Explore the best of Cusco city, the Sacred Valley, and the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in a 7 days tour. The perfect option to explore Cusco and Machu Picchu with peace of mind.
Overview
The Inca Trail 7 days tour to Machu Picchu combines comfortable hotels in Cusco and the Sacred Valley with the most popular hiking tour to Machu Picchu. During 7 days and 6 nights, you will explore the best of Cusco on a city tour, visit the local markets and Inca sites at the Sacred Valley, and hike the4 days Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
To book the Inca Trail 7 days tour, you need to make an initial payment of 200.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card at no booking fees at all.
Student Discount:
All travelers under 17 will have a $40. If you are 25 years old or under at the time of traveling, you can get the 40$ discount with your student ID. Please advise by email to give you a code for the discount.
Day by day summary of the Inca Trail 7 days:
Day 1: Cusco City Tour:
Pick up from the airport and drive to your centrally located hotel in Cusco. Later in the afternoon, at 1.00 pm, you will start the Cusco city tour; Plaza de Armas, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay. Drop off at the hotel (Casa Andina or Similar)
Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour:
After breakfast, Explore the Sacred Valley: Alpaca Center, Pisaq, Moray, Salineras, and Ollantaytambo. I spent the night in a hotel near the Inca Trail (Del Pilar or Similar)
Day 3: Ollantaytambo – Ayapata: Inca Trail:
After breakfast, you will go by van to km 82, the beginning of the Inca Trail. Hike along with the local villages and beautiful archeological sites for 6 hours until the first campsite.
Day 4: Ayapata – Chaquicocha: Inca Trail:
Start early in the campsite with a cup of coffee in your tent and prepare for the most challenging days of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Today’s hike is about 10 hours, crossing two mountains.
Day 5: Chaquiccocha – Wiñaywayna: Inca Trail:
The most beautiful day since the most challenging part is over. After breakfast, starts a 5-hour hike exploring different archeological sites along the way, such as Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, and Wiñaywayna.
Day 6: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco:
Wake up early and hike the last part on the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate first to admire the beauty of Machu Picchu, Arrive in Machu Picchu, and spend the day exploring the best of the citadel with your tour guide. In the afternoon, take the panoramic train back to Cusco. Drop off around 7.30 pm at your hotel.
Day 7: Depart Cusco
After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport according to your departure flight.
Included in the Inca Trail 7 days
Airport pick up and drop off in Cusco city
2 nights hotel in Cusco (Casa Andina or similar)
1-night hotel in Ollantaytambo (Del Pillar or similar)
3 nights Camping in comfortable tents
All transportation from the beginning to the end
All entrance tickets to the places we visit
Personal porter for up to 7 kg
Porters to carry food and equipment
Local expert chefs to prepare all meals during the Inca Trek
Professional English speaking tour guides
4-person tents for every 2 people
Sleeping pad, personal tents, dining tent
Tables, chairs, portable toilets when camping
First aid kit (AED, Pulse Oximeter, Oxygen tank, Satellite phones)
Sleeping bag, Inflatable mattresses, Trekking poles
Gratuities (Optional)
Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)
Meals not mentioned
International or domestic flights
Extra hiking after Machu Picchu tour.
Huayna Picchu Mountain: This mountain is optional. You will hike after the guided tour in Machu Picchu. There is an additional cost of 75$ per person to get the tickets.
Machu Picchu Mountain: Only recommended if you stay an extra day in Aguas Calientes town. There is an additional cost of 75$ per person to get the tickets.
Covid-19 measures to keep you safe during traveling
Temperature checks for all travelers are mandatory.
Face masks are required for travelers and staff in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff at all times
High traffic places and equipment are sanitized regularly between use.
Printed material such as maps or vouchers will be avoided.
100% online payments with no booking fees at all
Flexible bookings during COVID – 19 outbreak
Full Itinerary
Full Itinerary of the 7-day Machu Picchu Hike
Day 1: Cusco City Tour
Upon arrival at the airport of Cusco, your tour guide will meet you at the airport and drive you to your centrally located hotel. Later in the afternoon, at 13.0o pm, you will start a walking tour in the center of Cusco, visiting the most remarkable places like Plaza de Armas, Koricancha, and important streets. Next, you will drive to Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. The tour will finish back at your hotel.
