Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s oldest pilgrimages and consistently ranked among the ten best hikes on the planet. Join our Award-winning group tours, voted as the Best Inca Trail tours from 2019!
Enjoy the Inca Trail with the Best Inca Trail Tour Operator from 2019; we organize unique small group tours with the best equipment, best campsites, personal porters included, and panoramic trains on the way back to Cusco. TreXperience organizes small all-inclusive group tours to Machu Picchu with all safety regulations, 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Student Discount: Day 1: Training day! Day 2: The Challenge! Day 3: The easy day! Day 4: Machu Picchu!
Your Inca Trail trekking team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 4:30 am (depending on your location). If you stay in the Sacred Valley like Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, the pick up will be after 6:00 am. Then, drive for 3 hours to Km. 82 (Piscakucho) to start the 4 days and 3 nights trekking to Machu Picchu – arriving at approximately 8.00 am – First, meet your team of chefs, porters, guides, and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Next, we will head straight to the control point to show our passports and begin the amazing trip to the lost city of the Incas. The first part is a relatively easy two-hour walk to Patallacta, the first ancient site along the Inca Trail route. From a unique, secluded location, we will enjoy the breathtaking views of this ancient city. Then, it’s another two-hour walk to Hatunchaca – located in the Inca Trek’s heart, where the team of porters and chefs will be waiting with a delicious lunch prepared with fresh local products. After lunch, we will walk for another two hours to the first campsite located in Ayapata, arriving at approximately 5:00 pm. Your tent, a snack, and a hot drink will be waiting for you. You will then have some time to rest and enjoy the view of the mountains before dinner. We will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea in your tent. Today will be the most challenging part of the Machu Picchu hike, and after breakfast, it will be a 4-hour trek uphill to Dead Woman’s Pass (4215m / 13829ft), the highest point along the Inca Trail. At the summit, we will take time to appreciate the serenity of this location while your guide completes a traditional offering ceremony to the Apus (local Gods). After enjoying the views, we will start a 2-hour downhill trek to Pacaymayu Valley, where we will enjoy a well-earned lunch. The second mountain is an easier 2-hours climb to Runcurakay pass (4000m / 13123ft). We will take time to explore two Inca sites along the way; Runcurakay and Sayacmarca. The second campsite is Chaquicocha (dry lake, 3600m / 11811 ft.), where you will be able to admire a beautiful sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range before dinner. With an unobstructed view of the constellations, this is the perfect place to stargaze! With the hard part of the Inca Trail well and truly over, you can relax and enjoy the easiest and arguably most exciting day of the Inca Trail Trek. Today’s route is extremely varied, and it is only a 5-hour hike to the final campsite. Along the way, you will pass through several different ecosystems, experience the atmospheric cloud forest, and observe the magnificent panoramic view of Salkantay Mountain (the second-highest peak in Cusco). We will visit two Inca sites, Phuyupatamarka (City in the Clouds), with spectacular views of the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu Mountain, and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). At Intipata, there will be time to rest and take in your magical surroundings. We will reach the campsite at approximately 1:00 pm to have lunch, and then you can then enjoy some free time to relax, unwind at the camp, chase llamas, or take a refreshing shower. Later in the afternoon, we will visit the important Inca site of Wiñaywayna, where your guide will explain this fantastic location’s history. We will then return to the campsite for tea, dinner, and a special farewell surprise! On our final day of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we have to get up very early to prepare for the highlight of your TreXperience, visiting Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. We will go straight to the checkpoint and wait until it opens at 5:30 am. As the sky brightens, we will walk for one hour to the Sun Gate, taking in the stunning views along the way. You can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate on a clear day, which is truly an unforgettable sight. We will then start our one-hour final descent towards Machu Picchu, arriving at the last control point around 7:30 am. Your tour guide will take you on a two-hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving you in Machu Picchu to explore on your own or climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible). Your guide also will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then take