Peru: Hiking the Inca Trail

Trip Overview  |  Important Trip Information  |  Additional Experiences  |  Trip Gallery  |  Itinerary Overview

Trip Overview

Start your journey in Cusco exploring this wonderful city and its delicious cuisine, and get ready for the trek of a lifetime. The 4 day Inca trail may test your spirits, but your friendships will be stronger, and the experience is fully worth it. As you walk down the sun gate and lay your eyes on Machu Picchu, there is a serenity and energy that takes you over.

Price range varies depending on group size, time of travel, accommodation level, and included activities.

Important Trip Information

Accomodations

  • Hotel 3 Nights
  • Camping 3 Nights

Meals

  • All Breakfasts
  • 3 Lunches
  • 3 Dinners

Transport

  • Transfer to and from the trek start point

Trip Highlights

  • English speaking guide throughout
  • Cusco City Tour
  • Full service camping and porterage
  • Trek through the Andes up to 4200m
  • Arrive at the Sun Gate at sunrise
  • Inca Trail permit
  • Machu Picchu entry and camping
  • Access to emergency oxygen and first aid kit
  • High quality mess and sleeping tents
  • Comfortable insulated sleeping mat

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • International airport departure tax
  • Any visas required
  • Services not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Late check out at hotels
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Drinks with included lunches and dinners
  • Tips for leaders, guide and driver
  • Expenditure of personal nature
  • Personal Insurance
  • Optional activities

Additional Experiences
Itinerary Overview
Day 1 - Arrive Cuzco

From the airport we will arrange an airport transfer for you to our hotel in Cuzco.

Included Meals: None

Day 2 - Cuzco

To help your acclimatisation we will spend a day in Cuzco. In the morning your guide will collect you from your hotel to take you on a half day city walking tour. Cuzco was once the foremost city of the Inca empire, and is the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. At the heart of the city is the Plaza de Armas. Colonial arcades surround the plaza, while alleyways leading away from the plaza are bordered by Inca walls. On the plaza’s northeastern side is the imposing Cathedral, flanked by the churches of Jesus Maria and El Triunfo. On the southeastern edge is the ornate church of La Compania de Jesus.

You will have the afternoon free to rest or explore this beautiful city. This evening you will meet your Kandoo guide and have a full pre-trek briefing.

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 3 - Cuzco - Wayllabamba

Elevation: 3400m to 3000m, Trekking distance: 12 km, Time: 5-6 hours.

We will leave Cuzco at 5:00 am by a private bus heading to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will make a short break in Ollantaytambo for breakfast. The official beginning of the Inca Trail is called Km 82. Here we will meet our crew and register for your trek.

After crossing the Rio Urubamba we start the legendary Inca Trail. The first day of the trail is relatively easy and a good warm up for the following days. On the way we will pass a beautiful archaeological site called Llactapata before we reach Tarayoc. After that, we will continue our hike to Wayllabamba (3000m), the camping site where we will spend the night.

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 4 - Wayllabamba - Pacamayo via Dead Woman's Pass

Elevation: 3000m to 4200m to 3580m, Distance: 10 km, Time: 8-9 hours Leaving early in the morning, our trail first leads through the Valley of Llulluchapampa (3750m). The first 4 km trekking are steep and take approximately 3 hours. From Llulluchapampa the path continues less steeply for another 2 hours until we reach the Warmihuañusca Pass (Dead Woman Pass), the first of three passes on the Inca Trail and the highest point of our trek at 4200m. This climb is the most difficult part of the Inca Trail. After a short break at the summit, we continue our hike down with a long and steep descent to the Pacamayo River where we will camp overlooking the cloud forest.

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 5 - Pacamayo - Winay Wayna

Elevation: 2650m to 2400m to 3400m, Trekking distance: 5km, Time: 2-3 hours.

An early start is required today, and we will have breakfast around 4:30 am so that we are ready to hit the trail. We say goodbye to our porters and set off on the final section of the Inca Trail to the famous Inti Punku (The Sun Gate) which will take around 2-3 hours. Weather permitting, from here you will enjoy your first views of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. You will be given a guided tour of the site which will last for around 2½ to 3 hours. There is also an option to climb Huayna Picchu, the famous mountain behind the ruins, but you will need to book a permit in advance. In the afternoon, we will catch the train from Agua Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where you will be met by our driver who will transfer you to your hotel in Cuzco

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 6 - Depart Cuzco

After a much needed night’s rest, we will bid you goodbye.

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 7 - Lisbon

Today you will visit Sintra, the city full of Palaces. Sintra is well known for the palaces and castles built by the Kings and aristocracy to leave the populated Lisbon. Take the metro in the morning to the train station where you will take the train (40 minutes) to the outstanding city of Sintra. Here you will enjoy some free time to discover the palaces and castles. We recommend to visit Quinta da Regaleira or Pena Palace. Ask your Tour Leader for more information. As you can take any of the trains (3 per hour) you can stay longer or back to Lisbon whenever you want to rest a little bit before evening.

Take some free time before joining your Tour Leader again for a Booze Cruise in Lisbon. 4 hours of party having amazing views of the city.

Included Activities: Train Lisbon – Sintra Return Ticket, Booze Cruise

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 8 - Lisbon

Today is free for you to keep exploring Lisbon on your own pace. You can visit one of the hundred museums in the city or just relax having a Bica (Coffee) or some wine.

In the evening regroup again for a Farewell Dinner to say good-bye to Lisbon and Portugal.

Included Activities: Farewell Dinner

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 9 - Depart Lisbon

Today is free for you to keep exploring Lisbon on your own pace. You can visit one of the hundred museums in the city or just relax having a Bica (Coffee) or some wine.

In the evening regroup again for a Farewell Dinner to say good-bye to Lisbon and Portugal.

Included Activities: Farewell Dinner

Included Meals: breakfast

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