Inca Trail Tour to Machu Picchu

Days

8+

Activity Level

Moderate/
Advanced

Host City

Cusco, Peru

From

$3,075 USD

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Inca Trail Tour

Join The Explorer’s Passage (TEP) on an incredible journey along the mythical Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, one of the great wonders of the world. The Inca Trail (Camino Inca) is one of the most important features of South America’s past and present, and this Inca Trail tour is unlike any other adventure in the world. This is because there are very few hiking routes where you can directly experience pre-Columbian South American history, as you will continuously encounter Incan archaeological sites over 500 years old along the trail!


Explore Machu Picchu with TEP

Trip Highlights

Discover Cusco, the high-altitude city that was once the heart of the Inca Empire. Steeped in history and rich culture, Travel & Leisure Magazine described it as “a living monument to Inca history.”

Journey deep into Peru’s Sacred Valley on our Inca Trail tour, and find yourself surrounded by incredibly diverse terrain, remarkable flora and fauna, and the soaring peaks of the Andes.

Explore Machu Picchu on a guided tour, weaving your way through the temple complexes, residential areas, iconic gateways, and terraces. Hike to the peak of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, overlooking the citadel, for incredible views of the area.

Customize your ideal trip to Peru! Want to visit Rainbow Mountain, or experience the culinary delights of Lima? Perhaps you would like to spend more time in the Scared Valley? No problem. We can weave your interests and your timeframe into our existing itineraries so that every detail of your trip unfolds the way you want it to. Keep scrolling down to learn more about our various trip customization options!

Let’s Plan Your Trip Today:


TRIP COST

From $3,075 USD per person
Our Inca Trail Trek trips are all-inclusive, crafted with the intent of providing you with an unforgettable adventure travel experience.

*More info. on pricing

Pricing starts at $3,075 USD
Single Supplement Fee (Hotels): from $450 USD
Single Supplement Fee (Tents): from $195 USD
More questions? Read more about pricing here

Start dates

We offer both Pre-Schedule Group Departures and Private Custom Departures

Duration

Starts at 8 Days / 7 Nights (hiking on the Inca Trail for 4 Days / 3 Nights)

Accommodations

Relax in comfort & luxury

max. group size

No minimum or maximum

*All Private Groups

Fixed group departure maximum size: 12 guests

*For private groups we can accommodate any size

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate/Advanced*

8 Day / 7 Night Trip Daily Overview

Sample Trip Itinerary

Custom trip itineraries are available for any size group. Please contact us for a complete detailed itinerary.

This map corresponds with the itinerary’s 4 Day / 3 Night Inca Trail Trek Route.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!

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Day 1: Arrival in Cusco, Peru

Bienvenidos a Peru! Upon arrival at Cusco International Airport, you will be greeted by a member of our team. Experience the scenery and history in the beautiful capital city of Cusco as you are then transported to your hotel. This afternoon and evening, after settling in to your hotel, you will have free time to explore this extraordinary high-altitude city (~11,000 feet / ~3,350 meters above sea level). Later, you will enjoy dinner with a special VIP guest at one of our favorite restaurants in Cusco. Additionally, your guide will coordinate with you to provide a detailed pre-trek Inca Trail briefing on Day 1.

Accommodations: Novotel, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, or Palacio del Inka

Day 2: Cusco

Today is your first full day in Peru! Following a delicious breakfast, you will set out to explore Cusco on a private half-day van/walking tour. During this tour, you will be able to truly experience the sights, sounds, and main attractions of one of South America’s most impressive cities (which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The tour will take you to visit the heart of this city and its emblematic highlights. You will travel by van to explore the archaeological sites at Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Pukapukara, and Q’enqo, and will travel by foot to the Cusco Cathedral and the incredible Qorikancha temple.

On your tour, you will undoubtedly be struck by the unlikely yet intriguing intersection of antiquity and modernity in this ancient capital city of the Inca Empire, as fashionable Cusqueñans share the sidewalk with rural campesinos on busy avenues and plazas, the latter often dressed in traditional garb and sometimes leading parcel-laden alpacas or donkeys.

Following this tour, you will have the afternoon and evening to explore the city on your own. Later, for lunch and dinner, you will be able to experience the gastronomy of the city at your leisure, at restaurants of your choosing.