the panoramic train and bus back to Cusco. TreXperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Complimentary airport transfers in Cusco Pre-departure briefing Luggage storage service Inca Trail Permits Transportation Experienced tour guides Camping equipment Inca Trail Porters Our CEO of TreXperience, Juan Coronel, knows all needs and requests from porters closely. He worked with his father and brothers as a porter, chief porter, and eventually graduated in Tourism at the University of Cusco and became a well-known Tour Guide. For this reason, TreXperience always fights to improve all our staff’s working conditions, especially our porters. They are the backbone of the Inca Trail. Food during the Inca Trail hike Water Medical kit Extras Satellite phones Taxes and fees • Sleeping bag: $20 to rent All hikers need a warm sleeping bag for camping during the trek. We recommend a sleeping bag that keeps you warm during temperatures as low as -10 C°. Air mattresses and trekking poles are optional but recommended. If you do not want to bring all these bulky items from home, you can rent them from us. If you are interested in any of the other extras listed below and would like further guidance or information, please contact the TreXperience Team. We will be happy to arrange any of the below amenities for you. Additional Hike can be done on the last day of the Inca Trail, after the guided tour. * Huayna Picchu Mountain: Tickets need to be booked in advance and cost an additional $75 per person * Machu Picchu Mountain (Montaña): We do not recommend this trek the same day due to the limited time we have; if you want to climb this mountain, we recommend staying an extra day in Aguas Calientes. Tickets need to be booked in advance and cost an additional $75 per person
What to pack for the Inca Trail? This is the most common question asked. When you are traveling to a new faraway destination like South America, you will need to prepare long before, especially if you are going to hike places like Inca Trail or Salkantay trek. For your trip to Peru, you will bring one or two big pieces of luggage depending on how long you are spending on your vacations, however; to your Inca Trail Hike; you will only take the necessary equipment for the 4 days Inca Trail hike, this means that you will have to store the rest of your belongings in Cusco hotel or at TreXperience storerooms. For the Inca Trail hike, you must reduce to the minimum the stuff that you will take. We recommend 5 kilos on your daypack and 7 kilos on your duffle. Remember that you are responsible for carrying your daypack at all times, and you will need to have all the necessary equipment for the day. Our string porters will carry the duffle bag, and we can find them only at campsites but not during the day. • Valid, original Passport (a copy will not be accepted) – Please note that your passport must be at least 6 months valid to enter and exit Peru. Below is a list of items that we highly recommend you keep with you at all times in your backpack. Remember, you will be carrying this with you every day of the trek, so we recommend bringing a good quality daypack, both light and comfortable. It is important to note that due to local regulations, your backpack should not exceed 25L. All larger bags can not be taken into Machu Picchu and will need to be stored outside the gates. • Hat and sunglasses TreXperience will provide you with a duffel bag where you can pack any items that you do not need to keep with you during the day. Our porters will carry this bag for you throughout the trek. Please note this bag should weigh a maximum of 7 kg, including your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you bring/rent one). These two items weigh approximately 3 kg together (2 kilos sleeping bag, 1-kilo air pad). During the Inca Trek, you will travel through different temperatures as you climb/descend; it can also be cold at night when at the campsite. Therefore, layers work best!. Duffle bags will be provided at our office during the safety briefing held the day before; we can also deliver them to your hotel if you need to organize your belongings earlier. • Sleeping bag for Inca trail (can be rented from us)
Few places in the world can take your breath away, like the Inca Trails. The Inca Empire built these spectacular ancient routes in the XV century as part of an extensive network of roads called Qhapac Ñan (Inca Trails) to maintain communication in such a large empire (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina). Cusco was the Incas; therefore, all the Inca Trail’s most important city, all the Inca Trail, started from Cusco towards the provinces; these roads stretched for over 40,000 Kilometers. The Classic Inca Trail is 26 miles/42Km stretch of a stone-paved road to Machu Picchu. This portion of the gigantic Inca Routes got lost together with Machu Picchu during the XVI century. It was recently rediscovered by Hiram Bingham III during his expeditions to Peru, searching for the Incas’ lost cities. The world-famous Classic Inca