Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail - The Way of the Incas

Welcome to Peru!

Seriously though, if you're wondering what to pack for this epic trip you can access our Equipment List for Machu Picchu right here! Today you will fly into the beautiful city of Lima.

Once you land, you can walk to the airport hotel, Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport hotel which is in front of the airport, where you will spend the day and night(Depending on your arrival day) before heading to Cusco the next morning, your launching point for the trek ahead.

If you arrive early, you’ll have free time to enjoy a meal with your group and explore!

One of our team will transfer you to the Lima airport for your flight to Cusco, the former capital of the Incas. We'll then whisk you from Cusco airport to the hotel where you will meet up with the rest of your group who will be just as excited as you are to get trekking!

Today is arrival day which is another opportunity for you to explore your surroundings and the amazing city of Cusco. You can check out San Pedro where there will be a lot of local activities and always a great photo opportunity. You could even visit San Blas (the historic & artistic neighbourhood). It's the city's most picturesque district with its narrow and steep streets, and colonial houses built with walls of Incan stone. There you can find the 12 Angles Stone, Plaza la Armas and finally Qorikancha (Sun temple), the sacred centre of the Incan world.

Heaps to see depending on what time your flight arrives. But don't fret if you're short on time because tomorrow you'll be taken on a guided tour to see the best of Cusco!

Later you'll be greeted in the evening for your trip briefing about the rest of the trip and meet up with your guide!

Night to relax and chill in and around Cusco.

Time to explore magical Cusco! This beautiful city has an interesting history, both from Incan and colonial times. You start this half-day tour in Cusco’s main square, which was called Huacaypata (Warriors Square) by the Incas. While the guide tells you more about the history of this special place, you can admire the city’s cathedral that was built between 1560 and 1664 with the red granite stones from the Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuaman.

The cathedral is, without doubt, one of the most impressive buildings in Cusco, and not only from the outside: the historical buildings hosts one of the most significant collections of gold and silver work of the colonial period.  Next, you continue to Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo. The convent was built on top of the most important Inca temple dedicated to the worship of the sun, with walls covered with gold leaf. Wandering through the streets of what once was the capital of the Inca Empire, you feel like you are travelling through time.

After exploring Cusco, you will head to the nearby Incan ruins, such as the Sacsayhuaman Fortress with its immense temple walls made out of huge stones. The Living Stones of Sacsayhuamana which were built by the Incas have been placed without glue or mortar of any kind, and fit so exactly, like puzzle pieces, that you can't even fit a sheet of paper between them! It's a mystery how they built these HUGE vast structures so perfectly. You think Stone Henge is a mystery?! - The stones here make our henge look like pebbles thrown on the floor. You'll also check out the red fort Puca Pucara; the Qenko Amphitheater, and Tambomachay - the Inca baths.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a real treat as we head out on our first trek of the trip to an area just outside of Cusco. We will trek from 3750m to 4400m before dropping back down to Cusco later that evening. This is part of our tried and tested ‘Hike high, sleep low’ strategy that’s enabled our EverTrekkers to get used to the altitude on all of our treks.

You'll be on the trails for 6-7 hours trekking through mountain passes, fields, lakes and small Peruvian settlements. Once reaching the high point at 4400m, we'll spend a bit of time here so your body can feel the altitude which will pay dividends over the next few days when you're trekking on the Inca Trail.

One heck of an acclimatisation day!

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included meals: Picnic, Dinner

We start early as we climb the steep section and path to Warmiwañusca (aka Dead Woman’s Pass.) This is the highest point of the Inca Trail trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). The trail traverses an open slope opposite mighty mountain crags as you climb up and up. The Inca steps seen here are something to behold and once on top of the high pass the views of the sweeping snow-capped peaks of the Huayanay massif are something special.

The plan for our EverTrekkers is to reach the camp at the bottom of Pacaymayo valley by early afternoon with heaps of time to sit back, rest and get ready for the next day's trekking.

Overnight: tents

Ascent: 1263 m / Descent: 607 m / Highest altitude: 4194 m / Distance: 10 Km / Activity duration: 7 h

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You'll start another early day as we ascend up a steep Inca stairway and pass our first Inca site of the day at Runkuracay. We'll then climb over another high pass named after this site, Runkuracay mountain pass (3954 m). The views from this vantage point are superb with the mountains above and the valley below so get that camera out and start clicking away.

You'll descend to another Inca ruin called Sayacmarca or “Inaccessible Town” (3597 m). This place is awesome with an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley below.

This is where you really start to appreciate the creation of this awesome stone trail with these huge granite paving stones guiding you through the forest and mountain valley. It's really something to behold and experience as you realise where you are!

As the day continues you'll climb your third mountain pass of Phuyupayamarca pass (3656 m) where you'll enjoy the views from the Incan viewing platforms overlooking the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca or “Cloud-level Town”. You really are in the clouds as the mist comes off the mountainsides during the late morning.

The final Incan stairway of the day leads us to the campsite for the night at the ruins of Wiñay Wayna or “Forever Young” (2720 m) which is one of the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites. Enjoy some time exploring before settling down for the big and early day tomorrow

Night in tent.

Ascent to Runkuracay pass: 367 m / Descent to Sayacmarca: 357 m / Ascent to Phuyupayamarca: 59 m / Descent to Wiñay Wayna: 975 m / Highest altitude: 3954 m / Distance: 11,1 Km / Activity duration: 8 h

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a wholesome breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Ollantaytambo and you will head to the famous Ollantaytambo Ruins in the Sacred Valley. This is an awesome place to hike around for the day.

You'll visit Hanan Huacaypata, one of the best-preserved parts of this Inca territory as well as the colourful Pisac Andean market which offers you deeper insights into the local culture, while enjoying the traditional clothing of the people of this region which attracts thousands of visitors from remote villagers in the area.

Elevation: Ollantaytambo (2792 m) -  Cusco (3400 m)

Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast