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Inca Empire Overview

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Discover the Inca Empire travelling in South America.

This is an epic journey that takes in the sights and delights of the Inca Empire as you experience adventure travelling in South America. Visit five countries with distinct cultures, customs and landscapes: Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile, travelling overland from Quito to Santiago. Enjoy highlights such as an Amazon Jungle adventure and the challenging Inca Trail trek. Visit the outdoor sports mecca of Ecuador, rural villages in Peru, an underground mine in Bolivia and the wine capital of Argentina to really get off the beaten track. Cap it all off with stops in vibrant cities and several chances to relax by idyllic beaches - this cross-continent adventure through the Inca Empire really does have it all.

  • Stroll through Quito's quaint streets
  • Experience the wilds of the Amazon Jungle
  • Try the range of adventure sports in Banos
  • Discover the colonial charm of Lima
  • Camp out on the challenging Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Go wild in the markets of La Paz
  • Travel through the scenic Salar de Uyuni
  • Quaff Malbec in a Mendoza vineyard

Trip Map


Inca Empire Summary

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Days 1-2 Quito

Quito is a cultured city with a wonderous Old Town, a dynamic nightlife and atmospheric streets showcasing Ecuadorian life in all its splendour.

Days 3-4 Amazon Jungle

The two rivers of Tena and Pano meet in Tena, a small, lively city and a gateway to the amazing Amazon Jungle.

Days 5-7 Banos

Green hills, warm waters, adventure activities, a chilled town atmosphere and good food are all found in Banos, a town popular with locals and travellers.

Days 8-9 Cuenca

With roots tracing back to 8000BC, Cuenca is a fascinating and beautiful city, and World Heritage-listed due to its wonderfully preserved heritage buildings.

Days 10-11 Mancora

Long stretches of beach, great seafood, excellent cafes and a vibrant nightlife make Mancora a very popular beachside resort in northern Peru.

Day 12-13 Huanchaco

Famed for its 'surfing' fishermen, Huanchaco was once a small fishing village but is now a relaxed beach haven for travellers keen on seeing the nearby ruins.

Days 14-15 Lima

Lima is a large, fascinating hotchpotch of architectural styles, coastal scenes, world cuisines, impressive museums, traditional culture and modern arts and nightlife.

Day 16 Pisco

While Pisco may have lent its name to Peru's most famous drink, this seaside city is also known for being the gateway to the Ballestas Islands.

Day 17 Nazca

Rebuilt completely after a devastating earthquake in 1996, Nazca is home to the mysterious Nazca Lines and a city of colourful houses with a pretty main square.

Days 18-19 Arequipa

The beautiful 'White City' of Arequipa is surrounded by volcanoes, is rich in Spanish colonial architecture and abounds with local culture and cuisine.

Days 20-21 Colca Canyon/Arequipa

Head deep into the Andes to witness the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons.

Days 22-23 Arequipa/Cuzco

Cuzco is the gateway to Machu Picchu and a city with majestic architecture, impressive ruins, a lively town centre and cultural significance around every cobblestone corner.

Day 24 Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo

The Sacred Valley was once the heartland of the Inca Empire and now contains picturesque villages and impressive archeological sites. The town of Ollantaytambo has been built over an ancient Inca town, which is a magnificent example of Inca urban planning. This is one of the few places where the Incas defeated the Spanish.

Days 25-28 Inca Trail/Machu Picchu/Cuzco

Winding around mountains, through valleys and up steep slopes, the iconic Inca Trail is a series of beautiful vistas and challenging hikes all the way to Machu Picchu. Built sometime in the 15th century and rediscovered in 1911, the staggering ruins of Machu Picchu were thought to be an estate for the Incan emperor, Pachacuti. A World Heritage site set amongst red-green hills with ruins scattered close by, Cuzco is impressive in every way - be it history, culture, nightlife or architecture.

Day 29 Cuzco

Cuzco is South America’s oldest inhabited city, and a whirl of colour, culture, smiles and activity.

