Tour overview

This 7-day small-group trip is the most direct way to walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, with a day to acclimatise in the Sacred Valley first. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a trip leader throughout and local guides and porters on the trail. You spend three nights in hotels in Cusco and Ollantaytambo and three nights camping on the Inca Trail, in twin-share tents set up by the porters, with self-inflating mats provided; you bring your own sleeping bag. Breakfasts are included from Day 2, with a community lunch and all meals on the trek. Travellers who prefer can choose the quieter Quarry Trail, with two nights camping and a hotel night in Aguas Calientes, or stay in Cusco and take the train to Machu Picchu. Cusco sits at 3,400 metres, so the first days are deliberately gentle.

The trip begins in Cusco, the former Inca capital, with a leader-led orientation walk. The next day you drive through the Sacred Valley, its terraced walls covered in maize above the Urubamba River, stopping for lunch with a local community and a snack at the AMA social-enterprise restaurant in Urubamba, before the night in the Inca town of Ollantaytambo.

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On the Inca Trail, porters carry the tents and food while you walk with a daypack. The second day of the trek is the hardest, a steep five-hour climb to Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman's Pass, at 4,200 metres. Next comes the Runkurakay Pass at 3,980 metres, with views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba, and the ruins of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca along an ancient stone path through cloud forest.

On the final morning you rise at 4am to walk to Intipunku, the Sun Gate, for your first view of Machu Picchu, followed by a guided tour of the citadel before returning by train and road to Cusco for a well-earned rest.

The physical rating is high. You need good fitness for long, steep days at altitude. Inca Trail permits are limited and must be booked well ahead. This trip suits fit, adventurous travellers who want to reach Machu Picchu the traditional way.

Trip highlights

  • An orientation walk in Cusco (Day 1)
  • A community lunch in the Sacred Valley (Day 2)
  • Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 metres (Day 4)
  • The ruins of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca (Day 5)
  • Sunrise through the Sun Gate (Day 6)
  • A guided tour of Machu Picchu (Day 6)

Your route

4 stops from Cusco to Machu Picchu

7-day route: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo – Inca Trail – Machu Picchu – Cusco
  1. Cusco Days 1 & 6
  2. Ollantaytambo Day 2
  3. Inca Trail Days 3–5
  4. Machu Picchu Day 6

Why choose this tour

The classic Inca Trail with porters, guides and camping arranged, plus time to acclimatise. Permits, train and Machu Picchu entry handled for you.

Best suited to

  • Fit hikers who want the classic Inca Trail
  • Travellers with limited time in Peru
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
  • Anyone combining Machu Picchu with a longer South America trip
A signpost to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu Mountain

Day-by-day itinerary

7 days from Cusco, Peru to Cusco, Peru

  1. Day 1 · Cusco Arrive in Cusco

    Meet your leader at 2pm for an orientation walk around the former Inca capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Sacred Valley, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley

    Drive through the Sacred Valley for a community lunch, then continue to Ollantaytambo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Inca Trail Inca Trail begins

    Start the trek along the Urubamba River, with porters carrying the camp.

    Hotel
    Camping in twin-share tents
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Warmiwañusca Dead Woman's Pass

    Climb for five hours to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 metres, the trail's highest point.

    Hotel
    Camping in twin-share tents
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca Inca ruins

    Cross Runkurakay Pass and walk through cloud forest past Inca ruins.

    Hotel
    Camping in twin-share tents
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Sun Gate, Machu Picchu, Cusco Machu Picchu

    Walk to the Sun Gate at dawn, take a guided tour of Machu Picchu and return to Cusco.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Cusco Trip ends in Cusco

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Machu Picchu wrapped in cloud

Where you stay

  • Cusco (1 night) Hotel
  • Ollantaytambo (1 night) Hotel
  • Inca Trail (3 nights) Camping in twin-share tents
  • Cusco (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 3 nights in hotels and 3 nights camping on the Inca Trail
  • Meals 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners, including all trek meals
  • Four-day guided Inca Trail trek with porters, or the Quarry Trail alternative
  • Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entry with a guided tour
  • Train between Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo, and buses at Machu Picchu
  • Tents and self-inflating mats on the trek
  • Sacred Valley community lunch and Cusco orientation walk
  • Trip leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Cusco
  • Sleeping bag
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips for porters and guides, travel insurance and personal spending
The historic town of Ollantaytambo

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want hotels every night — three nights are camping on the trail
  • You are not used to hiking — the trek is long, steep and high
  • You want a relaxed pace — days start early
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Peru
The village of Pisac in the Sacred Valley, Peru

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £925 per person, twin share, tour only. 205 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is the camping like?

Three nights in twin-share tents set up by porters, with self-inflating mats. Bring your own sleeping bag. Facilities at campsites are basic.

How hard is the Inca Trail?

Hard. Expect long, steep days at altitude, with the highest pass at 4,200 metres. Good fitness and time to acclimatise are essential.

What if I cannot get an Inca Trail permit?

Permits are limited. If they sell out, you can take the Quarry Trail or stay in Cusco and take the train to Machu Picchu.

Who carries my bags?

Porters carry the tents, food and up to a set weight of your gear. You carry a daypack.

When is the trail closed?

The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.

How many people trek together?

Up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a trip leader, guides and porters.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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