Walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Stand on Rainbow Mountain. Cross Lake Titicaca, then wait at the edge of the Colca Canyon for the condors to rise. This 11-day Peru tour links Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Short Inca Trail, two days at Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, two nights on Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon, ending in Arequipa, the White City.
Permits, hotels, trains, the buses across the altiplano and local guides are handled by a 100% Peruvian team. You bring your boots and your passport; we take care of everything around them.
Duration 11 Days / 10 Nights
Activities Nature, Culture, History, Hiking
Average Group Size 12 people
Accommodation 3-star Hotels
Tour Language English - Spanish
Starts/Ends Lima / Arequipa
Destinations Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, ArequipaAndean Circuit 11 Days: Lima, Short Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon - Overview
The Andean Circuit 11 Days is the classic loop of southern Peru done properly: Lima first, then Cusco and the Sacred Valley, one day on the Short Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu on foot and a second morning inside it with your guide. From there the road climbs to Rainbow Mountain, crosses the altiplano to Lake Titicaca, and ends at the Colca Canyon, where condors fly below your feet before you come down to Arequipa. No camping, no backtracking, and every connection is ours to worry about.
Hotels are named, the Inca Trail permit is booked in your name, and a local guide meets you at every stage. TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian tour operator based in Cusco, run by people who started out working on the Inca Trail.
Tour Highlights:
- Lima in one afternoon: the Miraflores cliffs, the old center, the San Francisco catacombs and a pisco tasting.
- Cusco and the Sacred Valley: Inca walls, the Pisac market, Moray and the Maras salt pans, with a night in Ollantaytambo.
- The Short Inca Trail: one day, 13 km / 8 mi, and you walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
- Machu Picchu twice: from above on Day 4, inside with your guide on Day 5, then the train back along the river.
- Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley: natural color bands at 5,200 m / 17,060 ft, at your guide’s pace.
- Cusco to Puno on the Route of the Sun: Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, the La Raya pass and Pukara, with lunch on the way.
- Lake Titicaca: the Uros floating islands and a walk through Taquile, with lunch on the island.
- The Colca Canyon: a 4,910 m / 16,109 ft pass with volcano views, condors at Cruz del Cóndor and a last night in Arequipa.
The Tour Day by Day
Day 1: Arrival in Lima - Afternoon City Tour
Morning airport pickup and a hotel in Miraflores. In the afternoon: Parque del Amor, Huaca Pucllana, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, the San Francisco catacombs and a pisco tasting.
Day 2: Flight to Cusco - Afternoon City Tour
Fly to Cusco. In the afternoon: the Plaza de Armas, the Twelve-Angled Stone, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
Day 3: Sacred Valley - Pisac, Moray and Maras - Night in Ollantaytambo
An alpaca and llama farm, the Taray viewpoint, Pisac and its market, lunch in Urubamba, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines and the night in Ollantaytambo, the gateway to the trail.
Day 4: Short Inca Trail - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu
Train to Km 104, Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, the Sun Gate and a first look at Machu Picchu from above. Bus to Aguas Calientes and dinner.
Day 5: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Train - Cusco
Back up to Machu Picchu for the guided visit. Train to Ollantaytambo and private transfer to your Cusco hotel.
Day 6: Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley - Cusco
Pre-dawn pickup, breakfast on the road and the hike to the Vinicunca viewpoint, then the Red Valley when conditions allow. Lunch and back to Cusco.
Day 7: Cusco to Puno - Route of the Sun
Tourist bus with guided stops at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, the La Raya pass and Pukara, with a buffet lunch on the way. Late-afternoon arrival in Puno.
Day 8: Lake Titicaca - Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island
Boat to the reed islands of the Uros, then Taquile for a walk through the village, lunch and time by the lake. Back to Puno.
Day 9: Puno - Patapampa Pass - Colca Valley
Early departure across the high plains: vicuñas and flamingos at Lagunillas, the Volcanoes Viewpoint at 4,910 m / 16,109 ft and the afternoon in Chivay, with optional thermal baths.
Day 10: Cruz del Cóndor - Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Yanque, Cruz del Cóndor and Maca in the morning, lunch in Chivay, then the road to Arequipa for the last night.
Day 11: Arequipa - Departure
Breakfast, free time if your flight allows, and a private transfer to Arequipa airport, where the TreXperience service ends.
Included
- Pre-trip assistance and local support from Lima to Arequipa
- Lima airport pickup (Day 1) and drop-off (Day 2)
- Cusco airport pickup (Day 2) and Arequipa airport drop-off (Day 11)
- All transfers and ground transport for the included tours
- 1 night at Casa Andina Standard Miraflores, Lima, or similar
- 3 nights at San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar
- 1 night at Cocatambo, Ollantaytambo, or similar
- 1 night at Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, or similar
- 2 nights at Casa Andina Standard, Puno, or similar
- 1 night at Colca Lodge, Colca Valley, or similar
- 1 night at Casa Andina Standard, Arequipa, or similar
- Breakfast every day from Day 2 to Day 11
- Lunch on Days 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8
- Lunch on Day 10 in Chivay [TO CONFIRM]
- Dinner on Day 4 in Aguas Calientes
- Picnic breakfast and lunch on the trail, prepared by our trekking team
- Lima City Tour with the San Francisco catacombs and a pisco tasting
- Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tour with all entrance tickets
- Short Inca Trail permit and train to Km 104
- Licensed trekking guide, first-aid kit and oxygen on the trail
- Machu Picchu entrance through the Sun Gate (Day 4)
- Machu Picchu entrance and 2.5-hour guided visit (Day 5)
- Buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (Days 4 and 5)
- Train to Ollantaytambo and private transfer to your Cusco hotel
- Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley tour with entrance tickets
- Route of the Sun tourist bus from Cusco to Puno with guided stops and buffet lunch
- Lake Titicaca boat tour to the Uros islands and Taquile, with entrance tickets
- Colca Canyon tour from Puno to Arequipa with Cruz del Cóndor and entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking guides on all tours
Not Included
- International flights
- Domestic flights: Lima to Cusco (Day 2) and Arequipa onward (Day 11)
- Meals not listed: Day 1, lunch on Days 2, 5, 9 and 11, and all dinners except Day 4
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets (US$75 each)
- Trekking poles (available to rent) and horse rental at Rainbow Mountain
- Thermal baths in the Colca Valley (optional)
- Early check-in in Lima on Day 1, unless confirmed separately
- Hotel and room upgrades
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses and tips
Machu Picchu Tickets and Circuits
On Day 4 you enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate with your Short Inca Trail permit and walk down to the upper viewpoints. On Day 5 you return with a separate ticket for the guided visit; the route inside depends on the official circuit assigned for your date, and we plan around the best option available when your booking is confirmed. See our Machu Picchu circuits guide or the official circuits and routes.
Extra Hikes at Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 2 hours round trip, on Day 5.
- Machu Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 3 hours round trip, on Day 5.
One mountain only. Separate ticket, booked in advance, and the time slot must fit your circuit and your train.
Optional Upgrades
Private service: your own guide and vehicle for selected parts of the itinerary, including a private Short Inca Trail guide; we confirm which services are private when you book. Trains, the Machu Picchu buses, the Route of the Sun bus and the Lake Titicaca boat are shared services.
Also on request: 4-star or 5-star hotels, extra nights in Cusco or Arequipa, and extensions to Nazca and Paracas before Cusco or to the Amazon after Arequipa.
Full Itinerary of the Andean Circuit 11 Days
Eleven days from the Pacific to the Andes and down to the White City. Here is each day with times, meals and hotels.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima - Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to Peru. Our team meets you at Lima airport in the morning and drives you to Casa Andina Standard in Miraflores, or similar. If your room is ready, settle in; if not, leave your bags with the hotel and walk the clifftop promenade. Lunch is on your own.
At about 2:00 p.m., your guide collects you for the city: Parque del Amor above the ocean, a look at the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, then the historic center with Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco convent and its catacombs, with a pisco tasting on the way. Back at the hotel by about 6:00 p.m.
- Meals: not included
- Tour: half day, about 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Lima, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: A morning arrival lets you join the afternoon tour; early check-in is not included unless you ask for it in advance. Walking shoes, sunscreen and a light jacket. More in our Lima travel guide.
Day 2: Flight to Cusco - Afternoon City Tour
After breakfast, transfer to Lima airport for the 1-hour-20-minute flight to Cusco (not included). Our Cusco team is waiting at arrivals and takes you to San Agustín Internacional, or similar, a short walk from the main square. You are now at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft: rest, drink water and keep lunch light.
At about 1:00 p.m., the city tour begins on foot: the Plaza de Armas, the Twelve-Angled Stone and Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun. Then by vehicle to Sacsayhuaman and its zigzag walls, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, with the Cristo Blanco viewpoint when time allows.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Tour: half day
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Maximum altitude: about 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
- Difficulty: easy, with walking and stairs at altitude
Tips: Slow steps, no alcohol today, and tell your guide about any headache or nausea. The next three days are lower than Cusco. See our guide to altitude in Cusco.
