Inca Trail of Peru | Trip Itinerary

This itinerary is designed to begin Day 1 on a Monday so you can join the shared/group departure for the actual Inca Trail Trekking portion on Saturday/Day 6. You can also opt for a private Inca Trail trek (pending permit availability) and begin your trip on any day. We can add or subtract days, combine hotel categories or modify services to your preference.
 
Day 1: Arrive Lima, where you are met and assisted to the nearby airport hotel Costa del Sol for a one night stay. 

Day 2:  Our local representative will meet you this morning at your hotel, to assist you to airport and check-in for your flight to Cusco.  On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your selected hotel for check-in.  Morning free to rest and acclimatize to the 11,600' altitude.  Afternoon shared tour (optional upgrade to private tour available on request)  of city and the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko and Tambomachay will give you a good background of the incredible history and culture of the region. Suggested upgrade: For a more intimate and active Cusco experience we suggest a walking tour of Cusco's highlights this afternoon with your private guide; and tomorrow morning we'll include a hiking trip up to the nearby ruins--also with your private guide. (B)

Day 3:  Free day in Cusco to acclimatize, explore the markets, plazas, restaurants and shops, and prepare for your trek.  (B)

Day 4:  Depart for the Sacred Valley for a full day shared tour (optional upgrade to private tour available on request), including visits to the colorful Pisac Indian Market and the impressive archaeological site of the Ollantaytambo Fortress Note:  You can leave behind any luggage not needed for your trek and these days in the Sacred Valley at your Cusco hotel. You’ll also have an opportunity on Saturday morning to send back any additional items to our Cusco office.
Note that luggage requirements for the Inca Trail trek allow you 8 KG/17.6 pounds of gear (including your sleeping bag) to be packed in a provided duffel bag.  Please consult our clothing and equipment list (provided with your confirmation materials) for recommended gear.

At an elevation of 8,500 feet, the Urubamba Valley, or Sacred Valley of the Incas, is the historic heart of the Inca Empire. It was intensively cultivated with terraces increasing its harvest several fold. Small villages lined the valley floor, while the stone fortresses of Ollantaytambo and Pisac served the dual purpose of providing protection and serving as religious centers. Without the benefit of the wheel, the Incas built massive stone cities and ruled an empire stretching 3,300 miles over some of the harshest terrain on earth. Without the use of mortar, the Inca constructed their cities, suspension bridges, and aqueduct systems, with an engineering expertise that has survived five hundred years of natural disasters, conquest, and modern development.

You’ll do a bit of hiking and climbing here—a great way to prepare you for your upcoming trek!  In the afternoon you are dropped off at your selected hotel, where you spend the next two nights.  (B, L)

Day 5:  Visit with your private guide to visit the ancient sites of Maras and Moray.  At Maras, one of the most important salt mines of the region, they are from the Incas period and are still in use. Moray is located at 53 km northwest of Cusco, highlights an admirable Inca experimental farm, where a natural depression has been transformed in enormous terraces superimposed in concentric form with a shape of a great coliseum, achieving up to 150 meters in difference of height levels. You’ll do some hiking around the sites, which will help you better prepare for your Inca Trail trek.  Enjoy a box lunch along the way before returning to your hotel mid- afternoon. You'll have some free time to explore the area, hike on your own, enjoy your hotel’s facilities and pack for your trek. (B)

Day 6:  Begin your trek on the Inca Trail! Your gear should be packed in duffel bags (provided) no more than 20 pounds in weight, including your sleeping bag.  This gear will be transported by porters. (all un-needed clothing & gear should be stored in a locked suitcase & left in luggage storage at your Cusco hotel) You will need to carry your own personal daypack for water, camera, raingear, etc.  
A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 of the Machu Picchu railroad. After getting acquainted with our trail crew we set out, crossing a footbridge to hike a gentle two hours down the Urubamba Canyon, and then visit imposing, sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. We then climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Huayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we camp. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayo
The trail climbs gently through the mountains through the last houses of Huayllabamba, and then more steeply past a rushing stream through enchanted native Polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly _nd ourselves in the “puna”, the treeless grassland of the High Andes. After enjoying a hearty lunch, we start our steady ascent towards the highest pass, which is called Abra Warmiwañusca or
“Dead Woman’s Pass”, at 13,850 ft (4,221 m). We then descend for 90 minutes through the forested Pacaymayo Valley towards our eponymous camp at 11,900 ft (3,620 m), where our staff will receive us with warm tea and a tasty dinner.
(B, L, D)

Day 8: Pacaymayo – Phuyupatamarca
We ascend an old Inca stairway that passes by the intimate Inca site of Runkurakay towards the second-highest pass of the trip, which reaches 13,113 ft. From the pass, we enjoy a spectacular view of the snow-capped peaks of the Pumasillo Range. Next we descend the trail to the Sayacmarca archaeological site, which is an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas, and water channels perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba Valley. After enjoying lunch at a location named Chaquicocha, we continue our hike as the trail morphs into a massive, buttressed walkway composed of granite paving stones. The trail continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest, through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses, and ferns. At the third pass on our trip, we camp near a rock pinnacle topped with Inca viewing platforms, which overlook the archaeological site known as Phuyupatamarca (“Town of the Clouds”). This camp site allows for fantastic sunrise views of the gigantic, Matterhorn-like, snow-capped peak named Salcantay, the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, and a stunning view down the valley towards the steamy heat of the Amazon rainforest. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Phuyupatamarca – Machu Picchu
We explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways spilling down the mountainside at Phuyupatamarca, and then begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us finally to the site of Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail archaeological sites that we encounter before the relatively gigantic grand finale at Machu Picchu. In the afternoon we follow the last stretch of trail across a steep mountainside through a lush, humid cloud forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Inti Punku (“The Sun Gate”) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry -a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu.

We walk the last half-hour or so down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings and through the heart of Machu Picchu.  Take the shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes (20 minute descent from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes) where you check in to the hotel El Mapi (3 star); Casa del Sol (4 star) or  Inkaterra El Pueblo (5 star).  For this special night at Machu Picchu you can also upgrade from any category to the Inkaterra hotel---a great reward for your accomplishments of the past few days! (B, L, D)

Day 10: Machu Picchu – Cusco
We return to Machu Picchu by bus and spend the day in both guided and individual exploration, visiting the most fascinating features of this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement.  Some will want to take the optional hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu (advance permit is required for this activity & should be requested when you confirm your trip) for an amazing overview of the site, while others may want to investigate Machu Picchu’s multitude of hidden nooks and corners.  After a full-on experience of this glorious monument to the Inca achievement, lunch will be enjoyed at the adjacent restaurant of the Sanctuary Lodge by Orient Express.  We return to Aguas Calientes and board the return train/vehicle to Ollantaytambo/Cusco. Arrive Cusco in the early evening; transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.   (B, L)

Day 11:  At the prearranged time, you'll be met and transferred to the Cusco airport for your flight Lima.  Connect to  your international departure (most flights to the US depart late evening). Or, continue with additional sightseeing in Peru and/or neighboring countries (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner