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In the footsteps of the IncasRoute: Cuzco - Inca Trail - Machu Picchu - CuzcoThe Inca Trail is the most famous and by far the most popular trek in South America. Providing you’re reasonably fit, the Inca trail trek is the most spectacular way to reach the hidden Inca city. After a night in Cuzco, you’ll begin the 44km trail along the ancient Inca trade route that twists its way up through the Andes to the remote, and virtually inaccessible, Machu Picchu. Trekking for three days solid and crossing the highest pass at 4200m, the Inca Trail trek is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s certainly an experience that you'll never forget and a real highlight of your Peru trip. The views across the peaks of the Andes are incredibly beautiful and it's impossible to describe the euphoric feeling you'll get at the end of your three-day Inca Trail trek. If you want to see more of the Valley around Cuzco at the end of your Inca trail trek, take a look at our Sacred Valley tour. Please note that permits for the Inca Trail are limited, particularly from May to September so we strongly recommend booking far in advance. If the Trail is already fully booked, not to worry, we offer a great alternative with the Salkantay trek or our shorter Lares trek. |
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
Accommodation |
1 night double room in Cuzco incl. breakfast. During Inca Trail: 3 nights in double tent, basic facilities, full board (browse our photos here). |
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Price |
£445 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
All transport, guide, cook, porters (not for personal baggage), camping equipment (excl. sleeping bag), full board during Inca Trail, entrance fees for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. |
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Transport |
Minibus, scheduled bus, train |
Excludes |
Other drinks & refreshments during trek. |
Day 1: CuzcoYour Inca Trail trek begins in Cuzco. Whether you’re flying in directly from Lima or coming from the south of Peru, the Inca Trail always starts with a night in Cuzco, so this is included. With Peru Travel Plan you’ll be staying in one of our selected posadas in the working class district San Blas, just north of the touristy centre. Our posadas are about 10 minutes on foot, or 5 minutes by taxi, uphill from the Plaza de Armas. They’re small, traditional, mid-class hotels with a garden, patio and a small breakfast room. We’ve selected them based on charm and location. From the narrow streets, that barely fit a small Daewoo taxi, you can get a wonderful view across the city and the surrounding mountains. You’ll find lots of bars and restaurants in the area and, because the streets are so tiny, you won’t be bothered by roaring traffic. |
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Day 2: Cuzco - WayllabambaDay two of your Peru trip starts with an early breakfast, you’ll then be picked up by minibus for the short drive to Urubamba, where you can buy some last supplies before making your way to the starting point, also known as 82km marker stone. You can leave your bags in storage at the hotel reception, so just pack the bare essentials for the next couple of days. Your Inca Trail trek begins at the bridge across the Rico Urubamba, where you’ll need to fill out the registration form and show your passport. Once the guide’s given you a briefing on the route and its procedures, you’re ready to start trekking.Today you’ll walk for 4 hours (12km) across a level trail through the misty rainforest with lianas dangling from the dense green canopy. You’ll climb to about 2900m, passing several small Inca ruins and villages where you can stop for a drink or a bar of chocolate. Around midday you’ll have been walking about 3 hours, so it’s time for a picnic lunch with your group. |
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Day two of your Inca Trail trek ends in Wayllabamba, near the ruins of Llactapata. If you’ve still got the energy, the guide will take you on a brief tour in the afternoon. The porters had a head start so they’ll have pitched up the tents by the time you arrive. There’s no electricity, no hot water and no shower or toilet, though there is a toilet tent (actually a small square tent covering a hole in the ground). You can help prepare dinner or find a quiet spot and enjoy the view as the sun sets. Over dinner you can swap stories of your Peru adventures with your fellow trekkers from across the world before crawling into your tent. The nights at this altitude are very cold, but with warm clothes you should be fine. |
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Day 3: Wayllabamba - PacaymayoThis is the toughest day of the Inca Trail trek. It’s an early start, but make sure you have a substantial breakfast because you’ll need the energy to climb to the 4200m Abra de Warmiwanusca, or Dead Woman’s Pass. The trail leads through mossy forests and past several waterfalls before slowly ascending up the carved stone steps.In the mountains, nothing is as it seems and it’s still early in the day when you catch your first glimpse of the pass. Though it looks no more than 2 hours’ walk away, the stone steps seem to go on forever and only lots of chocolate, litres of water and a big dose of perseverance will get you through the day. Finally, after 7 hours of walking, you'll reach the top- a great achievement on your Peru tour. |
