Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

You will meet your Bucket List Leaders at the airport and fly out as a group for Bucket Lister + Trips. If you have booked a Bucket Lister Trip we will see you in Peru soon!

Once we arrive in Lima, you will transfer to our hotel. If you have transfers with us we will take you to the hotel; for those making their own way, we will see you in Lima. Once you arrive at the hotel you will have the rest of the day to relax and explore the area.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for your morning tour of Lima. You’ll start in Huaca Pucllana, a huge archaeological site in Miraflores, one of Lima’s most popular districts. You’ll visit Barranco and Plaza San Martín, and explore the historic buildings of Lima’s main square – the beautiful Plaza de Armas. After visiting the catacombs of San Francisco, you’ll be dropped back at your hotel. You have the afternoon free to explore further.

You will be picked up from the hotel very early and taken to the airport for your flight to the Inca capital of Cusco, followed by a transfer to your hotel. You’ll have some free time to relax and acclimatise (Cusco is 3350m above sea level), then you will be taken on a walking tour of the city (around 2 – 3 hours). The tour will visit Koriancha and Cusco’s main square, the most famous original Inca street and the Palace of Inca Roca.

After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where you will see some of the finest examples of Inca stonework and construction, including massive rocks carefully cut and perfectly fitted together to form the walls. You’ll also have beautiful panoramic views of Cusco. Your tour will then continue to Qenqo, Puca Pucara and finally Tambomachay.

Important Information: There will be a trek briefing at the hotel at 5pm with your guides.

Your Inca Trail trek begins today! You’ll have an early pick up (around 6 am) for the drive to Piscachucho, also known as Km 82, and the starting point for your big adventure. We’ll stop on the way at the town of Ollantaytambo, where we’ll stop briefly and you’ll be able to pick up any very last-minute items.
Piscachucho, at 2,720m (8,923 ft) is where we’ll start trekking, initially crossing the Vilcanota River, then ascend through cloud forest to stunning views of the surrounding landscape and Inca ruins.
We will hike for 5 or 6 hours to the village of Hatunchaca, where we will camp for the night.

Total distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Estimated walking time: 5 – 6 hours
Maximum altitude: 3,000m / 9,840 ft
Campsite altitude: 3,000m / 9,840 ft

It’s another early start on Day 2. Our cooks will prepare a hearty breakfast to get your energy levels up, and you’re going to need it. Day 2 on the classic Inca Trail is generally regarded as the toughest day, and we have a steep ascent ahead of us. We’ll be following the Inca Trail along a route that was sacred to the Incas, as it rises up into the Apus, where the mountain spirits dwell. A steep climb takes us through the high-cloud forest up to Llulluchapampa where we will stop for lunch and a good rest. You’ll then continue to the highest point of our trek, Abra de Warmihuañusca, or Dead Woman’s Pass, at an elevation of 4,200 m (13,779 ft). Once we make it to the pass, we’ll have a well-deserved rest and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery, and you can be justifiably proud of your achievement. After the pass you’ll descend for two hours to Pacaymayu where you will camp for the night.

Total distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Estimated walking time: 6 – 7 hours
Maximum altitude: 4,200m / 13,770 ft
Campsite altitude: 3,500m / 11,480 ft

After another energy-filled breakfast, you’ll climb once again to the second pass at 3950m (12,980 feet) from where there should be fantastic views of Pumasillo mountain. The following descent takes us to the Inca town of Sayacmarca, which is set in a stunning location between two valleys. The trail then climbs gently passing through the high jungle, arriving at our third pass at 3600m (11,800 feet). From this last pass we visit the site of Phuyupatamarca before beginning our long descent down the famous Inca steps and onto our third campsite at Wiñay Wayna. We’ll have dinner at the campsite and rest in preparation for tomorrow – and our arrival at Machu Picchu.

Total distance: 16 km / 9 miles
Estimated walking time: 8 hours
Maximum altitude: 3,950m / 12,980 ft
Campsite altitude: 2,650m / 8,700 ft

Today we want to get moving as soon as possible, so we’ll wake very early, have breakfast and then set off along the last section of the trail. We’ll walk for about 1.5 hours until we reach Intipunku (the “Sun Gate”), arriving before the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu. From the Sun Gate you can watch the sun spill across the landscape, slowly revealing Machu Picchu and your first sighting of your final destination. We will then walk the short distance to Machu Picchu itself, where you’ll begin your guided walking tour with your experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. Afterwards, we’ll head down to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu, in time for lunch. We’ll then board the afternoon train back to the Sacred Valley, before a private transfer back to your Cusco hotel.

Note: For hikers who want to add a climb of Huayna Picchu, or Machu Picchu Mountain, as an alternative to exploring the site independently, tickets must be reserved in advance (US$ 80.00 per person).

Total distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Estimated walking time: 2 hours
Maximum altitude: 2,700m / 8,860 ft

Cusco, the foremost city of the Inca Empire, is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, as well as being the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. You have a free day here to relax, explore and have a chance for last-minute shopping! Whether you wander around the plazas, visit a salsa bar, get a massage or just drink some fantastic coffee, today is a chance to recharge before returning home.

Or you might choose to book an add-on and head out to Rainbow Mountain today.

After breakfast enjoy your last day at leisure before transferring to the airport for your return flight home via Lima. 

Please note – if you are booking your international flights yourself you must book a late evening flight from Lima, to allow for the internal flight from Cusco.