Full Itinerary of the Inca Trail 7 days to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco City Tour

Upon arrival at the Cusco airport, we will pick you up and drive you to your centrally located hotel, where you can rest and enjoy the city at leisure. In the afternoon, at 1.00 pm, you will start a walking tour in the center of Cusco, visiting the city's most important landmarks and streets, such as Plaza de Armas, 12-angled Stone Street, and the beautiful Qoricancha. We'll then head to Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, and the statue of the white Christ. The tour will finish back at your hotel.

• Duration: Half-day
• Meals: None Included
• Entry tickets included
• Hotel: San Agustin or Similar

Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, get ready to start your day at 7:00 am. You'll meet your guide and set off for the Alpaca farm and Mirador Taray, where you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley. Next, we'll head to Pisac to explore its iconic ruins, browse the Pisac Market, and savor a lunch made with local ingredients in Urubamba.

After lunch, we'll drive to the fascinating circular terraces of Moray, visit the unique Salineras of Maras, and wrap up the day with a tour of the impressive Ollantaytambo fortress. You'll spend the night in a cozy hotel near Ollantaytambo town.

• Duration: Full day
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, buffet lunch in Urubamba
• Entry tickets included
• Hotel: Tunupa Lodge or Similar

Day 3: Ollantaytambo – Km 82 – Llactapata - Ayapata

Today's adventure will start with a 7:00 am pickup. You will meet the rest of the Inca Trail group and drive in a van to KM 82, the beginning of the Inca Trail. On the first day of the Inca Trail, you will hike for 6 hours along meandering streams and visit local villages and beautiful archeological sites. The first campsite is Ayapata, located at 3300m (10,826ft).

• Distance: 14 km / 8 mi
• Duration: 6 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Ayapata – Warmiwañuska – Runkuraqay – Chaquicocha

After a long night’s sleep, start at the campsite with a cup of coffee in your tent and prepare for the most challenging day of the trail (The Inca Trail 7 days to Machu Picchu). Today’s hike is about 10 hours, crossing two mountain passes. The first mountain takes 4 hours up to the Inca Trail’s highest point, Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m - 13,829 ft), then 2 more hours downhill to Pacaymayu for a well-earned lunch.

After lunch, you'll climb for two hours to the second mountain, Runkuraqay Pass (4000 m - 13,123 ft), then another 2 hours down to the second campsite at Chaquicocha.

• Campsite Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
• Highest altitude: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
• Distance: 16 km / 9 mi
• Duration: 10 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

Day 5: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna

After the most demanding and challenging part, you can relax with a relatively easy 5-hour 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 Phuyupatamarca (City in the Clouds), Intipata (Terraces of the Sun), and Wiñay Wayna (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 dinner with a special farewell surprise!

• Campsite Altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
• Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
• 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 Sun Gate, where you will have an incredible Machu Picchu 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 crucial access was the Classic Inca Trail. Your expert mountain guide will take you to explore the best of Machu Picchu, learn the citadel’s mysteries, and learn the history of the last days of the great Inca Civilization.

Later in the afternoon, board the Panoramic Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo and a private van to Cusco. Arrive at your hotel around 7:30 pm.

• Highest altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
• Distance: 6 km / 3 mi
• Duration: 2 hours
• Meals: Breakfast
• Hotel: San Agustin 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

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 stay in hotels in Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and Camping on the Inca Trail.

When you stay in a hotel, you will have all your luggage; TreXperience will transfer 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. You must carry your bag during the day when hiking the Inca Trail. We recommend a maximum of about 5 to 8 kg.

Essentials

• Comfortable, high-top hiking shoes
• Hiking pants
• Sweatshirts
• Polo shirts
• Sun hat
• Raincoat
• Shorts
• Warm jacket

What to Pack for the city tour in Cusco?

The city tour in Cusco takes around 4 hours; you will only take a small backpack with essentials for the afternoon tour. Your luggage will be at the hotel in Cusco:

• A small backpack for the tour; note that you will be hiking when visiting the different sites
• A comfortable pair of walking shoes: You'll be doing a lot of walking on your tour
• A hat or sunglasses: The sun can be pretty strong in Cusco
• Sunscreen: It's important to put on sunscreen if you don't want a sunburn
• Rain gear, have a rain poncho or jacket with you always
• Warm clothes are recommended, as the weather can be chilly in the afternoons.
• A bottle of water: Staying hydrated is always beneficial and helps with altitude acclimation.
• Snacks: If you get hungry during the tour.
• A camera: Of course, you'll want to take pictures.

What to pack for the Sacred Valley tour?

During your visit to the Sacred Valley, when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco, please ensure you travel with all your luggage. The Hotel is in Ollantaytambo, near the Inca Trail.

Your big luggage will stay in the car, and during the Sacred Valley tour, you will explore with a small backpack. In the bag, you must take the following:

• Warm clothes
• Rain gear
• Passport and important documents
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Hiking shoes
• Camera
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• Extra money

What to pack for the Inca Trail Hike?

During the Inca Trail, you will be camping out in the mountains. You will only travel with essential equipment for the 4-day trek; your luggage must return to Cusco. We will transfer your luggage from the Sacred Valley and keep it in our office in Cusco; on the last day, we will deliver it to your hotel.

What will you have on the daypack during the Inca Trail hike?

• Original passport: You will need it to enter Machu Picchu.
• Plastic Ponchos: TreXperience will provide you with a reusable plastic poncho.
• Sunscreen: You will hike in open spaces exposed to direct sunlight; 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 icy in the first two nights; keep a jacket while hiking.
• Snacks: We recommend bringing energy bars, granolas, chocolate, and candies.
• Water Container: You need a container of at least 2 liters of water: camel bag, reusable bottle.
• Flashlight or Headlamp: You must walk around the camp and use the restroom.
• Hat and Sunglasses: Bring a sun hat with a neck cover, gloves, and a 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 band-aids, Diamox, Pepto, Ibuprofen, Imodium, motion sickness pills, and 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 using hiking boots instead of sports shoes; in addition, please ensure you have used them before to avoid blisters.
• Sandals: After a long day hike, you must 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.

Price for the Inca Trail 7 days to Machu Picchu

Price per person:

Price is based on room occupancy

• From US$ 998 - Adults
• From US$ 958 - Children and students

To book the Inca Trail 7-day tour, you need to make an initial payment of US$ 400 per person; the remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco with any card and without booking fees.

Student Discount:

• US$ 40 off per person

All travelers under 17 have a $40 discount. If you are 25 years old or under when traveling, you can get the discount with your Student ID. Please send us an email to receive a code for the discount.

Valid Student ID for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu:

To get the student discount, travelers should have a Valid ID with the following:

• 25 years or less at the time of entering Machu Picchu. Older than 25 can not enter as a student
• The ID must have the Name of the university, name, and photo of the student
• The ID must have a valid expiration date

Invalid Student IDs:

Student IDs are not eligible for a discount when:

• Traveler is older than 25
• Expired ID
• Student ID without expiration date
• ISIC cards are not valid.

Similar tours you might be interested in:

• Classic Inca Trail 4 days
• Short Inca Trail 2 days
• 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Rainbow Mountain 1 day
• Humantay Lake 1 day

Inca Trail 7 Days FAQs

The Inca Trail is an iconic journey; understanding everything from how long it takes to what you need to bring can be daunting. To help shed some light on this incredible experience, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions about the 7-day trek to Machu Picchu.