Inca Trail Tour To Machu Picchu starts in Cusco, following the same route as the Classic Inca trail but at a slower pace, taking your time at each Inca Site, interacting with locals, and staying in unique off-the-beaten Campsites. Explore the Inca Trail with smaller groups and more personalized service. Arrive at Machu Picchu In the afternoon and enjoy the beautiful sunset. Beat the crowds of the last day to Machu Picchu and witness the spectacular sunrise over the mountains.

Overview

• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
• From: Cusco to Cusco (Door to door service)
  
• Age Range:10 to 55
• Season: From March to January
• Depart: Km 82
  
• Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights

• Hike Classic Inca Trail at a Slower pace
• Stay In the best and less crowded Campsites
• Camp at Phuyupatamarca with the best view of the Inca trail
• Arrive at Machu Picchu twice (sunset and sunrise)
• Learn Inca history and interact with our porters
• Support Social Projects

Price per Person 1280.USD Book Now

To book a tour, you only need to make an initial payment of 200.USD per person; the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or at our office upon arrival.

Discount: $40 off for travelers under 25 with a valid student ID

A day-by-day summary of the Premium Inca Trail Tour

Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Llactapata – Hatunchaca.- Pick up from your hotel at 6:30 a.m. and dive to Km. 82 to start the incredible Inca Trail Tour to Machu Picchu. On the first day, you’ll hike for 6 hours along the Urubamba and Cuscichaca rivers. You’ll discover the Inca Sites of K’anabamba, Wilkaraykay, and Patallaqta and spend the night at Hatunchaca village (3000 m / 9843 ft.)

Day 2: Hatunchaca – Lluluchapampa – Warmiwañiska – Pacaymayu.- After breakfast on the second day, you’ll start with the most challenging part of the trek, a 6-hour ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 m / 13829 ft.), the highest point of the Inca Trail; once on top, you’ll spend some time to enjoy the views. Then, another 2 hours downhill to the second Campsite at Pacaymayu alto (3600m – 11811ft).

Day 3: Pacaymayu – Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca.- Awakening in the middle of two mountains with a cup of coffee in your tents, you’ll prepare for the 6-hours hike to our third campsite. First, you’ll climb the second mountain for 2 hours to reach the top of Ruincuraccay (4000m – 13123ft). Then, another 4 hours across the cloud forest to the Last Campsite Phuyupatamarka (3600 m / 11811ft.).

Day 4: Phuyupatamarca РWi̱aywayna РMachu Picchu.- Wake up with the best view of the entire trip, get ready for a 6-hour hike along the last part of the Inca Trail, arrive at the Sungate, and enter Machu Picchu in the afternoon with the sunset. Spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Day 5: Machu Picchu (The Lost City of the Incas).- After breakfast in your hotel, you’ll catch the first buses and arrive at Machu Picchu before sunrise. Your guide will take you on a tour of the most remarkable places in Machu Picchu. Then you will have time to explore your own, hike to Huayna Picchu or Montaña (optional and not included), and later take the Visatdome train back to Cusco. Drop off at the hotel around 7.30 pm.

Highlights of the Premium Inca Trail Tour

• Professional licensed Tour Guide
• Second Tour guide for group 9+
• Pre-departure safety briefing held the day before the trek
• All transportation Included during five days of the tour
• Inca Trail Permits Included
• Machu Picchu entrance Tickets
• Personal Porter Included for up to 7 kilos
• Porters to carry food and equipment
• Four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners
• Drinkable water during the trek
• Camping equipment (tents, tables, chairs, porta-potty)
• 3-night camping with comfortable 4-man tents for every 2 trekkers.
• 1-night hotel In Aguas Calientes (3-star)
• First aid kit, oxygen, satellite phones
• Bus ticket to and from Machu Picchu
• Vistadome panoramic train back to Cusco

Not included in the tour

• Huayna Picchu Mountain
• Machu Picchu Mountain (different form Machu Picchu Citadel)
• Sleeping Bag, Trekking poles, Air mattress
• First breakfast and lunch on Day 5
• Gratuities
• Travel Insurance

Optional hikes after the guided tour in Machu Picchu:

• Huayna Picchu Mountain – This mountain takes 2 hours round trip to finish and needs to be booked far in advance – the cost is $75 extra per person.
• Machu Picchu Mountain – Called Montaña, it takes 3 hours to finish, and the cost is $75 extra per person.

Full Itinerary of the Inca Trail tour 5 days

Day 1: Cusco – Km 82 – Llactapata – Hatunchaca

After breakfast in your hotel, you’ll be picked up at 6:30 a.m. and drive to Km. 82, the beginning of the Inca Trail. After meeting your trekking team, you’ll head to the checkpoint to start the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (make sure you have your original passport). Once you pass the checkpoint, you’ll start for 2 hours long the left bank of the Urubamba River, visiting some villages and enjoying the views of the K’anabamba Inca site until you arrive at Laqtapta, an Inca Citadel located with beautiful panoramic views. After enjoying lunch, you’ll hike another 2 hours to the first campsite at Hatunchaca village (3000 m / 9843 ft.). Your tents will be ready upon arrival at the campsite, with warm water to wash, tea time, and dinner. Spend the night in comfortable Eureka 4-man tents provided for every two travelers.

• Campsite Altitude: 3000 m / 9843 ft.
• Duration: 8 hours
• Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
• Meals: Snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: camping
• Difficulty: easy to moderate

Day 2: Hatunchaca – Lluluchapampa – Warmiwañuska – Pacaymayu

After a long night’s sleep, around 6:am, your trekking team will wake you up with a cup of coffee or coca tea, start packing for the day, and have breakfast. The trek’s most challenging day begins with a 4-hours climb to Llulluchapampa, where lunch is served. Along the way, you’ll admire the flowers, birds, and incredible views of the mountains. Next, you’ll continue for 2 hours to the highest point of the Inca Trail, Warmiwañuska, or Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 m / 13829 ft.). Once you reach the top, take some time to explore and enjoy the Inca trail’s spectacular views. Then, continue for two more hours downhill to Pacaymayu alto, where the tents will be waiting for ready dinner and spend the night.

• Campsite Altitude: 3600m – 11811ft
• Highest altitude: 421700m -13835ft
• Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
• Duration: 8 hours
• Meals: breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: camping
• Difficulty: moderate to difficult

Day 3: Pacaymayu – Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca

After breakfast, you’ll start the 2-hours ascend to the second Mountain of Runcuraccay (4000m – 13123ft), visiting a beautiful archaeological site of the same name, a small lake where deer come down to the water, and stunning views of the waterfalls nearby. Upon arrival at the top, you’ll regroup and start descending into the Cloud forest region. The vegetation gets thicker, and the air gets warmer as you discover the next Archeological sites of Sayacmarca and Conchamarca. Lunch is located 4 hours from camp at Ayapata. Continue the second part of the day hiking for two more hours to Phuyupatamarka (3600 m / 11811ft.), where you’ll have the most amazing views of the Inca Trail. If the weather allows, you will experience the most amazing sunset and sunrise at this campsite.

• Campsite Altitude: 3600m – 11811ft
• Highest altitude: 4000m – 13123ft
• Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
• Duration: 6 hours
• Meals: breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: camping
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Day 4: Phuyupatamarca РWi̱aywayna РMachu Picchu

Wake up with the sun’s first rays and enjoy breakfast with the Salkantay Mountain, Veronica Mountain, and Machu Picchu mountain’s fantastic views. The hike starts with a guided tour of Phuyupatamarca, a religious Inca site dedicated to the water and mountain gods. Continue with a 4-hour descent of almost 1000 meters until the lunch places in Wiñaywayna. On the way, you will experience one of the fast changes in temperature from cold mountain weather to the lush, warm weather of the cloud forest; visit the Inca Site of Intipata and Wiñaywayna.

During lunch, you will say goodbye to your trekking team, give tips (optional), and continue with your tour guide to the final part of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The first part is a one-hour hike to the Sungate to get a fantastic view of Machu Picchu in the afternoon. From Sungate is another hour down to reach the upper part of Machu Picchu, where the most beautiful sights are. Arriving late gives you a unique chance to see this place almost empty, which is great for photos; afterward, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, check in at the hotel, hot shower, enjoy dinner, and rest for the next day.

