The Inca Trail

Follow in the footsteps of the Incas as you trek to the once-lost city of Machu Picchu, a New Wonder of the World

The Inca Trail

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Trip Fee

$ 2.470

Single Room Difference

$ 375

Date

07 - 14 September 2025

Trip Information

Offering an unrivalled combination of history and dramatic scenery, the Inca Trail winds from the powerful Urubamba River, across mountain passes, through cloud forests and past crumbling fortresses, to the ruins of Machu Picchu, rightly named one of the New Wonders of the World. We designed this Inca Trail trip to give you more time to enjoy the route, arriving to Machu Picchu in the afternoon for classic photos before we stay overnight in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes. We return the next morning, fresh and well rested, for our in-depth tour of magnificent Machu Picchu. Why trek with us? More than 40 years’ experience running treks in Peru Proceeds from this trip support our Porter Project, where we take porters to Machu Picchu, many of whom have never visited before. See our mini documentary Carried Away to learn more We operate a zero-impact policy on the Inca Trail, removing all waste from campsites and separating it so it can be easily recycled or composted Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained to spot and deal with altitude sickness Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone on this trip. See the Joining Instructions for more

Activity Areas

Point-to-Point
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers

Region & Country & City

South America: Cuzco, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Peru, Peruvian Andes

Included in the Price

— All breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Arrival and departure transfers — Kitbag to keep and inflatable sleeping mat to use while camping

Not Included In The Price

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations — Sleeping bag (hire locally from $20)

Accommodation Information

— Accommodation: 4 Classic nights (hotels), 3 Simple nights (full-service camping) — Four walking days with full porterage throughout trek - 15lb (7kg) personal weight limit on Inca Trail — Travel by private bus and by train — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Map

Itinerary

Day 1 Adventure starts in Cuzco

Begin your adventure in Cuzco, once the geographic, cultural and political centre of a vast Inca empire. After Spanish conquistadors invaded, they built on top of Inca structures, resulting in unique architecture, a fusion of Spanish and Inca styles. Around 6pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Peruvian welcome by arranging an optional group dinner. Want more time in Cuzco? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Free day to acclimatise • Optional adventures in the Sacred Valley

Adjusting to the altitude will maximise your experience on this trip; therefore, today has been left free for you to acclimatise and explore at your own pace. Take it easy and drink plenty of water to help your body adjust to the altitude (11,155ft/3,400m). For those who want to explore, the Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people-watching, and Qorikancha (the Sun Temple) in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery is worth a visit. Mercado San Pedro is the place to try local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs, such as alpaca jumpers and scarves. Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where the Inca armies made their last stand against the conquistadors. Cuzco is also the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas; if you wish to visit, your leader can help organise an excursion, including Pisac Market (optional). If you would like something more active, there is an array of other optional activities available from Cuzco, including paddleboarding on a lake, mountain biking, or a combination of via ferrata and zip-lining in the Sacred Valley. In the evening, you need to pack and weigh your kitbag ready for the Inca Trail tomorrow – remember to keep your passport somewhere accessible for the Inca Trail checkpoint. Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Start the Inca Trail trek from Km82 • Walk along the Urubamba River • Climb to Huayllabamba

Early this morning, we transfer (1hr 30min) from Cuzco into the Sacred Valley. Reaching the town of Ollantaytambo, we drive for one hour along the final stretch of road to the start of the Inca Trail at Piscacucho, recognised among adventurers as Km82. After greeting our trekking crew, we show our passports at the checkpoint and begin the fabled Inca Trail trek. Our route today runs alongside the Urubamba River, beneath the snow-capped peak of Nevado Veronica, passing through cactus gardens and settlements, until we reach the terraced Inca ruins of Llactapata, where we continue up the Cusichaca Valley to camp near the village of Huayllabamba (9,186ft/2,800m). Accommodation: Huayllabamba Camp (full-service camping)

Day 4 Summit Dead Woman's Pass • Descend to Pacaymayu

The morning begins, as all do on our Inca Trail trek, with a hot drink delivered to your tent. Today’s journey is both challenging and rewarding, marking the most demanding and best-known stretch of the trail. A slow and steady climb takes us through a cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then we summit Dead Woman’s (Warmihuañusca) Pass, the highest point on the trek at 13,829ft (4,215m). After a well-deserved round of high fives and photos at the summit, we begin our steep descent on original Inca steps to reach our campsite in the scenic valley of the Pacaymayu River (11,811ft/3,600m). Warm up in the dining tent with a hot, fresh meal followed by a well-deserved sleep under the Andean night sky. Accommodation: Pacaymayu Camp (full-service camping)

Day 5 Over the Runquracay Pass to the ruins of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca

After a hearty breakfast, we start the day with a climb, which takes us past the ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (12,894ft/3,930m), our second and final pass. From here, the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined rolling path of flat boulders, providing access to sites only available to those on foot. One of the standout archeological sites we visit is Sayacmarca (11,893/3,625m), perched high above the green cloud forest. From here, we enjoy views of Salkantay mountain as we hike to our spectacular campsite on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (12,073ft/3,680m), where we can enjoy the sunset and sunrise. Accommodation: Phuyupatamarca Camp (full-service camping)

