Walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Stand on Rainbow Mountain. Cross Lake Titicaca to an island where the men knit. This 9-day Peru tour links Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Short Inca Trail, two days at Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and two nights on Lake Titicaca, traveling by land from Cusco to Puno.
Permits, hotels, trains, the bus 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 9 Days / 8 Nights
Activities Nature, Culture, History, Hiking
Average Group Size 8 to 12 people
Accommodation 3-star Hotels
Tour Language English - Spanish
Starts/Ends Lima / Puno
Destinations Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, PunoAndean Highlights 9 Days: Lima, Short Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca - Overview
This Andean Highlights 9 Days tour is for travelers who want the big names of the Peruvian Andes in one trip, without camping and without rushing. You hike the Short Inca Trail in one day, from Km 104 past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, and see Machu Picchu appear below you. The next morning you go back with your guide to understand it. Then the trip climbs: the color bands of Rainbow Mountain, a day on the tourist bus across the altiplano, and the Uros and Taquile islands on Lake Titicaca.
Lima and Cusco come first, with city tours and time to acclimatize. 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 panoramic train back.
- Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley: natural color bands at 5,200 m / 17,060 ft, at your guide’s pace.
- Cusco to Puno by day: 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.
- One team from Lima to Lake Titicaca: permits, hotels, trains, buses and transfers handled before you fly.
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 - Panoramic Train - Cusco
Back up to Machu Picchu for the guided visit. Panoramic 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 - Tourist Bus with Guided Stops
A day across the altiplano with stops at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, the La Raya pass and Pukara, with lunch on the way. Evening 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 for the last night.
Day 9: Puno - Transfer to Juliaca Airport
Breakfast and a private transfer to Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima, where the TreXperience service ends.
Included
- Pre-trip assistance and local support from Lima to Lake Titicaca
- Lima airport pickup (Day 1) and drop-off (Day 2)
- Cusco airport pickup (Day 2) and Juliaca airport drop-off (Day 9)
- 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
- Breakfast every day from Day 2 to Day 9
- Lunch on Days 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8
- 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)
- Panoramic train to Ollantaytambo and private transfer to your Cusco hotel
- Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley tour with entrance tickets
- Tourist bus from Cusco to Puno with guided stops and entrance tickets
- Lake Titicaca boat tour to the Uros islands and Taquile, with entrance tickets
- Professional English-speaking guides on all tours
Not Included
- International flights
- Domestic flights: Lima to Cusco (Day 2) and Juliaca to Lima (Day 9)
- Meals not listed: Day 1, lunch on Days 2, 5 and 9, 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
- 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 and the tourist bus to Puno are shared services.
Also on request: 4-star or 5-star hotels, extra nights in Cusco or Puno, and extensions to the Colca Canyon and Arequipa after Puno, or to the Amazon.
Full Itinerary of the Andean Highlights 9 Days
Nine days from the Pacific coast to the roof of the Andes. Here is each day with times, meals and hotels.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima - Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to Peru. We meet you at Lima airport in the morning and take you to Casa Andina Standard in Miraflores, or similar. If your room is ready, check in; if not, leave your bags at the hotel and stretch your legs on the clifftop boardwalk. Lunch is on your own.
Around 2:00 p.m., your guide picks you up: Parque del Amor on the Miraflores cliffs, a view of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, then the old center with Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco convent and catacombs, with a pisco tasting along the way. Back at your hotel around 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: This day needs a morning arrival in Lima. Early check-in is not included; ask us if you want to guarantee it. Walking shoes, a light jacket and sunscreen. More in our Lima travel guide.
Day 2: Flight to Cusco - Afternoon City Tour
After breakfast, transfer to Lima airport for the flight to Cusco, about 1 hour 20 minutes (flight not included). Our Cusco team meets you and takes you to San Agustín Internacional, or similar, near the historic center. Cusco sits at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft: rest, drink water and eat light.
