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Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

DURATION

11 days

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels & Camping

Trip Difficulty

DIFFICULTY

rating yellow
Large amount of trekking at high altitude throughout trip

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LOCATION

South America, Peru

MEETING POINT

London or Lima Airport

Group

BUCKET LISTER SATISFACTION RATING

starrating

When you book onto one of our trips you will receive a login to the Vamoos app. This will provide you with all the information you need including countdowns, weather, itineraries, documentation and advice for your trip. Click here for more info

Jaw-dropping scenery, lush cloud forest, stunning waterfalls and ancient ruins? Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Don’t mind if I do. 

Constructed by the Incas more than 500 years ago, the Inca road system stretches a whopping 40,000km. But no, that’s not the length of this 4-day trek we’re offering. While those old roads stretch through Chile and Ecuador too, you’ll be focusing your efforts on one short section in Peru. 

And if you’re dreaming of mist-shrouded views of an ancient feat of civil engineering from the famous Sun Gate, trekking the Inca Trail is the only way you’re going to do it. 

On this adventure holiday, you’ll journey through the majestic Peruvian Andes on your trek to magical Machu Picchu and do it like the Incas did (only with more waterproof clothing and porters to help you). 

With more than 12,000 lagoons and some of the deepest canyons on earth, you’ll encounter some truly incredible sights on the Inca Trail. Ready to make a dent in your Bucket List?

BucketList TrailMaps Inca Trail scaled

What is 'Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu' like?

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What's Included In Our Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

All Activities Mentioned In The Itinerary
Max 16 Travellers Per Group
3* Hotels & Tents (Twin Share)
Private Transport & 2 Domestic Flights
8 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches & 3 Dinners
Porters To Carry 7kg During The Trek
Expert Guides With You Throughout The Trip

All Activities Mentioned In The Itinerary

Max 16 Travellers Per Group

3* Hotels & Tents (Twin Share)

Private Transport & 2 Domestic Flights

8 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches & 3 Dinners

Porters To Carry 7kg During The Trek

Expert Guides With You Throughout The Trip

Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Itinerary

  • Day 1: DEPART UK

    DEPART UK You will meet your Bucket List Leaders at the airport and fly out as a group for Bucket Lister + Trips. If you have booked a Bucket Lister Trip we will see you in Peru soon!

  • Day 2: ARRIVE IN LIMA

    ARRIVE IN LIMA Once we arrive in Lima, you will transfer to our hotel. If you have transfers with us we will take you to the hotel; for those making their own way, we will see you in Lima. Once you arrive at the hotel you will have the rest of the day to relax and explore the area.

  • Day 3: FREE DAY IN LIMA

    FREE DAY IN LIMA The first stop on our Lima city tour is Huaca Pucllana, a huge archaeological site in Miraflores, one of Lima’s most popular districts. Huaca Pucllana was an important ceremonial and administrative center of the Lima culture, which developed along this part of the Peruvian coast between 200 AD and 700 AD. After exploring Huaca Pucllana, we’ll drive to the historic centre of Lima, all of which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll go to the beautiful Plaza de Armas (Lima’s main square) which is surrounded by impressive colonial and Republican-era buildings, many of which have ornate wooden balconies. Some of Peru’s most important buildings surround the square, including the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of the Union. We’ll walk one block to the Convent of Santo Domingo. Founded in the 1530s and completed in 1766, it is one of the most important religious buildings in Peru, and its large bell tower is a landmark in the historic centre of Lima. As we walk around the interior of the convent, we’ll see the beautiful Sevillian azulejos (ceramic tiles) that decorate the walls, dating from 1604 and 1606. There is also a series of paintings that present passages in the life of Saint Dominic, the founder of the Dominican order. At the end of the tour, we will return to the hotel.

  • Day 4: WELCOME TO CUSCO

    WELCOME TO CUSCO After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the airport where you will board your flight to Cusco. Once you arrive in Cusco, a member of our local team will be waiting at the airport to pick you up in our private transport and take you to your hotel.

