Inca Path Tour 9 Days: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu Trekking

Wake up early today and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, we will take you to Lima Airport for your flight to Cusco. When you arrive, our representative will be waiting for you outside the Cusco airport arrival hall, holding a sign with your name on it. After welcoming you to Cusco, they will take you to your hotel. You are free to spend the rest of the day relaxing, exploring this fascinating city and acclimatising to the high altitude.

Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent and a major hub of the South American travel network. It attracts visitors from all over the world, who come to experience a unique destination and an ancient culture that differs greatly from the modern Western way of life. You could easily spend a week exploring Cusco and its surroundings. Many of the central streets are lined with Inca-built stone walls, and impressive Inca ruins can be found close by. This is a city steeped in history, traditions and legends.

Every year, Cusco is visited by thousands of travellers eager to explore its noble yet tragic past. The city is an ideal base for optional excursions in the surrounding areas and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Cusco is also home to numerous colonial churches. The most important of these is the cathedral in the main square, whose construction began in 1559 and took nearly 100 years to complete. The cathedral boasts the largest collection of colonial art in the city. Just beyond the entrance is a vault containing the remains of the renowned Inca historian, Garcilaso de la Vega. Other churches that are well worth a visit include La Compañía, La Merced and San Francisco.

Today, our tour guide will take us to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which was an important source of food for the Incas. This lush agricultural region continues to supply Cusco City with much of its produce. We will visit the majestic ruins of Pisaq, as well as its famous handicraft market. Then, we stop in Urubamba, the valley's capital, for a buffet lunch featuring Andean cuisine. Afterwards, we continue to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo, home to an Incan fortress, before preparing for our next hike, which is one of the tour's highlights!

Ollantaytambo offers a preview of what lies ahead on the Inca Trail. The town and fortress are strategically situated, overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River Valley. We will spend the night in this small town before setting off on the famous Machu Picchu hike the following morning!

This 4-day Inca Trail hike is physically challenging, but well worth the effort! It is within the ability of most reasonably fit people. This 27-mile (44-km) hike to Machu Picchu is often steep, with three high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 13,776 ft (4,200 m). Temperatures at night may fall below zero, so it is important to prepare for that! It also sometimes rains, even during the dry season.

Today, we will start the tour with a morning trip to Km 82, the starting point of the hike. Remember to bring your passport, as it will be checked at the entrance and you will receive an Inca Trail stamp! Our porters and tour guide will ensure that your Machu Picchu hiking package is worry-free, allowing you to enjoy the awesome Incan ruins (Llactapata, Runkuraqay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarka and Wiñay Wayna) and spectacular mountain scenery to the fullest every day! Then, you will enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the so-called 'Lost City of the Incas'! During the tour, there will be time to take photos of Machu Picchu and its main attractions. Once the tour is over, you can choose to climb Machu Picchu Mountain (a 1.5-hour hike) or Huayna Picchu Mountain (45 minutes up and 45 minutes down). However, you will need to purchase an additional ticket (Circuit 1 or Circuit 3) to access one of these two mountains, which incurs an additional cost and requires prior reservation of the circuit. In the afternoon, you will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes. The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu tour concludes with a return train journey to Cusco. Arrival is in the evening.

Please note!

The Inca Trail is closed every February for general maintenance. Occasionally, it may also be closed due to adverse weather conditions or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, we will hike the four-day Lares Valley Trek instead.

Those who are unable or uninterested in hiking to Machu Picchu can return to Cusco or spend the following two days in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In this case, they will take a tourist train (Expedition Service) to Aguas Calientes. They spend the night in a hotel and take a shuttle bus to Machu Picchu the next morning, where they will meet up with the group of Inca Trail hikers. This option incurs no additional cost!

IMPORTANT: If you decide not to do the trek, you must inform us well in advance (usually a couple of weeks beforehand) to secure your train tickets! Otherwise, we cannot guarantee this free option!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Today is a rest day, so you can explore the fascinating Inca capital, visit its markets and buy souvenirs. You can also take part in optional activities and prepare for your last night in the city!

Take a transfer to Cusco airport to catch your flight to Lima.
Please note that a return flight to Lima can be arranged upon request.
This is also a good opportunity to extend your trip!

