Join us for The Ultimate Inca Trail journey in Peru.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful trekking routes in the world!

This itinerary has been created to quench your thirst for adventure, introduce you to the local flavors in the Culinary Capital of South America and to take you to the heart of the ancient Inca Empire as you traverse from valleys to cloud forest and high altitude mountains.

Explore Cusco city via its cobblestone streets, visit its famous Plaza de Armas and enjoy the local markets. Get introduced to a local community and learn about their traditions in the Sacred Valley. Then meet your trekking team that will make your Inca Trail trekking a memory of a lifetime. After a few challenging, but rewarding days, hike to the Sun Gate to watch the sunrise over the majestic Machu Picchu.

- It is crucial for us to receive a copy of your passport once your booking is accepted, Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu permits are booked with current/valid passports ONLY.

- In order to confirm your booking we need a non-refundable deposit of R5600.00 (USD300.00) to reserve your space in the Inca Trail.

- We offer 2 payment options:

1. Pay the full amount (including a non-refundable deposit)

2. Pay the non-refundable deposit first, then 50% at 120 days from departure and the final 50% payment at 60 days before departure.

Arrival day. 

Transfer from the airport to your Lima hotel is included.

Your adventure starts today, feel free to explore the city but make sure that you are back in time for the group welcome meeting at 14:00. 

After the meeting head out for a walking tour of the area led by your knowledgeable tour leader. 

In the evening optional group dinner.

Welcome meeting:

Meet your tour leader and the rest of the group, a perfect opportunity to get to know everyone better. 

Included activity - Walking tour of Miraflores:

Miraflores is a hotspot in Lima known for its beautiful coast line, boasting restaurants, cafes and bars. Also a district with great nightlife.

Optionals:

• Lima City Tour - Kings and Queens Tour (day 1 at 9:00am, requires a pre-night): $40.00pp, approx. 3.5 hours
  Delve into the history of Lima and discover the best the city has to offer during this walking tour. Explore the historical center, visit sights such as the Main Square, the impressive underground catacombs of the San Francisco Monastery and more!
• Larco Museum entrance fee: S/.40.00

Special note: It is very important that you attend the welcome meeting to meet your fellow group members and for us to collect/communicate important information in this meeting. If you are going to be late please let your travel consultant know and look for a note in reception upon arrival.

Accommodation: 1 night hotel

Meals: There are no meals included today

Lima is the Culinary Capital of South America and your visit is not complete without tasting what this city has to offer.

Included activity - Ultimate Peruvian Cooking Class + Local Market Tour: 4 hours

Learn about Peruvian ingredients, practice some culinary techniques, prepare classic Peruvian dishes and of course enjoy the lunch that you helped to create!

Giving back: **By taking this class (and enjoying the delicious food) you are contributing to Reciprocity NGO, an organization that implements social projects which improve the quality of life for the communities living below the poverty line in Lima's shanty towns.

In the afternoon, catch a flight to Cusco. One of the most picturesque flights you will ever take. Arrive to the capital of the Inca Empire, be charmed by the cobblestone streets and friendly faces.

Free evening to explore the local restaurants and Cusco by night.

Accommodation: 1 night hotel

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Included activity - Cusco Walking Tour (approx. 2.5 hrs):

Take a morning stroll, this is the perfect introduction to this magical city. Visit the local fresh market in Cusco, the famous “Mercado San Pedro”, walk around  the Plaza de Armas, learn about this important city from the insights of your local tour leader and taste some of the local delicacies.

Free afternoon for optional activities or to explore the city on your own.

Optionals:

• ChocoMuseo visit (1 hour): FREE
  Uncover all the cocoa secrets while you taste the best artisanal chocolate made with the best organic Peruvian beans. Try the chocolate delights in the cafeteria.
• Chocolate Making Class: S/99.00 pp
  Take this chocolate-lovers workshop and learn how to make your very own chocolate from start to finish. Learn about the chocolate-making process with this hands-on experience beginning with the cocoa tree and finishing with your very own chocolate creations. Discover the history of cocoa in Peru and learn why it is one of the top chocolate producers in the world.
• Panoramic bus tour (2 hours): S/40.00 pp
  Take the panoramic bus with an open roof to see the city in a different way. Relax and enjoy the best views of the city and learn about the sights in a safe, practical and economic way.
• Walk around the artisan neighbourhood of San Blas: FREE

San Blas neighbourhood is often referred to as the cultural and artistic district characterised by narrow and steep streets, colonial houses built with walls of Incan stone, here you will find famous artisans, coffee shops and art galleries.

Accommodation: 1 hotel night

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel head out for a full day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas driving through beautiful mountain and valley scenery.

First stop at a textile center to learn about the ancient traditions of weaving in the community of Chinchero, afterwards continue to the farmlands of Maras and visit the unique Maras salt mines.

Later on enjoy a tasty lunch with impressive views of the Andes.

