The Inca Trail
An itinerary created specifically for the Inca Trail trek. With Knowmad you will avoid the crowds, support a sustainable Inca Trail operation, and hike with the best guides, porters, and cook team.
From: $1,845 | 5 DAYS | PERU
The Inca Trail Trip Highlights
- Make the pilgrimage to Machu Picchu as the Incas did centuries ago
- Visit other coveted ruins like Sayacmarca.
- Explore the famed Lost City of Machu Picchu and the Sun Gate
- Camp in secluded campsites in pristine settings, not crowded group sites.
- Unique hiking itinerary keeps you away from crowds
- Enjoy a full-day at Machu Picchu after a good night’s rest in comfortable hotels
- Hike in a small group with the Inca Trail’s best guides, cook team, and porters
- Support a sustainable Inca Trail operation with fair treatment and compsensation for porters and support staff
Itinerary Overview
Doing the pilgrimage to Machu Picchu may push you, will likely help you know yourself better, and will certainly be an amazing experience. Doing the Inca Trail with Knowmad means you’ll do it away from the crowds; that you’ll have charismatic, fun guides and meet unforgettable people along the way; and that you’ll do it all in style with great equipment and food
DAY 1 • INCA TRAIL – SACRED VALLEY – LLAQTAPATA
Begin hiking the famed Inca Trail to the Lost City of Machu Picchu. Enjoy first-class equipment, informed and fun guides and porters, and gourmet trail picnics and meals. Doing the trail in five days rather than four means you’ll camp and hike away from the crowds.
DAY 2 • LLAQTAPATA TO LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Visit the small indigenous community of Huayllabamba. Ascend to the first pass for a breathtaking sunset upon Mount Huaynay.
DAY 3 • LLULLUCHAPAMPA TO PHUYUPATAMARCA
A challenging day of hiking past Sayacmarca ruins overlooking the Aobanba Valley takes you to your isolated camp outside a remote Andean village.
DAY 4 • PHUYUPATAMARCA TO MACHU PICCHU
Hike past ruins continuing into verdant cloudforest before arriving to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, in time to see the sun set over Machu Picchu. Descend past the ruins and continue to Machu Picchu Pueblo for the evening.
DAY 5 • MACHU PICCHU
Revel at the sunrise from Machu Picchu. Enjoy a complete guided tour of the site with time to explore on your own as well. Return to Cusco in the evening.
Is It For Me?
People often overlook the challenge that the Inca Trail presents. Expect to hike 6-8 hours a day with significant gains in elevation. If you’re looking for challenging hiking with flawless logistical planning, this trip is for you.
Knowmad has vast knowledge and operating capacities in Peru; this is a private trip and we are happy to modify excursions, accommodations, and the flow of the itinerary to perfectly suit your travel style and interests.
Have questions? Talk to an expert: 612-315-2894
Important Info
COSTS
Listed prices are approximations. All Knowmad trips are custom and exact pricing is provided in your trip proposal.
- From $1,845 per person (minimum 2 travelers).
- $150 single supplement – rates quoted are per person, based on sharing double accommodations. If you request single accommodations you are required to pay the single supplement.
TYPE Fixed Date. Group Departure. Small groups capped at 16 but average 6 people. Fixed date Inca Trail Treks depart every Wednesday and Sunday.
VIGOROUS TRIP More active trips that are suitable for most people in good health, these trips may also venture into remote territory and more rugged terrain. Activities include extended hiking, camping, cultural opportunities, history, train ride, shopping, wildlife viewing.
DEPARTURES March through November; can be set up to match your dates.
LENGTH 5 days – 1 night comfortable hotel, 3 nights camping BEGIN | END Cusco, Peru or the Sacred Valley
Air Travel
INTERNATIONAL Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. You may arrange your international airfare independently, or we are happy to offer our feedback and assistance in helping you book it.
REGIONAL If booked by Knowmad Adventures, internal airfare for this trip (Lima/Cusco, Cusco/Lima) averages $440, however this is an approximation and the airfare is subject to change upon booking. If you would like to arrange your own regional flights, please consult us prior so we can verify the departure and arrival times.
What's Next?
Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Signing up is easy. Call us at 612-315-2894 or email [email protected] and reserve your spot. Or simply download our registration form, fill it out, and send it back to us along with your trip deposit. Please refer to registration form for terms & conditions.
Weather & When to Go to Peru
This trip takes place mostly in the Peruvian highlands. Throughout the year the average temperature is in the mid-50s °F (10-12 °C) and does not fluctuate greatly. Evenings are cooler. There are primarily two seasons: wet and dry. December through March sees much more precipitation than other times of the year and is the less visited season. As Peru has three distinct climate zones, if you are interested in combining this trip with a visit to the jungle or the coastal areas please inquire for more weather details.
