9-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu with porters from Cusco, Peru

Join one of Mountain Madness's experienced local guides on this unforgettable 9-day trip to one of South America's most fascinating cultural heritage sites, Machu Picchu.

TRIP TYPE

Group

MOUNTAIN RANGES

Andes

DURATION

9 Days

OFFER PERIOD

May - Sep

FITNESS LEVEL

intermediate

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

PAYMENT METHODS

Credit Card, Wire Transfer and more!

Learn about the fascinating Inca culture and the city of Machu Picchu
Trek from subtropical forests to high mountain passes
Enjoy breathtaking views of the stunning forest-covered peruvian mountains

Description

Join Alejo, an experienced local trekking Guide, on this unforgettable 9-day trip to one of South America’s most fascinating cultural heritage sites, Machu Picchu.

The ruins of Machu Picchu are situated at an altitude of (2,500 m /8,200 feet) in the Urubamba River Valley of Peruvian Andes. Jungle growth has covered the deserted city for many years and as a result it escaped notice by the Spanish conquistadors. It was not until 1911, when U.S. explorer Hiram Bingham “discovered” the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, that the eyes of the world were placed again on the nowadays UNESCO World Heritage and it became one of the most sought-after destinations on the Planet.

We start this fascinating journey in Cusco, the former capital city of the Inca Empire. Our explorations continue through Andean villages and into the Sacred Valley with its important Inca ruins. After studying the mesmerising architecture of Cusco, the spectacular landscapes of the Sacred Valley and beginning to understand the myths and legends surrounding the Incas, we begin our trek on the Inca Trail to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. Our walk along this ancient path involves a series of climbs and descents. We will have the chance to enjoy incredible views and explore fascinating ancient ruins during our 4-day walk.

Mountain Madness is renowned for providing the finest mountain cuisine available. All of the meals from the trailhead and back will be provided, including pastas, rice, soups, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Bring along your favorite snack foods and energy bars for on the trail to supplement the lunch provided. The local cuisine is also something for the traveler to look forward to, including superb combinations of typical Andean foods, such as corn, potatoes, and chili pepper, with pork and mutton introduced by the Spanish. Adventurous diners can feast on cuy (guinea pig), a Peruvian specialty.

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit and explore the magic of the Inca trails, crossing breathtaking landscapes from tropical forests to high mountain passes. Request to book now and enjoy an unforgettable trekking experience to the ancient sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transportation start and back

- Transport during the trip

- Luggage transfer

- Permit and entrance fees

- Group porters

- Personal porters

- Mules and horses

Price details

Included in Cost:

Scheduled hotel nights

Scheduled restaurant meals

Park and museum entrance fees

Porters and pack animals

Food while on the trek

Group tents and cooking gear

Airport transfers to and from Cusco International Airport

$350 non-refundable permit fee upon reservation

Secure your spot with just 25% payment

48-hour free cancellation with 30-day advance booking

Itinerary

Day 1: Departure to Perú

Day 2: Arrival in Cusco

Elevation: 10,909 feet / 3325 meters

A Mountain Madness representative will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The afternoon will be free for shopping for local Quechuan Indian handicrafts and getting familiar with Cusco’s fine restaurants, cobblestone streets, and relaxing courtyards. We will also tour the city, visiting old cathedrals and Inca temples, and explore the famous Sacsayhuaman ruins.

Day 3: Sacred Valley

Elevation: 10,335 feet / 3150 meters

Today we will visit the beautiful Vilcanota/Urubamba River Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley. Our explorations will take us through Andean villages, local markets and the very important ruins of Pisac and/or Ollantaytambo. Return to Cusco for overnight.

Day 4: Huayllabama

Elevation: 9,842 feet / 3000 meters

We depart early for the Inca Trail. After driving along the high, barren puna, we descend into the twisted Urubamba Valley and drive to our trailhead where we distribute loads among porters. We then hike to the small village of Huayllabamba where the local people still practice subsistence farming.