Around 1:00 p.m., your guide picks you up. On foot: the Plaza de Armas, the Twelve-Angled Stone and Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun. Then by vehicle: Sacsayhuaman and its zigzag walls, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, with a stop at Cristo Blanco 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: Walk slowly, skip alcohol today and tell your guide if you feel unwell. 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. for a full day in the Sacred Valley. First an alpaca and llama farm, then the Taray viewpoint and Pisac: terraces and temples above the town, and time in its colorful market.
After lunch in Urubamba, the circular terraces of Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, still worked by local families. The day ends in Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town and the best place to sleep before the trail. Your guide confirms tomorrow’s time tonight.
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
- Tour: full day
- Hotel: Cocatambo, Ollantaytambo, or similar
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: Pack a small bag for two nights; your main suitcase stays 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
The adventure day. Pickup around 5:30 a.m. for the train along the Urubamba River to Km 104. Passport check, a picnic breakfast from our trekking team, and the trail begins: Chachabamba, then a steady climb through cloud forest, orchids and waterfalls on original Inca stone.
At Wiñay Wayna, terraces and temples above the valley, your guide explains the site and our chefs serve a picnic lunch. Then the last stretch to the Sun Gate: the trail opens and Machu Picchu appears below you. We stop there; nobody rushes you. 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 - Panoramic Train - Cusco
After breakfast, the bus back up to Machu Picchu. Yesterday you saw it from above; today you walk through it: terraces, temples, plazas and sacred spaces, about 2.5 hours with your guide. Your route follows the official circuit assigned for your date. If you booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, the hike comes after the tour.
Bus down, lunch on your own, then the panoramic train to Ollantaytambo, with wide windows 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: panoramic 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; no large bags, drones, tripods or food inside. See our Machu Picchu rules guide. Go to bed early: tomorrow starts before dawn.
Day 6: Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley - Cusco
Pickup at 4:30 a.m. for a three-hour drive into the Ausangate range, with breakfast at a local restaurant on the way. From the trailhead, a steady walk of about 1.5 to 2 hours brings you to the viewpoint of Vinicunca, Rainbow Mountain, at about 5,200 m / 17,060 ft. The stripes are natural minerals; the air is thin, so your guide sets a slow, safe pace and you stop as often as you need.
When the weather and your legs agree, continue about 30 minutes to the Red Valley, a quieter landscape of red hills with far fewer people. Then back down, lunch at a local restaurant and the drive to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 p.m. Horses can be rented at the trailhead if you prefer not to walk up.
- 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 for the sun, water and snacks. If you feel unwell, tell your guide; the viewpoint is not worth pushing through symptoms. More in our Rainbow Mountain guide.
Day 7: Cusco to Puno - Tourist Bus with Guided Stops
After breakfast, pickup for the tourist bus south across the altiplano, about 10 hours with guided stops: the church of Andahuaylillas, called the Sistine Chapel of the Andes for its painted ceilings; Raqchi, with the tall walls of the Temple of Wiracocha; and the La Raya pass at 4,335 m / 14,222 ft, the highest point of the road, with snow peaks on both sides.
Lunch at a restaurant on the way, then the Pukara museum and its stone sculptures from one of the oldest cultures of the lake. You arrive in Puno in the evening and we take you to Casa Andina Standard, or similar, near Lake Titicaca. Stops may vary with the bus schedule.
- Meals: breakfast and 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: Keep a warm layer and water with you; the stops are short. Puno sits at 3,827 m / 12,556 ft, a little higher than Cusco, so take it easy tonight. See our Puno guide.
Day 8: Lake Titicaca - Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island
After breakfast, pickup and a boat onto Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 m / 12,507 ft. First the Uros floating islands, built and rebuilt from totora reeds by the families who live on them; they show you how an island is made and how daily life works on the water.
Then about two hours across open water to Taquile, where the men knit and the island’s textile art is on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list. A walk up the stone path to the village, lunch at a local restaurant with the lake below, and time to wander before the boat back to Puno, around 5:00 p.m. Last night in Puno.
