A nine-day trip to see the best of Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu

Today, wake up early and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then, we will transfer you to Lima Airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, our representative will be waiting for you in front of the Cusco airport arrival hall, holding a sign with your name. After welcoming you to Cusco, he or she will transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore this fascinating city, and acclimatize to the high altitude.

Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent and a major hub of the South American travel network. The city attracts visitors from all over the world, not only to discover a unique destination but also to experience an ancient culture that differs greatly from the modern Western way of life. One could easily spend a week exploring Cusco and its surroundings. Inca-built stone walls line many of the central streets, and it is not necessary to travel far to encounter impressive Inca ruins. This is a city steeped in history, traditions, and legends.

Every year, Cusco is visited by thousands of travelers who come to explore its noble yet tragic past. It is an ideal base for optional excursions in the surrounding areas, as well as for a wide range of outdoor activities.

Cusco is also home to numerous colonial churches. The most important is the Cathedral on 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 famous Inca historian Garcilaso de la Vega. Other churches well worth visiting include La Compañía, La Merced, and San Francisco.

Today, our Tour Guide takes us into the Sacred Valley of the Incas that was an important source of food for the Incas. The Sacred Valley is a lush agricultural region that keeps supplying the Cusco City with lots of its production. We visit the majestic ruins of Pisaq as well as its current famous handicraft market. Then, we stop in  Urubamba, considered to be the capital of the valley, to have a buffet lunch offering Andean cuisine. Afterwards, we continue to the picturesque town of  Ollantaytambo with its  Incan fortress before getting ready for our following hike, one of the highlights of the tour!

Ollantaytambo is your first taste of what lies ahead on the Inca Trail. The town and fortress of Ollantaytambo are strategically situated overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River Valley. We spend the night in this small town before heading for the start of this famous Machu Picchu hike the next morning!

Hiking Inca Trail on this 4-day trek is physically challenging, but worthwhile!! Its difficulty is within ability of the most reasonably fit. This 44-km (27 mile) Machu Picchu hike is often steep including 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 4,200 m (13,776 ft). Temperature at nights may fall below zero so it is important to get ready for that! It also sometimes rains, even during a dry season!

Today, we start this Inca Trail and Machu Picchu tour by a morning trip to Km 82 - the initial hiking point. It is very important to not forget your passport with you because it is checked at the entrance as well as you get a stamp of the Inca Trail on it!! Our Porters and Tour Guide are a guarantee that the Machu Picchu hiking Package is without any worries, so you enjoy its awesome Incan ruins (Llactapata, Runkuraqay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarka, Wiñay Wayna) and spectacular mountain scenery every day as much as you can!! Then, you enjoy a 2 and half an hour guided visit of the so called "Lost City of the Incas"!! During this tour, you will have time to take photos of Machu Picchu and its main attractions. Once the tour is over, you will have the option to climb Machu Picchu Mountain (1.5-hour hike) or Huayna Picchu Mountain (45 minutes up and 45 minutes down). However, you need to buy an additional ticket (Circuit 1 or Circuit 3) to access one of these 2 mountains; this also requires an additional cost and a prior reservation of the circuit. In the afternoon, you descend to the town of Aguas Calientes. The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Tour ends up by taking a return train to the Cusco City. Arrival in the evening.

Please note!

The Inca Trail is closed every February for general maintenance. Occasionally, closures may also occur due to inclement weather or other conditions beyond our control. In such cases, we may hike the 4-day Lares Valley Trek instead..

FREE OPTION: Those, who are not able or interested in to hiking Machu Picchu, can get back to Cusco or just stay at the Sacred Valley of the Incas and spend the following 2 days there. In this case, they reach Aguas Calientes by a tourist train (Expedition Service). They overnight in a hotel and they take a shuttle bus the next morning to Machu Picchu where they reunite with that first group consisting of the Inca Trail hikers. This option is for no additional cost!!

IMPORTANT: If you decide not to do the trek, you must advice us enough time in advance (usually, a couple of weeks ago) in order to secure your train tickets!! Otherwise, we are not able to guarantee you this option for free!!

If you have any query, please do not hesitate contacting us!

Today is a relaxing day so you can explore the fascinating capital of the Incas, visit its markets, buy some souvenirs, do some optional activities as well as get ready for the last night in the city!

Transfer to the Cusco´s airport to take your flight to Lima.
Please note: A return flight to Lima can be arragend upon request!
Alternatively, a good time to extend your trip!

• Welcome by our representative upon arrival in Lima.
• 1× domestic flight: Lima – Cusco.
• All transfers to and from all airports.
• Accommodation: 3*** hotels (5 nights), camping (3 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 for the Inca Trail.
• Super porters to carry food, camping and cooking equipment, and up to 7 kg of each passenger’s belongings during the Inca Trail.
• Meals: 7× breakfast, 4× lunch, 3× dinner, 3× snacks, and 3× afternoon hot beverages during the Inca Trail.
• Double tents (capacity for 4 people, but used by only 2 people for greater comfort and luggage security).
• Inflatable roll mattress with cover (Therm-a-Rest mattress).
• Sleeping bag (rated to -5°C) and liner for the Inca Trail.
• Pillow with cover.
• Duffel bag for your personal belongings during the Inca Trail.
• A pair of hiking poles.
• Rain ponchos.
• Tables, chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment and dining tent.
• Food for the Inca Trail.
• Tourist transportation to the Sacred Valley in accordance with the itinerary.
• Tourist train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo.
• Shuttle bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes town.

