The Story unfolds along the mythical Inca Trail to Machu Picchu as you step back in time and follow in the footsteps of the Incas on their holy journey to honor Inti, the God of the Sun. On this Inca Trail hiking tour, travel through the Sacred Valley as misty peaks, verdant terraces, and imposing archaeological sites fill the scenes. On your epic Machu Picchu trip you will enjoy hearty meals, endless cups of coca tea, and mysterious lore amidst the majestic Andean mountains. As you make your way to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) you will enter the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the most magnificent wonders of our world.
Explore Machu Picchu with TEP
World’s Best Guides
Experience the Inca Trail with the finest guides in the Andes. Our Guides are simply the best in the Industry in every way from knowledge of the history of the Inca to the deep knowledge of the trail to the terrain. They are native to the surrounding areas of the Sacred Valley and Cusco, which provides our guests with an authentic and cultural travel experience
Intimate Trekking Experience
On the Inca Trail tour, our guests get to trek on some of the special sections, staying away from the crowds and allowing us to take our time and enjoy hiking the Inca Trail without distraction. This allows us to be at different points on the Inca Trail throughout the day, resulting in seeing fewer people along the way. For your first campsite with us you will stay on land at a private estate that we contract specifically for you. For the additional campsites we stay at locations away from the crowds at beautiful semi-private locations.
Superior Campsite Experience
We go above and beyond our competitors in handling every aspect of campsite operations so you can focus on enjoying your time on the Inca Trail. We provide snacks before the trek each day, warm water in bowls brought to your tents in the morning to wash, and authentic Peruvian meals throughout the trek. Our cooks only use the finest local organic ingredients for every dish and produce meals that are comparable to dining at a Cusco restaurant.
Explore Cusco, once the heart of the Inca Empire and described by Travel & Leisure Magazine as “a living monument to Inca history”.
Journey into the Sacred Valley on our Inca Trail tour, and find yourself surrounded by the majesty of the soaring peaks of the Andean Mountains.
Our world-class guides are the pioneers in Inca Trail trekking and have been leading hiking adventures to Machu Picchu for over 40 years!
Discover the many Incan secrets on your guided tour to Machu Picchu while falling under the spell of the Andean sun as you gain insight into the mysteries of the Inca Empire.
Relax in the comfort and luxury of our 4 and 5 Star accommodations – featuring some of the most extraordinary resorts in Peru.
Please Note – the Trip Activity Level Guide is for guidance only and provides a general sense of what you should expect on our trips. Actual times, distances, and elevation can be outside the ranges outlined below.
Easy
Trips designated “Easy” are perfect for first-timers, or travelers looking for a mild physical challenge. Hikes, treks, and horseback rides are short and terrain is typically flat, at an elevation not exceeding 5,000 feet. On paddling trips, river currents move swiftly, thus minimal paddling is required.
Moderate
“Moderate” trips are more active and require a bit more endurance. Hikes, treks, and horseback rides includes occasional steep ascents. Elevation can occassionaly reach up to 15,000 feet. River currents are moderate and some stretches include Class 1-2 rapids.
Advanced
Trips marked “Advanced” require strong physical stamina, as we’re often active for 8+ hours per day. Hikes, treks, and horseback rides include traversing more rugged and mountainous terrain, at elevations that can reach up to 15,000 feet. Rivers currents are moderate to swift and often include paddling white water through Class 1-3 rapids.
Explorer
TEP’s most physically demanding trips fall into the “Explorer” category. Expect 8+ hours of activity per day. These trips are demanding, yet attainable for those seeking the challenge. Hike, trek, and horseback ride on rugged and mountainous terrain with frequent steep ascents. Elevation may exceed 15,000 feet. Rivers currents are moderate to swift and often include navigating white water through Class 1-3 rapids.
Step back in time and follow in the footsteps of the Inca, one of the greatest empires in history. Adhering to the mythical Path of the Sun, on this Inca Trail tour you will pass through ancient ruins, rural villages, and cloud forests before reaching the steps of the Sun Gate and the Sanctuary of the breathtaking Machu Picchu!
Enjoy an afternoon exploring the city on a guided Cusco walking tour to discover the sights, sounds and tastes of this lofty UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site.
Today is the beginning of your Inca Trail hiking adventure! Mystical mountains and the roaring Urubamba River add to the splendor as you explore the many ruins preserved along the way, before settling into camp for your first night searching the sky for the Southern Cross.