Accommodations: Novotel, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, or Palacio del Inka

Day 3: First Day of Inca Trail Trek (Cusco to Chamana)

At last, today you will begin your hike of the Inca Trail – one of South America’s most famous treks! Following an early wake-up, you will drive from Cusco to the trailhead at KM 82 to begin this incredible journey. While most other trekkers cross the Urubamba River at KM 82 (~8,694 feet / ~2,650 meters above sea level), you will continue downriver and cross at KM 88. As a result, this will set the tone for the rest of the trek (having the landscape to yourself, avoiding the crowds, and a more tranquil and immersive experience) and create some space between you and other groups as you warm up your hiking legs. Later, you will take your first break at the ruins of Q’oriwayrachina, consisting of nearly 200 ancient stone structures.

In the early afternoon, camp will be set and you will enjoy lunch at our campsite of Chamana (near a small village that is part of the Llaqtapata Community), at 8,481 feet / 2,585 meters above sea level. As evening approaches, you can visit the nearby archaeological site of Llaqtapata. Finally, at the end of the day, we are delighted to be able to offer you a warm dinner after the day’s trek!

Daily trekking distance: approximately 6.3 miles / 10.1 kilometers (i.e. ~5 hours of hiking)

Accommodations: Camping Tent

Day 4: Second Day of Trek (to Llulluchapampa)

Wake up to a steaming cup of coffee or tea and trail-worthy breakfast at your campsite before embarking again on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You will continue the journey up the narrow Cusichaca Valley, passing farmhouses and rural homesteads, until finally reaching the Andean community of Huayllabamba. From here, the cobble-stoned Inca Trail ascends steeply through an ancient native forest bursting with melodic birdsong.

Later, the trail begins to level out at the campsite at Llulluchapampa (12,336 feet / 3,760 meters), situated just below the first pass. At this point, while enjoying a delicious dinner, you can experience breathtaking views of Mt. Huayanay and a first glimpse of the rare Andean cloud forest of Quenua, or Polylepis trees. Their reddish bark peels into paper-like sheets, hence their familiar name “Paper Tree.”

Daily trekking distance: approximately 7.3 miles / 11.8 kilometers (i.e. ~7-8 hours of hiking)

Accommodations: Camping Tent

Day 5: Third Day of Trek (to Phuyupatamarca)

Fuel up on a hot breakfast for the big climbs later today. Breathtaking vistas along the way will also give you energy as you head into the heart of the Andean mountains. The day’s hike begins with a steady ascent up to Warmiwanusqa Pass (‘Dead Woman’s Pass’), where you will enjoy panoramic views of the terrain you have just conquered from this challenging high point (13,871 feet / 4,228 meters, nearly 5,905 feet / 1,800 meters higher than Machu Picchu itself!).

Now, the hard-earned descent to the Pacaymayo River lies ahead. After a hearty lunch, you will ascend again to the ruins of Runkuraqay and a second pass (13,018 feet / 3,968 meters). From here, you will then walk down to the site of Sayacmarca on the original Inca Trail, passing a dry lake and the first signs of the mist-filled Andean cloud forest. Many plants and animals thrive in the cloud forest, including endemic species found nowhere else on Earth! You may spot hummingbirds, butterflies, and delicate orchids of various brilliant hues. This stretch of trail along a steady ridge offers a bit of a respite from the day’s arduous ascents and descents, in addition to offering incredible views of the beautiful Aobamba Valley below.

You will continue along the ridge through undeniably amazing landscapes and views of snow-capped Mt. Salkantay on the western side, as well as Mt. Pumasillo silhouetted to the north. Follow the flagstoned trail until you eventually arrive at your campsite at Phuyupatamarca (12,008 feet / 3,660 meters), whose name in the Quechua language means “village at the edge of the clouds.”

Daily trekking distance: approximately 7.5 miles / 12.1 kilometers (i.e. ~8-10 hours of hiking)

Accommodations: Camping Tent

Day 6: Fourth Day of Trek (to Machu Picchu)

At last, you have arrived at the day that you will get your first glimpse of the iconic citadel of Machu Picchu! You will wake up early for a glorious sunrise view just a short hike up the hill from the campsite, where porters will await you with steaming cups of tea. This site is known to deliver some of the most surprisingly radiant sunrise views in the entire area. Following breakfast you continue on your journey, passing the ruins at Phuyupatamarca. These ruins contain an irrigation system that was built over five centuries ago, and which still functions to this day!