  • Day 5: EXPLORING CUSCO

    EXPLORING CUSCO Our Cusco city tour begins in the afternoon when we’ll first head to the beautiful Koricancha, next door to Santo Domingo Church. After visiting the Koricancha, we’ll head to Cusco Cathedral, located on the Plaza de Armas. Our next stop is the imposing Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which sits on a hill above Cusco. Here you will see some of the finest examples of Inca stonework and construction, including massive rocks that were carefully cut and perfectly fitted together to form the walls. From here you’ll also have beautiful panoramic views of Cusco. After exploring Sacsayhuaman we’ll head up the hill to the Tambomachay Archeological Complex. Tambomachay is the last attraction on our city tour, after which we’ll head back down to Cusco and the hotel. Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 6: OUR INCA TRAIL ADVENTURE BEGINS

    OUR INCA TRAIL ADVENTURE BEGINS Our Inca Trail adventure begins today! We’ll be picked up from the hotel, and drive to Piscacucho, also known as Km 82, where the Inca Trail begins. Now it’s time to set off! The Inca Trail begins at 2,720m (8,923ft) above sea level, and we’ll begin by crossing the Vilcanota River. Soon the trail enters the cloud forest, and as we ascend we’ll start to have beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, as well as Inca ruins. Altogether, Day 1 is a wonderful chance to hike through some of the most stunning scenery in this part of Peru.  Having trekked for about six or seven hours we’ll be quite tired. We’ll set up camp near the small village of Wayllabamba, set in a pretty mountain valley at around 3,000m (9,842ft). We’ll have a tasty dinner and set up the tents. Temperatures here can drop to around 5°C at night, depending on the season, but your sleeping bags will keep you nice and warm, so you can have a good night’s sleep before we continue the trek tomorrow. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Total distance: 11km Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours Maximum altitude: 3,000m (9,840ft) Campsite altitude: 3,000m (9,840ft)

  • Day 7: INTO THE SACRED MOUNTAINS

    INTO THE SACRED MOUNTAINS It’s another early start on Day 2 as we wake around 5:30 a.m. Our cooks will prepare a hearty breakfast to get your energy levels up, and you’re going to need it. Day 2 on the classic Inca Trail is generally regarded as the toughest day, and we have a steep ascent ahead of us. We’ll be following the Inca Trail along a route that was sacred to the Incas, as it rises up into the Apus, where the mountain spirits dwell.  After a few hours, we will reach the highest pass on the trail, known as Abra de Warrmihuañusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, at an elevation of 4,200m (13,779ft). Once we make it to the pass, we’ll have a well-deserved rest and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. You can be justifiably proud to have made it to Dead Woman's Pass. After lunch at Pacaymayu, we’ll set off on another steep ascent for about two hours. Our destination is the Runkurakay pass (4,000m), where we will camp for the night.  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Total distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours Maximum altitude: 4,200m (13,770ft) Campsite altitude: 3,500m (11,480ft)

  • Day 8: THE INCA TRAIL TO WIÑAY WAYNA

    THE INCA TRAIL TO WIÑAY WAYNA After another energy-filled breakfast, we’ll set off on a relatively gentle uphill trek to our first stop of the day; the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, "The City Above the Clouds," located at around 3,680m. Heading on, we walk up and down a series of Inca steps – more than 1,000 in total! Then we’ll pass through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Inca site of Intipata, which is one of the lesser-known ruins along the Inca Trail. Its agricultural terraces are very impressive, and we’ll have great views of them from parts of the trail.  We will continue, heading to the third campsite at Wiñay Wayna, at 2,680m (8,792ft). We’ll have lunch and a rest, and then go on a short walk to explore the nearby Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”) archaeological site.  We are now close to our final destination and the end of our trek. We’ll have dinner at the campsite and rest in advance of the next day - and our arrival at Machu Picchu. Meals Included: Breakfast Total distance: 16 km (9 miles) Estimated walking time: 8 hours Maximum altitude point: 3,950m (12,980ft) Campsite altitude: 2,650m (8,700ft)

  • Day 9: TRAVEL THROUGH THE SUN GATE TO MACHU PICCHU!

