Your excursion on the Inca Trail will begin at 4:30 AM, when you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Cusco for a 2-hour ride through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll have a big breakfast to prepare you for the trek. After that, you’ll have a short ride to the start of the Inca Trail, Km 82.

At Km 82, you will meet the support team that will accompany you throughout the trek: your guide, chef, and porters. After meeting your team of support, you will hand off your duffle bag to the porters, and you’ll be ready to go. The only thing you will take in the trek will be a daypack.

Please note, you will be required to have your original passport to provide verification at the checkpoint before you start. After verification is complete you will start walking along the Inca Trail with various views of mountains and ancient ruins, and a history and meaning from your guide. You can walk at your own pace and take breaks to sit and snack or take photos when you want to along the way.

Around 1:30 PM, you will take a tasty break for lunch made by your chef. Afterwards the hike continues on to your first campsite at Huayllabamba at an elevation of 3,350m (10,990 feet). This day’s hike should be moderate to allow your body to acclimatize to the elevation.

When you arrive at the campsite your team will have set up your tent already and there will be warm water for washing. After settling in, you will have tea time and then a hearty dinner at about 7:30 PM so that you can rest up for the next day’s adventure.

(Note: The campsite location may vary between Huayllabamba or Ayapata depending on availability on the trail and government regulations.) 

• Acomodation: Camping

• Tickets: Included

• Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner

Your second day on the Inca Trail begins with a wake-up call and your first hot cup of coca tea to assist with the altitude. After packing your daypack and having breakfast, you begin hiking uphill in a gradual ascent. The scenery around you is awe-inspiring as you hike through a beautiful valley with ancient Queñas and Uncas trees along the path, as you enter a highland environment full of new and varying vegetation and wildlife.

After about 3 hours of hiking you will come to Llulluchapampa campsite where lunch will be served.

In the afternoon, the uphill trek becomes steeper as you head toward Dead Woman's Pass, the highest point of the day, at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). The views from the top are stunningly rewarding. After resting and enjoying the views, you will descend to the Pacaymayu Alto campsite at 3650 meters (11,975 feet) where your tent will be ready for you.

To relax after a physically demanding day, you will have a Happy Hour with hot drinks and snacks before a solid dinner. After all of the activity, most trekkers relax early to get to bed and prepare for the next day, which takes place in a peaceful part of the Andes.

• Accomodation: Camping

• Tickets: Include

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – dinner

Your third day on the Inca Trail will be unique and amazing due to the variety of ecosystems and the natural beauty of the Andes. This day is different because you will see a variety of amazing flowers, especially orchids. There are nearly 135 different types of orchids in and around Machu Picchu, and throughout the hike you will see many of them. 

You will begin with an early breakfast to get you started on the day's journey. The first section of the trail is uphill and will last about 2 hours. On this route you will stop at the Runcuracay, which is a small Inca site. Your guide will give you background information and present the importance of the site while you visit it.

 After visiting Runcuracay, you will continue climbing for 1 more hour as you reach not only the top of the climb, but also the second highest point of the hike. From the highest point you will have splendid panoramic views of the surrounding area.

After taking in the views, you will start to descend for about 1.5 hours, which will lead you to the Sayacmarka Incan site, known for its beauty. Your guide will walk you through this site, allowing you to learn more about its history. After this stop, you will enter the cloud forest, where you will notice changes in scenery, warmer temperatures, and some mosquitoes. You will also notice different plants and animal life in this area of your hike.

Around midday, you will stop for lunch to get some needed energy for the rest of the day's hike. The next stretch of hiking will be about 2 hours, during which you will reach Phuyupatamarka. From this point of elevation, the views of Machu Picchu Mountain, and the town of Aguas Calientes, give you notice that you are in closer proximity to the lost city of the Incas. 

From this point onward, the trail is primarily downhill, with many stairs to navigate. Using trekking poles can be quite helpful during this section, which takes approximately 3.5 hours. Your destination is the final campsite, Wiñayhuana, situated at an elevation of 2,650 meters (8,694 feet) above sea level. This will be your last night camping on the trail, and it will be a memorable one as you prepare to reach Machu Picchu the following day.

• Accomodation: Camping

• Tickets: Include

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – dinner

The most important day of your Inca Trail adventure has arrived, as you’ll finally get to explore the magnificent Machu Picchu! The day begins with an early wake-up call at 3:30 am, followed by breakfast at 4 am. By 5:30 am, you’ll be at the checkpoint, your group will begin the walk to the famous Sun Gate, also known as Inti Punku. This iconic spot is exclusive to Inca Trail hikers and offers a stunning view of Machu Picchu. Arriving around 6:30 am will give you the opportunity to witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu, a truly unique and magical experience.

After taking in the breathtaking sunrise and capturing memorable photos, you’ll continue your hike for about 40 minutes, gradually descending until you reach the Machu Picchu citadel. As you arrive at the citadel, you’ll have ample time to explore and take postcard-worthy pictures. Your experienced guide will lead you on a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which typically lasts about 3 hours. During this time, you’ll visit the most important sites within the citadel and gain a deeper understanding of its history and significance.

