Hiking Inca Trail Peru

The Ultimate Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Hike

DAY 1: CUSCO

Once you’ve arrived at the Cusco airport, a guide will meet you at baggage claim to take you to your hotel. Your guide will give you a tour of the surrounding area during the ride to the airport, and offer you a briefing of the upcoming days. Upon arrival at the hotel be sure to have your passport ready to show the front desk during check in. Visit the Plaza de Armas Cathedral, or the Qoricancha Temple to start off your trip. If time permits, enjoy visiting local markets and the beautiful surrounding city. Enjoy an authentic lunch at Museo del Café before heading back to the hotel for the evening.

Hotel: Ananay Quinta Sans Blas (Deluxe Room)

Included: Airport transfer, trip briefing, English-speaking guide, Cathedral and Qoricancha entrance, lunch, water, room, breakfast next day.

DAY 2: TAMBO MACHAY- SACSAYHUAMAN- CUSCO

Cusco Outlaying Ruins:

Begin your trip with an introduction to Inca Heritage during this walking tour (optional vehicle tour). The first stop is Sacsayhuaman, the site is a large grass amphitheater with surrounding stone. Ancient battles once took place here, however it is now the location of of traditional Inca ceremonies.

The hike will then continue to the Inca water temple of Tambo Machay and the Red fort of Puca Pucara. Enjoy a picnic lunch nearby, then an optional hike on an Inca trail, passing historical sites along the way. The trail will lead you back to Cusco where you’ll spend the night.

Hotel: Ananay Quinta Sans Blas (Deluxe Room)

Included: Boleto turistico, English-speaking guide, water, picnic lunch, room, breakfast next day

DAY 3: MORAY CIRCULAR RUINS- MARAS SALT PANS- OLLANTAYTAMBO

Hike: Moray Ruins to Maras Saltpan

The hike will lead you along a dirt path to the Circular Ruins. These ruins are believed to have been and early Inca agricultural experiment, but are now a rarely visited site. Take some time to explore the ancient ruins before heading down a mule trail where you’ll find wonderful views of the snow capped mountain, Cordillera Vilcanota and Andean farms. The hike will take a break in Maras for a picnic lunch just outside the Salt pans.

After lunch you will head into Salinas to see the Inca salt pans of Maras and explore the ancient landscaping. After checking out the area, descent towards the Urumamba river where you’ll meet the vehicle that returns to the hotel for the night.

Hotel: Pakaritampu (Standard room)

Included: English-speaking guide, transportation, picnic lunch, Maras salt pans entrance fee, room, breakfast next day.

DAY 4: INCA TRAIL TREKKING BEGINS

Start the day visiting the town of Ollantaytambo, then drive to the beginning of the trail, Piscacucho. Enjoy your lunch while meeting the porters and cooks that will fuel your journey to Machu Picchu. You will only be responsible for a day-pack whilst trekking, as the porters will carry the rest of your luggage. Additionally they will set up your tents at camp, and prepare your food for you.

Your afternoon hike takes place above the Urumbamba river, and ends at the Inca sight of Llactapata where your camp will be set up for the night.

Included: English-speaking guide, cook, Inca trail permit, snacks, water, lunch, dinner, transportation, trekking porter, camping equipment (sleeping bags not included)

DAY 5: INCA TRAIL TREKKING

Refuel with breakfast made by your cooks in the morning before beginning the hike up the Cusichaca Valley. You will see the last inhabited settlement of Huayllabamba, then proceed to a steeper part of the Inca trail. This part of the trek leads you through stunted cloud forests alongside hummingbirds until you reach Llulluchapampa, where your camp is set up. Llulluchapampa is a grassy plain with gorgeous views of the mountains. Enjoy your evening at camp, where you may be accompanied by grazing Andean deer.

Included: English-speaking guide, cook, water, snacks, lunch, trekking porter, camping equipment (sleeping bag not included)

DAY 6: INCA TRAIL TREKKING

Be ready for a challenging, but thrilling day of trekking today. Begin the day with a climb to the highest part of the trail, Dead Woman’s Pass, then descend into Pacaymayu Valley. Once dropping into the valley you’ll ascend again up past the Inca control post of Runkuracay. This pass offers great views of different mountain ranges, including Pumahuanca, and Vilcabamba.

The hike will then continue on an Inca trail, Sayacmarca, this trail will lead you through some more ups and downs until reaching your campsite at “the place above the clouds”, Phuyupatamarca. You will spend the night at the gorgeous campground, enjoy taking in the scenery and savor this part of you adventure.

Included: English-speaking guide, cook, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, water, trekking porter, camping equipment (sleeping bag not included)

DAY 7: MACHU PICCHU RUINS

This is the day you’ve been waiting for, today you will reach Machu Picchu. Start your day watching the rising sun over the mountains surrounding your campground, then strap up for your hike to Machu Picchu. Descend down the Inca stairway to Wiñay Wayna, an ancient ruin surrounded with orchid gardens. You will arrive at Inti Punku, known as the “gateway of the sun”, walk through the gateway to views of the breath taking Machu Picchu. Take a minute to stop and take photos, and enjoy the beautiful scenery before you. Once you’ve taken in the views of Machu Picchu, you’ll catch a bus down to the town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you'll check into your well-deserved hotel room.

Hotel: Inkaterra El Mapi (Super deluxe room), dinner included

Included: English-speaking guide, cook, lunch, snacks, water, trekking porter, bus ticket, dinner, room, breakfast next day

DAY 8: MACHU PICCHU RUINS- CUSCO

Today’s adventure takes you through the history of Machu Picchu, undiscovered until 1911, Machu Picchu is a new wonder of the world. The site sits high on the hilltop, surrounded by cliffs and the Urubamba river. Start your day with a quick bus trip up to the location. Let your guide know the time you wish to reach the entrance of Machu Picchu; the entrance has strictly timed entrance hours and visiting time slots.

Enjoy a two hour tour from your guide, then enjoy the rest of your time exploring on your own. Wander through the ancient Inca architecture, and immerse yourself in the “pinnacle of Inca engineering”. If you’d like to extend your hike, feel free to hike up to the Sun Gate, or a shorter hike to the Inca Bridge. When your visit is over you will take the bus back down to Machu Picchu Pueblo where you’ll board a train that will take you along the Urumbamba river back to Cusco. Enjoy lunch in a restaurant before heading back to your hotel for your final night.

Hotel: Ananay Quinta San Blas (Deluxe room)

Included: English-speaking guide, bus ticket, lunch, train ticket return, transportation, room, breakfast next day

DAY 9: CUSCO- CUSCO AIRPORT

Enjoy your free day in Cusco, exploring the old Inca capitol and all it has to offer. Visit coffee shops, markets, museums, chocolate making classes, and much more before your transfer to the Cusco Airport. You will arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.

Included: Airport transportation

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