    TRAVEL THROUGH THE SUN GATE TO MACHU PICCHU! Today we want to get moving as soon as possible, so we’ll wake at 4:30 a.m., have breakfast and then set off along the last section of the trail. We’ll walk for about 1.5 hours until we reach Intipunku (the “Sun Gate”), arriving before the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu. From the Sun Gate, at around 7 a.m., we can watch as the sun spills across the landscape, slowly revealing Machu Picchu and our first sighting of our final destination.  We will then walk the short distance to Machu Picchu itself, where you’ll begin your guided walking tour with your experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. After the guided tour you’ll have about two hours to explore Machu Picchu on your own, perhaps walking to some less visited parts such as the Inca Bridge, or hiking up Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain.  When you’ve spent enough time at Machu Picchu, we’ll head down to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. We’ll all gather in Aguas Calinetes, where we’ll have lunch. Your guide will then give you your tickets for the train back to Poroy, from where you can jump on the bus back to Cusco.   And that marks the end of our unforgettable classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu! Total distance: 5 km (3 miles) Estimated walking time: 2 hours Maximum altitude point: 2,700m (8,860ft)

  • Day 10: FREE DAY IN CUSCO

    FREE DAY IN CUSCO Free day in Cusco to relax, explore, and have a chance for last-minute shopping! Whether you wander around the plazas, visit a salsa bar, get a massage, or just drink some fantastic coffee, today is a chance to recharge before returning to the UK. Additionally, today will be your chance to visit the mystical Rainbow Mountain.

  • Day 11: BACK TO THE UK

    BACK TO THE UK This marks the end of our Peruvian adventure.

  • Day 1

    Flight
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 2

    4* Hotel – Twin Room
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 3

    4* Hotel – Twin Room
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 4

    Casa Andina
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 5

    Casa Andina
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 6

    Camping
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 7

    Camping
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 8

    Camping
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 9

    4* Hotel – Twin Room
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 10

    4* Hotel – Twin Room
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • Day 11

    Flight
    Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Our Different Types Of Trips

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Bucketlister Trips

Bucketlister trips are our standard for all our incredible trips. When you book a Bucketlister trip we will organise everything for you from the first to the last location on your adventure and you'll have a local guide with you every step of the way. All you'll need to organise is your own flights and transfers. (Additional Options for Land Only Transfers)

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Bucketlister+ Trips

Bucketlister+ trips are a done-for-you service from start to finish. We organise everything for you. You'll have a UK Guide with you all steps of the way and all you'll have to do is just pack you bag. (Additional Options for UK Group Flights & Transfers)

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Trailblazer Trips

Trailblazer trips are our first run throughs of our trips. Get the benefits of a Bucketlister+ Trip at the cost of a Bucketlister and all we'll ask for in return is your feedback! For more information click here!

Bucketlister trips are our standard for all our incredible trips. When you book a Bucketlister trip we will organise everything for you from the first to the last location on your adventure and you’ll have a local guide with you every step of the way. All you’ll need to organise is your own flights and transfers. (Additional Options for Land Only Transfers)

Bucketlister+ trips are a done-for-you service from start to finish. We organise everything for you. You’ll have a UK Guide with you all steps of the way and all you’ll have to do is just pack you bag. (Additional Options for UK Group Flights & Transfers)

Trailblazer trips are our first run throughs of our trips. Get the benefits of a Bucketlister+ Trip at the cost of a Bucketlister and all we’ll ask for in return is your feedback! For more information click here!

Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Dates & Availability

Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Reviews

Here’s what some of our awesome customers had to say:

    Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Addons

    Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Frequently Asked Questions

    • Toilet situation on the routes?

      Toilet paper goes in a bin near the toilet – may be worth brining your own! There are infrequent toilet blocks, usually hidden from the trail so if you cant hold it, the only option is to go behind a bush. By day 2 you may be using floor toilets which you squat over.


    • How much will I walk a day?

      10km walking a day for 4 days. Trek starts on day 5.


    • Are the tents 2-person tents?

      Tents are on a twin share basis so will be 2 travellers of similar age and same gender, unless travelling in pairs.

      Do we need to bring needles for medical emergencies (my doctor advised but I assume you carry them) and water purifying tablets – are there any you recommend if so?


    • What currency should we bring money in - just Sol?

      You can either bring Sol as your currency or you can bring US dollars which are easy to exchange for Sol when you get to Lima! Some people use both, its really optional


    • Will you provide a duffel bag for the porters to carry?

      Yes. If you do not have a duffel bag you can use your preferred luggage and then transfer the bits you will need whilst trekking to a duffel bag for the porters to carry. 


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