Trail is located in the Urubamba Province, Cusco – Peru. During the Inca period, this trail was used to connect Cusco with Machu Picchu. Over 4 days, you will be exploring ancient archeological complexes inside the Inca Trail until you arrive at Machu Picchu hiking. The Classic Inca Trail, the most popular schedule, is 4 days. You can take a 5 days tour if you want to spend more time inside the Inca Trail, explore the Inca site with more time, and hike at a slower pace. The total distance of the Inca Trail is 26 miles or 42Km long. The Classic Inca Trail starts in Km 82, located in the village of Piscacucho (2642 m or 8867 ft), district of Ollantaytambo, Urubamba Province. The main checkpoint is located right side of the Urubamba River. Once you cross the river, you enter the Inca Trail protected area. The Shorter Version of the Inca Trail starts at Km 104, also called Chachabamba. This is the express Inca Trail of only 1 day, and the next day you will visit Machu Picchu. This question is often tough to answer, Inca Trail is Inca Trail, and you will be amazed by the sun, rain, wind, cold, or any weather you might encounter on your trip. You just need to have the proper equipment, be always prepared for all types of weather. Inca Trail is located in the cloud forest, and this is famous for having the most unstable weather in Peru and perhaps the world. The Inca Trail was built by the Inca civilization somewhere during the XV century by the 9th Inca King Pachacuteq. During this civilization’s height, this Inca trail was used as a pilgrimage route to Machu Picchu. After the Inca Trail’s rediscovery in 1915, archaeologists have explored the ancient route and found many Incan temples, religious sites, and administrative areas such as Llaqtapata, Runcuracay Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamrca, Initipata, Wiñaywayna, and Intipunku. The vast number of Inca Sites, the very well preserved ancient Inca Trail, the secluded location of the area, the varied landscapes, the amazing view, endemic flora, and fauna are a few of the reasons why the Inca has become one of the most important hikes in South America. We recommend arriving at least 2 days before your trip departure. This way, you will have time to adapt to Cusco city’s altitude and prepare for the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is closed during the entire month of February due to the heavy rains and maintenance. There are basically 3 ways to make the Inca Trail and arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sungate. There are other variations and extensions of this trek, like the Salkantay Inca Trail; however, it is always based on the aforementioned. Authorized registered tour operators can only book the Inca Trail permits in Cusco City. You can not secure the permits by yourself, and you are required to travel with a tour guide, chef, and porters. The Inca Trail permits are released during the first days of October for the next year. This 2020, we suppose to book the permits for all 2021 season. However, we have a delay due to this pandemic. Next year’s Permits might be released before December, and we will book in a few days all 2021 season. Few months may well out fast, like May, June, July, so it is essential to get manual confirmation that the tour operator has secure the permits. Another tough question and the answer is no! the Inca Trail is challenging but doable. You must be able to hike on uneven terrain for about 8 to 1o hours daily, sleepover 3000 meters, and be able to go up and down the stairs in the trail. If you are in regular physical condition to handle this type of hikes, you practice regularly before coming to the Inca Trail, and you will have a wonderful time. How much does Inca Trail Cost? There are so many different tour operators with reasonable prices when you are searching online, and it is always hard to decide which tour company you will be traveling with. It would be best if you considered the choice that fits best your interests: You can find better prices or options but always remember to verify what is included and not. Some tour operators do not include a personal porter, bus from Machu Picchu. TreXperience provides a personal porter and all transportation from start to end. Booking the Inca Trail is easy with TreXperience; click the BOOK NOW button, select your departure date, fill-up the form with all details requested, including passport information, and finally submit the initial payment required to book the Inca Trail. Due to the permits’ strict booking policy for the Inca Trail administered by the Peruvian Goverment, all Inca Trail bookings must be confirmed manually. Any adventure trip you go on, there are always risks involved. Dangerous situations during the Inca Trail could be due to negligence or the force of nature. The best way to stay safe on the Inca Trail is to follow your tour guide’s instructions at all times. You can not enter the Inca Trail without hiring a registered tour company. You must hike the Inca Trail with a tour guide, chef, and porters.
