assent, later followed by a descent until we reach the town of Puyupatamarka. Another group of archeology where after we have a brief rest stop. Then, continuing until we arrive at the archeological site Wiñay Huayna (forever young), we have lunch and have a guided visit to the ruins, have dinner and stay overnight.
Day 7: Hiking to Machu Picchu
We begin the climb to the Inti Punku or also called Sun Gate. After taking in a magical sunrise, we decend to the most important archelogical site on route, Machu Picchu, where we have a guided tour for the surrounds of the citadel circuit 3 and we can climb por su cuenta Waynapicchu mountain (additional cost). Afterwards, we decend to the town of Aguas Calientes and take the return train to Cusco.
Please note!
Inca Trail is closed during Februaries due to general maintenance. Also, closures sometimes may occur as a result of inclement weather or other conditions beyond our control. In this case, we may hike the 4 day Lares Valley Trek.
FREE OPTION: Those, who are not able or interested in to hiking Machu Picchu, can get back to Cusco or just stay at the Sacred Valley of the Incas and spend the following 2 days there. In this case, they reach Aguas Calientes by a tourist train (Expedition Service). They overnight in a hotel and they take a shuttle bus the next morning to Machu Picchu where they reunite with that first group consisting of the Inca Trail hikers. This option is for no additional cost!!
IMPORTANT: If you decide not to do the trek, you must advice us enough time in advance (usually, a couple of weeks ago) in order to secure your train tickets!! Otherwise, we are not able to guarantee you this option for free!!
If you have any query, please do not hesitate contacting us!
Today is a realxing day, free time to explore the fascinating imperial city of the Incas, visit its market, buy souvenirs, take optional activities, and get ready for one last night in the city
Transfer to the Cusco´s airport to take your flight to Lima. This is the end of Machu Picchu tours from Lima.
Please note: A return flight to Lima can be arragend upon request! or a good time to extend your trip!
Meal budget: Please allow USD 50-100 for meals not included.
Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this tour, you receive your own single room for all overnights and a single tent for the Inca Trail.
Local flights: There is one local flight included in the cost of your tour. It is very important that we have got your passport details at the time of booking in order to process all air tickets! National flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to each flight departure!