- 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; the sun on the lake is strong. A warm layer for the boat and small bills if you want to buy textiles from the knitters. More in our Lake Titicaca guide.
Day 9: Puno - Transfer to Juliaca Airport
After breakfast, we pick you up at your hotel and drive about an hour to Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima (not included). The TreXperience service ends here. You landed on the coast nine days ago; you leave having walked into Machu Picchu, stood on Rainbow Mountain and crossed Lake Titicaca.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer: about 1 hour from Puno to Juliaca airport
- Not included: flight from Juliaca to Lima
Want more of Peru? Add the Colca Canyon and Arequipa after Puno, or the Amazon before you fly home. Write to us and we suggest the best order for your dates.
Andean Highlights 9 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 panoramic train, the Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca tours, the tourist bus to Puno, 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 and the tourist bus to Puno 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 and Puno.
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain on Day 5, US$75 per person.
- Extra nights and extensions to the Colca Canyon, Arequipa or the Amazon.
Changes depend on availability and may change the price. Contact us for a quote.
Packing List for the Andean Highlights 9 Days
Three climates in nine days: Lima’s mild coast, the cloud forest on the trail, and the cold, bright altiplano of Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca, 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 bus and your flights), medication, documents, insurance details and some cash in soles for small purchases on the islands.
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 and the lake, 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. 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 panoramic train, 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, motion-sickness remedies for the bus and boat, and anything your doctor recommends for altitude.
Travel Information for the Andean Highlights 9 Days
What to know before you book: permits, flights, altitude, the hikes, 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 Juliaca to Lima on Day 9. 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 highest point comes on Day 6 at Rainbow Mountain, about 5,200 m / 17,060 ft, after four days of adjusting. Puno and Lake Titicaca sit around 3,800 m / 12,500 ft. 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?
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 the altitude makes every step slower; horses can be rented at the trailhead. Taquile has stone steps up to the village. Your guide sets the pace and carries a first-aid kit and oxygen.
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 and Casa Andina Standard in Puno (two nights), or similar. Trains: the morning train to Km 104 and the panoramic 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 and boat days like?
Day 7 is a tourist bus made for travelers, about 10 hours from Cusco to Puno with a guide, short stops at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, the La Raya pass and Pukara, and lunch on the way; stops may vary with the schedule. Day 8 is a full day on Lake Titicaca by boat: the Uros islands are close to Puno, Taquile is about two hours away, and the lake can be choppy in the afternoon, so bring a warm layer and sunscreen.
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 is sunny by day and cold at night all year. 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 Highlights 9 Days
Quick answers about the trail, flights, fitness, Rainbow Mountain, Machu Picchu, meals and customization.
Is this tour a good choice for a first trip to Peru?
Yes. It covers Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca in nine days, with one local team handling every connection. You hike one day on the Inca Trail without camping, and every night is in a hotel. Day 6 is the only hard day, and you can skip it if the altitude is not for you.
Why hike the Short Inca Trail instead of taking the train all the way?
Because you arrive the way the Incas did: one day on original stone paths through cloud forest, past Wiñay Wayna, until the trail opens at the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu appears below. No camping, a hotel bed that night, and a second visit with your guide the next morning.
Are flights included?
No. You need two domestic flights: Lima to Cusco (Day 2) and Juliaca to Lima (Day 9). Buy them once we confirm the recommended times. For Day 9, a late-morning or afternoon flight keeps the transfer relaxed; 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. 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.
What meals are included, and can you handle special diets?
Breakfast from Day 2, lunch in the Sacred Valley, picnic breakfast and lunch on the trail, dinner in Aguas Calientes, and lunch on the Rainbow Mountain, bus and Lake Titicaca days. Other meals are on your own, with plenty of restaurants near every hotel. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy requests can usually be arranged if you tell us in advance.
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 or extend to the Colca Canyon, Arequipa or the Amazon. Want more days with Nazca and the coast? See our Short Inca Trail, Nazca and Titicaca 11 Days.