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Peru · Trekking
The journey
The Inca Trail is one of the world's most famous treks, crossing the Peruvian Andes through the heart of the fascinating Inca culture, cloud forests, and high rainforest before reaching the enigmatic archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Over 4 days, you will hike ancient paths, pass archaeological sites, and camp along the trail as you make your way toward this UNESCO-listed wonder. The journey is challenging, but the reward comes on the final day when you arrive at the Sun Gate and look out over mystical Machu Picchu for the first time.
The journey is challenging, but the reward comes on the final day when you arrive at the Sun Gate and look out over mystical Machu Picchu for the first time.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Your Peru tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco.
Travel to Ollantaytambo for breakfast before continuing to Piscacucho, the official starting point of the Inca Trail.
Pass several archaeological sites as you hike through the Vilcanota River Valley.
Once you arrive, enjoy lunch and relax at Wayllabamba Camp.
After breakfast, embark on a challenging uphill hike to Dead Woman's Pass.
Continue downhill to Pacaymayo Camp.
Upon arrival at the camp, you will have the rest of the day to eat and rest.
Spend the day hiking along the ancient undulating Inca stairways on the journey to Wiñay Wayna High Jungle Camp.
Explore the archaeological sites of Sayacmarca, Pacaymayo, and Phuyupatamarca.
At the end of the day, you will reach a camp overlooking a river valley.
Early in the morning, hike to the gate of Machu Picchu and beat the tourist crowds to explore this UNESCO-listed archaeological site.
Enjoy both a guided tour and free time to explore independently before heading to Aguas Calientes to browse local shops.
Where this trip takes you
Dead Woman's Pass, Wiñay Wayna High Jungle Camp, Sun Gate, Machu Picchu
The route
The fine print
At Vidal Expeditions, we are transparent and provide specific details of what is included and excluded in our tours. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and do not miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.
Included:
Pre-departure briefing
Once you book the tour with us, you will receive a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet your trekking guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Machu Picchu hike. During this briefing, you will receive important details about the Inca Trail trek. Afterward, you will receive your duffle bag for your extra luggage, which will stay with our porter while you are hiking.
Professional trekking guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation for customer service. Our tour guides have graduated in tourism from the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. They have also studied English at a private language institute. Through their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking, and pride in having been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our tour guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the magical Machu Picchu.
Inca Trail and Machu Picchu permits
Once we receive your details and the deposit for the tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek, subject to availability. These permits will be for a specific date and will be in your name. Unfortunately, this information cannot be modified under any circumstances once confirmed. Only your passport number can be updated; however, for this change you must bring both your old and new passport.
Porters team
At Vidal Expeditions, we include a personal porter who will carry your personal belongings in a duffle bag that we provide during this tour. This duffle bag cannot exceed 7 kg/14 lb. This weight includes the sleeping bag and mattress. You will be responsible for packing your duffle bag with your personal items, including the sleeping bag and mattress, that you will not be using during the day before breakfast. Items that are packed will not be accessible until we reach the final camp for the evening.
Private transport
We include all transportation during your trek. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to Piscacucho, or Km 82 trailhead. At the end of the trek, the bus returning from Ollantaytambo to Cusco will drop you off at your hotel.
Train ticket
For the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we include the return train ticket after you have explored Machu Picchu on the last day. The train ticket will be one of the available trains scheduled for 14:20 hrs, 14:55 hrs, or 16:20 hrs.
Bus ticket
The bus ticket from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes once you are done exploring Machu Picchu is also included.
Camping equipment
Vidal Expeditions leads tours to Machu Picchu with suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of a lifetime. Our tents are Eureka or Doite Pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared by only 2 people to ensure your comfort and enough space for your luggage. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal along this tour.
Personal duffle bag
We include a personal duffle bag for your 4-day Inca Trail. You will receive this duffle bag at the Vidal Expeditions office during your pre-departure briefing on the night before your trek. This bag will be carried by our porters during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon when you arrive at the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag, and mattress, but the maximum allowable weight is 7 kg/17 lb. The duffle bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.
Medical first aid kit
All Vidal Expeditions tour guides are very well trained in first aid. They receive training courses every 6 months on how to assist someone in an emergency situation. They are also trained in how to supply balloon oxygen in case someone requires it.
Meals
At Vidal Expeditions, we know food is such an important part of any vacation, and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial. For your trek, we include 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. We cater to all dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and others - just let us know your dietary restrictions at the time of booking. Our team is well trained to prepare the best food you have ever had with local and organic ingredients.