Overview
Highlights of the Inca Trail Trek
Price per person 612.USD:……..Use the code TX2021 to get this amazing price, valid for a limited time. You can book the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
To book the Inca Trail hike, you need to make an initial payment of 140.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card with no booking fees at all.
All travelers under 17 will have a $35 discount. If you are 25 years old or under at the time of traveling, you can get the 35$ discount with your student ID. Please advise by email to give you a code for the discount.
Inca Trail day by day summary
Cusco – Km 82 – LLactapata – Ayapata (14km, 6hrs).- Depart from your hotel around 4:30 am and drive to Km 82 to start the 6 hours of hiking on the first day of the Classic Inca Trail. The campsite is located at 3300m (10826ft); we spend the night in comfortable tents.
Ayapata – Warmiwañuska – Chaquicocha (16km, 10 hrs).- The most challenging and longest day of the Inca Trail, passing two mountains in 10hrs of hiking: The first mountain is Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest of the Inca Trail with 4215m / 13829ft. The second mountain is Runqurakay Pass, with 4000m (13123ft).
Chaquiccocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna (10km, 6hrs). The most beautiful and relaxing day, hiking, is only 6-hours passing through different ecological zones. This day, you will also visit several beautiful archaeological sites, including Wiñaywayna, located at 2600m (8530ft); we camp only 2 hours from Machu Picchu.
Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco (6km, 2 hrs), Wake up early and hike for 2 hours to Machu Picchu through the Sungate from where we will have a unique view of Machu Picchu. After exploring Machu Picchu, you will take the Panoramic Vistadome train back to Cusco. Drop off back at your hotel around 7:30 pm.
Included In the Inca Trail Tours
Not Included In the Inca Trail hike
Covid-19 measures to keep you safe during traveling
Full Itinerary
Full Itinerary of the Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights
Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Hatunchaca – Ayapata
Day 2: Ayapata – Dead Woman’s Pass – Chaquicocha
Day 3: Chaquicocha – Intipata – Wiñaywayna
Day 4: Discover Machu Picchu – Cusco
What's Included?
Included in the Classic Trek
TreXperience offers you complimentary airport transfers in Cusco city; we do this to ensure your safety and comfort when arriving in a new town. The transfers are available at any time; you need to request in advance and confirm the day before to avoid delays.
TreXperience welcomes you to our Cusco offices on the evening before your trek for a pre-departure presentation for the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu. The briefings take place at approximately 6:00 pm (confirmed by email). TreXperience understands that hikers may be nervous or inexperienced. So the presentation is an opportunity to meet your guide(s), who will talk you through what to expect over the coming days. Our trekking guides are very approachable and experienced, so feel free to use this opportunity to ask them any questions you may have.
TreXperience offers a safe room where all our guest can leave their luggage or belongings during your visit to Cusco, this service is free, and you can store with us for the necessary time. Some of you might be traveling to the Amazon, Puno, or other places, and you want to leave some of your staff, in this case, you can store with us. After the tour, we deliver your bags to your new hotel.
All admission tickets to the Inca Trail Tours and Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex are included. To obtain all relevant licenses for your hike, we will require a photocopy of your passport. We kindly request you share this with the team as soon as you book your trek; please send the copy to booking@trexperienceperu.com.
TreXperience offers you a door-to-door service during the Inca Trail Treks; we will pick you up from your hotel on the morning of the trek and drop you off back at your hotel on the last day. All required transportation throughout the tour is included. The Panoramic trains back from Machu Picchu; TreXperience is the only company that includes the Vistadome panoramic train at no extra charge.
TreXperience Inca Trail tour guides are fluent English speakers and are incredibly experienced professional tour guides from the local area. We provide a single tour guide for groups smaller than eight people and a second guide for groups with nine people or more. We very much enjoy sharing our extensive knowledge of local history and culture with you along the Inca Trek. All our tour guides are proficiently trained in high mountain rescue and emergency response. We are committed to ensuring all clients have the best possible TreXperience!