• AC Altitude: 2000 m / 6562 ft.
• Highest altitude: 3600m – 11811ft
• Distance: 10km – 6 miles
• Duration: 6 hours
• Meals: breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5: Machu Picchu (The Lost City of the Incas) – Cusco

On the most important day, you’ll wake early, board the first buses to Machu Picchu, and enjoy the sunrise. Once you arrive at the citadel, you’ll need to show the original passports. Your tour guide will take you on a comprehensive fortress tour for about 3 hours. Visit the most remarkable temples, palaces, and streets, and have time to explore your own or hike to Huayna Picchu (permits need to be booked in advance – not included). After finishing Machu Picchu citadel, you’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch (not included), and take the Vistadome panoramic train back to Cusco. Drop off at your hotel around 7.30 pm.

• Highest altitude: 2400m -7874ft
• Duration: 3 hours
• Meals: breakfast at the hotel
• Difficulty: easy

Packing list for the Inca Trail tour 5 days

Please remember that you will carry a small backpack with all essentials for the day. The rest of your stuff will be carried by porters. We will provide you with a duffle bag during the orientation briefing held the day before; in this duffle bag, you can put a maximum of 7 kilos, including sleeping bags and an inflatable mattress.

What to take in the backpack for the Inca Trail Tour?

For the Inca Trail tour, you will need a comfortable, good-quality backpack, which will be with you all the time during the five-day tour. According to Machu Picchu regulations, your bag should not be larger than 25L.

• Original Passport
• Rain gear, Sun protection
• IOnsect Repellent
• Warm clothes (fleece jackets, sweaters)
• Hand sanitizer, wet wipes
• Toilet paper, Personal medication, Band-aids, moleskin
• Camera, extra batteries, flashlight
• Camel bags or water container for 2 liters (Not plastic allowed )
• Additional snacks, power bars, chocolate
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips

What to put in the duffle bag provided by Ultimate Trekking?

During the briefing held the day before the trek, Ultimate trekking Peru will give you a duffle bag for your stuff up to 7kg maximum. Our porters will carry this.

• Sleeping bags (can be rented from us – 2 kilos).
• Air mattress (can be rented from us – 1 kilo).
• Walking shoes, sandals, or snickers
• Warm jacket, hat, and gloves
• Four sets of clothing
• 1 Fleece or down jacket
• Quick-dry towel
• Toiletries
• Battery Charger
• Plastic bag

Inca Trail tour 5 days to Machu Picchu FAQs

The Inca Trail is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Peru. Thousands of people flock to the trail every year to catch a glimpse of the famed Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is a 26-mile (42 km) hike that takes place over the course of five days. It’s a strenuous hike, but the views are more than worth it. The trail takes you through Peru’s most stunning landscapes, including cloud forests and alpine tundra. If you’re thinking about booking an Inca Trail tour, read on for everything you need to know. We’ll cover everything from what to pack to how to prepare for the altitude.

What is the Inca Trail tour 5 days to Machu Picchu?

The Inca Trail tour is a 5-day guided hike through some of the most stunning scenery in the Inca Trail route. It takes you through the Sacred Valley, past ancient Inca ruins, and into the Andes Mountains before culminating at the magnificent Machu Picchu archaeological site. The tour includes all meals, accommodation, transport, entrance fees, and an experienced local guide who will share their knowledge of Inca history and culture with you. The 5 days version allows you to spend more time inside the Inca Trail and hike for an average of 6 hours each day, so a good fitness level is required.

How to book the Inca Trail with TreXperience?

First, you need to book your trekking permit. The Inca Trail is strictly regulated to protect the site, and only 500 people are allowed on the trail each day (including porters and guides). This means permits tend to sell out months in advance, especially during peak season (May-September). You can book your permit through several companies, but we recommend using an experienced outfitter like TreXperience or Ultimate Trekking.

Once you have your permit, it’s time to start planning your itinerary. The Inca Trail is typically made as a 4 or 5-day trek, with Machu Picchu reaching on the final day. We recommend starting with an acclimatization day in Cusco (the starting point for the trail) to help get your body used to the high altitude. From there, it’s onto the trail!

The first days of the trek are relatively easy, following along the Urubamba River valley. On Day 2, you’ll start ascending into the mountains, reaching Dead Woman’s Pass at 4200m – this is usually considered the toughest part of the hike.