Day 6 Walk down the Inca Steps to Wiñay Wayna • Enjoy our first sight of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate

From Phuyupatamarca, we take the famous Inca Steps: a 1.2mi (2km) stone staircase that rapidly descends into an immense panorama, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above and the Urubamba River far below. Reaching Wiñay Wayna, we have plenty of time to explore these beautiful ruins and eat lunch before continuing along a relatively flat section of trail (by Inca standards) through cloud forest and wild orchids to finally reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). From here, we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu, with the Huayna Picchu mountain rising behind… congratulations, you made it! Inti Punku is traditionally busy with photo-taking trekkers in the morning, so our late afternoon arrival affords us unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. We also get a chance to snap some classic photos of Machu Picchu before we take the 30-minute bus down to Aguas Calientes for a shower and a comfortable bed for the night. Accommodation: Terraza de Luna (or similar)

Day 7 Explore the ruins of Machu Picchu • Return to Cuzco by train and road

Well-rested and refreshed, we return to Machu Picchu this morning for our guided tour. Machu Picchu is an architectural and engineering marvel, the staggering mountain backdrop making it even more dramatic. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained an enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Your guided tour highlights the history, culture, architecture and mysteries that Machu Picchu still holds today. This afternoon, we catch the train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30min) and continue by private bus to Cuzco (1hr 30min). Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 Adventure ends in Cuzco

We begin our return journeys home after breakfast. But if you’re not ready for the adventure to end, you can always book onto our Lake Titicaca extension, where you explore the sky-high waters by boat, visit an indigenous community and explore the pre‐Incan site of Sillustani. Alternatively, join our Amazon Rainforest extension to explore lakes, rivers and jungle trails in search of tropical wildlife or speak to your sales representative about additional time in Cuzco.

Travel Dates

07 - 14 September 2025 $ 2.470

21 - 28 September 2025 $ 2.395

05 - 12 October 2025 $ 2.395

19 - 26 October 2025 $ 2.395

25 January - 01 February 2026 $ 2.620

05 - 12 April 2026 $ 2.695

12 - 19 April 2026 $ 2.620

19 - 26 April 2026 $ 2.620

26 April - 03 May 2026 $ 2.665

03 - 10 May 2026 $ 2.665

10 - 17 May 2026 $ 2.665

17 - 24 May 2026 $ 2.620

31 May - 07 June 2026 $ 2.620

07 - 14 June 2026 $ 2.620

14 - 21 June 2026 $ 2.620

21 - 28 June 2026 $ 2.665

05 - 12 July 2026 $ 2.620

12 - 19 July 2026 $ 2.620

19 - 26 July 2026 $ 2.620

02 - 09 August 2026 $ 2.700

16 - 23 August 2026 $ 2.665

30 August - 06 September 2026 $ 2.620

06 - 13 September 2026 $ 2.665

13 - 20 September 2026 $ 2.665

20 - 27 September 2026 $ 2.620

27 September - 04 October 2026 $ 2.620

04 - 11 October 2026 $ 2.620

11 - 18 October 2026 $ 2.620

18 - 25 October 2026 $ 2.700

25 October - 01 November 2026 $ 2.620

01 - 08 November 2026 $ 2.620

15 - 22 November 2026 $ 2.620

29 November - 06 December 2026 $ 2.620

06 - 13 December 2026 $ 2.620

20 - 27 December 2026 $ 2.620

27 December 2026 - 03 January 2027 $ 2.620

10 - 17 January 2027 $ 2.770

24 - 31 January 2027 $ 2.770

04 - 11 April 2027 $ 2.770

11 - 18 April 2027 $ 2.770

18 - 25 April 2027 $ 2.770

25 April - 02 May 2027 $ 2.770

02 - 09 May 2027 $ 2.770

09 - 16 May 2027 $ 2.770

16 - 23 May 2027 $ 2.770

30 May - 06 June 2027 $ 2.770

06 - 13 June 2027 $ 2.770

13 - 20 June 2027 $ 2.770

20 - 27 June 2027 $ 2.770

04 - 11 July 2027 $ 2.770

11 - 18 July 2027 $ 2.770

18 - 25 July 2027 $ 2.770

01 - 08 August 2027 $ 2.770

15 - 22 August 2027 $ 2.770

29 August - 05 September 2027 $ 2.770

05 - 12 September 2027 $ 2.770

12 - 19 September 2027 $ 2.770

19 - 26 September 2027 $ 2.770

26 September - 03 October 2027 $ 2.770

03 - 10 October 2027 $ 2.770

10 - 17 October 2027 $ 2.770

17 - 24 October 2027 $ 2.770

24 - 31 October 2027 $ 2.770

31 October - 07 November 2027 $ 2.770

14 - 21 November 2027 $ 2.770

28 November - 05 December 2027 $ 2.770

05 - 12 December 2027 $ 2.770

19 - 26 December 2027 $ 2.770

26 December 2027 - 02 January 2028 $ 2.770

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