Duration: Half-day
Meals: None Included
Tickets included
Hotel: Casa Andina or Similar
Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour:
After breakfast in your hotel, your tour guide will pick you up at 7:30 am to drive to Awanacancha Alpaca center, where you will see the different species of South American Camelids. Next, you will go to Mirador Taray, Pisaq Inca Site, Pisaq Market, and have lunch in a local restaurant in Urubamba prepared with fresh local products.
After lunch, you will drive to the circular terraces of Moray, visit the Salineras of Maras, and finally see the fortress of Ollantaytambo. You will spend the nights in a hotel near km82, the beginning of the Inca Trail.
Duration: Full day
Meals: Breakfast at hotel, Buffet lunch in Urubamba
Tickets included
Hotel: Del Pilar or Similar
Day 3: Ollantaytambo – Km 82 – Llactapata- Ayapata
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel around 8:00 am. Then, you will meet the Inca Trail group and drive in a van to KM 82, the beginning of the Inca Trail; you will hike along meandering streams visit local villages and beautiful archeological sites. The first campsite is Ayapata, located at 3300m – 10826ft.
Distance: 13.5km / 8 miles
Duration: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: Ayapata – Warmiwañuska – Runcuraccay – Chaquicocha
After a long night’s sleep, start early at the campsite with a cup of coffee in your tent and prepare for the most challenging days of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Today’s hike is about 10 hours, crossing two mountains. The first mountain takes 4 hours up to the Inca Trail’s highest point, Dead Woman’s Pass (421700m -13835ft), then two more hours downhill to Pacaymayu for a well-earned lunch. After lunch, Climb for 2 hours to the second mountain, Runcuraccay Pass (4000 m / 13123 ft), then another 2 hours down to the second campsite at Chaquicocha.
Campsite Altitude: 3600m – 11811ft
Highest altitude: 421700m -13835ft
Distance: 16km / 9 miles
Duration: 10 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Day 5: Chaquiccocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna
After the most demanding and challenging part is over, you can relax with a relatively easy 5 hours hike to the Inca Trail’s last campsite. The route is highly varied with different ecosystems, magnificent panoramic views of the Vilcabamba Mountain range, and beautiful Inca sites such as; Phuyupatamarka (City in the Clouds), Intipata (Terraces of the Sun), and Wiñay Wayne (Forever young). This last one is our lunch place and also the final campsite. After lunch, visit the fantastic Wiñaywayna Incas site and enjoy the last supper with a special farewell surprise!
Campsite Altitude: 2600 m – 8530 ft
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Day 6: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
On the final and most important day, wake up early and prepare to discover the 15th century Lost Inca Citadel. After a 1 hour hike, you will arrive at the Sungate, where you will have an incredible Machu Picchu’s first view. If the weather allows, you will experience the most fantastic sunrise over the Lost City of the Incas. Machu Picchu was abandoned for unknown reasons in the 16th century, and with this, the primary and most important access, the Classic Inca Trail. Your expert mountain guide will take you to explore the best of Machu Picchu, learn the citadel’s mysteries, and the history of the last days of the great Inca Civilization. Later in the afternoon, board the Panoramic train trains back to Ollantaytambo and a private van to Cusco. Arrive at your hotel around 7:30 pm.
Highest altitude: 2700m -8858ft
Distance: 6km / 3 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Casa Andina or Similar
Difficulty: Easy
Day 7: Depart Cusco
After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport according to your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the airport
You can stay longer and visit Humantay Lake or Rainbow Mountain; request a quote for extra nights in the hotel and a special offer for additional day tours!
Packing List
Inca Trail 7 days 6 nights tour packing list
The Inca Trail Tour 7 days is a complete package that includes city tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley, and the Inca Trail hike. During the 7 days of the tour, you will be staying in hotels in Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and Camping in the Inca Trail.
During the days you stay in a hotel, you will have all your luggage with you; TreXperience will be in charge of transferring your bags when we change the hotel.
During the Inca Trail trek, you will only travel with duffle bags provided by TreXperience; the rest of your luggage must stay in your hotel.
We will provide duffel bags for the 4-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu, in which you can put 7 kg; this must include your sleeping bag and air mattress.
You will also have a backpack. When hiking the Inca Trail, you must carry your bag during the day. We recommend a maximum of about 5 to 8 kg.
What will you have on the daypack during the Inca Trail hike?
Original passport: You will need to enter Machu Picchu.
Plastic Ponchos: TreXperience will provide you with a plastic poncho.
Sunscreen: You will hike in open spaces exposed to direct sunlight; make sure you bring the correct sunscreen or buy it in Cusco before heading for the trek. Also, get some lip protectors.