Sustainable Travel:

When you book an Inca Trail tour with Tierras Vivas, 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.
• A Machu Picchu T-shirt.
• Portable two-way radio communication.
• Medical kit and oxygen bottle.
• Every morning, our trekking chef will provide hot water for personal cleaning.
• Small towels for cleaning your hands.
• Each night, our trekking cook will provide hot water bottles to place inside your sleeping bag in case you feel cold.

• Pre & post tour accommodation.
• Last flight Cusco - Lima.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain (U$ 80).
• International flights and airport departure taxes.
• Meals not mentioned.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips and baggage portage to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory).
• Other extras not specified.

Meal budget: Please allow USD 50-100 for meals not included.
Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this tour, you receive your own single room for all overnights and a single tent for the Inca Trail.
Local flights: There is one local flight included in the cost of your Inca Path tour. It is very important that we have got your passport details at the time of booking in order to process all 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, a representative, and group staff for the Inca Trail trekking. The aim of our tour guides is to take the hassle out of our customers’ trips and help them have the best trip possible. The tour guides provide information about the places visited, offer suggestions on what to see and do, recommend good places to eat, and introduce their staff during the trek. The guides have broad general knowledge of each country visited during a tour, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local tour guides when we believe their specific knowledge can add more value to the visit.

Tierras Vivas representatives are highly trained professionals dedicated to providing excellent customer service. They are well prepared to assist travelers and are trained in first aid. Our representatives will provide you with important health-related information about the destinations you will visit and offer helpful recommendations. If necessary, they will also guide you to a trusted hospital or medical professional.

Our representatives are responsible for ensuring that your trip to Peru is comfortable, well organized, and free of delays. They verify that all services are operating correctly and that your itinerary runs smoothly. Upon meeting you, the representative will request your WhatsApp contact number, which will be used for communication throughout your trip. In the event of any emergency, at any time, your representative will be available to assist you and resolve any concerns.

Our trekking cooks are trained to manage meals and vegetables during the trip and receive similar training to our porters. Our porters are friendly and supportive people who help you complete your journey. They are trained every year in mountain safety and emergency procedures.

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

3 Nigths Camping

During the Inca Trail we spend three nights full-service camping, meaning that our camp staff will erect and dismantle the tents, cook, and do all camp chores for you: you need only carry your day pack. There will also be dining and toilet tents and bowls of warm water are provided both morning and evening for washing with.

Hotels

These following hotels are used 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 request our hotels to get ready your rooms for time of your arrival, especially, if you arrive prior to standard check-in time. Nevertheless, this is not always possible. In this case, you just store your luggage in that hotel storage room and you can explore around your new destination in between.

Please note! If you have purchased pre or post trip accommodation, you might be asked to change your room during your trip.

During the Inca Path Tour, the domestic flight from Lima to Cusco is included. Tierras Vivas works with LATAM and Sky Airline. Both airlines are safe and usually do not have cancellations during the rainy season.

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

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

The flight ticket includes carry-on hand luggage and 23 kg of checked luggage.

Check our policy and booking procedures of the Inca Trail. If you prefer not to hike or is fully booked, you can choose one of these optional trips:

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 a good time in advance!!! As there are only 500 permits (Tour Guides, Porters and Cooks including) issued per day for the Inca Trail!!

A general recommendation on how long time in advance to book is:

• If you like to do in December, January or March: 4 - 6 weeks in advance
• If you like to do in April, October or November: 2 - 3 months in advance
• If you like to do in May, September: 3 - 4 months in advance
• If you like to do in June, July or August: 4 - 5 months in advance

How to Book the Inca Path?

If you like to do the Inca Path Tour, please first check an availability of Inca Trail. Choose year and month when you like to do the tour.

Please note: the Inca Trail starts on the fourth day of the Inca Path Tour! (For example, if you like to start the tour on the 6th of August, you need to check Inca Trail availability of the day 09th of August!) 

 
If there is still availability of the Inca Trail on your date requested in the time of your booking, the booking of the Inca Path Tour will be confirmed firstly by our Reservation Department via e-mail. Then your full personal details wil be required as well as a deposit in order to purchase your Inca Trail permit. (Please note that an Inca Trail booking is valid only for 1 hour!! If it is not paid within this time, it expires!!!)

Super Porter Working Conditions

Tierras Vivas provides all the required equipment for porters in accordance with Inca Trail regulations. In addition, Tierras Vivas and Responsible People work together to improve the quality of life of porter communities by creating projects that benefit their families. We also ensure fair payment in accordance with the carriers’ law.