Day 3: Sacred Valley - Pisac, Moray and Maras - Night in Ollantaytambo
Pickup at 7:00 a.m. First an alpaca and llama farm, where you learn to tell the four Andean camelids apart, then the Taray viewpoint over the valley and Pisac: terraces and temples high above the town, and time in its market.
Lunch in Urubamba, then the circular terraces of Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, hundreds of pools still worked by local families. You sleep in Ollantaytambo, a town the Incas laid out and people still live in, and the closest bed to the start of the trail. Your guide confirms tomorrow’s pickup tonight.
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
- Tour: full day
- Hotel: Cocatambo, Ollantaytambo, or similar
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: Pack an overnight bag for two nights; your main suitcase waits at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage until Day 5. More in our Sacred Valley guide.
Day 4: Short Inca Trail - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu
Pickup around 5:30 a.m. for the train along the Urubamba River to Km 104. After the passport check, our trekking team serves a picnic breakfast, and then you are on original Inca stone: Chachabamba first, then a steady climb through cloud forest, orchids and waterfalls.
At Wiñay Wayna, terraces and temples above the river, your guide tells the story of the site and our chefs set out a picnic lunch. The last stretch brings you to the Sun Gate, where the trail opens and Machu Picchu appears below you. We stop there as long as you like. Then the bus down to Aguas Calientes, check-in at Ferré Machu Picchu or similar, and dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals: picnic breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
- Hike: 13 km / 8 mi, around 7 hours
- Highest point: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
- Hotel: Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: moderate
Tips: Original passport, shoes with grip, rain jacket, sunscreen, repellent, 1.5 liters of water and snacks. Poles need rubber tips. Read our Short Inca Trail guide.
Day 5: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Train - Cusco
After breakfast, the bus takes you back up. Yesterday Machu Picchu was a view; today it is a place you walk through: terraces, temples, plazas and ceremonial spaces, about 2.5 hours with your guide on the official circuit assigned for your date. If you booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, the hike follows the tour.
Bus down, lunch on your own in Aguas Calientes, then the train to Ollantaytambo along the river and a private transfer to your Cusco hotel, arriving around 7:30 p.m.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Guided tour: around 2.5 hours, plus buses
- Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Return: train and private transfer to Cusco
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with stairs and uneven stone paths
Tips: Passport and a small daypack; large bags, drones, tripods and food stay outside. See our Machu Picchu rules guide. Sleep early: tomorrow starts before sunrise.
Day 6: Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley - Cusco
Pickup at 4:30 a.m. and about three hours by road into the Ausangate range, with breakfast at a local restaurant on the way. From the trailhead, the walk up to the Vinicunca viewpoint takes 1.5 to 2 hours, with llamas and alpacas along the path. At about 5,200 m / 17,060 ft the mountain shows its stripes, natural minerals laid down over millions of years.
The air is thin, so your guide keeps a slow rhythm with regular breaks. When the weather and your legs agree, about 30 minutes more take you into the Red Valley, quieter and just as striking. Then down, lunch at a local restaurant and the drive to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 p.m. Horses can be rented at the trailhead.
- Meals: breakfast and lunch at local restaurants
- Hike: about 10 km / 6.2 mi round trip, including the Red Valley
- Highest point: about 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: moderate to challenging, because of the altitude
Tips: Warm layers, gloves and a hat for the cold start, sunscreen and sunglasses, water and snacks; the weather changes fast up there. Feeling unwell? Say so at once; no viewpoint is worth it. More in our Rainbow Mountain guide.
Day 7: Cusco to Puno - Route of the Sun
After breakfast, the tourist bus heads south with a guide on board, about 10 hours with stops. First the church of Andahuaylillas, the Sistine Chapel of the Andes, with its painted ceilings and gilded altars; then Raqchi and the tall adobe walls of the Temple of Wiracocha, one of the largest buildings the Incas raised.
Buffet lunch at a restaurant on the route, then the La Raya pass at 4,335 m / 14,222 ft, where the Cusco region ends and Puno begins, and the Pukara museum with its stone sculptures. Late-afternoon arrival in Puno and transfer to Casa Andina Standard, or similar.
- Meals: breakfast and buffet lunch
- Bus: about 10 hours, including stops
- Highest point: La Raya pass, 4,335 m / 14,222 ft
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Puno, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: A warm jacket, water and your camera within reach; the stops are short. Puno sits at 3,827 m / 12,556 ft, so keep taking it easy tonight. See our Puno guide.