Prior to your departure, you are provided a detailed pre-trip information packet including a recommended pack list, information about the regions you’ll be visiting, suggested readings, up-to-date health information including any recommended vaccinations and more.
Accommodations
Our trips feature comfortable accommodations that complement their surroundings. We seek out intimacy and character, but never sacrifice cleanliness and security. We also find the best value for quality. In general, our physically moderate to vigorous trips feature hotels classified as 3+ to 4 stars, while less physically demanding trips feature 4+ to 5 star hotels.
As South American travel specialists, we’re experts and have inspected hundreds of properties. Knowmad is happy to suggest upgrades and alternative hotels based on your preferences to ensure your trip is perfect for you. Photos below are from this itinerary’s preferred accommodations. For more specifics, call or write to request more info, or download the detailed trip itinerary.
Accommodations featured in this itinerary are the following:
- El Mapi located in Machu Picchu Pueblo, Peru
DAY 1 Inca Trail – Sacred Valley – Llaqtapata
You will be picked up in the morning at your Cusco or Sacred Valley hotel. Geared up and ready to go, today you begin the Inca Trail departing to Piscaycucho. After meeting the porters, hike through a little-visited section of the trail gently winding up the valley until arriving to the Incan ruins at Q’oriwayrachina. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by stones from more than 200 structures. Crossing the Urubamba River at Q’ente arrive to an isolated campsite amidst Inca terracing and nearby the archaeological sites of Wayna Q’ente and Llaqtapata which you can visit at your leisure in the evening. Hike details: 6.8 miles, approximately 5-6 hours
DAY 2 Llaqtapata to Llulluchapampa
Continuing up the Cusichaca Valley you reach the small indigenous community of Huayllabamba. After glimpsing into the life and traditions of the high Andes, make your ascent to a large Pampa below the first pass to where your camp awaits pirched for a breathtaking sunset and sunrise views of Mount Huayanay. Ascending this narrow hanging valley with views to the cloudforest, you’ll see the very rare Andean Quenua tree. Hike details: 5.6 miles, 6 hours
DAY 3 Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca
Begin the most challenging day of hiking with a steady ascent until rewarded with big Andean views from the 13,692-ft Warmiwanusqa Pass. From here head down towards the Pacamayo River and up the other side of the valley to the Runkuraqay atop the second pass. Visit the Sayacmarca ruins after just entering the cloudforest. A beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley, it affords a respite for a liesurely walk through the imposing structures often enshrouded by clouds. Continuing along the ridge you’ll see the majestic Mount Salkantay and the silhouette of Mount Pumasillo to the north on the horizon. Arriving at Phuyupatamarca Ruins, the village on the edge of the clouds, continue just beyond to your isolated camp. Hike details: 8.7 miles, 7-8 hours
DAY 4 Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu
Begin todays trek after visiting the Phuyupatamarca ruins and winding sharply down into increasingly dense cloudforest to the well-restored ruins of Winay Wayna. Continue on until you cross through Intipunku – the Sun Gate – as the Incas did long ago for your first bird’s-eye view to the Lost City of Machu Picchu. Arriving to the Sun Gate in the evening helps avoid crowds and allows you to first see Machu Picchu when it is less visited. From here you will descend to Machu Picchu Pueblo to toast your feat of retracing the ancient Incan pathway to Machu Picchu and your upcoming full-day exploration of the site. Hike details: 8.1 miles, 8 hours
DAY 5 Machu Picchu
Early risers can revel at the sunrise from the Machu Picchu citadel or climb the adjacent sacred peak Huayna Picchu in the morning for a bird’s eye view. This incredibly vast archeological site – lost to the world until well into the twentieth century – is perched amongst Andean peaks and lush cloud forest making it one of the most breathtaking sights in the world. You’ll have the opportunity to get a complete guided tour of the site as you begin to unlock the mystery of the Inca, and will also have plenty of time to explore the ruins on your own. Lunch at the adjacent Sanctuary Lodge means you’re able to enjoy the whole day without leaving awe-inpiring Machu Picchu. After descending from the ruins, take the afternoon train to the Sacred Valley continuing by private van to Cusco for the evening.
Let The Journey Begin
Planning a trip to South America might seem a little overwhelming at first. Knowmad offers door-to-door trip planning: first, we listen, and then we help you navigate the seasonal differences and itinerary options, resulting in a holistic, seamless, and custom-crafted experience, all at a guaranteed best value.
The simplest way to get started is to give us a call at 612-315-2894or to fill out this short form so we can learn more about your travel preferences.