Inca Trail Booking Policies

Before booking the Inca Trail, we recommend that you check our Inca Trail booking policies, where the rules for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are explained.

Piscacucho in Cusco or the Km 82 in Perú, is the place where the Inca trail to Machu Picchu begins.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or Qhapaq Ñan is the trekking and camping route with 39 km of travel.

The longest road begins in Piscacucho (Km 82 in Perú) of the railway line to Machu Picchu. It crosses different ecosystems, colossal archaeological sites and places rich in 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 ecosystem that corresponds to alpine or mountainous mountainous areas, its climate is temperate, oscillating between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius in the morning and 6 to 10 degrees Celsius at night.

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

The Km 82 of the Inca Trail has wonderful Andean landscapes, the snow-capped mountains and the Urubamba river that adorn the landscape of this community.

In Km 82 of the Inca Trail you can see Inca archaeological sites and bridleways, being at the beginning of the Inca trail.

In 2011, the "Regional Directorate of Culture" made important findings in this area, they were skulls, long bones, and it was not ruled out that they could be mummified since they were in good condition.

Where is Piscacucho?

Surely you are wondering where is Piscacucho? The Piscacucho community, also known as Km 82 in Perú, is located in the Ollantaytambo district, Urubamba province in the City of Cusco, at a height of 2709 meters above sea level, on the edge of the Machu Picchu National Park, and Where visitors start the Inca Trail, it can be reached by bus in approximately 3 hours from the city of Cusco.

The Historical Interpretation Center of Machupicchu

It is a space that seeks to make known to its visitors the majesty of the place, it was inaugurated in June 2013, and it is located in the community of Piscacucho, it was built with the intention of generating an information space on the Protected Natural Area, at the point initial of the traditional Inca trail. The tour of the Center begins with an induction video that aims to transport the visitor through the most fascinating places of the Sanctuary, and you can also discover the vast biodiversity that this Historic Sanctuary is located in the Andean-Amazon area.

How to get to Km 82 of the Inca Trail?

The only way to get to Piscacucho in Cusco is through the Inca Trail 4 days / 3 nights.

General information of the Inca Trail

• Location: Cusco Department, Urubamba Province 2,400 masl (Machu Picchu)
• Mild weather
• Average temperature: 15 ° C
• Season: Recommended between the months of April to October, closed for maintenance during the month of February
• Access: Air and land routes, from Lima and Arequipa to Cusco. Railroad, Poroy - Piscacucho (Km 82) and Machu Picchu - Poroy (return, 92 km in 3 hours 30 minutes)
• Medium level
• Duration: 4 days

To start the Inca Trail begins in the community of Piscacucho (Km 82), which is the official entrance to the Inca Trail, from here the legendary trail begins around 6 to 7 hours, 11 kilometers long, passing through an impressive landscape and through from the Inca archaeological complex of Qorihuayrachina with a wonderful view of Llactapata. Then we ascend to the Wayllabamba community to finally rest in the Yuncachimpa camp. On the second day, the walk is more at the pace of the walker along the Lulluchampa path at 3,850 meters, until reaching many stairs, passing through beautiful landscapes to reach Warmihuañusca at 4,200 meters above sea level, after which point it descends, passing Runkurakay until reaching to the Chaquicocha Camp. The third day of hiking is the most impressive when entering the tropical forests, combined with beautiful Inca archaeological monuments such as Sayacmarca, Conchamarca and Phuyupatamarca. Finally, descend a few steps to the Inca archaeological site of Wiñayhuayna to the last camp. For the 4th day, we walked a 7 kilometer trail of approximately 2 to 3 hours, to finally arrive at the entrance to the magnificent Inca citadel of Machu Picchu called Inti Punku or Puerta del Sol.

Would you like to travel the fascinating Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? This is the opportunity, take advantage and travel to Machu Picchu.

• Passport Original and copies
• Travel insurance(+ copies for a case of lost),
• Flight tickets,
• Cash in USD or credit cards,
• Our service voucher (sent by us to you),
• Entry visa and a proof of vaccination (if applicable),
• Day pack (to carry your personal items during daily travels),
• Rain gear (a rain-jacket and a waterproof trousers or a rain poncho - this can be purchased in Cusco),
• Resistible footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended,
• Sandals (for a higher comfort while at a campsite),
• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping),
• Hat or a cap (to protect you against the Sun, rain as well as cold),
• Sun cream or sun block,
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body,
• Insect repellent– recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria has been reported during this trip!),
• Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),
• Flashlight/headlamp + batteries,
• Handkerchiefs and toilet paper,
• Small towel and toiletries,
• Sufficient reserve of underwear,
• Swimsuit (to visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes),
• Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.)
  Please note: we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taken own snack applies only for customers who like a specific snack that might not be in our menu.
• Bottled water for the first morning and a water bottle.
  Important: plastic bottles are not allowed on the Classic Inca Trail! Please bring a metallic (alternatively Nalgene) bottles!
• Please note: we provide with filtered boiled water during entire Inca Trail, but if you like to use water from streams along the trail, you need to take some water-purifying tablets with you.

• 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