Water
Vidal Expeditions will provide you with water from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water will be filtered, boiled, and cooled by our chef. You must bring your own water container, bottle, or camelback that can hold enough water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.
Snacks
Our team will provide snacks every morning before leaving each campsite so you can enjoy them during your hike throughout the day. There will be many breaks where you can enjoy delicious local fruits, biscuits, and caramels.
Not included:
Sleeping bag
Every trekker along the Inca Trail needs a proper sleeping bag rated for -15°C / 5°F. We recommend that you bring your own, but if you do not want to bring one or do not have one, you can rent a sleeping bag from us.
Walking sticks/trekking poles
Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits - they protect your knees while you are hiking downhill. Especially on the ancient Inca Trail, where there are many stairs up and down, trekking poles help during the ascent and increase stability. If you do not have a pair of trekking poles, you can rent them from our office.
Breakfast on the first day
We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotels offer breakfast during your stay. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near Ollantaytambo where you will be able to purchase breakfast.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes
Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes is not included in the trek. However, you and the group can enjoy the last lunch together in a restaurant recommended by your tour guide.
Travel insurance
We recommend buying travel insurance before leaving your country in case something happens during your visit to Peru.
Tips for our team
Tips are not included. Tipping the team is typical on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team's hard work.
Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a very famous hike that normally takes 45 minutes to reach the top by narrow, steep steps, with a great view of the Machu Picchu citadel. If you would like to hike Huayna Picchu after your tour to Machu Picchu, there is an extra cost of USD 75.00. This booking must also be made at least 3 months in advance due to its popularity.
Suggested packing list: bring or rent in Cusco hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sunblock, sunglasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries, and a memory card, as there is limited to no electricity available during the trek, waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitiser, personal first aid kit, and a water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, and Gatorade, which doubles or triples in price along the trail.
Don't forget the essentials: original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, and personal medications.
The Inca Trail often gets booked months in advance.
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.
Not recommended for travellers with back problems.
The minimum age is 7 years.
There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at the Cusco office on the evening before your trek. You will receive detailed information about your excursion, a list of what to bring, and confirmation of your departure details.
Typical meals on the trek: on all of our treks to Machu Picchu, we look for great cooks who provide the best-tasting meals on the mountain, with specialty menus and the freshest local ingredients available. Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek. Vegetarian option available upon request - please advise at least 2 days in advance.
Breakfast: hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, omelette or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas, and boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate, and milk.
Lunch and dinner:
First course: quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom, or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado, or potatoes.
Second course: chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, and typical dishes such as aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken), or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew).
Desserts: fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake, and boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate, and milk.
Snacks: boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate, and milk with popcorn, cookies, and crackers.
Important: no more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek at km 82. This number includes all support staff, such as porters, cooks, and guides, and is very tightly controlled. Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the trail is effectively closed for the day and no further bookings can be made. Reservations are not held on the trail, and all permits to trek must be bought as far in advance as possible with complete and correct passport information, which cannot be modified. Any attempts at modifications will result in the loss of the permit and any money paid.
Accommodation options: during the trek, single travellers will share a tent with another traveller of the same sex, and couples will have a tent to themselves.
Physical requirements: this hike is demanding, so it is important to be in good physical condition. The Inca Trail elevation changes make the hike strenuous, as there are three passes during the hike and you will have 1.2 miles (1,950 meters) of uphill and 1.4 miles (2,250 meters) of descent.
Important: you must provide the following information upon booking: full name exactly as it appears on the passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and passport expiration date. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months past the date of travel. Without this information, the local tour operator will be unable to make the booking.
You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers, you will not be accompanied by a guide.
Daily departures with a group of 4 or more.
No departures in February due to unfavourable climatic conditions.
Not wheelchair accessible.
Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
The complete service includes a thermal sleeping bag, foam sleeping mat, duffel bag, and porter to carry a total of 7 kg of personal gear for each trekker (3 kg for the sleeping bag and mat, plus 4 kg for personal items). The reduced basic service only includes a basic foam sleeping mat and excludes the thermal sleeping bag, duffel bag, and porter to carry personal gear. You will carry your own backpack, sleeping bag, mattress, and personal gear.
Extra items for rent in Cusco: inflatable sleeping mattress and professional trekking poles.
Logistics
Your 4 days finish where they began, in Cusco.
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