Peru Inca Trail Trek

PERU INCA TRAIL TREKKING HIGHLIGHTS

  • 5-days of trekking an Inca trail to Machu Picchu – far from the crowds of the traditional trekking routes
  • Traditional Peru culture and historic Inca ruins, including a day and a half at the storied lost city of Machu Picchu
  • The Sacred Valley and the sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo
  • Cusco, an Inca and Spanish city with a charming, festive atmosphere

PERU INCA TRAIL TREKKING DETAILS

  • 11-day trip begins and ends in Cusco, Peru
  • 6 nights in first-class hotels and 4 nights of full-service camping
  • All meals included except one dinner

TOUR RATING

ActRating

Moderate acclimatization hiking from 8,000 to 12,500 feet and 5 days of moderate to strenuous trekking along the Inca trail (camps at 8,000 to 12,700 feet); three high passes, the (highest being 15,800 feet), 5-7 hours hiking per day.

 

A day of hiking in Peru will surely create indelible memories—11 days of hiking and trekking may change you forever. After several days of hiking to acclimatize to the altitude, exploring the rich cultural centers of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, we trek on an unfrequented trail, clearing high passes and descending into gorgeous hidden valleys that are populated only by families living a traditional agricultural life—growing potatoes and raising sheep and alpaca. The trails we follow are those that have been used for centuries by these campesinos to move flocks and carry produce to trade in village centers. Our trekking culminates as any trip to Peru should—following the Inca trail to the famed lost city of Machu Picchu.

Peru Inca Trail Trekking Tour Overview

Days 1-2: Our trekking tour begins in Cusco, Peru (elevation 11,150 feet). Explore the great cathedrals of this ancient Inca and Spanish hub. Embark on an acclimatization hike (about 12,000 feet) past the Inca sites of Tambomachay, Q’enqo and Sacsayhuaman.

Days 3-4: Move to the Sacred Valley, defined by the Urubamba River, and explore the ancient sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo (the only location where the Inca defeated the Spanish invasion), and festive local markets.

Days 5-9: Trek an Inca trail through remote valleys and over stunning high passes, meeting campesinos and their children, and discovering remnants of the ancient Inca culture along the way. Be awestruck, as the Inca were, by spectacular views of the perfect snowcapped peaks of Mt. Verónica (17,550 feet) and Salcantay (20,550 feet). Our final day of trekking the Inca trail brings us through astonishing mountain scenery past the striking ruins of Wiñay Wayna, through Intipunku (the Gate of the Sun), and into the lost city of Machu Picchu.

Day 10: Immerse yourself in the wonder of Machu Picchu, with a full day of exploration, including the serene hour of sunrise for those who wish to wake early. Return to Cusco by train for a celebratory dinner. Relax in the comfort of our historic hotel, the former home of Francisco Pizarro, the first governor of Peru.

Day 11: Depart from Cusco, Peru.

Step Away from the Ordinary ~ Peru Trekking Tour

Enjoy hot tea brought to your tent at sunrise, while still snuggled in your warm sleeping bag. Clear mountain passes in the footsteps of Incas, supported by a team of arrieros and their pack horses. Indulge in delicious, authentic Peruvian cuisine in festive Cusco or at our campsite nestled near a river with incredible views of 20,000 foot peaks. Explore some of the most fascinating archeological sites on the planet. All of these elements come together in perfect harmony to create the adventure travel vacation of a lifetime. Make them part of yours.

More Information

2009 Dates

  • May 10-20
  • July 19-29
  • September 13-23