How Hard Is the Inca Trail 5 days?

The Inca Trail is not an easy hike. It is recommended for hikers who are in good physical condition. The trail can sometimes be challenging, with steep sections and high altitudes. Hikers should be prepared for all kinds of weather, as the trail can be cold and wet, even in summer.

A 5-day hike allows for a more relaxed pace and gives hikers more time to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. It also allows for an extra day in Machu Picchu itself, which is well worth it!

Altitude Sickness during the Inca Trail

You can do a few things to prevent AMS while hiking the Inca Trail. First, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to acclimatize to the altitude before starting your hike. Second, drink lots of water and stay hydrated throughout your hike. And finally, if you start to feel any symptoms of AMS, descend immediately to a lower altitude until they subside.

If you take these precautions, you should be able to enjoy your hike without any problems. But remember, if you start to feel sick, don’t hesitate to head back down – it’s better to be safe than sorry!

What to Take on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

When planning your Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu, one of the most important things to consider is what to pack. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared, so we’ve put together a list of essential items to take with you on the Inca Trail.

1. A good pair of hiking boots is probably the most important item. A good pair of hiking boots will support your ankles and keep your feet comfortable, even when walking on uneven surfaces for long periods of time.
2. Clothing for all weather conditions: The weather on the Inca Trail can be unpredictable, so it’s important to pack clothes that can be layered. You’ll need a waterproof jacket, a poncho for rain, and a hat or sunglasses for sun protection.
3. Sunscreen and insect repellent: The sun can be intense at high altitudes, so pack sunscreen with a high SPF rating. Insect repellent is also a must-have, as there are plenty of bugs on the trail.
4. A first-aid kit: It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so Pack a small first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic cream, and painkillers in case of minor injuries.
5. Plenty of water and snacks: Dehydration is a real risk on the Inca Trail, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water

What is the best time to hike the Inca Trail?

The best time to hike the Inca Trail is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. There is little rainfall and cooler temperatures during this time, making for ideal hiking conditions.

What Is the Price of the Inca Trail tour?

The Inca Trail tour 5 days is priced at around $1000 per person. This includes all meals, accommodation, transportation, and entrance fees.

How far in advance should I make reservations?

When making reservations for your Inca Trail tour, the earlier, the better. Tours typically fill up fast, especially during the high season (May to September). If you’re planning on going during this time, we recommend making your reservation at least 4-6 months in advance. This will give you the best chance of securing a spot on the tour of your choice.

How hard is it to complete the Inca Trail 5 days?

The Inca Trail is not an easy hike. It covers a distance of 26 miles (42 km) and includes several steep sections with an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet (914 m). The trail also passes through several climate zones, from high mountains to rainforests, so hikers must be in moderate physical conditions.

What time and when will we get to Machu Picchu?

When taking the 5-day tour, we arrive at Machu Picchu twice.

Is a personal porter included?

Personal porters are included in your Inca Trail tour price for a maximum of 7 kilos per person. Having a personal porter will make your trek much more enjoyable and comfortable and free up your hands to take more photos and enjoy the scenery!

What type of food is provided on the Inca Trail tour?

We provide buffet style with 3-4 different options per meal like; Chicken soup, rice, Quinoa, vegetables, Pancakes, Potato, Pasta, vegan, and vegetarian options.

Where will we sleep on the Inca Trail?

All tour companies include camping in their itineraries, meaning you will be provided with a tent to sleep in.

Is there purified water to drink on the trail?

Yes, there is purified water to drink on the trail. Please make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if it is hot.

Should I tip the guides and porters?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes! Your guides and porters work extremely hard to make sure your Inca Trail experience is memorable, and they deserve to be compensated for their efforts. A good rule of thumb is to tip each guide and porter $5 per day and $10 if they go above and beyond. This amount is as a group.

Are there different kinds of Inca Trails?

Yes, there are different kinds of Inca Trails. The most popular and well-known trail is the Classic Inca Trail, a 4-day/3-night trek that covers 26 miles (42 km) and culminates at Machu Picchu. However, there are also shorter 2-day/1-night treks and longer 7-day/6-night treks. For those looking for a truly unique experience, there is even a 1-day/0-night “Inca Trail” that starts at Machu Picchu and goes back to Cusco!