Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Tackle the legendary Inca Trail for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to approach Machu Picchu through breathtaking mountain scenery, as the Incas themselves did many centuries ago. The classic five-day Inca Trail trek involves visits to all the trail’s famous sites, including the ruins at Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna. Your equipment will be carried by experienced porters and you will sleep in tented luxury as you make your way to your ultimate destination of Machu Picchu, which you will view at sunrise through the Sun Gate.
9 DAYS
Starting from $3,290 per person
Pricing includes everything from your international arrival to your departure, with the exception of flights and a few lunches and dinners.

HOW IT WORKS

HIGHLIGHTS
- A free day in Cuzco to acclimatize to the altitude (and explore this fascinating city) before the start of the trail.
- A guided tour of Cuzco, with visits to Koricancha, one of the most important Incan temples, and Cuzco's Cathedral where you'll learn about the Cuzco School of Art.
- Camp in ultimate comfort and warmth, with quality sleeping bags and Therm-a-Rest sleeping mats in your spacious two-man tent. Porters will carry your kit, and you'll even have the use of a private tented bathroom in the campsite.
- Trekking to the fascinating ruins of Llactapata and to the campsite of Wayllabamba.
- A feeling of tremendous accomplishment as you make it through the most challenging portion of the trail, Dead Woman’s Pass, before camping at Pacamayo.
- Ascending the Runkurakay Pass to see the ruins of Runkurakay and Sayacmarca.
- Lunch at the important archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca.
- A guided tour of the Wiñay Wayna ruins, where you will camp for the night.
- A two-hour guided tour of the Machu Picchu ruins, with free time to explore at your leisure.
- A scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley, back to Cuzco.
- International departure time allowing, a tour of Lima’s key sites – the San Francisco Monastery and catacombs, the city’s historical colonial squares and the picturesque waterfront district of Miraflores.
TALK WITH A DESTINATION EXPERT
We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.
We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.
Sample Itinerary
Upon arrival in Lima, you will be greeted and driven to your selected hotel. If you are staying at the Lima airport Costa del Sol Ramada, you will only need to walk out the airport exit and across the street to your evening’s accommodations.
Travelling from Lima to Cuzco, you will have ascended from sea level to 11,500 feet, so the first day you will be free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude. If you're feeling up to it, the city center is pedestrian-friendly and makes for a great stroll. We’d love to recommend the city's best options for dining and shopping, depending on your preferences and interests.
Recommended Hotel Accommodations
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La Casona
Luxury -
JW Marriott Cuzco
Luxury -
Casa Cartagena
Luxury -
Palacio Nazarenas
Luxury -
Aranwa Cuzco
Luxury -
Palacio del Inka
Luxury -
El Mercado Tunqui
Superior -
Costa Del Sol
Superior -
Novotel
Superior -
Antigua Casona San Blas
Superior -
Casa San Blas
Boutique -
Casa Andina San Blas
Boutique -
Quinta San Blas
Boutique -
El Retablo
Boutique -
Illa Hotel
Boutique -
Terra Andina
Boutique -
Maytaq Wasin
Boutique
During your tour of Cuzco, the capital of the Incan Empire, you'll visit Sacsayhuaman, an immense Incan complex with mind-bogglingly precise stonework, Koricancha, one of the most important Incan temples (the walls were once actually coated in gold!), and Cuzco's Cathedral where you'll learn about the Cuzco School of Art.
Recommended Hotel Accommodations
-
La Casona
Luxury -
JW Marriott Cuzco
Luxury -
Casa Cartagena
Luxury -
Palacio Nazarenas
Luxury -
Aranwa Cuzco
Luxury -
Palacio del Inka
Luxury -
El Mercado Tunqui
Superior -
Costa Del Sol
Superior -
Novotel
Superior -
Antigua Casona San Blas
Superior -
Casa San Blas
Boutique -
Casa Andina San Blas
Boutique -
Quinta San Blas
Boutique -
El Retablo
Boutique -
Illa Hotel
Boutique -
Terra Andina
Boutique -
Maytaq Wasin
Boutique
Today you will head out early from your Cuzco hotel, to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, and continue another hour to the start of the trail at Km 82. Your Inca Trail adventure begins here. After trekking for about three hours, you will arrive at the terraced Llactapata ruins. Then, you’ll continue through a lush valley before arriving at the evening campsite of Wayllabamba.
Today is the most challenging portion of the trail, as you climb three hours to Warmiwañusca, known as Dead Woman's Pass, at 13,780 feet. From the top you'll be able to take in breakthaking views of the surrounding valleys and enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Descending, you’ll arrive at the campsite of Pacaymayo.
After ascending to the Runkurakay pass at 13,123 feet, you will receive a guided tour of the fascinating ruins at Runkurakay and Sayacmarca. Lunch will be served at Phuyupatamarca, another important archaeological site and where the camp will be set.
We will start early in the morning going down the trail hiking for 3 hours until reaching Wiñaywayna at 8,856 feet, the main archaeological site after Machu Picchu in the Inca Trail, we will visit the site, from where we can see the Urubamba valley and the river. The path goes down to WiñayWayna ruins, the most important ruins after Machu Picchu, heading then towards IntiPunku at 9042 feet, the Gate of the Sun, our last pass. A boxed lunch will be provided. From this place, Machu Picchu looks unreal and beautiful. You will have your first brief introduction to the citadel late afternoon, as you head down towards your hotel in Aguas Calientes town, to spend a relaxing night.
Recommended Hotel Accommodations
Rising early to make it for sunrise over Machu Picchu, you will hike for about an hour to reach the "Sun Gate," where you will get your first view of Machu Picchu. After descending into the ruins, you will enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the Lost City of the Incas. You’ll have the afternoon free to continue to explore the ruins at your leisure before heading back by scenic train ride to Cuzco.
Recommended Hotel Accommodations
-
La Casona
Luxury -
JW Marriott Cuzco
Luxury -
Casa Cartagena
Luxury -
Palacio Nazarenas
Luxury -
Aranwa Cuzco
Luxury -
Palacio del Inka
Luxury -
El Mercado Tunqui
Superior -
Costa Del Sol
Superior -
Novotel
Superior -
Antigua Casona San Blas
Superior -
Casa San Blas
Boutique -
Casa Andina San Blas
Boutique -
Quinta San Blas
Boutique -
El Retablo
Boutique -
Illa Hotel
Boutique -
Terra Andina
Boutique -
Maytaq Wasin
Boutique