Inca Trail to Machu Picchu


5 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail is on the bucket list of many travellers, and if you dream of hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, our 5-day adventure is the perfect choice for your next trip.

 

Starting one day later than the standard four-day itineraries you see online, our 5-day, 4-night Machu Picchu hike allows you to explore the trails leading to the world’s greatest UNESCO World Heritage site without the crowds. It includes an extra night for acclimatisation, a team of Peruvian guides, chefs, and porters to help you along the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to trek through the magical winding trails, once reserved for Inca nobility.

 

Built over 500 years ago, the Inca Trail, also referred to as the Camino Inka, is a demanding yet doable hike through the Andean Mountain Range. Anyone with a good level of physical fitness can complete our Machu Picchu trek, which will take you through ancient valleys, above the clouds, and to the mighty Sun Gate, where you’ll capture your first glimpse of the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu citadel.

 

We offer guaranteed Inca trail tour departures every Tuesday from March to December and private departures throughout the year (subject to permit availability). Our Inca trail holidays include pre-and post-trek accommodations, a guided tour of Machu Picchu and much more.

 

Detailed Itinerary

 

Day 1: Cusco

Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, please clear immigration, collect your luggage, and proceed to the arrivals hall where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the city. A team briefing and FAQ session will take place in the afternoon in the Plaza de Armas. 

Overnight: Sonesta Cusco (or similar)

 

Day 2: Inca Trail 

After breakfast and hotel check out (leaving any unnecessary luggage behind in storage), your guide will collect you and transfer you to the old Inca Town of Ollantaytambo, where you will have time to look around before driving to the trailhead at Piscacucho at km 82. After meeting your crew and enjoying a freshly cooked lunch, you’ll hand over your luggage (except for your daypack), and make your way to the Inca Trail check-in point for the start of your adventure.

With the crowds now long gone, you will have the trail to yourselves as you begin your hike along the Urubamba River to your base camp for the evening next to Llactapata – an impressive archaeological site at (2,788m / 9,146ft). 

Overnight: Llactapata Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

 

Day 3: Inca Trail

After an early wake-up call, you will pack away your gear and head to the mess tent for a hot breakfast.  Afterwards, you will have a few minutes to brush your teeth, fill up your water bottles, and collect your ‘snack pack’ before beginning today’s trek through the Cusichaca Valley to Huayllabamba, the last inhabited hamlet on the Inca Trail.

Your team will meet you on-route with a delicious lunch, before you continue along the slightly steeper Inca path to Llulluchapampa base camp at 3,680m for dinner and overnight under the stars.

Overnight: Llulluchapampa Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

 

Day 4: Inca Trail

After another early wake-up call and breakfast, you will head off on your most challenging (but rewarding) day to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,212m, the highest point of the Inca Trail. While relatively steep, the trail is incredibly scenic here, and with plenty of water and photo breaks, you’ll soon reach the top of the pass. From here, you head down into the Pacaymayu Valley before making your way past the Inca control post of Runcuracay and up the second pass of the day to 3,998m, where on a clear day, you will enjoy spectacular views. You will spend the remainder of the afternoon traversing gentle ups and downs as you continue to the most beautiful campsite on the Inca Trail, Phuyupatamarca or ‘Place Above the Clouds’ at 3,650m for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Phuyupatamarca Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

 

Day 5: Inca Trail

Today is the day you have been waiting for – you will finally reach the lost city of Machu Picchu.

Your day will start as usual with a hot breakfast before you pull on your hiking boots, bid farewell to your porters, and descend through the cloud forest along the beautiful Inca stairways to Wiñay Wayna for lunch. After refuelling, you will continue along the Inca trail until you reach the imposing (but very short) wall of steps, fondly referred to as the “Gringo Killer”. 

After scrambling up the steps, you will finally arrive at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate Machu Picchu, where you will witness the mighty Inca citadel in all its splendour. We have allocated plenty of time here for you to take those all-important selfies and absorb the beauty of this world wonder before heading down through the site to catch your bus to the lively hub of Machu Picchu Pueblo for a much-needed shower and overnight in a hotel.

Overnight: El Mapi Hotel (or Similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

 

Day 6: Inca Trail: Machu Picchu

After breakfast, you will catch the bus back to Machu Picchu for a private tour of this magical Inca site, lost in the jungle for many years before being rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, it officially became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

You will arrive early, so you can enjoy the site before it gets busy with day visitors, and after a tour with your guide, you will have some time at leisure to explore on your own.

Afterwards, you will take the bus back to Machu Picchu Pueblo, collect your luggage and board the scenic train along the Urubamba River to Ollantaytambo, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco.

Overnight: Sonesta Cusco (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

 

Day 7: Departure

After breakfast in the hotel, you will transfer to the airport using the hotel shuttle for your return flight home or continue onwards with your plans in Peru.

 

Prices from: £1845.00 per person  

 

We offer guaranteed departures every Tuesday from March to December (minimum two travellers and subject to permit availability). Private Machu Picchu hikes are available throughout the year, except in February when the Inca Trail closes for management and preservation.

 

Next Equatours Escorted Group Inca Trail Tour:  1st November 2023

 

Join us on this fabulous group expedition with Equatours guests from around the world. This tour is fully hosted by Ingo and Wendy and subject to Inca Trail permit availability, so book your spot now!

 

Please note: We can extend this tour with a trip to Lima, Arequipa, Puno, and even neighbouring countries in South America, such as Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Ecuador. Please complete the contact form to receive a no-obligation tailor-made quote.

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