In the afternoon continue to the nearby town of Ollantaytambo where we will spend the night in preparation for the Inca Trail. Check out the Ollantaytambo ruins at sunset, go for a hike to explore the mountain nearby or stroll this little town that seems to be stuck in ancient times.

Giving back:

Included activity - Textile center visit in Chinchero:

Peru is well known for its colourful, bright and intricate textiles, they are a tradition passed down from generation to generation and a cultural expression of the different communities that preserve this tradition. In this visit you will learn about the stories, techniques and materials used to create these unique textiles. Be impressed by the skill and talent of these local artisans.

Included activity - Maras Salt Mines visit:

Your visit to the Sacred Valley is not complete without stopping at the impressive Maras Salt Mines, its utilisation is as old as the Inca Empire. Located in the slopes on a hill near Maras town, this site has captivated thousands of visitors for its stunning views and mystery around its origins.

Hidden Gem Experience:

Included activity - Wine & Cheese Picnic Experience + optional painting lesson

Connect with nature (and your artistic side) while enjoying a delicious picnic and picturesque surroundings of the Andean landscape, an invitation to soak in the natural beauty of the Andes in a special location; all while llamas graze in the background. 

Optionals:

• Hike to Pinkuylluna mountain (visit the ancient Inca granaries/store houses and enjoy the amazing views): FREE

Accommodation: 1 hotel night

Meals: Breakfast | Picnic lunch

Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where we will begin our trek.
The pace of the day will be an acclimatisation rhythm and soon we will stop at our first archaeological site called Llactapata located at 2,550 masl. After free time we visited this archaeological site, before continuing our walk to Wayllabamba where we will camp.

Ease into the adventure admiring the changing scenery, the streams of water and the Inca sites we will pass by.

***Our Inca Trail crew (porters, cooks and guides) will take over the organization of the hike during the following days and they will carry the luggage as well, you will only need to carry a small daypack with water, snacks, rain gear, your camera, etc.

● Overnight: Wayllabamba Campsite 

● Distance of the day: 10 km / 5359 mi 

● Hiking time: 5/6 hours 

● Activity Level: 3 - Moderate 

● Minimum elevation: 2700 masl / 8858 ft 

● Maximum elevation: 3000 masl /9842 ft

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

After breakfast we will begin our walk through the Valley of Wayllabamba on our journey we will be able to observe nature and the ecological change of the area until we arrive to Yunca Chipana from where we will climb to Llulluchapampa at 3750 masl / 2330 ft.

Trek progressively the steep terrain, enjoy the magnificent views of the valley of Huayanay, continue to our highest point of the hike located at 4,200 masl / 2610 ft. Warmiwañusca or “Dead Woman’s” pass.

Most hikers arrive at the campsite in the early afternoon with plenty of time for a long rest and relaxing evening.  

● Overnight: Pacaymayo Campsite
● Distance of the day: 16 km / 9359 mi
● Hiking time: 9/10 hours
● Activity Level: 3 - Moderate to 4 - Demanding
● Minimum elevation: 2700 masl / 8858 ft
● Maximum elevation: 4200 masl /13780 ft

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

After breakfast, we will ascend to Runkurakay pass at 3860 masl / 2,389 ft.. This is a beautiful day filled with amazing views, a longer day but totally worth it. We will visit another small Inca site, Sayacmarca and appreciate the valleys and snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba. 

Trek through the cloud forest, we will stop to visit the archeological site of Phuyupatamarca or the “town above the clouds”. Then descend 3 kilometers until we arrive at a place called Winawayna “forever young”, visit this beautiful Inca site and finally at Intipata where we will camp.  

● Overnight: Wiñaywayna Campsite
● Distance of the day: 16 km / 9359 mi
● Hiking time: 7/8 hours
● Activity Level: 3 - Moderate to 4 - Demanding
● Minimum elevation: 3650 masl / 11975 ft
● Maximum elevation: 39000 masl /13780 ft

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Rise in the early morning as we will reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Catch the first views of the impressive Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu. Traverse down the last part of the Inca Trail, enjoy a guided tour of the citadel, walk through the sanctuary, learn about the history of Machu Picchu and follow the route with your guide and get those perfect pictures. 

Take the bus down to Machupicchu town, explore and in the afternoon take the return train back to Ollantaytambo and a transfer will wait for you to transport to your hotel in Cusco.

● Activity Level: 3 - Moderate 

● Distance of the day: 20 km / 12.43 mi 

● Hiking time: 2/3 hours 

● Minimum elevation: 2650 masl / 8690 ft 

● Maximum elevation: 2430 m/7972 ft

Optional:

• Farewell dinner show (traditional music and dancing show): $40.00pp

Accommodation: 1 hotel night

Meals: Breakfast 

Depart at any time.

Your trip comes to an end today, and there are no activities planned today. You can choose to stay longer in Cusco, opt to continue your trip to the Amazon Jungle or catch a flight to go back home. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your travel consultant.

Meals: Breakfast 

Bon voyage!