Day 4: Pacaymayo- Winay WaynaFrom Pacaymayo you’ll visit the archaeological site of Runkurakay before walking on to the ruins at Sayacmarka, once an impenetrable fortress and one of the most spectacular ruins on your Inca Trail trek. Next, you’ll conquer another mountain pass at 4000m. Once you reach the other side you’ll know you’ve ‘made it’, even though there’s another 1 ½ days ahead of you on your Peru trip. At the top of the pass, you’ll stop for lunch before heading downhill again. The walk in the afternoon is less strenuous but walking down can be pretty taxing on the knees and upper legs. Comfort yourself with the endless views and beautiful natural scenery of orchids, ferns and exotic birds. In the Inca citadel, Winay Wayna, you’ll set up camp at a small inn with large dining room. There’s a real atmosphere of relief and excitement among the trekkers here, having covered the most difficult part and knowing what lies in store tomorrow. You’ll have dinner with the group at the large dining table. |
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Day 5: Winay Wayna - Machu Picchu - CuzcoAs you round the corner at Inti Punco, or the Sun Gate, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. There’s nothing more magnificent than seeing the city at dawn, when the sun creeps up over the mountains and the clouds of mist slowly rise to reveal the ruins in all their glory. That’s why, on this morning of your Inca Trail trek, you’ll be up at the crack of dawn to walk another 1 ½ hours in twilight and reach the viewpoint just before sunrise.At the end of three days trekking, the (hopefully clear) view of Machu Picchu is the gold medal and an unforgettable highlight of your Peru trip. Once you’ve walked down from the Sun Gate to the actual ruins (1 hour), hand in your rucksack at the entrance and you’ll be given a guided tour around the complex. |
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Wandering among the ruins on your Peru tour, the city really comes alive. The terrace fields, the temples and houses show you how sophisticated the Incas were for their time but, whatever led to the decline of this once magnificent Inca city, still remains a mystery. Scientists and archaeologists still have opposing theories on what happened here to eventually turn the city into a deserted ruin, none of which have ever been proven. Was it a temporary hiding place from the approaching Amazonian Indians? Were the inhabitants struck by Spanish fever, an earthquake or did the society simply fall apart? The many mysteries surrounding the site makes the place seem even more mystical and it’s quite good fun deciding on your own theory. This is the complete highlight of your Inca Trail trek and all the hard work finally seems worthwhile. Fact is, the Spanish never discovered Machu Picchu during their conquest of the Latin American continent. The site remained hidden from the outside world until Hiram Bingham, completely by accident, stumbled upon the ruins during his search for another Inca city. |
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Once the guide has shown you around the major sights of the complex, there’s plenty of time left to explore the ruins at your own pace. Wherever you look you’ll see the Andes peaks on the horizon and, no matter how many times you’ve seen Machu Picchu in the travel guides, nothing can prepare you for this part of your Inca Trail trek. The sensation of walking through the endless labyrinth of temples, corridors, terraces and rooms where the Incas once lived is unexplainable. When you feel able to tear yourself away from the ruins, pick up your rucksack at the entrance and you’ll find the bus waiting to take you to Aguas Calientes. Here, you’ll catch the connecting train to Cuzco later that afternoon. You’ll arrive back in Cuzco in the evening. Get off the train at the last stop in Poroy, where you’ll be met at the station and transferred back to your hotel. (Please note that your night in Cuzco after the trek is not included in the module). If you’d like to see more of the Sacred Valley on your Peru holiday, take a look at our connecting Sacred Valley tour. |
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Important: During the Inca Trail trek you’ll carry your personal items yourself, including the sleeping mat (included) and sleeping bag (bring your own). A large day rucksack with good waist support is best. The trail is tough and a real challenge so please be sure you’re feeling up to it. If you think the entire Inca Trail trek may be too much of a good thing on your Peru holiday, take a look at our less strenuous Lares trek, or just get in touch with us to discuss the options. Entrance fees to the Inca Trail are subject to change. Changes are imposed by the government without prior notice so please understand that we need to recalculate any altered fees where applicable. Our Inca Trail treks can only be booked in combination with one or more of our other Peru or Bolivia modules. |
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| What to pack for your Inca Trail trek (you can leave the rest of your bags at the hotel in Cuzco): |
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Inca Trail trek accommodation (Click to enlarge)
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