The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Tour Style:

Small Group Guided | Benefit from an expert leader and join a group of like-minded adventurers.

Activity:

Camp to Camp Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

• Return transfers from Cusco Airport to Cusco accommodation (Days 1 & 8).
• 4 Nights 3* standard accommodation (2 nts in Cusco, 1 nt in Ollantaytambo, 1 nt Aguas Calientes) in a room with en suite facilities.
• 3 Nights accommodation in a two-man tent whilst on trek.
• 3 Dinners.
• 6 Lunches.
• Full day excursion to the Sacred Valley.
• Transportation to the start of the trek.
• Inca Trail Permit
• 1 bilingual Trekking guide services during the Inca Trail and citadel of Machu Picchu.
• All Peruvian staff and porters insurance and wages.
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
• Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Poroy Station).
• Transfer from Cusco station to hotel on Day 7.
• Detailed pre-departure information pack and guide book.

• Flights to/from Cusco.
• Lunches and dinners while in Cusco.
• Dinner at Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo
• Travel Insurance.
• Personal equipment.
• Extra drinks (including all alcoholic drinks), snacks, laundry.
• Tips for your trekking crew (expected, but not mandatory).

• Additional nights in Cusco or elsewhere in Peru.
• Sleeping bag hire for during trek.

When To Go

The trekking season on the Inca Trail runs from March to December. You can start this tour on Mondays and Fridays during the season.

This tour operates with a minimum of two participants, therefore if you are a solo traveller we will need to check first that minimum numbers are reached.

Please note - Inca Trail Permit (and entrance fees to Pisac and Ollantaytambo) are on a request basis.

You may like to consider our alternative route to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek which is also beautiful but is a quieter trek and does not require permits.

To issue permits we need: complete names, passport number, nationality, date of birth. Once issued, name and/or date changes are not permitted, and the cost is non-refundable. Release of permits is at the Peruvian authorities' discretion - currently permits start being released in the first few months for permits in the same year. Please do not book your flights until you have received confirmation from our team that your permit/s have been granted for you. Written confirmation of permit takes a minimum of 48 hrs after request is made.Thank you.

If you would like to book for 2020 we can take your booking for now but your permits will not be booked until around February 2020 and are issued on a first come, first-served basis so we advise you not to book your flights until your permits have been secured.

Getting to the Start

Flights to Cusco are available via Lima (approx. 1h 10m). Flights to Lima are available from the UK, Europe and United States.

From the United States, major airlines include American Airlines, Continental Airlines, and Delta Airlines. Flight times to Lima are approx as follows - 8 hours from NYC, 9 hours from Los Angeles, and 6 hours from Miami.

From the United Kingdom and Europe, airlines include British Airways, Iberia and KLM. Flight times from London vary between 16-20 hours depending on connections and usually involve a change in Amsterdam, Madrid or the United States.

Airlines like LAN Peru and Avianca also operate flights via other major cities in South America. 

Luggage Transfer

Your luggage and the camp equipment will be transported by porters who come from the local communities (Soqma, Pallata, Willoq etc) around the Sacred Valley. This kind of work allows them to support their family and communities. All porters have a specific task, dependent on the size of the group: cook, porters’ chief, assistant cook, tent attendant, WC attendant. Weight is an essential variable on the Inca Trail (each porter carries max. 24kg). All camp equipment weight is pre-measured to fit within the weight requirements for the porters’ health and safety. Tips are not included in our arrangements, and guidance will be given on this in our information pack. Each group tends to contribute approx $300 in total to the whole crew.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. 

Guides

Quality guides make the difference between a great trip and a wonderful experience. Our Peruvian guides are fully qualified and trained. All have many years of experience of guiding trekkers in Peru and speak excellent English. They bring a wealth of knowledge to your journey, opening your eyes to the legends, culture, food, flora, and fauna of the Andes. Additionally, they are first aid trained and fully trained and experienced in dealing with cases of altitude sickness. They also carry a comprehensive first aid kit.

Equipment

While trekking you will only have to carry a day bag with water, snacks, spare clothes and your camera. Your main bag will be moved by a porter. You must limit your luggage to one bag of up to 8kg per person. It is possible to store excess luggage at your hotel in Cusco.

We will supply you with a detailed equipment list as part of your pre-departure information pack. You will need normal walking and travelling gear as well as a sleeping bag and warm clothes.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this trip that you have adequate travel insurance in place, including for emergency medical evacuation and/or curtailment of your trip. Please ensure that you check your policy as it should include cover for trekking at altitude.