At this point, the flagstoned trail begins to wind sharply downwards, leading you into the cloud forest to the well-conserved ruins of Wiñay Wayna (‘Forever Young’) located just below the ridge. Following in the Inca’s footsteps, along the very same trail they once used, you will now pass through dense, misty cloud forest until at last reaching a viewpoint of Machu Picchu at Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) around 3:00-4:00 PM. After soaking up the glorious view, you will continue down past the archaeological site to the transportation area, in order to board a group shuttle down to the village of Aguas Calientes (which sits at the base of Machu Picchu, at an elevation of 6,692 feet / 2,040 meters above sea level). When you arrive in the town, you will enjoy a hard-earned shower and rest at your hotel.

Daily trekking distance: approximately 6.8 miles / 10.9 kilometers (i.e. ~8 hours of hiking)

Accommodations:El Mapi, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, or Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

Day 7: Machu Picchu Tour

Now that you have experienced the beautiful Inca Trail, you will hike Huayna Picchu (or Machu Picchu Mountain) and then further explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu (7,972 feet / 2,430 meters above sea level) on a three-hour guided tour. As part of the enhanced experience, you will then do the Circuit 2 tour route (the longer route through the citadel). Having the privilege of wandering the various sectors and entering some of the houses and temples will really bring this iconic site to life, and therefore leave you with a sense of reverence and awe for what the Inca were able to achieve so long ago. This tour will later be followed by a lunch, then a scenic train ride to Ollanta Station. From there, you will be transported by private vehicle to your hotel in Cusco.

Accommodations: Novotel, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, or Palacio del Inca

Day 8: Final Day in Peru

Today you will enjoy your last morning in Peru, before later being transferred by private vehicle from your hotel to Cusco International Airport for your flight home.

Accommodations: N/A

Create your OWN Unique Experience

Customizing Your Inca Trail Trek

Are you interested in another activity or destination in Peru? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? Want to visit Rainbow Mountain, or experience the culinary delights of Lima? Perhaps you would like to spend more time in the Scared Valley? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:

While in/around the Inca Trail, you can choose to add on one or several of the following activities:

  • Maras Salt Mines
  • Urubamba
  • Pisac
  • Moray
  • Huchuy Cusco
  • Ollantaytambo
  • Chinchero
  • Salkantay Trail
  • Lamay Community
  • Amaru Community

In addition to their time in Peru, many travelers choose to add in other nearby destinations to their trips, including (but not limited to) some of the following:

  • Lima
  • Amazon Jungle
  • Lake Titicaca
  • Paracas
  • Arequipa
  • Huacachina
  • Nazca

With The Explorer’s Passage, you can choose between a wide variety of trips all throughout South America and Antarctica as noted below:

  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Uruguay
  • Paraguay
  • Antarctica
  • Galapagos Islands

Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Peru!

Hear what travelers are saying:

5-Star Review Average on TripAdvisor! Read More >
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“Our family of six worked with Jeff and Sarah at The Explorers Passage to plan our visit to Machu Picchu, specifically the Inca Trail Express. TEP is an invaluable partner in handling all logistics including permits, transportation, entry passes, accommodations, itinerary and most importantly a local guide. Our guide, Neptali, was the absolute BEST and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him. He made all the difference. Jeff and Sarah provided all the pre-trip support and guidance to ensure our trip was a success, and on-the-ground support if needed. They went above and beyond to make recommendations for our time in Cusco too. Our trip was flawless thanks to their organization. Our experience with TEP exceeded all expectations. We highly recommend using them for your next adventure!”
– Caroline C.
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“We cannot praise The Explorer’s Passage enuf! We had a trip/experience of a lifetime on their Machu Picchu and Inca Trail adventure. The planning process was a breeze, the pre-hike necessary conditioning was well explained, arriving in Cusco and finding our guide and driver was easy, the Cusco City tours were fabulous and the trek was utterly AMAZING! Our Guide Neptali was the BEST. He is very knowledgeable, he’s kind, he’s funny, and he is calm and takes charge in a crisis. The porters and the chefs were wonderful. It was all around a 5 star experience. Definitely recommend this adventure!”
– Angie P.
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“From the moment we contacted Explorer’s Passage to discuss our Inca Trail Adventure, we knew we were working with an exemplary company, we had a fabulous experience with everyone involved, particularly the owner Jeff Bonaldi. There was not one thing I would change about this trip…..the accommodations, the transportation, the drivers, the restaurants, the porters, the guides (Wilbur was the kindest, smartest, most interesting guide and his Quechuan heritage and pride contributed so much to our experience of this amazing culture)…I could go on and on. Book with Explorer’s Passage…you will receive top-notch attention and advice and be in excellent hands throughout your adventure. We hope to book further adventures with Explorer’s Passage.”
– Cindy M.
relax in comfort and luxury