Toilet paper: You will find the toilet from the locals; you must always carry toilet paper in your backpack.
Insect repellent: Apply insect repellent every day and wear long sleeves.
1 rain jacket, 1 warm/winter jacket: The temperature will be very cold in the first two nights; keep a jacket with you while hiking.
Snacks: We recommend bringing energy bars, granolas, chocolate, and candies.
Water Container: You need to have a container of at least 2 liters of water. Camel bag, reusable bottle.
Flashlight or Headlamp: You will need to walk around the camp and use the restroom.
Hat, Sunglasses: You need to bring a sun hat with a neck cover—also, gloves and bennie for nighttime and early mornings.
Extra Money in Cash: Around 600 soles (200. USD) for the Inca Trail; make sure to have some small coins, this is emergency money, and you will not spend all of it.
Personal medication: Bring some band-aids, Diamox, Pepto, Ibuprofen, Imodium, motion sickness pills, feminine products.
Devices: Cameras, cellphones for photos.
What you will have on the duffle bag:
The sleeping bag: The first 2 nights during the Inca Trail can be below 0 degrees Celsius; you will need a suitable sleeping bag that can withstand -10 degrees Celsius. You can bring your own or rent it from us.
Hiking Boots: Lightweight and waterproof, we strongly recommend that you use hiking boots instead of sports shoes; in addition, please make sure you have used them before to avoid blisters.
Sandals: After a long day hike, you will need to wear light clothes and shoes at the campsite. For this reason, we recommend that you wear sneakers or sandals.
6 pairs of wool hiking socks: To use them with trekking boots.
3 pairs of light socks: You will wear them at night or walk around in sandals at the campsite.
5+ pairs of underwear: Just in case, please bring more things in case they get wet
2 or 3 hiking pants: Breathable. Ladies’ leggings are also perfect.
1 Sweatpant: For the evenings and early morning
5 sets of t-shirts: Long-sleeved shirts are better
Trekking poles: We strongly recommend bringing your own or renting them from us.
Inflatable mattresses: We provide foam mattresses; however, you can bring or rent air mattresses for more comfort.
FAQs
Inca Trail 7 Days FAQs
What is the difference between the Classic Inca Trail 4 days and the Inca Trail 7 days?
The Inca Trail 7 days tour starts with a city tour in Cusco, Sacred Valley tour, and the Classic Inca Trail 4 days to Machu Picchu. This is a full 7 days tour of Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Where Does the 7-day Inca Trail start?
To participate in this package, you need to book a domestic flight to Cusco; upon your arrival, we will pick you up and drive you to the centrally located hotel.
When is the best time to hike Inca Trail?
This question is usually difficult to answer. You will be surprised by the sun, rain, wind, cold, or any weather you encounter during your journey during the Inca Trail. You need to have the right equipment and be ready for all kinds of weather at any time.
The Driest months on the Inca Trail are May, June, July, August. However, these are the busiest day in Machu Picchu.
The rainy season starts in November until March; however, it is possible to have whole weeks without rain.
February is permanently closed due to heavy rains and maintenance.
How many days in advance do I have to arrive in Cusco?
We recommend that you arrive at least 2 days before the tour departure. However, this whole 7 day Cusco package includes the 2 days advised; during these 2 days, you will explore the city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and you will also be preparing for the Inca Trail.
What type of accommodation is included?
We include 3-star hotels during the days we stay in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The hotel’s rooms are based on double occupancy. We don’t charge any single supplement for solo travelers as you will be paired up with fellow travelers of the same gender.
During the Inca Trail, you will be provided with comfortable 4-man tents for every 2 travelers. You can also request a single tent at no extra charge.
How To Book Inca Trek?
TreXperience makes it easy to book the Inca Trail; click in any Book Now button, select your departure date, fill in the form with all the required details, including passport information, and finally submit the first payment required to book the Inca Trail. As the Peruvian government implements a strict permit booking policy for the Inca Trail, all Inca Trail reservations must be manually confirmed.
Is the Inca Trail Hike Dangerous?
At any adventure travel, there will always be risks involved. The dangerous situation of the Inca Trail may be caused by negligence or natural forces. The best way to ensure the safety of the Inca Trail is always to follow the guide’s instructions.
Can I Hike The Inca Trek Without A Guide?
If you do not hire a registered travel company, you will not be able to enter the Inca Trail. You must tour the Inca Trail with your guide, chef, and porters.