Days 30-32 Puno/Lake Titicaca

Puno is a colourful town on the Peruvian shores of Lake Titicaca, expect to see traditionally dressed locals, chaotic markets and, if lucky enough, even dancing in the streets. Crossing the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America and has some fascinating islands and hefty-sized frogs living within its waters. Known as the folklore capital of Peru, Puno often has colourful celebrations and is a great place to find goods made of alpaca wool.

Day 33 Copacabana

A lovely little town situated between two hills and looking out over Lake Titicaca, Copacabana has beautiful scenery and coastline, great eateries and a fascinating religious culture.

Days 34-37 La Paz

Built in a canyon, the unique and bewtiching city of La Paz is filled with steep, cobbled streets, fascinating markets, evident tradition and captivating sights.

Days 38-39 Sucre

The delightful city of Sucre impresses visitors with its historic charm, indigenous roots and calm atmosphere, and is the perfect place to ease into the Bolivian way of life.

Days 40-41 Potosi

The loveliness of Potosi - one of the highest and more fascinating cities in the world - is mirrored by the harshness of its mines and mining history.

Days 42-45 Uyuni/Salar de Uyuni/San Pedro de Atacama

Popular due to its proximity to the Salar de Uyuni, the town of Uyuni is small and charming, and feels very remote, especially at the photogenic train cemetery. The world's largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni, is a spectacular sight - whether reflecting like a mirror in the wet or cracking during the dry.

Days 46-49 Salta

With its well-preserved colonial buildings, candle-lit cafes, fine museums and surrounding natural beauty, Salta is one of Argentina's most charming cities.

Days 50-52 Mendoza

Famed for its wine and raft of adventure activities, Mendoza is a lovely city to get lost in with its wide streets, excellent eateries and gorgeous plazas.

Days 53-55 Santiago

Set within a circle of snow-capped mountains, Santiago is vibrant, artistic and gourmet - and the gateway to adventures in the snow, sea or desert.
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What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Quito, Ecuador

  • Finish:

    Santiago, Chile

  • Group size:

    Min 1 , Max 16

  • Ages:

    Min 12

  • Meals:

    17 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners

  • Accommodation:

    Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nts), Dormitory (2 nts), Homestay (1 nt), Hotel (43 nts), Jungle Lodge (2 nts), Overnight bus (3 nts)

  • Transport:

    4x4, Boat, Bus, Canoe, Ferry, Overnight bus, Van

  • Included activities:

    4-day Inca Trail trek and Machu Picchu guided tour, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca boat tour & homestay, Leader-led walking tour, Sacred Valley community visit, Uyuni Salt Flats 3d/2n (shared tour)

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    1072kg pp per trip

  • Notes:

    Inca Trail permits are sold on request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Intrepid will endeavour to secure a permit for you.

    If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Inca Quarry Trail instead.

    The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February you will be automatically booked to hike the Inca Quarry Trail.

    Should you choose not to hike at all, please let us know in writing at the time of booking so alternative arrangements can be made. Without this prior warning, local fees may apply.

    Important information regarding new regulations and booking procedures for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
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About Argentina , Bolivia , Chile , Ecuador , Peru

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Check Inca Trail Permit Status

You must check that permits are available for the date you start the Inca Trail. For example, if your trip starts on July 11, and the Inca Trail starts on day 4, you will need your permit on July 14.

This information should be used as a guide only as availability may change by the time we receive your request.

  • Date

  • Availability

Inca Trail Availability

Available

Inca Trail permits are available. You can book your trip for this date.

Contact us

Inca Trail permits may still be available, please contact us so we can check the current availability and make arrangements for you.

Alternative Routes

Inca Trail permits are now sold out. However, you can opt to hike the Inca Quarry Trail - with spectacular and diverse sceneries this trek is an exceptional alternative to the very busy Inca Trail. Alternatively, travel by train through the picturesque Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes. Both options include a visit to Machu Picchu! Please contact us to arrange the one that suits you best!