trekking route

Did you know that Qhapaq Ñan, which refers to the network of trails, was built by the Incas? The famous Inca Trail was built as part of a political, military, ideological, and administrative project during the XV century. Qhapaq Ñan joined the Tawantinsuyu Empire (which means the four regions of the Inca Empire) that stretched from Colombia, west Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, some parts of Chile and Argentina were also included.

Would you like to know more about the Inca Trail? Inkayni Perú Tours would love to guide you on this exciting trek and guarantee an amazing and lifetime Inca Trail tour.

Route:

The total trekking distance is around 43 km. You will hike through the forest and high mountains which reach a peak of 4200 m.a.s.l./13780 ft. While hiking you will appreciate some archeological sites such as the following:

Patallacta (a ceremonial site which is located on a flat surface on the right side of the Urubamba river)
Wiñay Wayna site (Inca archeological site that consists of upper and lower house complexes connected by a staircase and fountain structures. There are diverse buildings among which is an upper semicircular one that is traditionally known as the “palace” or the “tower”, built partially with carved stones.
The wonder of the World: Machu Picchu.

History:

According to the Peruvian historian José Antonio del Busto, the Inca Huayna Capac most increased the network of trails in order to mobilize his army rapidly. This is why the historian considered the trails one of the empire’s greatest achievements.

The trails varied in size. In some places, the flat plains were eight meters wide, while in the mountains the paths were only a meter wide. The trails were mostly built to be used by men only.

Why should you hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

The Inca Trail is one of the most well-known hikes in the world. Views of white-tipped mountains and high cloud forest combine with the magic of walking from one cliff-hugging ruin to the next, all building up to that first glimpse of the iconic stone settlement crowning a misty mountaintop.

It’s listed year after year in the top ten trails by publications such as National Geographic and Lonely Planet.

These 10 classic treks are amongst the best on the planet:

GR20, France
Inca Trail, Peru
Pays Dogon, Mali
Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Indian Himalayas, India
Routeburn Track, New Zealand
Overland track, Australia
The Narrows, USA
The Haute Route, France-Switzerland
Baltoro Glacier & K2, Pakistan

Inkayni Peru Tours recommends booking at least 6 months in advance. This way you can secure your spot and get ready to enjoy your new adventure.

Additional Details:

Inkayni Peru Tours offers you 4 options to complete the Inca Trail. The first option is the traditional 4-day / 3-night Inca Trail. Since there are no hotels your only available accommodation comes in the form of a tent and a sleeping bag in the middle of nature. It is also one of the most approachable treks, as you do not need any particular skill to be able to complete. Some good health and fitness will help you get from the trailhead to the end, Machu Picchu.

The second option is the Short Inca Trail. It is a 2-day/1-night hike. This option includes lodging in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

The third option is the Inca Trail Expedition. It is a 5-day/4-night trek and follows the same route as the traditional 4-day trek. This is a better option for those desiring a more relaxed pace and more time to enjoy the surroundings. It is recommended for families with children.

The fourth and last option is the Salkantay & Inca Trail. It is a 7-day/6-night trek. This trek is ideal for those who seek to explore lesser-traveled routes and combine outstanding trails with even more impressive scenery.

What is included in each tour?

02 Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service

Included:

Professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
Pick-up from your hotel
Train to Km 104
Return transportation by train to Ollantaytambo
Return transportation by bus to Cusco
1 Breakfast, 1 Boxed Lunch, 1 Dinner. If you have a dietary request (vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free, allergies, etc) please let us know
3-Star Hotel
Oxygen bottle
First-aid kit
Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Round-trip Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Not Included:

Water
Breakfast on Day 1 & Lunch and Dinner on Day 2.
Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain US$85
Tips
Travel Insurance – We strongly recommend insurance for the duration of your trip

Video:

04 Day Classic Inca Trail To Machu Picchu – Group Service

Included:

Briefing in Cusco before the departure
Professional English-speaking Tour Guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
Professional Cook
Porters to carry all equipment
Personal porter for 5 kg/11.02 lbs per person (1 personal porter is included – up to 5 kilos per each duffle bag, which will be provided and must fit all your belongings PLUS sleeping bag)
Pick-up from your hotel
Transportation by bus to Km 82
Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
Water (excluding the first day of the trek when you need to bring your own)
3 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 3 Afternoon Snacks (Happy Hour) and 3 Dinner. If you have a dietary request (vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free, etc) or allergy please advise us upon booking and reconfirm the day of our briefing
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Oxygen bottle
Inflatable Thermarest or REI sleeping mattress (which you must carry)
EUREKA Tents – Comfortable and 4-person space (2 people per tent)
First-aid kit
Entrance Tickets to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

Not Included:

Sleeping Bag (Rentals are available through us)
Breakfast on Day 1 & Lunch and Dinner on Day 4.
Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (USD $85)
Tips
Travel Insurance (We highly recommend insurance for your entire trip)

Video:

05 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Private Service

Included:

Professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
Chef.
Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment.
Pick-up from your hotel.
Transportation by bus to Km 82.
Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco.
Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own).
4 Breakfast, 4 Lunch, 3 Afternoon Snacks (Happy Hour) and 4 Dinner. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food,
please let us know.
Dining tent with tables and chairs.
Inflatable Sleeping Mattress (you need to carry this unless you hire a personal porter).
Comfortable and very spacious four-person tent (two people use one tent).
Oxygen bottle.
First aid kit.
Entrance to the Inca Trail and two days Machu Picchu.
Return bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. 2 Days Tickets
Accommodation in Aguas Calientes 1 night.