Our Inca Trail trek continues as we pass through the small village of Huayllabamba before following the trail up a steady climb to our campsite this evening in a large Pampa. Sip coca tea as you enjoy expansive views of Mt. Huayanay and the Sacred Valley stretching below.
Our Machu Picchu adventure continues as we follow the natural contour of the terrain and the original Inca Trail over passes and through spectacular ruins, before settling into another night of rest and awe-inspiring vistas.
The day begins with a steep descent back to the sights and sounds of the lower elevations as we complete the final section of the Inca Trail hiking tour, before finally reaching the Sun Gate and your hard-earned vantage point of the world wonder of Machu Picchu.
Now that you have experienced the beautiful trails of Peru, you will hike Huayna Picchu then you will enjoy a private tour of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Your guide will take you through the different sectors of this iconic hilltop citadel, where you’ll find astonishing views at every turn. This will be followed by a train ride and private car back to Cusco.
Read what our clients are saying about this once-in-a-lifetime experience:
Tyler G.
“The Most Incredible Experience of My Life!”
Winston C.
“Best Adventure Travel Company in the World!”
Trip Accommodations
For the nights when you are not hiking the Inca Trail, relax in the comfort and luxury of our 5 Star Premium accommodations – featuring some of the finest resorts in Peru.
5 Star Resorts
Palacio del Inka | Cusco, Peru
One of the finest hotels in Peru and part of Starwood Resort’s Luxury Collection, Palacio del Inka is a 16th century mansion built as the home of a Spanish conquistador. Located in the heart of Cusco, it is walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and museums and is located across from the Koricancha, the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire. The spacious rooms are exquisitely appointed, combining Peruvian art and handcrafted furnishings with state-of-the-art technology. The on-site restaurant, Inti Raymi, serves authentic Andean specialties, with ingredients organically grown from the Sacred Valley. Take advantage of the full service spa that draws on the ancient healing mysticism of the Andes. VIEW HOTEL WEBSITE
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo | Aguas Calientes, Peru
Nestled into the mountainside on twelve serene acres of natural paradise, 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. Its Andean pueblo-style rooms are artfully designed for serenity and solitude serving as the ultimate Inca retreat. With a nod to modern culture, every room has complimentary Wi-Fi, a plasma-screen satellite TV with DVD player, iPod speakers, and more. Their on-site restaurant offers daily tea and intimate dining options. This will be a dining experience to remember since it is overlooking the impressive Vilcanota River. So sit back, relax and take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Andean Mountains. Need to relax even more? Take advantage of the on-site Una Spa & Sauna for a relaxing massage or a quiet moment in the sauna. VIEW HOTEL WEBSITE
3.5 Star Resorts
Novotel | Cusco, Peru
The centrally located Novotel Cusco hotel is the perfect base for exploring this historic city and the surrounding area. The colonial and modern architecture continues in the spacious rooms, which have free WiFi. Relax under the shade of the canopy on the patio of this old colonial house while sipping coca tea.VIEW HOTEL 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 ambiance of order and wellbeing. Relax in a pleasant and wholesome ambiance after your enlightening visit to Peru’s most famous destination: the Machu Picchu Archaeological site. VIEW HOTEL WEBSITE
What Sets Us Apart
Personal Attention Before Your Trip
There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to you before your Inca Trail tour. We get very involved with our clients before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning Zoom calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from me on preparation, trip experience, and training. It also gives you the platform to ask questions on any aspect of the trip.
Unparalleled Trail Support
With extensive support from our team, you will have the luxury of hiking the Inca Trail with support from our team of porters. Our porters carry the camping equipment, food, and your personal belongings during the trekking portion of your adventure so that you hike ‘pack-free’ along The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Sustainability
At The Explorer’s Passage, we not only have great respect for all things history but we also go out of our way to not leave any “history” of us behind! We are proud members of both Sustainable Travel International and Leave No Trace and incorporate their principles throughout this Inca Trail tour.
For this adventure, we work to minimize our impact on the Inca Trail so that we can help preserve it for generations to come. We use the least amount of plastic possible for packing and utilize biodegradable soaps and detergents for washing. While on the Trail we use environmentally friendly portable toilet systems and help to facilitate the use of reusable water containers for our hikers.
We dispose of garbage very selectively and make sure that as much garbage as possible is recycled. Also, we use solar-powered lamps for lighting up our campgrounds. We not only employ local porters, but pay the highest wages in the market to our guides, porters, and chefs to promote fair working conditions in support of the local economy.
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