Hike the Inca Trail

Welcome to Peru! A representative will be waiting for you at Cusco Airport to take you to your hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm, where you'll meet your local leader and fellow travelers. If you arrive early, there’s loads to see and do in Cusco. You could drop by Casa Intrepid – a community hub and travelers’ sanctuary in the historic walls of House Casanova Lastarria – to recharge with a coca tea or take a breather from the hustle and bustle. After the meeting, get acquainted with the city on a walking tour with your leader. Check out some of Cusco's main attractions – like the Qoricancha temple, San Pedro market, the 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square. You’ll then have an important trek briefing at Casa Intrepid, followed by free time for the rest of the evening. How about finding a dinner spot with your group to try some local Peruvian favorites?

Today you’ll drive through the Sacred Valley, known as Wilcamayo to the Incas. Covered in agricultural terraces and maize crops, this region has been a source of livelihood for the locals for centuries. Here, you’ll visit a local highland community and experience an ancient cooking ritual known as pachamanca. Meaning ‘earth oven’ in Quechua, this ancient cooking uses a pit heated with stones to slow-cook marinated meat and vegetables. It's a great chance to learn about the community's traditional lifestyle and maybe even try to wrap your tongue around a few Quechua words! If it’s market day, you'll also have time to browse the beads, ponchos and other handicrafts on offer. After, visit AMA Restaurant in Urubamba – a cafe that provides training and employment opportunities to local women who are single parents. Enjoy a coffee and cake here and learn how this inclusive enterprise is supporting the community. Continue your journey to Ollantaytambo, where you can relax at your hotel or opt to explore the fascinating Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site (at your own expense).

It’s time to set off on the Inca Trail! Travel by minivan to the 51-mi marker (8819 ft) and meet your local trekking guide, chef and crew of porters. Today's mostly uphill trail includes the Inca sites of Ollantaytambo, Huillca Raccay and Llactapata, as well as incredible views of snow-capped Veronica Peak. When you arrive at your first campsite (10,170 ft), kick your boots off and unwind with a nourishing meal prepared by your cook. If it’s a clear night, don’t forget to look up to see the glittering Andean skies.

Gear up for the most challenging part of the trek. Today you’ll ascend for five hours up a steep path to reach the highest point of the trail – Warmiwanusca, or colloquially known as 'Dead Woman's Pass' – which sits at a height of 13,780 ft above sea level. While it’s challenging (get ready to work up a sweat!), you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the valley below. You’ll then descend to the campsite in Pacaymayo Valley at 11,975 ft – this is where your trusty walking poles will come in handy. Arrive at camp and dig into a well-earned dinner after a big day.

Start the day with a climb through the Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass at 13,058 ft. Stop for a breather and enjoy views of the snowcapped mountain of Cordillera Vilcabamba before descending for around 2 to 3 hours to the ruins of Sayacmarca. Believed to have been used by the Incas for ceremonial purposes, this maze-like stone structure sits on a mountain crest and is only accessible on foot. Continue over the trail’s third pass to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca at 12,631 ft, also known as the 'Town Above the Clouds'. You’ll then begin the 2-hour descent down the Inca steps to your final campsite by the Winay Wayna archaeological site. Make the most of your final night camping beneath the Andean peaks.

Rise and shine for the final and most spectacular leg of the Inca Trail! After a 4 am breakfast, say bye to your porters as they descend to the train station and begin hiking. Once the final checkpoint opens at 5 am, push on for the last 2.5-hour trek to Intipunku (the Sun Gate) – the famous entrance of Machu Picchu. Weather permitting, you’ll enjoy epic views over the citadel. Surrounded by cloud forest with the river Urubamba running through the gorge far below, Machu Picchu (7972 ft) is one of those genuinely magical places, and your first glimpse of the ruins is something to remember. After a guided tour (and taking advantage of endless photo ops!), catch the bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch. From here, take the scenic train to Ollantaytambo and drive back to Cusco. Relax for a while after a celebratory shower, then relive all the special moments you’ve shared at a farewell dinner at Nuna Raymi – a sustainable restaurant that supports local organic producers. You made it!

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to stick around and explore more of Cusco, just speak to your booking agent to organize extra accommodation.