• You will be welcomed by our representative upon arrival in Lima.
• One domestic flight: Lima – Cusco.
• All transfers to and from airports.
• Accommodation: Three-star hotels (five nights) and camping (three nights).
• All entrance fees according to the itinerary.
• Inca Trail permit and additional Machu Picchu ticket included.
• Professional tour guides as per the itinerary.
• A professional trekking cook will be provided for the Inca Trail.
• Super porters will carry food, camping and cooking equipment, as well as up to 7 kg of each passenger’s belongings, during the Inca Trail.
• Meals: Seven breakfasts, four lunches, three dinners, three snacks and three afternoon hot beverages during the Inca Trail.
• Double tents with a capacity of 4 people, but only 2 people will use them for greater comfort and luggage security.
• Inflatable roll mattress with cover (Therm-a-Rest mattress).
• A sleeping bag (rated to -5°C) and a sleeping bag liner are provided for the Inca Trail.
• Pillow with cover.
• A duffel bag for your personal belongings during the trek.
• A pair of hiking poles.
• Rain ponchos.
• We also provide tables, chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, and a dining tent.
• Food for the Inca Trail.
• Transportation to the Sacred Valley in accordance with the itinerary.
• A tourist train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo.
• A shuttle bus will take you from Machu Picchu down to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Sustainable Travel:

When you book an Inca Trail tour with Tierras Vivas, you can be sure that we are committed to supporting various social projects for porter families and reforestation efforts in Andean communities. Visit us at Responsible People.

Additional Equipment on the Inca Trail

• Our staff will provide biodegradable soap.
• You will also receive a Machu Picchu T-shirt.
• Portable two-way radio communication equipment.
• A medical kit and an oxygen bottle.
• Every morning, our trekking chef will provide hot water for personal hygiene.
• You will also receive small towels for cleaning your hands.
  Each night, our trekking chef will provide hot water bottles to put in your sleeping bag if you feel cold.

• Accommodation before and after the tour.
• Last flight: Cusco – Lima.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain (US$80).
• International flights and airport departure taxes.
• Meals not mentioned.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips and baggage portage for local staff (please note that it is customary to give tips in Peru, but not obligatory).
• Any other extras not specified.

Meal budget: Please allow USD 50–100 for meals that are not included.
Solo traveller: If you have booked the 'Solo Traveller' option for this tour, please note that you will receive your own single room for all nights and a single tent for the Inca Trail.
Local flights: One local flight is included in the cost of your Inca Trail tour. It is very important that we have your passport details at the time of booking in order to process your air tickets. National flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to each flight departure.

All Tierras Vivas adventure group tours are accompanied by a tour guide and a representative for the Inca Trail trek. Our tour guides aim to make our customers' trips hassle-free and ensure they have the best possible experience. They provide information about the places visited, offer suggestions on what to see and do, recommend good places to eat and introduce the group staff during the trek. They have a broad knowledge of the general history, culture, religion and society of each country visited during a tour. We also use local tour guides when we believe their specific knowledge will enhance the experience.

The Tierras Vivas team are highly trained professionals dedicated to providing excellent customer service. They are well prepared to assist travellers and are first aid trained. They will provide you with important health-related information about your destinations and offer helpful recommendations. If necessary, they can also direct you to a reputable hospital or medical professional.

Our representatives are responsible for ensuring that your trip to Peru is comfortable and well organised, and that there are no delays. They will verify that all services are operating correctly and that your itinerary runs smoothly. When they meet you, they will ask for your WhatsApp contact number to use for communication throughout your trip. Your representative will be available at any time to assist you in the event of an emergency and resolve any concerns.

Our trekking cooks are trained to prepare meals and handle vegetables during the trip, receiving similar training to our porters. Our porters are friendly and supportive individuals who will help you complete your journey. They undergo mountain safety and emergency procedure training every year.

All Tierras Vivas staff pay close attention to your needs. Our small Inca Path group tours allow you to enjoy the trip and have the best possible experience.

Three nights' camping

During the Inca Trail, we will spend three nights camping in fully serviced camps. This means that our camp staff will set up and take down the tents, cook for you and take care of all the camp chores: you will only need to carry your day pack. There will also be dining and toilet tents, and bowls of warm water will be provided in the mornings and evenings for washing.

Hotels

The following hotels have been selected to accommodate you during your tour:

• Accommodation in Lima:
  Ferre Hotel
  Address: Ca. Diego Ferré 235, Miraflores 15074, Peru
  Tel: (+51) 924 594 335
  
  
• Accommodation in Cusco:
  Cusco Illa Hotel
  Address:  C. Carmen Alto 166, Cusco 08003, Peru
  Tel: (+51) 920 005 100
  
  
• Accommodation in Ollantaytambo:
  Samanapaq Hotel
  Address: Cien Ventanas, Pallpancaro S/n con Alameda, Ollantaytambo, Peru
  Tel: (+51) 927 273 150

During the tour, we ask our hotels to prepare your rooms in time for your arrival, particularly if you arrive before the standard check-in time. However, this is not always possible. If this is the case, you can simply store your luggage in the hotel storage room and explore your new destination in the meantime.

Please note! If you have booked accommodation before or after your trip, you may be asked to change rooms during your stay.

The Inca Path Tour includes a domestic flight from Lima to Cusco. Tierras Vivas works with LATAM and Sky Airline. Both of these airlines are safe and rarely cancel flights during the rainy season.

Our domestic flights depart in the morning. We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Lima International Airport, from where you will fly to Cusco.

The flight from Lima to Cusco takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The flight ticket includes one item of hand luggage and 23 kg of checked luggage.

Please check our Inca Trail policy and booking procedures. If you would prefer not to hike or if it is fully booked, you can choose one of these alternative trips instead.

Inca Trail Alternative treks

• Day 01: Lima
• Day 02: Cusco City (Cooking classes in Cusco)
• Day 03: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour
• Day 04-06: Salkantay Trek or Lares Trek
• Day 07: Hiking to Machu Picchu
• Day 08: Cusco City
• Day 09: Departure

Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu Tour

• Day 01: Lima
• Day 02: Cusco City (Cooking classes in Cusco)
• Day 03: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour
• Day 04: Maras, Moray and Salineras
• Day 05: Cusco South Valley Tour
• Day 06: Train to Machu Picchu
• Day 07: Machu Picchu
• Day 08: Cusco City
• Day 09: Departure

Inca Trail Available

It is very important to book this trek well in advance! Only 500 permits are issued per day for the Inca Trail, including tour guides, porters and cooks.

A general recommendation on how far in advance to book is:

If you would like to travel in December, January or March: 4–6 weeks in advance.
For April, October or November, book 2-3 months in advance.
If you would like to travel in May or September, book 3-4 months in advance.
If you would like to travel in June, July or August: 4–5 months in advance.

How do you book the Inca Path?

If you would like to take the Inca Trail Tour, please check the availability of the Inca Trail first. Select the year and month in which you would like to take the tour.

Please note that the Inca Trail starts on the fourth day of the Inca Path Tour. For example, if you would like to start the tour on 6 August, you will need to check the availability of the Inca Trail on 9 August! 

 
If the Inca Trail is available on your requested date at the time of booking, your Inca Trail tour booking will be confirmed by our Reservation Department via email. You will then be required to provide your full personal details as well as a deposit in order to purchase your Inca Trail permit. Please note that an Inca Trail booking is only valid for one hour! If payment is not made within this time, the booking will expire!)

Super Porter Working Conditions

Tierras Vivas provides all the equipment required by porters, in accordance with Inca Trail regulations. Tierras Vivas also works with Responsible People to improve the quality of life for porter communities, creating projects that benefit their families. We also ensure that porters are paid fairly in accordance with the law.

Inca Trail Booking Policies

Before booking the Inca Trail, we recommend checking our booking policies, which explain the rules for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

Piscacucho, located in Cusco, Peru, is where the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins.

The Inca Trail, also known as the Qhapaq Ñan, is a trekking and camping route covering 39 km.

The longest route starts at Piscacucho (Km 82 in Peru) on the railway line to Machu Picchu. It crosses various ecosystems and enormous archaeological sites, as well as areas teeming with flora and fauna, until it reaches the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail Altitude

Starting Altitude: 2100m / 6900ft.
Highest Altitude: 2730m / 8,792ft.
Walking Distance - 42 km / 26.27 miles

Km 82 of the Inca Trail

Piscacucho in Cusco has an alpine ecosystem. Its climate is temperate, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius during the day and 6 to 10 degrees Celsius at night.

The rainy season lasts from November to March, while the rest of the year is relatively dry.

Km 82 of the Inca Trail boasts stunning Andean landscapes adorned with snow-capped mountains and the Urubamba River.

At Km 82 of the Inca Trail, you can see Inca archaeological sites and bridleways, as this is where the trail begins.

In 2011, the Regional Directorate of Culture made important discoveries in this area: skulls and long bones that were in such good condition that they could potentially be mummified.

Where is Piscacucho?

You are probably wondering where Piscacucho is. The Piscacucho community, also known as Km 82, is located in the Ollantaytambo district of the Urubamba province in the city of Cusco, Peru. It is situated at an altitude of 2,709 metres above sea level on the edge of the Machu Picchu National Park. This is where the Inca Trail begins and it can be reached by bus from Cusco in approximately three hours.

The Historical Interpretation Centre of Machu Picchu

It is a space that showcases the location's majesty to visitors. Inaugurated in June 2013, it is located in the Piscacucho community. It was built to provide information on the Protected Natural Area at the start of the traditional Inca Trail. The tour of the centre begins with an introductory video that aims to transport visitors to the sanctuary's most fascinating places. Visitors can also discover the sanctuary's vast biodiversity in the Andean Amazon region.

How do you get to km 82 of the Inca Trail?

The only way to reach Piscacucho in Cusco is to take the four-day, three-night Inca Trail.

General information about the Inca Trail:

Location: Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, 2,400 metres above sea level (Machu Picchu).
Mild weather: Average temperature: 15 °C
Season: Recommended between April and October. Closed for maintenance in February.
Access: Air and land routes from Lima and Arequipa to Cusco. By railway, from Poroy to Piscacucho (Km 82) and from Machu Picchu to Poroy (return journey: 92 km in 3 hours 30 minutes).
Medium: level
Duration: 4 days

The Inca Trail begins in the community of Piscacucho (Km 82), the official entrance to the trail. From here, the legendary trail takes around 6–7 hours to complete, covering 11 kilometres through an impressive landscape to the Inca archaeological complex of Qorihuayrachina, where there is a wonderful view of Llactapata. Then, we ascend to the Wayllabamba community, finally resting in the Yuncachimpa camp. On the second day, walkers can set their own pace along the Lulluchapampa path, which is at an altitude of 3,850 metres. After passing through beautiful landscapes, you will reach Warmihuañusca, which is at an altitude of 4,200 metres above sea level. After this point, the trail descends, passing through Runkuraqay until you reach the Chaquicocha camp. The third day of hiking is the most impressive, passing through tropical forests and beautiful Inca archaeological sites such as Sayacmarca, Conchamarca and Phuyupatamarca. Finally, we descend a few steps to the Wiñayhuayna Inca archaeological site, our last camp. On the fourth day, we walk a seven-kilometre trail for two to three hours to reach the entrance to the magnificent Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as Inti Punku or Puerta del Sol.

Would you like to travel along the fascinating Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Now is your chance – take it and travel to Machu Picchu!

• Original passport and copies
• Travel insurance (+ copies in case of loss).
• Flight tickets.
• Cash in USD or credit cards.
• Our service voucher (sent to you by us),
• An entry visa and proof of vaccination (if applicable).
• A day pack to carry your personal items during daily travels.
• Rain gear (a rain jacket and waterproof trousers or a rain poncho, which can be purchased in Cusco).
• Waterproof trekking shoes are recommended.
• Sandals for higher comfort at the campsite.
• Warm clothes such as a jacket and a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights while camping).
• A hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold.
• Sun cream or sun block.
• After-sun or moisturising cream for your face and body.
• Insect repellent with a minimum of 20% DEET is recommended (please note that there have been no reports of malaria during this trip!).
• A camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly in cold conditions).
• A flashlight/headlamp and batteries.
• Handkerchiefs and toilet paper.
• A small towel and toiletries.
• Sufficient reserve of underwear.
• Swimwear for visiting the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes.
• Snacks such as biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruit and muesli.
• Please note that we provide a daily morning snack and our meals are very substantial. The recommendation to take your own snacks applies only to customers who like a specific snack that might not be on our menu.
• You will need bottled water for the first morning, as well as a water bottle.
• Please note that plastic bottles are not allowed on the Classic Inca Trail! Please bring metal (or Nalgene) bottles!
• Please note that we provide filtered, boiled water throughout the Inca Trail. However, if you wish to use water from streams along the trail, you will need to bring water-purifying tablets.

• Inca Trail FAQs
• Inca Trail Following the Hiram Bingham Route
• Essentials Peru
• Climb up to Huayna Picchu Mountain
• Inca Trail camping equipment included
• Peru Health Guidelines
• Visa and entry requirements
  
• How to Book and Send Payment