Day 8: Lake Titicaca - Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island
After breakfast, transfer to the port and a boat onto Lake Titicaca, 3,812 m / 12,507 ft above the sea. First the Uros floating islands, layers of totora reeds that families build, walk on and rebuild; they show you how the islands and their reed boats are made.
Then across open water to Taquile, where the men knit and the textile art is on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list. A walk up the stone path to the village, lunch of local ingredients with the lake below, and time to explore before the boat back to Puno, around 5:00 p.m.
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
- Tour: full day by boat
- Altitude: 3,812 m / 12,507 ft
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Puno, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with stone steps at altitude on Taquile
Tips: Sunscreen and a hat, a warm jacket for the boat, comfortable shoes and small bills for textiles from the knitters. More in our Lake Titicaca guide.
Day 9: Puno - Patapampa Pass - Colca Valley
Pickup between 6:00 and 6:15 a.m. for the road west across the high plains. At Lagunillas, alpacas, llamas and wild vicuñas graze by the lakes, and Andean flamingos and caracaras feed in the shallows. A short stop at Patahuasi for the restrooms and a coca tea.
The road peaks at Patapampa, the Volcanoes Viewpoint, 4,910 m / 16,109 ft, the highest point of the trip and reached by vehicle: Ampato, Sabancaya and Misti stand in a line on the horizon. Then down to Chivay around 1:00 p.m., lunch on your own and your lodge. The afternoon is free, with optional thermal baths nearby; in the evening, dinner in Chivay, where some restaurants add a folk music show.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel; lunch not included; dinner [TO CONFIRM]
- Highest point: Patapampa, 4,910 m / 16,109 ft, by vehicle
- Hotel: Colca Lodge, Colca Valley, or similar
- Difficulty: easy, with a long drive at altitude
Tips: Warm clothes, sunscreen and sunglasses; Patapampa is cold even in full sun. Move slowly at the viewpoint and bring a swimsuit for the hot springs.
Day 10: Cruz del Cóndor - Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Departure between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m. First the village of Yanque, where you may catch the Wititi dance in the square, then Cruz del Cóndor, the viewpoint over one of the deepest canyons on Earth, more than 3,000 m / 9,800 ft from rim to river in places. Condors ride the morning thermals along the walls; most days they come, but no one can promise it.
On the way back, the village of Maca and its colonial church, and more viewpoints over the terraces that climb the valley walls. Lunch in Chivay around 1:00 p.m., then the road down to Arequipa, arriving around 4:30 p.m. at Casa Andina Standard, or similar. The evening is yours in the White City.
- Meals: breakfast at the lodge; lunch in Chivay [TO CONFIRM]
- Day: about 10 hours, including the drive to Arequipa
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Arequipa, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, because of the altitude and the long day
Tips: Warm layers for the early start, binoculars for the condors, comfortable shoes and your camera. Arequipa sits at 2,335 m / 7,661 ft, so breathing gets easier tonight; try rocoto relleno for dinner.
Day 11: Arequipa - Departure
Breakfast and, if your flight allows, a last walk: the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the white volcanic stone of the old streets, with the Santa Catalina Monastery a block away. At the agreed time, a private transfer to Arequipa airport, where the TreXperience service ends. Eleven days ago you landed on the coast; you leave having walked into Machu Picchu, stood on Rainbow Mountain, crossed Lake Titicaca and watched condors from the edge of the Colca.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer: hotel to Arequipa airport, according to your flight
- Not included: flight from Arequipa
Want more of Peru? Add Nazca and Paracas before Cusco, the Amazon after Arequipa, or an extra night in the White City. Write to us and we suggest the best order for your dates.
Andean Circuit 11 Days Price and Booking
Prices are per person in US dollars. They include all hotels, the Short Inca Trail permit and trekking team, both Machu Picchu entrances, the train back, the Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon tours, the Route of the Sun bus, all listed tickets, local guides and ground transport. Flights are not included.
Small-Group Tour Price
| Traveler Type | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| Adults | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| Students under 25 with a valid university ID | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| Children under 17 | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
Private Tour Price
Your own guide and vehicle, at your pace, including a private guide on the Short Inca Trail. Prices depend on group size and availability.
| Number of Travelers | Adults (Per Person) | Students and Children (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 2 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 3 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 4 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 5 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 6 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 7 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 8 to 16 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 17 or more travelers | Contact us for a group rate | |
Note: Private service covers selected parts of the itinerary; we confirm which when you book. Trains, the Machu Picchu buses, the Route of the Sun bus and the Lake Titicaca boat are shared.
