8 Days | Conquer ancient pathways on the historic Inca Trail, starting in Lima
Travel to Peru and retrace the steps of the Incas – Peru's fascinating ancient civilisation. Beginning in Lima, the capital of Peru flanked by Spanish colonial architecture, you’ll journey through the fertile heartland of the Sacred Valley, see the magnificent Ollantaytambo ruins and take on your own trail (the Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or scenic train route) to Machu Picchu – nestled high in the Andes, this is one of the Seven Wonders of the World! End it all in Cusco, a foodie’s paradise and cultural hub of nightlife. This eight-day Peruvian tour gets you closer to the secrets of the elusive civilisation that once resided here.
Trip overview
- Start
- Lima, Peru
- Finish
- Cusco, Peru
- Theme
- Walking & trekking
- Destinations
- Peru
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- GGTBC
- Whether you trek the Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, you'll be travelling responsibly with a company that cares about balancing profit and purpose. Intrepid is the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail and we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all.
- Discover Lima’s colonial architecture and centuries of local and global cultures coming together that makes this city one of the most fun to explore in Latin America – all with a local leader who has all the best insights.
- Explore Cusco, South America's oldest continuously inhabited city. This foodie hub has ancient foundations and an interesting blend of Incan and colonial influences – kick back or take on some fun optional activities.
- Set your sights on Machu Picchu, nestled within an Andean rainforest high in the mountains. This trip gives both trekkers and non-trekkers the chance to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World with the Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or train option.
- Travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, known for its steep and soaring scenery and Indigenous cultures that still reside here. Enjoy lunch at a local community and then visit an organic café providing support to local women.
- This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the Medical and health information section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
- This trip involves a lot of walking to see the sites, and if you trek the Inca Trail or Quarry Trail, there'll be strenuous hiking. The trip is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Please bring comfortable footwear suitable to hiking. See the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
- For those who trek the Inca Trail or Quarry Trail, you'll be camping with basic facilities. It's definitely the journey as well as the final destination (Machu Picchu) that makes this way of exploring Peru worthwhile.
- According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the Itinerary for details.
- Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.
- Can't decide which trek is for you? Read up on them here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/inca-trail-vs-quarry-trail/ Inca trail permits are limited and it's important to book well in advance, read more about it here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/inca-trail-permit/
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Plane, private vehicle, taxi, train
Route 1 Inca Trail: Camping with basic facilities (3 nights), Hotel (4 nights). Route 2 - Quarry Trail: Camping with basic facilities (2 nights), Hotel (5 nights). Route 3 - Train option: Hotel (7 nights)
- Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
- Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
- 3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
- Machu Picchu - Guided tour
- Lima - Gold Museum Entrance Fee - PEN35
- Lima - Museo de la Nacion (entrance fee) - PEN10
- Lima - Pachacamac Tour (30 km from downtown) (Based on 4 participants) - USD37
- Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
- Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
- Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
- Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
- Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
- Cusco - Pre-Colombian Museum - PEN20
- Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) - PEN10
- Cusco - Cusco Eat Street (Price based on 4 participants) - USD50
- Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
- Cusco - 4 Ruins + Qorikancha (Price based on 4 participants) - USD40
- Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
- Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
- Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
- Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
- Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
- Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
- Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This will be used to apply for your Inca permit and if any info doesn’t match your passport, the Inca authorities will refuse your entry. Delays in providing this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. This trip starts at 2pm on Day 1. We recommend that travellers intending to depart Cusco on the final day of the trip book flights out of Cusco no earlier than 12pm to allow for possible delays on the final section of the trail.
4. At the time of booking, please advise whether you would like to hike the classic Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the train. When available, the Inca Trail will be booked as the default option. Fees may apply to changes made after the time of booking, and availability on other options cannot be guaranteed.
5. Inca Trail permits are sold on a request basis only. Once a deposit is paid and passport details are 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 Quarry Trail instead https://www.intrepidtravel.com/machu-picchu-peru/quarry-trail or travel to Machu Picchu by train.
6. 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 Quarry Trail.
7. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), you may be joined by other Intrepid and/or non-Intrepid travellers. There is also a small chance you may be the only traveller from your group on your selected option.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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