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Inca Trail TourThe Explorer’s Passage2022-05-13T21:27:33+00:00

Hike the Inca Trail

DAYS

8

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate

HOST CITY

Cusco, Peru

FROM

$2,775 USD

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Request a detailed itinerary

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Our Inca Trail
Itinerary

Inca Trail Tour

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.

Hike the Inca Trail with TEP

The World’s Best Operator on the Inca Trail

Experience Peru with the #1 Tour Company on the Inca Trail. Our team has been leading Inca Trail tours for over forty years and are the pioneers of trekking on the Trail. Our guides are native to the Sacred Valley, which provides you with an authentic travel experience.

 

Intimate Trekking Experience

Our guests get to trek on the special sections of the Inca Trail, staying away from the crowds and allowing us to take our time and enjoy the trail without distraction. This allows us to be at different points of the trail throughout the day resulting in seeing fewer people along the way.

 

Small Group Sizes

On all of our Inca Trail departures there is a maximum group size of 12 people. This provides a more intimate travel experience for our guests.

 

Private Camping Locations

We are one of the few tour operators permitted to camp in alternative sites away from the crowds. Why is this important to your adventure? This provides you with a private and relaxing place to camp, allowing you to fully take in the mountains and vistas around you.

Play Video

Download
Our Inca Trail
Itinerary

 

Ready to Book? Call Us

Learn More Below

Hike the Inca Trail

  • Highlights

  • Trip Details

  • Itinerary

  • Dates

  • Pricing

  • Hotels

  • Cuisine

  • Map

  • Additional Information

  • Custom Travel

  • Highlights

Inca Trail Tour Highlights

  • 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 as you hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and find yourself surrounded by the majesty of the soaring peaks of the Andean Mountains.
  • Our world-class team are the pioneers in Inca Trail trekking in Peru 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.
  • Trip Details

Inca Trail Tour Details

  • Country:  Peru
  • Tour Host City:  Cusco, Peru (CUZ)
  • Tour Duration:  8 days / 7 Nights (4 Days Hiking)
  • Accommodations Type:  4 Nights Hotel / 3 Nights Tented Camps
  • Activities:  Inca Trail Hiking / Machu Picchu Tour
  • Guest-to-Guide Support Ratio:  8:1
  • Group Size Maximum:  12 people (Private Closed Groups: 24 People)
  • Trip Activity Level:  Moderate*

*Please refer to our Trip Activity Level Guide or speak to one of our Adventure Consultants at 855-208-6800 to determine if this is the right trip for you.

  • Itinerary

Inca Trail Tour Itinerary

Daily Inca Trail Hiking Tour Overview

DAY 1:

Enjoy a warm welcome to Cusco, the ancient capital city of the Inca, as the excitement builds for the beginning of your Inca Trail Trekking adventure.

DAY 2:

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.

DAY 3:

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.

DAY 4:

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.

DAY 5:

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.

DAY 6:

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.

DAY 7:

Before heading to for your guided tour of Machu Picchu you will have the option to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In late morning, after the climb we will head to the Sanctuary for a guided tour through the imposing architecture of the Temple of the Sun, the Room of Three Windows and of course the Inti Watana, as the sun washes over the aged terraces and dry-stone walls.

DAY 8:

This morning, gather for one last group breakfast in Cusco to say our goodbyes. Exchange emails, if you’d like, with your guides and fellow explorers before transferring to the airport. We bid you adieu and will be counting the days until we see you on your next TEP adventure!

Please CONTACT US for a complete detailed Inca Trail Tour itinerary.

  • Dates

2022 & 2023 Inca Trail Tour Dates

  • Custom dates are available. To inquire about a custom date, please CONTACT US!
  • Pricing

Inca Trail Tour Pricing

5 Star Accommodations Tour Pricing

Prices are based on per person, double occupancy:

  • From $3,775 | Trip Cost
  • Single Supplement Pricing

    • Single Supplement Hotels: $900

    • Single Supplement Tents: $50

    • Forced Single Supplement: $450

3 Star Accommodations Tour Pricing

  • From $2,775 | Trip Cost
  • Single Supplement Pricing

    • Single Supplement Hotels: $450

    • Single Supplement Tents: $50

    • Forced Single Supplement: $225

*For Custom & Private Group pricing please CONTACT US.

View More Information on Pricing

  • Hotels

Tour Accommodations

For the nights when you are not hiking the Inca Trail, relax in the comfort and luxury of our 5 Star Platinum accommodations – featuring some of the finest resorts in Peru. If you are interested in our 3 Star Inca Trail Itinerary please click HERE.

Palacio del Inka | Cusco, Peru

One of the finest hotels in Peru, 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. The Palacio del Inka is the perfect hotel to prepare before you hike the Inca Trail.  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. The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo is the perfect place to rest after you hike the Inca Trail.  VIEW HOTEL WEBSITE
  • Cuisine

Cuisine

Cuisine On the Inca Trail

Our stellar backcountry chefs will artfully prepare all of your meals on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hearty snacks are prepared and provided for you. We put an emphasis on local specialties, organic foods, and international favorites that are not only healthy and fresh but also delicious.

Cuisine Off the Inca Trail

Carefully selected restaurants with three course meals allow our guests to indulge in authentic Peruvian fare. We also start each Inca Trail Hiking adventure with a complementary Pisco Sour, a Peruvian favorite at our welcome dinner.

  • Map

Inca Trail Map

Step back in time and follow in the footsteps of the Inca, one of the greatest empires in history. Along the mythical Inca Trail 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!

  • Additional Information

Additional Information

Unparalleled Trail & Porter 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.

Superior Camping Service

We provide set up and take down of all tents and camp equipment so that you can relax and fully enjoy your time on the trail. We also deliver hot water bags to your tents to help keep you warm on cold nights. In addition, dining tables and portable toilet systems are utilized to help make your experience as comfortable as possible.

Longer Access To Machu Picchu

On The Path of the Sun adventure our guests get to enjoy a FULL DAY at the Machu Picchu Citadel. You will not be rushed through your visit of Machu Picchu but rather have time to explore and soak up the history of one of our world’s greatest treasures.

Premier Gear & Equipment

At The Explorer’s Passage, we utilize only the highest quality brands. We make it a top priority to ensure that our guests are as comfortable as possible during their adventure and continually evaluate all of our gear and equipment to ensure it meets our rigorous standards.

A few examples of the gear that you should expect on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu hiking adventure are:

• Roomy and warm Eureka® tents
• Cozy Thermarest® mattresses

Also, if you would like to rent a high-grade sleeping bag you can conveniently rent one upon arrival in Peru. Please Contact one of our Adventure Consultants for more details.

Sustainability

At The Explorer’s Passage, we not only have a 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 each of our adventures.

For the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu adventure, we work to minimize our impact to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu 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 employs local porters, but pays the highest wages in the market to our guides, porters, and chefs to promote fair working conditions in support of the local economy.

  • Custom Travel

Custom Travel

Are you looking to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu but would like to customize your journey with us? Would like to travel to Peru on a particular date? Interested in extending your itinerary by a few days to explore the Sacred Valley, no problem! We’ll weave your interests and time frame to create the perfect Inca Trail trekking itinerary for you and your group. When you travel with TEP, we take care of every detail to ensure an extraordinary trip.

For more information about creating a once in a lifetime Inca Trail tour, contact us HERE.

  • Why Explore Machu Picchu with TEP
  • Highlights
  • Trip Details
  • Itinerary
  • Dates
  • Pricing
  • Accommodations
  • Trip Map
  • Explore Machu Picchu with TEP

    The World’s Best Operator on the Inca Trail

    Experience Peru with the #1 Tour Company on the Inca Trail. Our team has been leading Inca Trail tours for over forty years and are the pioneers of trekking on the Trail. Our guides are native to the Sacred Valley, which provides you with an authentic travel experience.

    Intimate Trekking Experience

    Our guests get to trek on the special sections of the Inca Trail, staying away from the crowds and allowing us to take our time and enjoy the trail without distraction. This allows us to be at different points of the trail throughout the day resulting in seeing fewer people along the way.

    Small Group Sizes

    On all of Inca Trail departures there is a maximum group size of 12 people. This provides a more intimate travel experience for our guests.

    Private Camping Locations

    We are one of the few tour operators permitted to camp in alternative sites away from the crowds. Why is this important to your adventure? This provides you with a private and relaxing place to camp allowing you to fully take in the mountains and vistas around you.

     

  • Trip Highlights

    • 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 as you hike the Inca Trail, and find yourself surrounded by the majesty and 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.
  • Trip Details

    • Country:  Peru
    • Host City:  Cusco, Peru (CUZ)
    • Duration:  8 days / 7 Nights (4 Days Hiking)
    • Accommodations:  4 Nights Hotel / 3 Nights Tented Camps
    • Activities:  Inca Trail Hiking / Machu Picchu Tour
    • Guest-to-Guide Support Ratio:  8:1
    • Group Size Maximum:  12 people (Private Closed Groups: 24 People)
    • Trip Activity Level:  Moderate*

    *Please refer to our Trip Activity Level Guide or speak to one of our Adventure Consultants at 855-208-6800 to determine if this is the right trip for you.

  • Trip Itinerary

    Daily Itinerary Overview

    DAY 1:

    Enjoy a warm welcome to Cusco, the ancient capital city of the Inca Empire, as the excitement builds for the beginning of your Machu Picchu adventure.

    DAY 2:

    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.

    DAY 3:

    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.

    DAY 4:

    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.

    DAY 5:

    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.

    DAY 6:

    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.

    DAY 7:

    Before heading to for your guided tour of Machu Picchu you will have the option to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In late morning, after the climb we will head to the Sanctuary for a guided tour through the imposing architecture of the Temple of the Sun, the Room of Three Windows and of course the Inti Watana, as the sun washes over the aged terraces and dry-stone walls.

    DAY 8:

    This morning, gather for one last group breakfast in Cusco to say our goodbyes. Exchange emails, if you’d like, with your guides and fellow explorers before transferring to the airport. We bid you adieu and will be counting the days until we see you on your next TEP adventure!

    Please CONTACT US for a complete detailed itinerary.

  • 2022 & 2023 Inca Trail Tour Dates

    • Custom dates are available. To inquire about a custom date, please CONTACT US!

    Please note that we run custom dates for private groups every month of the year except for February, when the Inca Trail is closed.

  • Inca Trail Tour Pricing

    5 Star Accommodations Tour Pricing

    Prices are per person, based on double occupancy:

    • From $3,775 | Trip Cost
    • Single Supplement Pricing:

      • Single Supplement Hotels: $900

      • Single Supplement Tents: $50

      • Forced Single Supplement: $450

    3 Star Accommodations Tour Pricing

    • From $2,775 | Trip Cost
    • Single Supplement Pricing:

      • Single Supplement Hotels: $450

      • Single Supplement Tents: $50

      • Forced Single Supplement: $225

    *For Custom & Private Group pricing please CONTACT US.

    View More Information on Pricing

  • Accommodations

    Palacio del Inka | Cusco, Peru

    One of the finest hotels in Peru, 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, 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

  • Trip Map

     

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