Booking and Payment
- Deposit: US$600 per person to secure your Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu tickets, train seats and hotels. Balance online or at our Cusco office by card, PayPal or wire transfer.
- Send each traveler’s full name, passport number, date of birth, passport expiry and nationality. Permits and tickets are issued in your name and can’t be changed or transferred.
- For May to September, book at least three months ahead. Inca Trail permits are non-refundable once issued; see our Terms and Conditions.
- Tell us about dietary needs, pregnancy or any heart, lung, knee or mobility concern, and why you’re traveling. It helps us prepare.
Student and Child Discount
Children under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID (name, photo, university and expiry date) may qualify for lower official Machu Picchu and Inca Trail rates. ISIC cards are not accepted. Send the ID or date of birth when booking and we confirm the discount of 30$.
Customization and Upgrades
- Private service for selected parts of the itinerary.
- Hotel upgrades to 4-star or 5-star in Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Puno, the Colca Valley and Arequipa.
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain on Day 5, US$75 per person.
- Extra nights and extensions to Nazca and Paracas, or to the Amazon.
Changes depend on availability and may change the price. Contact us for a quote.
Packing List for the Andean Circuit 11 Days
Three climates in eleven days: Lima’s mild coast, the cloud forest on the trail, and the cold, bright altiplano of Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca and the Colca pass, where mornings freeze and the midday sun burns. Pack light layers and a small bag for the two trail nights. More in our Peru Packing List.
Essentials
Original passport (checked at Km 104, Machu Picchu, the trains, the buses and your flights), medication, documents, insurance details and some cash in soles for meals on your own and small purchases.
What to Wear?
Hiking shoes with grip, breathable layers and a light rain jacket for the trail, and a warm jacket, hat and gloves for Rainbow Mountain, the lake and the Colca pass, where it can drop below freezing before sunrise.
What to Put in the Daypack?
1.5 liters of water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, a rain poncho and a warm layer. The high-altitude sun is strong even when the air is cold.
What to Pack for the Trail Nights?
Two nights in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes: a change of clothes, toiletries and a charger; your main suitcase stays at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage until Day 5. A swimsuit for the Colca hot springs. See our Machu Picchu packing list.
What We Provide
Hotels, the Inca Trail permit, picnic breakfast and lunch on the trail, both Machu Picchu entrances, the train back, the tourist bus and boat, all listed tickets and guides, and a first-aid kit and oxygen on the hiking days.
Optional Gear and Extra Items
Trekking poles with rubber tips (also for rent), a power bank, blister plasters, binoculars for the condors, motion-sickness remedies for the bus and boat, and anything your doctor recommends for altitude.
Travel Information for the Andean Circuit 11 Days
What to know before you book: permits, flights, altitude, the hikes and long days, Machu Picchu tickets, hotels, the bus and boat days, and weather.
How do Short Inca Trail permits work, and when should I book?
Permits are limited to a few hundred a day, issued in your name with your passport number, and cannot be changed, refunded or transferred. We request yours once we have your details and deposit. For May to September, book at least three months ahead. The trail closes every February. More in our Short Inca Trail guide.
Which flights do I need, and when should I arrive in Lima?
Two domestic flights, not included: Lima to Cusco on Day 2 and Arequipa onward on Day 11, usually to Lima. Wait for our recommended times before you buy. Day 1 needs a morning arrival in Lima so you can join the afternoon city tour; early check-in is not included unless confirmed separately. Arriving later? Tell us and we adjust the day or add a night.
How should I prepare for the altitude?
Cusco sits at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft, the trail and Machu Picchu are lower, and the two high points come later: Rainbow Mountain on Day 6, about 5,200 m / 17,060 ft on foot, and the Patapampa pass on Day 9, 4,910 m / 16,109 ft by vehicle with a short stop. Puno and the lake sit around 3,800 m / 12,500 ft, Chivay at about 3,600 m / 11,800 ft, and Arequipa, at 2,335 m / 7,661 ft, is the easy ending. Walk slowly, drink water, eat light, skip alcohol at first and tell your guide if you feel unwell. See our guide to altitude in Cusco.
How hard are the hikes, and which days are the longest?