TreXperience provides the best possible equipment in the Inca Trail to all clients and staff. We provide Eureka Timberline 4-men tents to every two travelers. If you want your private tent, you will get one at no extra charge.
Our porters in the Inca Trail carry all belongings you do not need in your daypack up to a maximum weight of 7 kg per guest. Additionally, our porters will bring all the necessary food and equipment during the trek. You will find your tents and the campsite prepared for you on arrival, so all you need to do is worry about enjoying the hike. TreXperience porters are well paid, and you will see them clearly with the best equipment, own tents, best food, and happiest porters. It’s important to mention that TreXperience provides insurance to all proters, proper equipment, porter tents. They do not sleep on the floor, and most importantly, we do not dress them up as superheroes and provide decent clothes according to their values and culture.
TreXperience is proud of its highly talented trekking chefs who never fail to cook up a delightful feast despite being in the middle of the Andean Mountains! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided each day (except lunch on the final day), and the food is both delicious and plentiful. We cater to all dietary requirements in the Inca Trail tours, so please let us know your needs. We will keep those energy levels high with snacks each day, and we make sure you have tea/coffee every morning to wake up and every afternoon to unwind.
We provide drinkable water along the trek; from your first lunch to your last breakfast, you need to supply your reusable water bottles/camelback. We recommend carrying at least 2L. The water is boiled, filtered, and cooled before it is distributed. Due to the Inca Trail regulations, plastic (single use) is not allowed in the Inca Trail; please bring reusable containers.
All trekking guides have received training in first aid and high mountain rescue. In the unlikely event that a guest requires medical attention, our staff will assist you. A medical kit is kept with the team at all times. In an extreme case of a severe medical emergency, you will be evacuated to the nearest medical center. TreXperience tour guides are equipped with satellite phones for your safety.
We are committed to ensuring your Inca Trail trip is as comfortable as possible. Therefore, we provide hand towels, pillows, hand sanitizer, hot water for washing, drinkable water, snacks, daypack covers, and rain ponchos. All these additional comforts are included in the price of your Inca Trail tour.
To ensure your safety and in case of an emergency, we are the first trekking company to introducing satellite phone technology. This equipment is vital because we will be hiking in the mountain with no cellphone service during the Inca Trail.
All taxes and permit fees associated with the Inca trail are included in the listed price. Most hotels, stores, and even travel companies will charge you an average of 5% extra for using credit cards in Cusco. You can pay for your tour and services with any credit card; we do not charge any fees!
Not Included in the Inca Trail Hike
• Inflatable air mattress: $15 to rent
• Trekking poles (pair): $15 to rent
• Tips for our staff: TreXperience ensures all staff are fairly paid and therefore tipping is optional and at your discretion
• Travel Insurance: Highly recommended for all hikers
• Lunch on the last day
Additional hikes after Machu Picchu Guided Tour
Packing List
Trekker’s Packing List
Absolute essentials for the Inca Trail hike:
• Valid Student Card (if you booked as a student)
• Trekking boots (light, comfortable and broken in)
• A good quality daypack (light, small and cozy)
• Water storage for at least 2 liters; either a camel bag or water bottle(s)
What to put in the daypacks:
• Rain gear
• Warm layers (fleece / long-sleeved tops)
• Sun cream, bug spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• Band-aids, moleskin
• Camera, extra batteries
• Head Torch
• Additional snacks, power bars, chocolate
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips (small change is useful for paying to use the villagers’ toilets on the first day)
What to put in the duffle bags:
• Air mattress for Inca trail (can be rented from us)
• Some light, comfortable shoes for the camp
• Warm jacket, hat, and gloves for Inca trail
• 2-3 t-shirts (wicking t-shirts are best)
• 1-2 hiking pants/trousers
• Four sets of undergarments
• Four sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket for the coldest nights
• Quick-dry towel
• Soap
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Face moisturizer
• Powerbank / battery charger
• Plastic bags to keep wet or muddy clothes separateFAQs
Inca Trail FAQs
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