Inca Trail Trek
Inca Trail Trek
Inca Trail Trek
9 Days Starting and ending in Cusco, Peru
Visiting: Cusco, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Llulluchapampa, Phuyupatamarca, Machu Picchu
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PQ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
16-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey along the iconic Inca Trail to the legendary Machu Picchu. This fully supported trek begins in the historic city of Cusco, where you'll explore its rich Inca heritage and vibrant culture. As you set off on the trail, you'll be captivated by the stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley, visiting ancient ruins like Llaqtapata and the impressive Sacsayhuaman fortress. Experience the thrill of crossing the renowned 'Dead Woman's Pass' and hiking through lush cloud forests. Each day brings new adventures, culminating in the breathtaking arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. With opportunities to explore local markets, enjoy traditional Peruvian cuisine, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Cusco, this trek offers a perfect blend of adventure and cultural discovery. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a first-time explorer, the Inca Trail promises an experience of a lifetime.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Join Tour Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Histórico
Join tour Cusco.
Day 2 : Walking Tour Of Cusco; Afternoon Free For Acclimatisation
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Histórico
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking tour of Cusco; afternoon free for acclimatisation.
Day 3 : Visit To The Colourful And Vibrant Pisac Market
Location: Pisac
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Histórico
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit to the colourful and vibrant Pisac market.
Day 4 : Commence Inca Trail; Walk To Llaqtapata Ruins
Location: Ollantaytambo
Accommodation: Camp, ing
Accommodation Name: Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Commence Inca Trail; walk to Llaqtapata ruins.
Day 5 : Follow River To Wayllabamba Village; Continue To Llulluchapampa
Location: Llulluchapampa
Accommodation Name: Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Follow river to Wayllabamba village; continue to Llulluchapampa
Day 6 : Cross 'Dead Woman's Pass' (4200M); Hike Through Cloudforest To Phuyupatamarca
Location: Phuyupatamarca
Accommodation: Camp, ing
Accommodation Name: Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross 'Dead Woman's Pass' (4200m); hike through cloudforest to Phuyupatamarca
Day 7 : Arrive To Machu Picchu Through The Sun Gate
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: El Mapi Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Arrive to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
Day 8 : Revisit Machu Picchu; Return To Ollantaytambo By Train Before Continuing By Bus To Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Histórico
Meals Included: Breakfast
Revisit Machu Picchu; return to Ollantaytambo by train before continuing by bus to Cusco
Day 9 : Tour Ends Cusco
Location: Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
Tour ends Cusco
What's Included
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Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
A guided tour of Machu Picchu is included, allowing you to explore the temples, stairways, palaces, and gabled stone dwellings of this ancient site.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Histórico and El Mapi Hotel during the tour.
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Meals
The tour includes 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners.
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Camping Equipment
Camping equipment is provided during the trek, including a toilet tent set up by the camp crew.
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Transport
Transport is included from Cusco to the starting point of the Inca Trail and from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, as well as the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
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Walking Tour of Cusco
An immersive walking tour of Cusco, including visits to Sacsayhuaman, San Cristobal, and the Qoricancha complex, is included.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as trekking to Moray, stand-up paddle boarding on Piuray Lagoon, or a brewery tour are not included and can be booked separately.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are not included unless specified, and you will need to arrange your own transport to and from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.
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Entrance Fees for Optional Climbs
Entrance fees for optional climbs of Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain are not included and must be pre-paid at the time of booking.
Meals
Breakfasts: 8
Lunches: 4
Dinners: 3
Mode of Transport
The tour includes a mix of transportation methods, starting with a drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, followed by trekking along the Inca Trail, and concluding with a train journey from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo, and a bus ride to Cusco.
Accommodation
Experience a blend of comfort and adventure with stays at the Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Histórico in Cusco and El Mapi Hotel in Aguas Calientes, complemented by camping under the stars at scenic campsites along the Inca Trail.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the starting point of the Inca Trail trek?
The starting point of the Inca Trail trek is Kilometre 82, which is reached after a drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and then continuing by bus.
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What can I expect on the first day of the trek?
On the first day of the trek, you will leave Cusco and drive to Ollantaytambo for a short walking tour. After reaching Kilometre 82, you will meet the porters and support staff and begin the trek, crossing the Urubamba River and following a trail to Llaqtapata, where you will camp for the night.
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What is the highlight of Day 6 on the trek?
The highlight of Day 6 is crossing the Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's) Pass at 4,200 metres, which is one of the more challenging sections of the trek. The day also includes visiting the ruins of Runkuraqay and descending into the cloud forest to reach the campsite above the Phuyupatamarca ruins.
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How is the final day of the trek structured?
On the final day of the trek, you will walk through the Sun Gate to arrive at Machu Picchu, passing through the Phuyupatamarca ruins and descending through the cloud forest. After visiting Machu Picchu, you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes and then return to Cusco by train and bus.
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What optional activities are available on Day 3 in Cusco?
On Day 3, you have the option to trek to Moray and visit the Maras salt mine, go stand-up paddle boarding on Piuray Lagoon, or take a brewery tour at Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado.
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What are the accommodation arrangements during the trek?
During the trek, you will camp at various sites along the Inca Trail. The campsites are equipped with facilities such as toilet tents set up by the camp crew, and some sites have basic facilities like flushing toilets and sinks.
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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