Trip Accommodations

For the nights before and after the trekking Inca Trail tour, you can relax in the comfort and luxury of 5 / 5+ Star premium accommodations – featuring some of the finest resorts in Peru. Alternatively, 3.5 Star and 4 Star hotel packages can be reserved instead (see below).

5+ Star Accommodations

Belmond Palacio Nazarenas | Cusco, Peru

Bedding down in a former convent isn’t necessarily what you might expect. Lovingly restored, 17th-century architecture gives each artistic room and suite a distinctly colonial feel. Recline on a four-poster bed splashed with hand-embroidered silk coverlets. Bathe beneath hand-painted frescos using soap perfumed by the Palacio’s own flowers. Some suites feature original Inca stonework; others boast balconies with hypnotic views of Cusco’s distant, mist-wrapped mountains. 

Belmond Palacio Nazarenas website

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge | Aguas Calientes, Peru

Sitting in the shadows of the Lost City, our lodge is an oasis of calm before or after a day exploring Machu Picchu. Unwind with a yoga session, take part in a traditional shaman ceremony in the garden, or sip muña tea in the Tampu Bar. Tranquility, wonder and beauty are at the heart of our unique experience. Cool botanical fabrics are offset by cherry-colored woods. King-sized beds provide space to unwind. Outside your windows, the mountains ripple into the distance.Signature dishes like a Jungle Landscape salad or Sacred Valley grilled trout evoke the Andean setting. Take a seat and let our authentic menu kickstart your Peruvian adventure.

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge website

5 Star Accommodations

Palacio del Inka | Cusco, Peru

Located in the heart of Cusco, Palacio del Inka is walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and museums. It is also located across from the Koricancha, the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire. The spacious rooms are exquisitely appointed, combining Peruvian art, handcrafted furnishings, as well as state-of-the-art technology. The on-site restaurant, Inti Raymi, serves particularly authentic Andean specialties, with ingredients organically grown in the Sacred Valley. Take advantage of the full service spa that draws on the ancient healing mysticism of the Andes.

One of the finest hotels in Peru and part of Starwood Resorts’ Luxury Collection, the Palacio del Inka is a 16th century mansion once occupied by Gonzalo Pizarro, half-brother of Francisco Pizarro (the Spanish conquistador who conquered Peru).

Palacio del Inka website

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo | Aguas Calientes, Per

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways and 83 whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest. The property has 12 acres of exquisite natural beauty, where 214 bird species – such as the golden-headed quetzal and the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock – as well as the world’s largest native orchid collection (372 species) have been registered. The hotel also features an on-site restaurant overlooking the river, as well as a relaxing spa and sauna.

Additionally, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Resort was rated the #3 hotel in Central and South America in Travel and Leisure’s 2015 World’s Best Awards.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo website

3.5 / 4 Star Accommodations

Novotel | Cusco, Peru

The centrally located Novotel Cusco hotel serves as an ideal base for exploring this enchanting historic city and its picturesque surroundings. Positioned in the heart of Cusco, the hotel offers a seamless blend of colonial elegance and contemporary design. This fusion is reflected throughout the spacious, well-appointed rooms, each providing modern amenities including free Wi-Fi to ensure you stay connected during your visit. Step outside and unwind in the charming patio of this beautifully restored colonial house, where you can relax under the shade of the canopy. The tranquil ambiance of the patio offers the perfect retreat after a day of discovering Cusco’s rich heritage and vibrant streets.