Day 5: Warmiwanusga pass to Runquracay camp

Elevation: Warmiwanusga Pass 13,776 feet / 4199 meters
Runquracay 12,172 feet / 3710 meters

After hiking over the Warmiwanusga Pass we descend several thousand feet before hiking up to the ruins of Runquracay where we camp. This is a difficult day with about 4,000 feet of elevation gain.

Day 6: Winay Wayna

Elevation: 8,861 feet / 2701 meters

We will be passing numerous ruins and walking through lush cloud forests and along cobblestone pathways made by the Incas. We will make camp at the ancient ruins of Winay Wayna. This is a fabulous day with good walking, interesting ruins, great views of the Veronica Range, the massive peak of Salcantay, and the wild rapids of the Urubamba River.

Day 7: Hike to Machu Picchu. Train back to Cusco

Elevation: Machu Picchu 8,200 feet / 2499 meters

Cusco 10,909 feet / 3325 meters

After an early start, we hike to Machu Picchu, fortress city of the ancient Incas. Here we’ll discover sundials, follow the ingenious water system of the city, and marvel at the Inca stonemasonry. After exploring the ruins we catch the afternoon train back to Cusco. This is one of the world’s classic train rides and a great way to end our adventure.

Day 8: Lima

Elevation: Sea level

Today you will fly back to Lima where you will be free to explore the city before catching your night flight home.

Day 9: Arrive back home

Details

More info

No included in price:

Airfare Personal equipment Staff/guide gratuities Items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.) Trip cancellation insurance Medical rescue insurance Alcoholic beverages Personal Insurance

Meeting point

Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport

Equipment you will need to bring

Trekking clothes and boots

About the guide: Alejo

Alejo

Mountain Leader

UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide from Ecuador.

Alejo fell in love with the mountains in his early years as a boy scout, and became a proficient rock climber in his youth. Through these activities, he met the friends that helped him summit Ecuador's famed peak Cotopaxi at age 14. Since then, Alejo has spent countless days in the mountains and has shared this love with many aspiring climbers.

He has climbed in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and recently did some serious alpine climbing in the Alps as part of his training to obtain his UIAGM certification. Alejo is the second Ecuadorian guide to achieve full UIAGM certification, one of very few US-certified Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians (WEMT), and a certified member of the ASEGUIM.

He also works as a climbing, rescue, and outdoor medicine instructor. He enjoys traveling, hiking, scuba diving, running and is a pretty darned good cook.

Languages

English

Certificates

ASEGUIM

Request more information

What people are saying about Explore-Share

Kumari

5.00

I’m extremely happy with the ease with which I could book via your site reliable and experienced guide. Thank you so very much, and I’ve started to recommend your site to my friends. Dimitris is not only an awesome guide, but a wonderful person who was always looking out to give me the best experience I can have when he found out how much I love climbing! He is the Best!

Niklas

5.00

I am very pleased with Explore-Share! This was my first international climb, and the communication and response time were great. Herbie is a very skilled guide and very efficient. The entire booking process & payment was smooth. I will definitely use Explore-Share again. Thank you.

Greg

5.00

I was looking for a local guide for a hike I was planning and came across Explore-Share. They seemed to have good reviews and so decided to give them a try. The experience was very positive and completely happy with their service. I will be using them again for next trip.

Colin

5.00

Easy to set up and find the perfect trip. Informative site that is easy to use. Guides are all great to work with and communicate all arrangements needed. As simple as can be!

Lesley

4.00

Thank you explore-share for a wonderful via feratta experience. We have been wanting to learn for a long time but don't have the facilities in Scotland. The guide Mitja was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, answering all my many questions and providing advice. On the day head to take another group but he quickly arranged another guide Borut, who was brilliant. We had a fantastic morning learning via ferrata at Hvadnik in the gorge. It gave us the confidence to later hire our own equipment and go out in Mojstrana. Altogether a five star + experience. Thank you.