Once you’ve completed your guided tour of Machu Picchu, you’ll have the option to bid farewell to the citadel and return to Aguas Calientes or, if you’ve booked tickets in advance, you can embark on a hike to Huayna Picchu, the iconic mountain that overlooks Machu Picchu. This hike takes about 2 hours to complete, and only a limited number of daily tickets are available (50 spots), so it’s essential to book these tickets in advance. There is an additional cost of $75 per ticket.

After you’ve finished your visit to Machu Picchu and, if applicable, your hike to Huayna Picchu, you’ll take a bus back to Aguas Calientes town. There, you’ll enjoy your last lunch as a group (please note that lunch is not included in the tour price). In the afternoon, you’ll board the train, typically around 3 pm, for the journey back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo, our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco, with an estimated arrival time of 7:30 pm. It’s a fitting end to an incredible journey along the Inca Trail.

• Accomodation: Hotel in Cusco book on your own

• Tickets: Include

• Meals: only breakfast

Your Rainbow Mountain adventure begins early with a 4:00 AM pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. From there, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to Cusipata, where you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel up for the hike ahead.

After breakfast, the journey continues for approximately 1 more hour until you reach the trailhead at 4,300 meters (14,107 feet). Once there, you’ll prepare for the hike, and your guide will provide safety information and weather updates. If you have any extra belongings, you can leave them in the van, ensuring that you only carry the essentials for the trek.

The hike begins with a gradual ascent, taking around 2 hours at a slow and comfortable pace. As you approach the summit, the stunning views of Rainbow Mountain and its surrounding landscapes unfold. This is the perfect spot to take in the beauty, capture photos, and record videos of this iconic natural wonder.

After exploring Rainbow Mountain, the adventure continues as you hike toward the Red Valley. The trail here is similarly gradual, taking about 45 minutes to reach the upper part of the valley. At the top, you’ll be treated to some of the best views of the Red Valley, a breathtaking landscape that most groups don’t visit, so you’ll enjoy a quieter, more intimate experience with nature.

After soaking in the awe-inspiring views of the Red Valley, you’ll make your way back to the trailhead, where your driver will be waiting to take you back to Cusipata for a well-deserved lunch. After lunch, you’ll embark on the return journey to Cusco, which takes around 2 hours. You’ll arrive back in Cusco 5 to 6pm, where your guide will drop you off at your hotel, marking the end of a memorable and fulfilling day.

• Accomodation: book on your own

• Tickets: Include

• Meals: breakfast and lunch

The best time to trek the Inca Trail and visit Rainbow Mountain is from March to January, with the exception of February, when the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. The dry season (May to September) offers the clearest skies, while the shoulder seasons (March, April, October, and November) provide a balance of fewer crowds and good weather.

The Inca Trail is considered a moderate to challenging trek. It involves steep ascents and high-altitude hiking, with the highest point, Dead Woman’s Pass, reaching 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). While the trek is doable for most people with a moderate level of fitness, prior preparation is recommended to ensure a comfortable experience.

The Classic 4-day Inca Trail trek covers approximately 43 kilometers (26 miles), starting at Km 82 and ending at Machu Picchu. The trek is spread over four days, with a mix of uphill and downhill terrain, scenic views, and historical sites along the way.

While the trek is challenging, it is suitable for those who are in good health and have a reasonable level of fitness. If you’re new to hiking, we recommend training ahead of time with hikes of increasing difficulty, especially at high altitudes.

Essential items include:

• Comfortable hiking boots (broken-in)

• Daypack for essentials (water, snacks, camera, etc.)

• Sleeping bag (mandatory for Inca Trail)

• Warm clothing for cold nights (layers)

• Rain jacket (weather can be unpredictable)

• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)

• Personal items (medications, camera, toiletries)

No. You will only need to carry a small daypack with essentials (water, snacks, camera, etc.). An extra porter service is available to carry up to 7kg of your personal items in a duffle bag, leaving you with a lighter load.

Yes, the minimum age for the Inca Trail is 8 years old. There is no maximum age, but participants must be in good health and able to manage the physical demands of the hike.

Yes, acclimatization is important when trekking at high altitudes. We recommend spending 2-3 days in Cusco before the trek to adjust to the elevation and minimize the risk of altitude sickness.

We can accommodate most dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other preferences. Please inform us of your dietary needs when booking, and we will ensure that your meals are prepared accordingly.

If you need to cancel or modify your booking, please refer to our cancellation policy, which provides clear guidelines on refunds and changes based on the notice period. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any unforeseen changes.

Yes, you can either visit Huayna Picchu after your Machu Picchu tour or choose to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes and hike it the following day. Huayna Picchu tickets are available for $75 per person (optional).

Yes, after completing your trek, you will have a fully guided tour of Machu Picchu, following Circuit N° 3 as per Machu Picchu regulations for Inca Trail hikers. Your guide will explain the site’s history and significance in detail.

While travel insurance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended for any trek or adventure activity, as it provides coverage for emergencies, cancellations, or medical issues that may arise during your journey.

Yes, the following are optional add-ons:

• Vistadome train upgrade to $65 for panoramic views and a more comfortable ride.

• Huayna Picchu tickets for $75 (optional).

• Extra porter service for 7kg at an additional cost.