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Machu Picchu at sunrise

Classic Inca Trail

Example 10 Day Tour
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Walk in the footsteps of the Inca on one of the world's oldest pilgrimages on our classic Inca Trail tour. This 10-day trip which spends 4 days hiking the 26 mile long Inca Trail trek is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You'll hike up to 13,800 feet in altitude passing Inca ruins and spectacular Andean vistas along the way. To acclimatize for the trek, we will spend a few days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley exploring Inca ruins and bargaining at bustling traditional Andean markets. Combine this tour with an extension to the Amazon rainforest to create the perfect two week Peru adventure trip.
We couldn't get enough of the rainbow!Beautiful Campsite 3rd nightHave you hugged an alpaca today?Off balanceInca TrailOur guide as the sun breaks through the cloudsInca Trail hikeDescending along the Inca TrailOur guide, Vidal, explaining about the ruins found along the Inca TrailTrekking Dead Womans Pass on the Inca TrailLocal kids in the Pisac Market.Inca Trail group of hikersHuayna Picchu rises high behind the Machu Picchu ruins during your Peru tourMaureen Hiking the Inca TrailPisac marketMachu PicchuMachu Picchu seen from the WaynapicchuMarket stalls at La Raya PassDead Woman's PassWalking with our porterDay 4 trek: Breakfast al fresco above the cloudsEnjoying a meal on the trailTravelers spell out P-E-R-UMachu Picchu at sunrise
Highlights
  • Explore Cusco's markets, colonial churches, & textile organizations
  • Trek the Inca Trail, passing through the Sun Gate as you enter Machu Picchu
  • Visit several ruins such as Sacsayhuamán & Pisac
  • Wake early and enjoy watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu
Places Visited
Activity Level: Challenging
Requires high-intensity physical efforts that push the limits of one's fitness. May include tours with multiple days in a row of strenuous physical activity or single requiring more than 7 hours of activity. Recommended for travelers maintaining a demanding fitness level.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Lima

Arrive to Lima on the flight of your choice today. After picking up your luggage and clearing customs, walk across the street to the comfortable and conveniently located Wyndham Costa del Sol Hotel. Settle into your room and rest up for your Peru tour ahead. Your exciting trip is filled with ancient ruins, local markets and hiking through the beautiful Andes Mountains!

Day 2: Fly to Cusco

Andean history comes alive in Cusco. Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas fill the streets and markets, colonial churches sit atop bases of smooth stonework laid centuries before the Conquistadors, and campesinos (Peru's rural farmers) in colorful dress move busily back and forth across the plazas. In the afternoon, you'll explore Cusco's largest open market and the adjacent witches' market. After tasting a few unique local foods, visit the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cusco, a local organization committed to preserving the region's weaving traditions (if visiting the Sacred Valley on Sunday, you will visit their center in Chinchero instead). Watch weavers demonstrate their craft and learn about the history and processes of Peru's most well-known art form.

Day 3: Explore Cusco

Today is free to relax and explore with your guide or on your own. You can visit the churches and surrounding ruins, such as the enormous Sacsayhuamán ruins that overlook Cusco (these ruins showcase building blocks the size of pickup trucks). You can also wander through the bustling Plaza de Armas in the heart of Cusco, shop for love potions in the local markets, or people watch from the cafes and restaurants that line these lovely streets. For those bursting with energy, horseback riding, mountain biking, or even whitewater rafting (Class III-IV) can be arranged. The evening is yours to take in some of Cusco's varied and exciting nightlife where live folk music and excellent food abound!

Day 4: Sacred Valley of the Incas

This morning, journey into one of the most beautiful areas of Peru. The Sacred Valley often becomes one of the highlights of your Peru trip and you will soon see why! You'll test your bargaining skills with the locals while visiting one of the great textile markets in the area. You may also hike to the inspiring ruins of Pisac or take a short walk through the countryside to the seldom-visited town of Maras, where pre-Columbian salt mines still operate today. Visit the Inca agricultural terraces of Moray, thought to have been a nursery to experiment with and modify different varieties of crops. Eventually, you will make your way to the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo where you relax for the night.

Day 5-7: Pilgrimage on the Inca Trail

Walk in the footsteps of the great Inca civilization as you journey along their ancient trail to the sacred city of Machu Picchu. Andean history comes to life along this special route as each day you pass ever larger ruins. Notice how the scenery changes from snowcapped mountains to lush green cloudforest. The Inca trail trek is made with pilgrims from all over the world, and your friendly crew of guides and porters will take great care of you along the way.

Trek Details

(Click here for more information)
Day 5 - Kilometer 82 to Huayllabamba
Trek length: 7.8 miles (5-7 hrs) Camp elevation: 9,691 ft
Day 6 - Hiking Huayllabamba to Pacaymayo
Trek length: 5.1 miles (5-7 hrs) Camp elevation: 11,833 ft
Trek high point: Dead Woman's Pass (13,776 ft)
Day 7 - Hiking Pacaymayo to Phuyupatamarca
Trek length: 4.5 miles (4-6 hrs); Camp elevation: 12,067 ft
Day 8 - Hiking Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu
Trek length: 6.9 miles (5-7 hrs); Machu Picchu elevation: 7,875 ft

Some itineraries will hike farther on day seven and camp at a closer location to Machu Picchu, making the hike on day eight shorter. This will be up to the discretion of your Tour Leader and the Peruvian National Park Service. Your Tour Leader will notify you locally of your camping itinerary.

Day 8: Machu Picchu

The group descends 3,000 feet from their campsite at Phuyupatamarca to reach spectacular Machu Picchu in the afternoon. Tour the ruins and continue to the village of Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly called Aguas Calientes) below the ruins. Enjoy one of many excellent local restaurants or end your day soaking in the hot springs after exploring one of the most magical archaeological sites in the world.

Day 9: Free Day at Machu Picchu. Return to Cusco

Today you can return to the ruins at Machu Picchu for further exploration. Depending on your preference in permits, return early with the hope of catching the sun coming up over the mountains at Machu Picchu or arrive in time to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu for incredible views of the entire area. Other options within the citadel include the ability to walk the relatively easy routes to the Sun Gate or the Temple of the Moon.  Alternatively, just walk among the vast expanse of ruins and listen to the spirits of the city's past inhabitants.   (This basic re-entry permit is included in the cost of this tour.  Further permits may require additional costs.)

Return by train to Cusco with your guide.

Day 10: Fly to Lima and Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
Or with more time, extend your trip with a visit to the Amazon or to Lake Titicaca. Click here to see our Peru extensions!

Accommodations

Inca Trail - Campsites

Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) - Hotels

Lima - Hotels

Cusco - Hotels

Sacred Valley - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Save 5%
Book our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and get 5% off. This discount is applicable for permit dates of April 10, 2024 and August 21, 2024 only.

Applies to the 5D/4N Inca Trail portion of the itinerary.
Click for departure dates

Per person starting at
$3,009

Notes

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June 15 & 21 departures include an extra day for the Inti Raymi Festival.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners, 1 Box Lunch
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • 8 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Entries to Machu Picchu - 2 Daily Entrance Fees
  • Gear Rental: All Camping Gear
  • 3 nights of camping at standard campsite locations are included on this trekking itinerary.
  • Oxygen balloon, First aid kit andf Sleeping bag
  • 1 porter to carry personal belongings up to 5 Kg
  • Maras Entrance Fee
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Internal Flights: Lima - Cusco - Lima
  • Optional Excursions - $20 for hiking passes at Machu Picchu on second day

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
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