Novotel website

El Mapi | Aguas Calientes, Peru

Step into the smart, contemporary and cozy confines of El Mapi, amidst the picturesque Machu Picchu Pueblo. Discover an efficient, lively and friendly atmosphere, welcoming guests expecting an unfussy, down-to-earth break. The flowing lobby creates a sense of vitality. Lofty ceilings, panoramic windows and an open café allow natural light to filter between tall eucalyptus dried branches, creating an ambience of order and wellbeing. Relax in a pleasant and wholesome ambience after your enlightening visit to Peru’s most famous destination: the Machu Picchu archaeological site!

El Mapi website

Accommodations on the Trail

An interior photograph of a six-person room with bunk beds in a mountain hut in Torres del Paine National Park. These lodges are common for those hiking the W Trek to stay in

Huts on the W-Trek route offer communal dorm-style accommodation with bunk beds, comparable to many other mountain huts or lodges in other parts of the world. These huts can be rustic but comfortable (especially after long days

“Moving villages” are exactly as they sound: deluxe camps that move with you while you hike the Inca Trail. Following long days of trekking, you will enjoy comfortable tented campsites at incredible locations with breathtaking views. When booking your trip, you will have the option to choose between Eureka tents or higher-volume Big Agnes tents (the latter at additional cost).

We go above and beyond in handling every aspect of campsite operations, so that you can therefore focus on enjoying your time on the trail. All of the campsites feature dining tables in a dining tent (for breakfast & dinner, and lunch as well in the event that it is raining), fresh meals, beverages, your extra baggage, as well as two-person tents with sleeping pads already set up and awaiting your arrival. We also provide snacks before the trek each day, and we bring warm water and soap to your tents each morning for washing.

Furthermore, other luxuries – such as privacy toilet tents – will also be present at campsites on this trip. Optional shower tents can be arranged (at additional expense) if you elect to include them as part of your trekking experience while on the trail. Full adventure teams support these impressive accommodations and can generally consist of up to 15-20 porters, cooks, and guides for a 12-person trip.

The experience of relaxing in camp, sharing an evening meal with your fellow adventurers, and looking down across seemingly endless green valleys will undoubtedly stay with you for a long time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Inca Trail is one of the most famous long-distance treks on the planet. The Classic Inca Trail, the most common version of the hike, generally lasts between three to five days and showcases some of the most incredible architectural and natural wonders of Peru’s Sacred Valley. The adventure finishes at Machu Picchu, an epic citadel in the clouds that dates back to the 15th century.

The Inca Trail is considered one of the world’s most popular bucket-list hikes. It’s rich in history and natural beauty, revealing the ancient wonders of Peru’s old Incan Empire alongside the cloud forests and glaciated peaks of the Andes. It’s also a ticket to seeing the fortified ancient city of Machu Picchu after passing through the Gate of the Sun.

The Inca Trail is 100% worth it! This is one of the most iconic trekking routes on the globe. It takes you over mountain passes deep in the Andes, offering spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and llama-filled highlands. The grand finale is at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu, which you enter via the legendary Sun Gate. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The most common version of the Inca Trail, known as the Classic Inca Trail, covers 26 miles (42 km) of the Cusco Andes before arriving at Machu Picchu. Don’t worry, though, it is split into four days of hiking, meaning you need to complete around 7 miles (11.3 km) per day. The longest day of hiking, day three, involves 7.5 miles (12 km) up to Warmiwanusqa Pass.

The Inca Trail starts at KM 82. Also known as Piscacucho, it’s located within the Ollantaytambo district about 35 miles (56 km) directly to the northwest of Cusco city. The site is home to a train station, a clutch of cafes, and – as of 2013 – the Historical Interpretation Center of Machu Picchu which offers an introduction to the enthralling past of the region.

Hikers on the Inca Trail will sleep in tented camps. On our treks, we call these “moving villages” because they really are elaborate affairs, complete with kitchen tents and even hot-shower tents (the latter on request). Campsites on the Inca Trail invariably have excellent views of the mountains and Andean highlands.

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Trip Support

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