Not Included:

Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us).
Personal Porter to carry 6 kg of personal items.
Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 5.
Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain US$85
Tips.
Travel Insurance – We advise you to take out travel insurance before you leave.

Attractions you will see along the Inca Trail

In the 2-day/1-night Short Inca Trail you will see:

Ollantaytambo 2400m/ 8858 ft
Chachabamba 2200m/ 7218 ft
Wiñay Huayna 2680m/ 8792 ft
Inti punku 2730m/ 8956ft
Machu Picchu 2400m/ 7873 ft
Aguas Calientes 2050m/ 6561 ft

the traditional 4-day / 3-night Inca Trail you will see:

Piscacucho 2720m/ 8923ft
Llactapata 2850m / 9350 ft
Hatunchaca 2930m / 9612ft
Wayllabamba (campsite) 300m /9842ft
Ayapata 3300m/ 10829ft
Llulluchapampa 3800m/ 12460 ft
1st Warmiwañusca pass 4200m / 13779ft
Pacaymayu (campsite) 3580m/ 11700ft
Runkuracay 3680m/ 12073ft
2nd Runkuracay Pass 400m/ 13779 ft
Sayacmarka 3650m/ 12000ft
Chaquicocha 3600m/ 11800 ft
3rd Phuyutupamarca Pass 3680m /12073ft
Intipata 2800m/ 9270 ft
Wiñay Huayha (campsite) 2680m/ 8792 ft
Inti Punku 2730m / 8956ft
Machu Picchu 2400m / 7873 ft
Aguas Calientes 2050m / 6561 ft

In the 5-day/4-night Inca Trail Expedition private service you will see:

Llactapata 2850 m/ 9350 ft
Hatunchaca 2930m / 9612 ft
Wayllabamba (campsite) 3000m/ 9842ft
Ayapata 300m / 10829 ft
1st Warmiwañusca (First Mountain) 4200m/ 13779 ft
Pacaymayu (campsite)3580m /11700 ft
Runkuracay (inka site) 3680 m / 12073 ft
2nd Runkuracay pass 400m/ 13779 ft
Sayacmarca 3650m/ 1200 ft
3rd Phuyutupamarca pass 3680m /12073ft (campsite)
Intipata 2800 m / 9270 ft
Wiñay Huayna 2680 m / 8792 ft
Inti Punku 2730m / 8956 ft
Machu Picchu 2400m / 7873 ft
Aguas Calientes 2050m/ 6561 ft

In the 07-Day/ 6-night Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu you will see:

Limatambo 2554m / 8379ft
Mollepata 2900 m / 9514 ft
Challacancha 3651m / 12690 ft
Humantay Lagoon 4200m / 13779 ft
Humantay Mountain 5650m/ 18 536ft
Soraypampa 3 900m / 12 795 ft (campsite)
Salkantaypampa 4 100m / 13 451ft
Pampa Japonesa 4 600m / 15 091 ft
Inca Chiriaska 5 200m / 17 060 ft
Yanaccaca 4 700m/ 15 420ft
Inca Aqueduct 3 800m/ 12 467 ft (campsite)
Paucarcancha 3 2000m/ 10 499 ft
Wayllabamaba 3000m / 9 842ft
Ayapata 3 300m/ 10 827ft (campsite)
1st Warmiwañusca pass 4200m / 13779ft
Runkuracay3680m/ 12073ft
2nd Runkuracay pass 400m/ 13779 ft
Sayacmarka3650m/ 12000ft
Chaquicocha 3600m/ 11800ft (campsite)
3rd Phuyutupamarca pass 3680m /12073ft
Intipata 2800m/ 9270 ft
Wiñay Huayna (campsite) 2680 m/ 8792 ft
Inti Punku 2730m / 8956ft
Machu Picchu 2400m / 7873 ft
Aguas Calientes 2050m/ 6561 ft

Note:

Since 2002, access to the Inca Trail has been limited to 500 people per day (roughly split among 200 tourists along with 300 guides and porters), no matter the time of the year. This means that it is necessary for everyone to obtain permits in advance to do the hike.

Securing a permit is only possible with an approved tour operator, like Inkayni Peru Tours, who buy these daily permits in advance. This means that you can only do the Inca Trail with an approved tour company to secure your spot.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

None of the treks include sleeping bags (you can rent one from us), lunch on the last day, entrance tickets to “Wayna Picchu” or “Machu Picchu Mountain” ($80 USD each) & Travel Insurance.
Children under 9 years old shouldn’t participate in this trek due to the high physical demand while children over 9 years old can take part in the trek under adult supervision.