Inca Trail Guided Tour to Machu Picchu

Welcome to Peru and the city of Cusco! Transportation will be arranged from the airport to your hotel, where you will meet your guide for a tour briefing and overview. Depending on your arrival time, you probably have some time to explore Cusco! This city was the capital of the ancient Incan Empire, and there is plenty of evidence of this remaining. You can also see Spanish churches and mansions. Cusco also offers wonderful Peruvian restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Those selecting the luxury tour will also get a guided tour of the city of Cusco, touring Incan ruins, a market and the famous cathedral. Entrances fees to all attractions are included.

Today you will explore Cusco and follow your own interests, with a choice of two wonderful guided tours. There is much to see, do, and learn here in South America’s oldest, continuously inhabited city. What was once the Inca’s capital city has now become the archaeological capital of South America.

To help you make the most of your visit, two additional (optional) tours are included. Choose between the Sacred Valley Tour and the Maras Moray Tour.

The Sacred Valley Tour is a full day of experiences. You’ll visit an Indian market in Pisac to experience this colourful tradition. You can barter with the local craftsmen to purchase unique, handmade souvenirs. You’ll then travel to the town of Ollantaytambo, a town of narrow streets and canals that are largely unchanged since the time the Incas inhabited it. Finally, visit the Chinchero market. This market is more authentic and less geared toward tourists. According to legend, Chinchero is the birthplace of the rainbow. When you are finished in Chinchero, return to Cusco.

The Maras Moray tour begins with a drive from your hotel to Moray (approx. 1.5 hours). Moray is known as the “Inca agricultural greenhouse or laboratory.” Here, the Incas carved amphitheatre-like terraces in a bowl shape. It is thought that these were used to test and determine optimal growing conditions for different crops. After exploring Moray, continue another two miles to visit the Maras salt mines. In this area, you can see a series of tiny channels carved so that the highly salty water coming from a natural spring would run into terraced ponds. Exposed to the sun, the water dries and leaves the salt behind. It is believed that salt was harvested in this way in this place since a time before even the Incas. After exploring the Maras salt mines, return to Cusco.

Today’s itinerary begins very early (4:30am), and because of this breakfast is not included today (Note: Breakfast is included on the Premium Tour). Transfer to Piscacucho and check in. Access to the Inca Trail is limited, so at this control point you will need to show your passport, permits, etc. Ahead of you lie the incredible Inca Valley and the path used by great Inca masters and the royal court on the sacred journey to Machu Picchu. You have the privilege of retracing their steps.

From the trailhead (2,720 m / 8,923 ft) cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail as it enters the cloud forest. Continue walking until you see the remains of Inca sites such as the Huillca Raccay fortress and Patallacta. Notice how the Urubamba mountains divide the jungle as you walk through the Andes and admire the W’akay Willca peak (5,860 m / 19,225 ft). This majestic snow-capped peak is also known as Veronica. This day full of new impressions and beautiful scenery ends at the Ayapata campsite near the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,842 ft). Depending on the season, expect overnight temperatures around +5°C (41°F).

Today’s Inca Trail hike starts early, and begins with a steep climb that will take several hours. The Inca believed this was part of their sacred pilgrimage, that they would become one with the gods that protect the Andes. Your challenging climb brings you to the tour’s highest pass, Dead Woman’s Pass (Abra de Warrmihuañusca) (4,200 m / 13,779 ft). Take a well-deserved rest and feel a sense of accomplishment for completing this ascent. Begin to descend again to your lunch stop at Pacaymayu (3,550 m / 11,646 ft). As you walk, watch for a variety of birds and hummingbirds, as well as the polylepis trees that are only found in this cloud forest area.

After lunch there is another 2 hours of steep climbing awaits reach the Runkurakay Pass (4,000 m / 13,123 ft) then descend again to make camp at Chaquicocha Camp (3,350 m / 10,991 ft) before dark. Depending on the season, expect overnight temperatures around +4°C (39°F).

Today on the Inca Trail tour begins with a gentler climb to a fascinating archaeological site at Phuyupatamarca or “Town in the Clouds” (3,680 m / 12,073 ft). Stop here to enjoy the incredible view of the surrounding area, including mountains and canyons. Continuing from here, walk the 3,000 steps that lead through a cloud forest to reach another impressive Incan agricultural site called Intipata. From here, the next stop is the Wiñay Wayña campsite (2,680 m / 8,792 ft) where you will spend the night. You should reach this campsite by lunchtime, which leaves time in the afternoon to visit the nearby Wiñay Wayña (“Forever Young”) Inca site. Depending on the season, expect overnight temperatures around +12°C (54°F).

Join the ranks of Inca royalty today as you complete your journey through the mountains along the Inca Trail and reach the royal house of Machu Picchu. Get an early start in order to reach the Initpunku or Sun Gate (2,730 m / 8,957 ft) by sunrise. Enjoy your first memorable view of Machu Picchu as the sun rises over it. Descend to the incredible ancient city of Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,873 ft) for a guided tour of the area. Spend 2 more hours here, either exploring the city further on your own, or hiking the nearby mountains of Machu Picchu or Huayna (Wayna) Picchu. After this time, take the bus (or walk if you have time) to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then journey by train and bus back to Cusco.

For those who would like to hike Wayna Picchu, there is an additional , and due to required permits, reservations must be made well in advance. Many people consider hiking this mountain to be a highlight of their visit to Machu Picchu. Along the climb, see steps that the Incas cut into the rocks. As the trail winds its way around the mountain, you gain different perspectives on the city of Machu Picchu.

Sadly, your Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu tour has come to an end. After breakfast, depending on your flight times, you are free to explore Cusco and plan additional activities until it is time for your transfer to the airport. Have a pleasant journey!