The Short Inca Trail is moderate: 13 km / 8 mi in around 7 hours on original Inca stone, with a daypack only. Rainbow Mountain is the hardest day: about 10 km / 6.2 mi round trip, not technical, but slow because of the altitude; horses can be rented at the trailhead. The long days are by vehicle: Day 7 is about 10 hours on the bus with stops, Day 9 starts at 6:00 a.m. and Day 10 at 6:15 a.m. Your guide sets the pace and carries a first-aid kit and oxygen on the hikes.
How do Machu Picchu tickets and rules work?
You enter twice: through the Sun Gate on Day 4 with your permit, and on Day 5 with a separate ticket for the guided visit, on the circuit assigned for your date. Bring the original passport used for your booking. No large bags, drones, tripods or food inside. See our circuits guide and rules guide.
Which hotels, trains and luggage services are included?
Casa Andina Standard in Lima, San Agustín Internacional in Cusco (three nights), Cocatambo in Ollantaytambo, Ferré Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes, Casa Andina Standard in Puno (two nights), Colca Lodge in the Colca Valley and Casa Andina Standard in Arequipa, or similar. Trains: the morning train to Km 104 and the train back from Aguas Calientes. On Day 3 you leave with a small bag for two nights; your suitcase waits at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage until Day 5.
What are the bus, boat and Colca days like?
Day 7 is a tourist bus made for travelers, about 10 hours from Cusco to Puno with a guide, short stops and a buffet lunch; stops may vary with the schedule. Day 8 is a full day on Lake Titicaca by boat, with Taquile about two hours from Puno and a choppy lake some afternoons. Days 9 and 10 are the Colca: a long drive over the Patapampa pass to Chivay, then an early start for Cruz del Cóndor and the road down to Arequipa. Condors appear most mornings, but sightings are never guaranteed.
What is the weather like, and when is the best time to go?
The Andes are drier from April to October and wetter from November to March; the Inca Trail closes in February, and Rainbow Mountain can see snow in the wet months. Lake Titicaca and the Colca are sunny by day and cold at night all year, and condor sightings are best in the dry season. No season guarantees clear skies, so bring layers and a rain shell in any month. See our Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Andean Circuit 11 Days
Quick answers about the route, booking, flights, fitness, Rainbow Mountain, Machu Picchu, the condors and customization.
Why end in Arequipa instead of flying back from Cusco?
Because the road from Cusco to Puno to the Colca is one of the great overland routes of South America, and doing it in one direction means no backtracking and two extra places: Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon, with condors at dawn. Arequipa has daily flights to Lima, so your way home is simple.
How far ahead should I book?
At least three months for May to September, and as early as you can for any date. Inca Trail permits are limited and issued once we have your passport details and deposit. If your date is sold out, we tell you right away and suggest the nearest available one.
Are flights included?
No. You need two domestic flights: Lima to Cusco (Day 2) and Arequipa onward (Day 11). Buy them once we confirm the recommended times. For Day 11, an afternoon flight gives you a free morning in the White City; send us your flight and we confirm the pickup.
How fit do I need to be, and which day is the hardest?
Moderately fit. The Short Inca Trail is 13 km / 8 mi in around 7 hours, lower than Cusco. The hardest day is Rainbow Mountain, about 10 km / 6.2 mi up to 5,200 m / 17,060 ft: not technical, but slow because of the altitude, with horses available. The Colca days are long drives with short walks. Tell us before booking about any knee, heart or lung concern.
Can I skip Rainbow Mountain if I don’t feel well?
Yes. Your health comes first: tell your guide and rest in Cusco that day, or ask us before the trip to swap it for a lighter visit such as Humantay Lake or a free day. Swaps depend on availability and may change the price.
Can I add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, on Day 5, one of them, for US$75 per person. Huayna Picchu takes about 2 hours round trip, Machu Picchu Mountain about 3. Both sell out fast and must fit your circuit and train, so tell us when you book.
Will I see condors at the Colca Canyon?
Very likely, but never guaranteed. Condors ride the warm air rising from the canyon in the morning, which is why Day 10 starts before 6:30 a.m. to reach Cruz del Cóndor at the right hour. Sightings depend on weather and the birds themselves; clear, calm mornings in the dry season give the best chances. Bring binoculars and patience.
Can I travel solo or customize the trip?
Yes. Solo travelers can join a small-group departure or book the private rate for one. You can add extra nights, upgrade hotels, add Nazca and Paracas before Cusco or the Amazon after Arequipa. Prefer the coast and Nazca instead of the Colca? See Short Inca Trail, Nazca and Titicaca 11 Days; prefer the jungle? See Classic Inca Trail and Amazon 11 Days.